Journey through the Nativity scenes in Italy
That of the nativity scene is a tradition strongly rooted in the culture and society of Italy. It is considered to date back to year 1223, when San Francesco is credited to have created in the village of Greccio the “presepe” by reconstructing the nativity scene with living animals and real people. The first known nativity, with reconstruction of t...
A Los Angeles trionfa la creatività italiana
È la nuova destinazione fashion. A Los Angeles inizia a delinearsi un nuovo palinsesto pensato per promuovere l’eccellenza Made in Italy sulla West Coast. L’iniziativa, che nasce dalla collaborazione tra Made Strategy, società di consulenza guidata dall’imprenditore emiliano Paolo Galli, e Iaccw-Italy America chamber of commerce west, ha debuttato...
Italian Christmas cake face-off: panettone or pandoro?
You want clear lights on the tree, I think multi-colored are prettier; you prefer ham on the holiday table, I say turkey is tastier; you rock out to modern Christmas carols, I sway to the oldies; you insist on a Panettone for dessert…wait, what?? Oh, no – only a Pandoro will do! And thus it begins…the Italian Christmas cake face-off. The solution...
The Feast of Seven Fishes: An Italian-American tradition
Every year, on Christmas Eve, many families across the US gather for the Feast of Seven Fishes. Although it is unclear exactly when the grand seafood feast became popular in America, it is considered one of the most popular Italian traditions in the nation. “Wait,” You may ask, “Seven fishes? That can’t be right. Is that like in The Godfather when...
Saturnia Thermal Baths
Saturnia is an ancient village in the south of Tuscany in the area known as Maremma. Although not yet commercialized, it attracts tourists because of its thermal baths which have been of considerable importance since ancient ages. The village is a little out of the way for most tourists but it does have a few good facilities for travelers. There ar...
Caravello to take charge of the Columbian Club
Roselle contractor Stuart Caravello will ascend to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago at a black-tie optional installation dinner on Jan. 26 at the Medinah Country Club. For reservations, call Mark Corrado at 847-337-6864. Caravello became a member of the Columbian Club in 2009. Since then he has chaired the trap shoot, co-chaired the...
Trattoria Ora
Whether you walk, drive, take the “N” or Uber, just be sure to go to Trattoria Ora, the hot, new restaurant and wine bar on the corner of Astoria Blvd. and 18th Street. Go now, which is what “ora” means in Italian. Located on a quiet corner, the ambience, food, wine, and gracious hospitality from hosts Ray and Mimi Besi are what make Trattoria Ora...
A Festive Winter in Sicily: Here's What You Need to Know
The festive season in Sicily is always such a suggestive time of year to visit the island, where you will find the locals in full traditional Christmas mode. It is a prosperous season, if you don’t mind the cold, as there is always something to see, taste or experience. Every major city has a Christmas event's calendar to explore, and the colours...
Spectacles of Death: Gladiatorial Combats and Naval Battles in the Roman Arena
When: Tuesday, January 8, 2019 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Where: Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago - RSVP at https://spectaclesofdeath.eventbrite.com This series of lectures, "Sport, Spectacle, and Games under the Roman Empire", by Professor Sinclair Bell will look at the different ways in which sport and spectacle permeated the society and cu...
The Caruso Museum Restaurant, where the sea shines
“Qui dove il mare luccica / e tira forte il vento, / su una vecchia terrazza / davanti al Golfo di Surriento…” (“Here, where the sea shines / and the wind blows strong, / on an old terrace / facing the Gulf of Sorrento…”) are perhaps Lucio Dalla’s most famous words. They are the beginning of the Italian singer songwriter’s sentimental song dedicate...
The best Italian movies on Netflix
The best Italian movies on Netflix include classic films and newer takes on the genre as Netflix continues to pick up original films and series from Italy. Whether you’re hoping to pick up on some Italian phrases with the help of closed captioning or you speak fluently, you’ll have a small but mighty collection of mobster classics, crime thrillers,...
IAP 79: POWER HOUR: Italian American Power Hour Christmas Eve Spectacular Part 1
A great big Buon Natale to all of our paisani out there because this is Part One of the Italian American Power Hour Christmas Eve Spectacular! Join the Fab Five (and some of their spouses) as we sit down for a very special pre-Christmas Eve fish feast and dig into the ins and outs of what makes the Italian American Christmas Eve fish feast so spec...