Italian handcrafts: The Wood of Cuneo
The greatest concentration of wood companies in the province of Cuneo is located in Valle Varaita, a valley that is home to around 90 firms actively producing furniture and fixtures, as well as toys and musical instruments. Furniture manufacturing, which was strengthened between the 1950s and 1970s with the rustic “Valle Varaita” style, experienced...
Italian little Italies: Sepino, at the crossroads of the sheep tracks
Sepino was born as a place where flocks and shepherds who travelled could stop and rest. Because of the Samnite wars, the inhabitants escaped on the mountain Terravecchia, where they built a city said by Livio to be “very strong and very powerful”; however, it was soon conquered by the Romans. They built the new city by adapting the cardo and decum...
Italian art: Nemi
Nemi is a small volcanic lake in the surroundings of Rome, with a small village that climbs the slopes of Mount Artemisio which takes its name from the Temple of Diana, whose remains are right behind the village. It is not surprising that the ancient Romans wanted to build a temple in this site rich in centuries-old forests, lakes and delightful na...
Italian flavors: Rotonda White Beans
Always present in the rural tradition of the Mercure Valley, white beans have played a major role in the agricultural history of the local populations. An 1852 publication by the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies speaks of the cultivation in the area of “graminaceous, leguminous and filierous plants” and specifically mentions the "bean, and this is sever...
Great Italians of the Past: Sandro Pertini
Statesman among the most beloved in Italy, admired by the people beyond the personal political faith, Sandro Pertini has remained over the years the symbol of the proximity of political power to ordinary citizens. In the month of April 25, a date that commemorates the liberation of Italy from the Nazi-fascist yoke thanks to the intervention of the...
Italian land and nature: Cinque Terre and Porto Venere
A trip from Levanto to Lerici in the magnificent and intact Ligurian scenario of the Cinque Terre is truly a special experience. It’s an authentic venture into the magic of multicoloured historic villages situated in a spectacular vertical position overlooking the seaside, on steep land where vineyards reign. This is a marvelous trip to the towns i...
Italian report: Design Economy 2018
On March 2, at the age of 107, Gillo Dorfles left us, an exemplary witness of the events of Italian design, art and culture. This extraordinary observer of our times supported the need for design to be studied outside the specialist schools as well, because it is the basis of our way of life. Design pervades all areas of our lives and, like a seism...
Italian traditions: Traditional Festivals in Abruzzo, precious land
Abruzzo is a precious land for its position in our peninsula, a region that collects ancient traditions that draw the sense of identity and pride of its people. Today, more than ever, a sense of belonging has been re-evaluated in the light of what has happened in the territory due to the earthquakes that, after the earthquake that struck L'Aquila i...
The Italian American stars in US sports: Women 2 of 2
Rowing Erin Cafaro (1983, Modesto, CA), NCAA rowing champion in 2005 and 2006. Gold medal with the 4 without (4-) of the U.S. team at the Under 23 World Championships in Amsterdam 2005. Always with the national team but 4 light, Erin won a gold at the 2006 World Cup in Munich. Cafaro also boasts 2 gold medals at the 2008 Beijing and 2004 London...
Italian gardens: Monte Subasio Park
Along the ridge of the Monte Subasio massif, there are some isolated peaks, the most important of which are, from north to south, Monte Subasio (1290 m), Monte Civitelle (1280 m) and La Sermolla (1191 m). In addition, the north-western end of the hill is San Rufino (1110 m) and the south-eastern end of the hill is Madonna della Spella (978 m); furt...
Italian language: To be or not to be
Here we are talking again about the Italian language. Today we are going to talk about grammar and one of the most confusing and probably one of the most common mistake for Italian learners: auxiliaries! Oh yeah, are you ready to start? Hopefully I’ll be able to help you out a little to better understand this topic.
Italian wine: Exploring the Campania region with Fiano, Greco and Taurasi
This week I'm going to focus on the wines from Avellino in the Campania region of southwestern Italy. You may also know this area and coast by way of the Gulf of Napoli or one of my favorites, the stunning Amalfi Coast. If you haven’t been I strongly recommend adding it to your list next time you visit Italy.