Ciao Bella! A Peek into Italian Culture

on
By Valentina Villafañe 

Italy is a peninsula in southern Europe. Italian culture is the fusion of thousands of years of heritage and tradition, tracing its roots back to the Ancient Roman Empire and beyond. Italian culture is represented in art, architecture, music, food, local traditions, and many other things. 


Language 

Italian is the official language of Italy and one of the Romance languages. About 93 percent of the Italian population speaks Italian as a native language, however, there are some dialects and other languages that are spoken by native Italians, such as Sardinian, Friulian, Neapolitan, Sicilian, Ligurian, Piedmontese, Venetian and Calabrian. Milanese is also spoken in Milan. Other languages spoken by native Italians include Albanian, Bavarian, Catalan, Cimbrian, Corsican, Croatian, French, German, Greek, Slovenian and Walser.

Family life and RELIGION



Catholicism is the major Italian religion, which forms the Italian way of thinking and attitude to life. This is not surprising, as Vatican City, located in the heart of Rome, is the hub of Roman Catholicism and where the Pope resides. The family is one of the most important Italian values. Italians have frequent family gatherings and enjoy spending time with their close ones. 


Art


Italy has given rise to several architectural styles, including classical Roman, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical. It is home to many famous buildings and structures, such as the Coliseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Florence, Venice, Rome, and Vatican City have a plethora of museums. Art can be viewed in every corner of Italy, not only in the museums of Florence, Venice, and Rome but also in the churches and public buildings.


 The most famous piece of art is the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican, which was painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512.









Food

Italy is famous for its love affair with food, and for good reason! Italian cuisine is all about fresh, simple ingredients bursting with flavor. talian food is about sharing a meal with loved ones and enjoying the good things in life.

Here's a quick summary of Italian dishes:

  • Pizza: The queen of Italian food! From the classic Margherita with tomato sauce and mozzarella to regional specialties like Roman-style pizza with a thin and crispy crust, there's a pizza for everyone.
  • Pasta: A true Italian staple! There are endless shapes and sauces to explore, from creamy Alfredo to simple pomodoro (tomato sauce) with fresh basil. Don't forget to twirl your spaghetti with a fork, not a spoon!
  • Pasta dishes: Beyond just noodles, Italy boasts amazing pasta dishes like lasagna, a layered masterpiece of pasta, sauce, cheese, and meat; and risotto, a creamy rice dish with endless variations.
  • Gelato: The ultimate Italian dessert! Denser and richer than ice cream, gelato comes in a mind-boggling array of flavors, from classic chocolate and pistachio to seasonal delights like fig and ricotta.





Etiquette

Italians have a reputation for being a passionate, expressive nation with norms and customs that may differ slightly from what you find elsewhere in Europe.

  • It is common for Italian friends and families to kiss on the cheek when they meet, irrespective of their gender.
  • Punctuality is not tight in social situations. In Italy, ‘on time’ can mean 20, 30 or even 45 minutes late.
  • Dinner guests often bring a gift of wine, chocolates or flowers.