The Immaculate Conception (Immacolata Concezione in Italian), observed as an Italian public holiday every December 8th, honours the Catholic dogma declared by Pope Pius IX in 1854. This doctrine affirms that the Virgin Mary was free from original sin from the moment of her conception, a belief rooted in Catholic tradition. The day holds significance …
Choosing the name for a newborn is a cherished ritual that means a lot to every parent-to-be. It’s not just about honouring family traditions or nodding to modern trends, but delving into a deeper narrative that will become a part of the child’s identity. Good old ancient Romans encapsulated this belief in the adage “nomen …
As the holiday season approaches, Italy awakens with a symphony of festive flavours and time-honoured traditions. Among the many enchanting customs, the spotlight gleams brightly on two iconic Christmas treats: panettone and pandoro. These desserts not only grace Italian tables with their presence but also carry a rich cultural legacy that transcends generations. In this …
Italian and Spanish are both Romance languages, which means they share a lot of similarities in terms of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Do you already speak Spanish, and now wonder how easy it would be to pick up Italian? Which languages are easiest to learn depend on your background and the other languages you are …
During my time in Italy, I worked for five years at a nursery school, which meant I interacted with a lot of children! Most of the kids had very classic names, but there were a few with especially adorable names that stayed with me for years. Some of them even made it onto the shortlist …
Italian, celebrated as the “language of love,” exudes a natural musicality and rhythm that embodies passion and romance. The melodious intonations, combined with the country’s rich music culture, have created countless beautiful love songs, ranging from soul-stirring operas to romantic serenades under balconies (yep, such romantic gestures still exist in certain places!). So, continue reading …