Sport
As with many European countries, football is the most popular sport in Italy. Other sports such as rugby and volleyball are also enjoyed. In areas of Italy, there is a strong, liking towards baseball. Music and Dance In Italy, traditional music differs from region to region and is heavily influenced by its historical past. In the northern region of Italy, for example, music has strong Celtic influences, while the southern half of the country has hints of Greek and Arabic influences. Opera is a well-known form of music to come out of Italy beginning as early as the 16th century in Venice. Tarantella dance is commonly practiced in most parts of Italy with regional differences. Tarantella is the name given to a group of folk dances characterized by quick music and movements. The dance is believed to have origins as a cure for spider venom. Tarantella can also be a courtship dance and it is considered unlucky to dance tarantella alone. Holidays Italy’s state holidays include New Years Day, Easter Monday, Labour Day (May 1) and Christmas Day and a list of others.
Cuisine Each of the different regions within Italy has a different style of cuisine, based on what is readily available in that area. For example, coastal regions are often known for their seafood dishes. Central Italy favours olive oils and cheese. Beef and wild boar are readily available and used frequently, along with cured meats. Stuffed pasta, such as Tortellini of Emilia is famous in this region. Southern Italian cuisine frequently involves tomato sauces and olive oil. Citrus fruit is also a popular ingredient in the south. Southern Italy is famous for the world’s first opened pizzeria in Naples. Northern Italian cuisine does not include olive oil as frequently as southern Italian cuisine, and rice is generally preferred to pasta for the starch in dishes. Risotto and polenta dishes are most popular. Rather than using tomato sauce, cream based sauces are used more often. Northern Italian cuisine also includes more rabbit and quail. Fashion The Italian people pride themselves on looking their best by wearing quality garments that boost the wearer's best attributes. Though they value inner beauty, most prefer to be a part of the surrounding loveliness by being attractive themselves. For Italian women especially, fashion is a way to show of "la bella figura," or the beautiful figure, for the appreciation of others. Life in Italy writer Damyanti Gosh states, "Yes, it is great if you have a good heart, but Italians would expect you to have well-groomed hair, an impeccable sense of dressing and a really neat pair of shoes besides." Bibliography http://www.pier21.ca/culture-trunks/italy/italian-culture-and-traditions- Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21v (accessed on 25th may 2015) Vogue Italia (magazine) |