Le ossa dei morti (the bones of the dead)
What are we doing in Milan for Halloween? Il Pane dei Morti!! This crumbly classic hails from northern Italy's Lombardia region (Lombardy), with Milan as its undisputed heart—where foggy canals and gr
Blog
Stories, tips, and insights about Italian language and culture.
Italian Leaving Cert
Finalmente sono arrivati i risultati del Living Cert! After almost two months of waiting, the results of the 2025 Leaving Cert exams are here! With a heart full of joy and excitement, I am thrilled to
A tradition of Sagra
But what exactly is a sagra? A sagra is much more than just a festival—it's a vibrant, delicious, and deeply-rooted celebration in a village of a product, or a crop or a specific theme. Imagine a hist
Beautiful Botricello
Imagine 800 kilometers of stunning coastline, where the sea is so intensely blue it feels like a dream. But that's just the beginning. This isn't a region where you can get bored—it's a place where th
Ferragosto, But Why So Many Processions?
When we talk about Ferragosto, we can't ignore the Assumption of Mary. But why has it become such an important celebration, filled with processions and rituals? The story begins in antiquity, with the
Ferragosto: The Story Behind the Name
Ever wonder why Italy’s most epic summer holiday is called Ferragosto? The answer takes us all the way back to ancient Rome! The name comes from the Latin ‘Feriae Augusti’—the "Festivals of Augustus"—
Gigli marini (Sea Lilies)
Walking along the promenade, with the beautiful sea stretching out before me here in Botricello, in Calabria, I saw them on the beach—a truly stunning sight. In their simple beauty, they are a testame
Figurati!
‘Figurati!’: More Than Just “Don’t Mention It” My husband has recently become quite charmed by the Italian expression ‘Figurati!’ It’s what we say when someone thanks us with a ‘Grazie’ or ‘Grazie mil
