Italy's Culture
Italy has one of the richest culture in the world because of their history, arts, customs and beliefs. The Roman Empire ruled Italy and leaders encouraged painters sculptors, musicians, poets and other artists to create masterpieces that are well know now such as Leonardo Da Vinci and outstanding monuments such as the Tour of Pisa. Italy is filled with old buildings and museums to represent artwork of the culture of Italians. Also, there are Ancient Romans ruins, churches, shrines and statues that represents the history of Italy and people celebrate holidays and festivals to honor their rich culture.
Italy's Traditions
Holidays
Christmas (Natale):
Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ and joyful celebrations that Italians cherish. During the nine days before Christmas, musicians in costumes play bagpipes in the streets. There are spacial church services and on Christmas eve, families gather for a big feast and go to the midnight mass. On Christmas day, families that it easy and stay at home to relax. Also, it is a new traditions of putting up a Christmas tree and exchanging gifts.
Christmas (Natale):
Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ and joyful celebrations that Italians cherish. During the nine days before Christmas, musicians in costumes play bagpipes in the streets. There are spacial church services and on Christmas eve, families gather for a big feast and go to the midnight mass. On Christmas day, families that it easy and stay at home to relax. Also, it is a new traditions of putting up a Christmas tree and exchanging gifts.
New Year's (Capodanno):
Italians celebrate it with parties and fireworks. As a tradition, people open there windows to let out the old year and even through out things out the windows. As a celebrating meal, they cook lentils and pork sausage because they believe that lentils golden color symbolize money and when eating them with fatty pork it brings wealth into the new year.
Italians celebrate it with parties and fireworks. As a tradition, people open there windows to let out the old year and even through out things out the windows. As a celebrating meal, they cook lentils and pork sausage because they believe that lentils golden color symbolize money and when eating them with fatty pork it brings wealth into the new year.
The Befana (Epiphany):
Traditionally, Italians give gifts on the January 6th. It celebrates the arrival of three Wise Men who brought presents for the baby Jesus and children are told the story of the old woman named Befana. Therefore, children write letters asking gifts and people dress up like her.
Traditionally, Italians give gifts on the January 6th. It celebrates the arrival of three Wise Men who brought presents for the baby Jesus and children are told the story of the old woman named Befana. Therefore, children write letters asking gifts and people dress up like her.
Carnevale:
It means 'Goodbye to meat" and celebrated before Lent where Roman Catholics of ten do not eat meat or rich foods. People dress up in fancy costumes and participate in fairs, parades and feasts and can celebrate during a few days to a week. For example, in Venice, their is a long parade of gondolas to the cathedral where there is balls, people wearing masks and clothes wore in the 1700s. Also, there is the Sartiglia competition carnevale and has been held for hundreds of years in Oristano where masked horsemen try stabbing their swords through small metal star.
It means 'Goodbye to meat" and celebrated before Lent where Roman Catholics of ten do not eat meat or rich foods. People dress up in fancy costumes and participate in fairs, parades and feasts and can celebrate during a few days to a week. For example, in Venice, their is a long parade of gondolas to the cathedral where there is balls, people wearing masks and clothes wore in the 1700s. Also, there is the Sartiglia competition carnevale and has been held for hundreds of years in Oristano where masked horsemen try stabbing their swords through small metal star.
Pasqua (Easter):
To remember Christ's Death and his return to life. Families have a feat of lamb and for desserts special cakes and chocolate eggs. also, the St. Peter's Square in Vatican City is the center of Italy's Pasqua celebrations.
To remember Christ's Death and his return to life. Families have a feat of lamb and for desserts special cakes and chocolate eggs. also, the St. Peter's Square in Vatican City is the center of Italy's Pasqua celebrations.
Florentine fireworks:
In Florence, Italian celabrate Pasqua with the Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart). While the priest gives the service, he lights up fireworks flowers into the piazza in fron of the city's cathedral.
In Florence, Italian celabrate Pasqua with the Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart). While the priest gives the service, he lights up fireworks flowers into the piazza in fron of the city's cathedral.
Local Holidays:
Italians celebrate the Roman Catholic saint which is treated like the local hero and watch over the citizens. However, the tradition is fading where people dress in their good clothes to go to church.
Italians celebrate the Roman Catholic saint which is treated like the local hero and watch over the citizens. However, the tradition is fading where people dress in their good clothes to go to church.
Cricket festival (Festa del Grillo):
Florence celebrates springtime with this festival where families buy crickets because their song symbolize spring and play games. also, Italians believe that if the cricket is still singing by bedtime, it is a sign of good luck.
Florence celebrates springtime with this festival where families buy crickets because their song symbolize spring and play games. also, Italians believe that if the cricket is still singing by bedtime, it is a sign of good luck.
Siena's Palio:
It is a horserace held twice each summer in Siena where it honors Jesus mother Mary. horses are blessed in the local church by the priest. Then, they parade to the piazza and race around it, and the first horse that complete three laps wins the race.
It is a horserace held twice each summer in Siena where it honors Jesus mother Mary. horses are blessed in the local church by the priest. Then, they parade to the piazza and race around it, and the first horse that complete three laps wins the race.
Liberation and labor (Anniversario della Liberazione):
This is the most important non-religious holiday. Italians celebrates the anniversary of Italy's freedom from the Germans who occupied the country during the World War II and the hard work of Italy's millions laborers.
This is the most important non-religious holiday. Italians celebrates the anniversary of Italy's freedom from the Germans who occupied the country during the World War II and the hard work of Italy's millions laborers.