Italy is considered a birthplace of Western Civilization. One time or another, you have probably heard of pizza, Mona Lisa or the Leaning Tower of Pisa- well these are the most famous things about Italy. There is so much exciting things to Italy, their culture is so interesting. Below is the important factors of Italian culture:
Language
The official language of Italy is obviously Italian. Approximately 93% of Italians speak Italian as a native language. There are a number of languages spoken in the country, including 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.
Food & Drink
Italian cuisine has influenced food culture around the world and is viewed as a form of art by many. Wine, cheese and pasta are important part of Italian meals. Pasta comes in a wide range of shapes, widths and lengths, including penne, spaghetti, linguine, fusilli and lasagna.
Different geographical regions within Italy has a different style of cuisine, based on what is readily available in that area.
Central Italy favours olive oils and cheese. Beef and wild boar are readily available and used frequently, along with cured (preserved) meats. Stuffed pasta, such as Tortellini or 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
Fashion has been part of the Italian culture since Roman times. The way you dress can indicate your social status, your family's background, and your education level.
Italian designers/ fashion houses - Versace, Armani, Gucci, Valentino, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Trussardi, Ferrè, Fendi, Max Mara, Bottega Veneta, Balestra, Iceberg, Roberto Cavalli, Missoni, Krizia, Raffaella, Curiel, Aeffe, Gai Mattiolo, and Marina Rinaldi
Italian men and women do not dress with trends in their mind, they dress with emphasis on the body. Women often wear high heeled shoes, high quality leather good, fitting jeans, designer bags and nose piercings. Men are well dressed with their fashion being influenced with big labels such as Armani, Gucci, Versace. Italian people expect men to have well-groomed hair, stylish fashion sense, and a nice pair of sleek shoes. There is little room for slouchy dressed men. People constantly dress to impress, and even errands take place in good style. The Italian people pride themselves on looking their best by wearing quality garments. Though they value inner beauty, most prefer to be to being attractive themselves and looking good. For Italian women especially, fashion is a way to show of "la bella figura," or the beautiful image
Religion
The major religion in Italy is Roman Catholicism. Roman Catholics make up 90 percent of the population, though only one-third of those are practicing Catholics, while the other 10 percent is composed of Protestant, Jewish and a growing Muslim immigrant community.
Family Life
Family is an extremely important value within the Italian culture. Italians have frequent family gatherings and enjoy spending time with those in their family. Children are encouraged to remain close to the family so they can incorporate their future family into the larger network. In the north, generally only the immediate family live together; while in the south, the extended family often live together in one house. The family provides both emotional and financial support to its members.
Holidays
Italy’s state holidays include New Years Day, Easter Monday, Labour Day (May 1) and Christmas Day and a list of others.
Sport
As with many European countries, football is the most popular sport. Volleyball & Rugby is also quite enjoyed. In areas of Italy, where the Americans stayed during the Second World war, there is a strong, small following of baseball. Italy has produced an impressive number of champions in cycling, skiing, basketball, water polo, volleyball, and football.
Music & Dance
In Italy, traditional music is heavily influenced by Italy's historical past. It differs from region to region. In the northern region of Italy, traditional music often has strong Celtic influences whilst the southern region has Greek and Arabic influences. Most traditional music has religious influences.
Sardinia, which is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and is part of Italy, is known for its polyphonic chanting The Sardinian 'launeddas ' or triple pipe, triple clarinet like a woodwind instrument dates back to the 8th century. It makes a polyphonic sound and is played by circular breathing.
Sicily has different varieties of music with strong Christian influence. Sicily is recognised for its choir. The traditional instrument in Sicily is the flute.
Opera is a well known
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.
Language
The official language of Italy is obviously Italian. Approximately 93% of Italians speak Italian as a native language. There are a number of languages spoken in the country, including 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.
Food & Drink
Italian cuisine has influenced food culture around the world and is viewed as a form of art by many. Wine, cheese and pasta are important part of Italian meals. Pasta comes in a wide range of shapes, widths and lengths, including penne, spaghetti, linguine, fusilli and lasagna.
Different geographical regions within Italy has a different style of cuisine, based on what is readily available in that area.
Central Italy favours olive oils and cheese. Beef and wild boar are readily available and used frequently, along with cured (preserved) meats. Stuffed pasta, such as Tortellini or 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
Fashion has been part of the Italian culture since Roman times. The way you dress can indicate your social status, your family's background, and your education level.
Italian designers/ fashion houses - Versace, Armani, Gucci, Valentino, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Trussardi, Ferrè, Fendi, Max Mara, Bottega Veneta, Balestra, Iceberg, Roberto Cavalli, Missoni, Krizia, Raffaella, Curiel, Aeffe, Gai Mattiolo, and Marina Rinaldi
Italian men and women do not dress with trends in their mind, they dress with emphasis on the body. Women often wear high heeled shoes, high quality leather good, fitting jeans, designer bags and nose piercings. Men are well dressed with their fashion being influenced with big labels such as Armani, Gucci, Versace. Italian people expect men to have well-groomed hair, stylish fashion sense, and a nice pair of sleek shoes. There is little room for slouchy dressed men. People constantly dress to impress, and even errands take place in good style. The Italian people pride themselves on looking their best by wearing quality garments. Though they value inner beauty, most prefer to be to being attractive themselves and looking good. For Italian women especially, fashion is a way to show of "la bella figura," or the beautiful image
Religion
The major religion in Italy is Roman Catholicism. Roman Catholics make up 90 percent of the population, though only one-third of those are practicing Catholics, while the other 10 percent is composed of Protestant, Jewish and a growing Muslim immigrant community.
Family Life
Family is an extremely important value within the Italian culture. Italians have frequent family gatherings and enjoy spending time with those in their family. Children are encouraged to remain close to the family so they can incorporate their future family into the larger network. In the north, generally only the immediate family live together; while in the south, the extended family often live together in one house. The family provides both emotional and financial support to its members.
Holidays
Italy’s state holidays include New Years Day, Easter Monday, Labour Day (May 1) and Christmas Day and a list of others.
- Epiphany—January 6
- Liberation Day—April 25
- Anniversary of the Founding of the Republic—June 2
- Feast of the Assumption or Ferragosto—August 15
- All Saints—November 1
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception—December 8
- St. Stephens Day—December 26
Sport
As with many European countries, football is the most popular sport. Volleyball & Rugby is also quite enjoyed. In areas of Italy, where the Americans stayed during the Second World war, there is a strong, small following of baseball. Italy has produced an impressive number of champions in cycling, skiing, basketball, water polo, volleyball, and football.
Music & Dance
In Italy, traditional music is heavily influenced by Italy's historical past. It differs from region to region. In the northern region of Italy, traditional music often has strong Celtic influences whilst the southern region has Greek and Arabic influences. Most traditional music has religious influences.
Sardinia, which is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and is part of Italy, is known for its polyphonic chanting The Sardinian 'launeddas ' or triple pipe, triple clarinet like a woodwind instrument dates back to the 8th century. It makes a polyphonic sound and is played by circular breathing.
Sicily has different varieties of music with strong Christian influence. Sicily is recognised for its choir. The traditional instrument in Sicily is the flute.
Opera is a well known
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.