1. CULTUREOFITALY

2. Italians are warm,welcoming peoplewho enjoy sharing thepleasures of life withothers: a comfortingmeal, an inspiringsunset, and yes...aclever joke.

3. "Una giornata senza riso unagiornata sprecata." is a commonproverb: "A day without laughter is awasted day." Whether in a classroomor strolling streetside, the Italianpeople express an authenticity andpassion unmatched the world over.Italian culture has a rich history thatincludes art, classic architecture,popular traditions, and customs.Includes links to trends in Italy todayas well as resources on folklore,history, and artistic traditions.

4. Festivals and holidays in Italy:There is always a reason to celebrate inItaly, whether its an historical event,religious holiday, or festival.

5. Here is a short list of Italian holidays : Merry Christmas Buon Natale! Happy New Year Buon Anno! Happy Easter Buona Pasqua! Happy Halloween Buon Halloween Happy Valentines Day Buon San Valentino Happy Birthday Buon compleanno! Happy Saints Day Buon onomastico

6. Dancing in Italy:As in many countries, dancing is animportant component of Italianculture. Once such dance,the Tarantella (Tarantula),originated in the Middle Ages, andis said to be probably the mostrecognized song of all the Italianfolklore music. Drink & food in Italy:One of the most enjoyable ways tolearn a language is over a meal orin a bar, chatting to nativespeakers. It is a good idea to brushup on your Italian skills for orderingfood and drink prior to departure onholiday abroad. Learn to cook thisdelicious food with this list of Italianrecipes.

7. Italian Literature:There are a number of Italian texts, bothclassic and contemporary, that are must-reads for anyone interested in the history,culture, and language of Italy. Whether its atrip to hell and back, a years worth of lovepoems, or ribald, coarse humor during theplague, theres a tale for everyone.Dante Alighieri, one of thegreatest poets of theMiddle Ages. His epicpoem The DivineComedy ranks among thefinest works of worldliterature.

8. Italian Fashion:Italians way of dressing is changing, its gettingmore and more relaxed as the years progress; or,so it seems. Because nothing, absolutely nothing,in fashion, is accidental. Certain restrictions of the80s and 90s have fallen by the wayside. Tomany, this is a good thing.Many of Italys top fashiondesigners have boutiques thatcan be found around the world.Among the best-known andmost exclusive namesare Armani, Benetton, Fendi, Gucci,Versace, and Prada.Accessory and jewelry labels,suchas Bulgari and Luxottica arealso internationally acclaimed,and Luxottica is the worldslargest eyewear company.

9. Italian MusicItalian music has a tradition of popularmusic, includes the traditional styles ofeach region and also covers a widespectrum of instrumental music andopera.

10. Giuseppe Verdi,one of Italysgreatest operacomposers. PortraitbyGiovanni Boldini.

11. ArchitecturalArchitectural ruins from antiquity throughout Italy testifyto the greatness of cultures past. The history ofarchitecture in Italy is one that begins with the ancientstyles of the Etruscans and Greeks, progressing toclassical Roman,[10] then to the revival of the classicalRoman era during the Renaissance and evolving intothe Baroque era. During the period of the ItalianRenaissance it had been customary for students ofarchitecture to travel to Rome to study the ancient ruinsand buildings as an essential part of their education.

12. Trevi Fountain, Rome

13. SculptureDuring the Middle Ages, large sculpturewas largely religious. Carolingianartists (named after Charlemagnesfamily) in northern Italy created sculpturefor covers of Bibles, as decoration forparts of church altars, andforcrucifixes and giant candlesticksplaced on altars.Michelangelo, David. This statueof David, cut from an 18-foothighpiece of marble, exalts the beautyof the human body and is a fittingsymbol of the ItalianRenaissances affirmation ofhuman power.Jacopo dellaQuercia, Madonna of humility.

14. Italians are very hard workers but they also know how to relax andenjoy themselves. In major cities its quite normal for people to worka full five days and then half a day on Saturday, but its also normalfor them to take a long lunch break every day, often going home andspending several hours eating and sleeping, before coming back towork.The main meal, which is adoringly prepared and savoured, normallytakes place in the evening. Its a very social and family orientatedevent. Italians often go on eating, drinking and socializing well intothe early hours.The typical Italian home is simple yet practical and always colourful.Youll see balconies with fresh redroses hanging on bright bluerailings, tables full of apples, grapes, fresh cheese and bottles oflocal wine; colourful flowers everywhere, tiny courtyards andgardens with picturesque statues. The homes reflect what thepeople of Italy love; beauty, color, style, family and friendship.

15. Prepared by:Kate S. MagpocJinkee Leigh RamiloMariko Anne LimTarah Charissa GuiangAbigail GocotanoEND