A Focus on Culture

Italy

Hope, a 5th year student, explains the festival celebrations and traditions in Italy

In Italy, as in most places, the traditions we practice today are directly connected to our history and the experiences of our ancestors There are countless traditions that make Italy the country we know and love today. These can be witnessed in our daily lives through the food we eat, the daily siesta and routines as well as at a much larger scale through the holidays we celebrate, beliefs, values and customs

Traditions are of great importance within Italian families Each family has their own unique customs and ways of celebrating events. However, there are some national holidays that are celebrated in a similar manner within the whole country. The first national holiday occurs in January. On the 6th it is tradition for an old woman, known as ‘La Befana’, to deliver gifts to children on Epiphany Eve She gives sweets to children who have been nice and coal to those who have been naughty.

The next holiday occurs between February and March. Carnevale is traditionally celebrated with Renaissance musicians, horses, dancers, and bands Many cities organize a grand parade, the most famous being in Venice The parade travels through Venice with highlights such as beautiful costumes and floats. These costumes were once used in order to conceal one's identity, allowing people to act freely without the fear of being recognized. Different cities have masks that are traditional to them including Pulcinella in Naples or Arlecchino in Bergamo

Italy's official religion is Catholicism. This means that Pasqua (Easter) is widely celebrated Many people attend Mass, families get together and feast There are many traditional easter plates including agnello, pasta, uova, casatiello, torta pasqualina, torta al formaggio and many more. There are also many deserts including sweets like the colomba, pane di pasqua and uova al cioccolato.