A short article in Corriere della Sera discusses Rome’s ability to continue to attract visitors. Tourism to the capital has gone up notwithstanding crises and scandals. The article credits this to Rome’s being an open-air museum together with its ability to adapt to contemporary times. It cites the season’s current exhibitions, from Vermeer and Klee to one on Roman emperors. At the same time, it reminds us of the “poor” Rome that appeared in classic Alberto Sordi or Dino Risi films and then goes on to give suggestions for areas and neighborhoods to explore where one can feel again this “real” ambience. Interesting ideas for a visit!
Category: Articles (page 3 of 13)
Calabria is well known for its hot peppers and Calabrians have dedicated festivities and museums, not to mention academic studies, to the peperoncino. The annual Festival del Peperoncino will take place, in September, in the coastal town of Diamante. In this region, hot peppers are an essential ingredient in many dishes. An article in Il Sole 24 Ore describes many of these dishes and also discusses the town and the festival. There are many delicious specialties such as the spicy ‘nduja spreadable sausage, pesto sauces for pasta that include spicy peppers, chocolate made with peperoncino and sweet tarts made with oranges, almonds and hot pepper spread. To finish every meal there is even grappa flavored with peperoncino!
An article in Il Sole 24 Ore highlights some traditional Easter rituals, games and processions in Italy. Throughout the country towns and cities practice varying rites. The most well-known is Florence’s “scoppio del Carro” in which a cart, drawn by oxen, processes through the city. On the cart is a rocket which is made to explode at the end of the procession. This commemorates the sparks that supposedly emanated from shards of the Holy Sepulchre. There are many other traditions that mix religion and folklore. In many towns there are different varieties of egg races and competitions, in others there are processions that represent various aspects of the Easter story. There are fascinating traditions in towns in every region.
In an interview with D.it Joe Bastianich – in his role as judge on “Masterchef Italy” – discusses various aspects of food. He says that food preparation and traditions, besides satisfying the necessity of nutrition, are an expression of a country’s culture and history. This is especially true in Italy, as opposed to the United States where “cuisine” is something relatively new. Food has now also become a popular business but, according to Bastianich, it can only be a successful business if it incorporates culture and interprets it.
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