ITALIAN CULTURE

Since the rise of the Roman Empire and it’s spread across the known globe, Rome has been considered the seat of modern civilization. Since the fall of the Roman Empire, Italy came to be a major figure in the Renaissance, creating art, music, and ideas that would revolutionize the very nature of Western thought. Home to the Vatican, some of the best known ancient architecture, and some of the most renowned pieces of art in the world, Italian ideas and culture has touched many across the globe. From Augustus Caesar and Pliny to Galileo, Da Vinci and Federico Fellini, Italians have made their mark on all of us. The images of Roman and Italian architecture, like the Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, are instantly recognized around the globe. The Mona Lisa is undoubtedly the most famous piece of art in the world, followed closely by the Statue of David and countless other Italian masterpieces. Italian fashion designers are still making an impact on runways everywhere.

With Italy being divided into twenty different regions, each having a unique take on Italian food and culture, it’s a Herculean task to capture it all. So instead we’ve collected some of the more universal holidays and cultural aspects for your reading pleasure.

There is an Italian proverb, “Una giornata senza riso è una giornata sprecata,” which means a day without laughter is a wasted day. This can be used to sum up how Italians view not only holidays and special events, but how they view day to day life. Most Italians live by the principle of Ars Vivendi, which is basically the art of enjoying life. So let’s find out how Italians enjoy life!