Italian traditions and customs. Italian traditions and customs Unusual traditions of Italy

Interesting facts about Italy, the most interesting traditions and customs of the country. What did the Italians invent and what do they suffer from the most? What do they believe in Italy, how do they dress, what do they prefer to give as gifts, what are the common superstitions?

Italy is a European country, well developed technically and culturally. But it has a number of interesting features and historical traditions that make it “different from others.”

Italy is a predominantly Catholic country with an incredible number of churches. The number of churches per capita exceeds that of any other country in the world. At the same time, there are few visitors even in large ones!

At the beginning of the 2nd century AD, the Roman Empire stretched from modern Britain in the west to Syria in the east, and had a population of 120 million.

Italian is closer to Latin than any other language. And the alphabet consists of 21 characters, and there are no letters in it: J, K, W, X and Y.

The first European university was founded in 1088 in Bologna (Emilia-Romagna). It still works today. But it is not the only one.

Presumably, Italy is the birthplace of European ice cream. The recipe was brought in the 13th century by the Venetian Marco Polo, who returned from his journey to China. And the first waffle cone appeared in New York... it was invented by an Italian immigrant. By the way: It’s not gelato, is it?

The ballet comes from Italy. Catherine de' Medici, wife of King Henry II, made it popular in France. And since then he began his march around the world.

Interesting fact: it was in Italy that the piano was invented. As well as other musical instruments: violin, guitar and organ. Musical country!

The Italian word tifosi, meaning a passionate football fan, comes from tifoso, meaning “typhoid.”

There are no other countries in Europe with so many active volcanoes! In Italy there is Vesuvius near Naples. And Stromboli on the island of the same name in the Aeolian archipelago just north of Sicily.

Italians suffer more from earthquakes than other European nations. The most recent one happened on January 18, 2017 and caused an avalanche that covered the hotel.

On August 24, 2016, as a result of an earthquake in Abruzzo, the ancient city of Amatrice was practically destroyed, Norcia was destroyed: almost 300 people died.

Traditions

Family is a fundamental value in Italy. This does not mean just a “unit of society” consisting of mom, dad and children. And a broader concept, including uncles and aunts, cousins, grandparents. Large family gatherings are not uncommon, but the rule for Italians.

• Children often live with their parents even after 30 years of age. Even if they have a job. And this does not seem strange and unusual, as, for example, in Germany

A significant number of large national corporations are still controlled by individual families. The automobile giant Fiat from Turin or Benetton from are prime examples of this.

In Italy, as in Spain, there is a siesta: in the middle of the day it is customary to take a rest. It is worth keeping in mind that from 13 to 15.30, even 16-17 hours, the establishment you intend to visit may not be open. This applies to churches, banks and shops, as well as cafes and restaurants.

Thus, the tourist risks remaining hungry. If you are going to see a small town and don’t take anything to eat with you.

If you are going to have a snack in the middle of the day, you may simply not find an open catering establishment. In resorts and large cities in the north of the country, not everyone adheres to this tradition. But in the provinces and southern Italy it is in use.

When planning to visit a church, plan it for the first or second half of the day. Because in the middle it will almost certainly be closed for lunch.

Customs

When greeting each other, Italians say buongiorno - “good afternoon.” When meeting acquaintances and friends, close people, as well as among young people, the word ciao or “hello” is more often used.

“Good evening” in Italian is buonasera. When saying goodbye, it is customary to say arriverci, “goodbye.” Or, in case of separation from acquaintances, ciao.

Being late for a meeting is usually not considered an offense: an Italian can easily arrive 10-15 minutes after the appointed time. In the northern regions of the country, it is better to be punctual.

You should not be surprised by the pronounced expression of the interlocutor, fast and loud speech, violent gestures - this is how they communicate here. Although not all.

It is not customary to give yellow flowers, which symbolize envy. And wrapping gifts in purple paper is considered bad luck.

The number 17 is considered unlucky: it’s the same as 13 in the Russian tradition.

Appearance is very important when meeting someone for the first time. Clothes don't have to be expensive and fashionable. But to win the respect of an Italian, you need to look neat and, if possible, stylish.

Black color still dominates in women's clothing. And I must say, he suits Italians: there are many slender young ladies here, and few are plump. It would seem that pasta and pizza are the opposite. But no!

Food and wine

If you give wine to Italians you know, don’t skimp and buy good stuff. And not “for every day”, which they like to sell on promotion in stores. However, they are not off the charts: 5-7 euros for a bottle of a decent drink is the norm!

Pasta for every taste and pizza are the most famous Italian dishes. However, not everywhere in Italy they are prepared in a finger-licking manner. Pretentious establishments in the centers of tourist cities often serve very average-tasting dishes, while frozen pizza bought in a supermarket, on the contrary, can be excellent!

If you are in small towns, be sure to try food in a small cafe or tavern on one of the side streets, where the locals eat. With a high degree of probability, the pasta here will be stretched by hand, and the pizza dough is prepared themselves according to ancient recipes.

Holidays

February is the most famous such event in Europe. The tradition began in the 13th century. The holiday is held annually in February and ends at the beginning of Lent, that is, 40 days before Easter.

The carnival in the resort town of Viareggio is famous. The holiday takes place annually at the end of January - beginning of March (dates vary depending on the year), and the main events are held on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Carnival and Orange Battle are held annually in the town of Ivrea in Piedmont. Festive events in Ivrea begin in January shortly after La Befana, which here replaces the “Three Kings Day”. It is interesting that oranges for the February battle are imported from the south of the country, from Calabria.

For the 624th time in 2018, the Carnival was held in Putignano in Apulia. The longest and possibly the oldest in Italy. It begins immediately after Christmas and ends before Fat Thursday.

It is difficult to give a succinct and unambiguous description of the Italian ethnic group as such - it is a people of contradictions, a people of contrasts, no matter how banal it may sound. The local culture is a complex mixture of several dozen ethnic traditions. For many thousands of years, the territory of the Apennine Peninsula was inhabited by people, and many peoples left behind an amazing culture and architectural monuments, while others passed as if unnoticed by world history, but all tribes, to one degree or another, contributed to the formation of the local ethnic group and characteristic features of the modern Italian people.

Family life

If you need to find something really important for an Italian, then without a doubt you can put family first. Even faith and love for the homeland, so clearly expressed in everyday life, usually recede when it comes to family. Throughout centuries of difficult Italian history, the family here was often the only source of stability and strength in an unpredictable world where governments and borders were constantly changing. It is equally important today, although the realities of modern life have left their mark on this aspect. The main difference between a modern Italian family is its size. If in the middle of the 20th century a large family, essentially a clan, was considered the ideal, now local families are getting closer and closer to the pan-European proportion of “two parents - 1-2 children.” The fertility rate in Italy has dropped to approximately 1.2 children per woman, although in the south the proportion remains at 2.1 children (for comparison, at the beginning of the 20th century this parameter was 4.6 and 5.1, respectively). This means that the country's population is growing only due to emigrants and the nation is aging, but in all other respects local families have remained exactly the same as 200-300 years ago.

The calling card of any Italian family is children. They are admired, pampered, proud of them and allowed to do whatever they want. It’s difficult to add anything here - it’s enough to see an Italian family come out “in public” at least once to understand who’s in charge here. At the same time, local residents manage to combine the complete freedom of their offspring within their community or family with a fairly serious motivation for their success in life and socialization in society. Children attend restaurants and masses with their parents, participate in all family and community holidays, and at the same time gain a certain amount of financial independence quite early. Most babies are cared for by grandparents or mothers if they are not working (the latter is quite rare in the north and quite common in the south). Lunch or dinner is a real “family hour”, when all relatives living together (or even nearby) gather around the table. After lunch, everyone usually goes out for a "passeggiata" (evening walk) to relax and chat with neighbors or friends. Children also have their own freedom within the framework of this ritual - after “serving the required period” they can spend time in their own company while their parents drink coffee somewhere in a cafe nearby.

Here, by the way, the superstitiousness of Italians also manifests itself - it is not customary to brag in public about a child’s success in school or sports, as well as to complain about his health. There is a whole system of methods in place designed to protect the child from the evil eye, which, as usual, is usually monitored by grandmothers, but the parents themselves perform the rituals. Therefore, you should be careful when asking an Italian about his children, without crossing the boundaries of local etiquette. It is also characteristic that the older the child, the less all family members indulge him, and the greater the burden he bears in common affairs. Such “community work” is usually supervised by older family members, not disdaining physical punishment, but within reason - violence against a child is simply unthinkable here. However, sociologists note that Italian men are still more attached to their “first family” (mother, father, siblings and even maternal relatives) than to their own family - so great is the influence of traditional methods of education.

Social issues

Italians traditionally attach great importance to education, especially higher education. For many centuries, a person’s position in society was determined either by his nobility or his education. And if the first advantage could only be obtained by inheritance, then the second person could achieve it himself. Accordingly, increased attention has always been paid to the level of training here. The country has many internationally recognized educational institutions, including the oldest universities of Bologna and Salerno. However, the paradoxical fact is that today Italy ranks last among the “old” members of the European Union in terms of spending on education.

In Italy, it is customary to address a person by his position, to a teacher of any level - "professor", to a doctor - "doctor", to a trainer - "maestro" and even "engineer" - a very respectful title for a person with a technical education. There is an element of a traditional Italian game in this, designed to emphasize the status of the interlocutor, but there is also sincere respect for other people's knowledge. The excellent knowledge of good manners by almost all Italians is also striking - even in a remote mountain village the table will be set according to all the rules of etiquette, and even the most disheveled teenager will not forget to hold the door for a woman.

In Italian culture, men have traditionally had higher status and influence. The woman was usually perceived only as the mother and “soul of the family,” while the man was, so to speak, the “head.” In the southern regions of the country, as well as in Sicily and Sardinia, this tradition is clearly observed even now, having become part of many sayings and common cliches. However, Italy would not be Italy if this rule were observed always and everywhere. In reality, women here have always had much more “power” than is commonly believed. Moreover, this applies not only to managing household affairs, but also to the general life of the family, both in the north and in the south. In the industrialized provinces, women's self-sufficiency is more visible, but in the south they often have much more "empowerment." Currently, Italian women are considered the most emancipated and independent in Europe. However, a public argument between a woman and a man or open disobedience to him is considered the height of indecency - all controversial internal issues are usually resolved in the family, without taking them out onto the street. This in no way gets rid of the rather characteristic street scenes - here you just have to keep in mind that if a woman speaks in a raised voice to a man in the middle of the square, then either she has the right to do so (for example, a mother or sister - everything is simple here - they are “much more important “wife”), or the spouse specially builds a “theatrical scene” with work for the public in order to quickly achieve her goal.

Welfare

There is still a certain inequality in income levels between the north and south of Italy, and the social division characteristic of an industrial society is also noticeable. Italy has a fairly high unemployment rate and an equally high level of immigration, especially from the Balkan Peninsula and Africa. The state's once extensive social support has recently been significantly reduced in accordance with European Union requirements, and wealth inequality is constantly growing. Although, thanks to their resourcefulness and easy-going nature, Italians are able to adapt to any conditions, which is reflected in the absolute invisibility of many internal problems in the eyes of a tourist unfamiliar with local realities.

Speech is the most striking “marker” of social status in Italy. The more educated and successful a person is, the closer his language is to the literary national one and the less dialectal it is. The second striking element is the style of clothing, the choice of food and places to relax. However, it should be noted that all Italians, regardless of income level, try to dress fashionably, so at first glance it can be difficult to distinguish a person’s status - almost everyone has a good suit and tie from a prestigious brand. For the poor, it will most likely be a Chinese counterfeit, but try to tell the difference at a glance! However, recently a number of laws have been adopted that severely punish the purchase and carrying of counterfeit products.

The other side of this trend is the clear desire of Italians to save wherever it can be done without losing prestige. Motor scooters and bicycles are in use even among fairly wealthy citizens, and cars with diesel engines often dominate the traffic flow. However, an Italian will never allow himself to skimp on essentials - each category of the population, naturally, has its own ideas about the extent of necessity, but meeting an unkemptly dressed person here is problematic.

Mentality

While most Italians are hard-working and work very hard, when visiting the country it always feels like everyone is on vacation! However, this is not entirely true - the majority of local residents work on average 36 hours a week, and in the case of emergency situations, as throughout the world, they work with complete dedication. However, Italians cannot be called workaholics - many work exactly as much as is needed to complete pressing tasks, and not a minute more. This is facilitated by fairly liberal legislation in the field of protecting workers' rights, trade unions, and the general situation in the country.

There are also quite long breaks in work for breakfast and lunch, during which the entire organization usually occupies the surrounding cafes, creating the illusion of idleness - there are a lot of offices, and everyone’s work schedule is different, plus tourists. Between 12.00-13.00 and 16.00, it is simply difficult to find most establishments open - everyone has a siesta, often accompanied by “la pennichella” (afternoon nap). Government agencies and offices usually work on a more rigid schedule, but siesta is observed here too. Some large stores generally open only at 11.00, at 13.00-14.00 they close for siesta and open only at 16.00, but they are often open until 20.00 and even 22.00. The working day in the private sector can be very long (from 8.00 to 19.30) and have only a half-hour break for lunch, but according to Italian laws, such work is paid completely differently.

The vacation period for almost everyone falls in July-August, when many businesses in northern cities close, and in the south only busy tourist centers operate. Life during this period becomes significantly more difficult: many stores are closed, and it is not always possible to find even the most necessary things.

Although the famous Italian lack of punctuality and “easy” approach to any problem can really ruin anyone’s nerves. Disrespect for routine here is manifested in literally everything - from store opening hours to train schedules, from rather disorderly road traffic to midnight music blaring from someone's windows. However, this problem is not as terrible as it seems - the Italians themselves are philosophical about their always late buses and trains, and finding a store to replace a closed one is not a problem. And noisy parties with drunken groups are more typical of large tourist centers and resort areas - in small Italian cities peace and quiet reign after 21.00.

Etiquette and communication

Italian expansiveness can be traced in all spheres of public behavior. Hugging and kissing in public is perfectly acceptable, and not just between people of different sexes. It is also allowed not only to touch the interlocutor during a conversation, but also to hold his hand or hug him by the shoulders. It is quite acceptable to call unfamiliar people “karo” or “kara” (“dear”, “darling”) and even “bello” or “bella” (“dear”, “sweetheart”), although they usually make do with an informal form of greeting and farewell - " ciao."

Since childhood, Italians have been developing a special style of communication, most clearly manifested in the gaze - this is a whole system of facial expressions, gestures, rolling and rounding of the eyes, postures and intonations, designed to emphasize the imaginary or true emotions of the “performer”. Moreover, it is important here not so much to convey your thoughts to your interlocutor, but to feel like the center of attention and emphasize your importance. It is extremely important to show others your confidence and absence of weaknesses, cheerfulness and ability to manage your life. Moreover, this often borders on arrogance, but not in the eyes of an Italian! If he doesn’t know something, he will confidently talk about it like an inveterate professor; if he is stuck in a traffic jam, he will drive around it along the curb; if he sees his interlocutor for the first time in his life, he will hug him by the shoulders and look into his eyes like his best friend. . And there is nothing far-fetched about this - having lived for centuries with a reputation for being macho and sexy, in a beautiful country with a unique history and culture, they sincerely believe that all this flair and pantomime adds imagery and warmth to the conversation.

However, this trend is characteristic, perhaps, only of the central regions of the Apennine Peninsula - southerners and northerners are much more restrained, and in Sicily, the manifestation of their emotions in public may be considered unacceptable. But here, too, the ability to convey your thoughts to your interlocutor in the most intelligible manner by local standards is highly valued.

In a conversation, it is customary to look into the eyes of the interlocutor, since it is believed that someone who cannot look into the eyes is hiding something. Hence the alarming habit of many people on the streets of peering into the eyes of people they meet, or the manner of sellers trying to look into the eyes of the buyer - for an Italian this is quite a common thing. And at the same time, an Italian will never apologize if he really doesn’t feel guilty, even if he splashed someone with mud from under his wheels (“the roads are like that!”) or pushed him with his elbow (“where were you looking?”). And right there you can see a reverent, almost childish attitude towards friends. For a local man, friends are almost the meaning of life; they spend most of their free time with them, look to them for support in difficult times, and defend their honor and dignity with no less fervor than their own. For women, everything is a little more complicated, but the opinion of friends often means a lot more than the rest of the world - only the mother and father, perhaps, have more authority for an Italian. Moreover, the further south you go, the more clearly this feature is visible.

Respect for elders is all-encompassing - they are the first to enter the room, the first to sit at the table, and in general they usually preside over all ceremonies. It is customary for them to ask for advice on the slightest matter, and if several elderly people are sitting at the table, they focus on the eldest, even if he is not a family member. Children usually carry out all sorts of small tasks or serve their elders to the extent of decency (open servility is not encouraged here). Tradition forces younger women to publicly submit to men and not contradict them, but older women in the family can interrupt men's conversations without fear. At the same time, everyone is characterized by the obligatory preservation of “bella figura” (bella figura, figurative translation - “sense of self-worth”), both of oneself and of the interlocutor. This is a whole code of norms and principles of public behavior, including the manner of dressing, the ability to present and present oneself in a favorable light, as well as the ability to create an opinion about oneself that is necessary in a given situation. Damaging someone's ego is a rather dangerous activity in Italy, since it usually determines a person's status in the eyes of the community. It is this complex combination of hierarchical elements and traditions that gives communication with local residents a special flavor that is usually remembered by all foreigners.

In any company, everyone is quickly divided according to gender and age - men form their own circle, women - theirs, grandmothers usually gossip separately from grandfathers, even children are divided into groups. The sociability of Italians is amazing - a noisy and figurative conversation, where often no one hears each other, begins almost immediately after the differentiation of the company, and simply when meeting familiar people. The emotionality and imagery of many discussions are fascinating, even though quite ordinary things are often discussed. This “talkativeness” also has a negative feature - a taxi driver can chat all the way on the phone or with the drivers of neighboring cars (this is possible in Italy), and a bus driver can chat with the first passenger he comes across, a policeman can spend a long time “treating” a driver who has committed a fine, and It is simply impossible to stop the flow of speech of an Italian lady who suddenly decided to explain to the seller the required color and style of a new hat.

Clothing and fashion

The attitude towards clothing here is quite peculiar. On the one hand, Italy is a strict Catholic country, and in Rome too frivolous clothing is not welcome. If you wear shorts and a T-shirt, you may not even be allowed into a store or hotel, much less into the territory of museums or cathedrals, even more so. When visiting temples, miniskirts and open cleavage will cause strong hostility. Such types of clothing will lead to obvious rejection in the south, especially on the islands. A tracksuit is considered an attribute only of stadiums and arenas, and not of streets and squares. Untidy or simply unironed clothes also cause sincere surprise. Even the doormen, police and military personnel here look like something out of a fashion magazine - their uniforms are usually designed by the best couturiers in the country. Italy is perhaps the only country in Europe where women prefer skirts to trousers, and men wear a tie without complaining about its inconvenience.

On the other hand, the streets of Italy are full of people wearing clothes of the most unimaginable styles, ranging from products from the best haute couture houses to various ethnic costumes, and this does not bother anyone. In bars and restaurants you can meet both gentlemen in strict three-piece suits and people in leather biker jackets or unimaginably torn jeans; behind the wheel of an expensive Bugatti there can be a lady barely covered with some strips of fabric, and from the beaten life and Italian A man in a Versace suit can easily get out on the FIAT roads. A lot here depends on the status of the area and the attitude of the wearer of the costume to life, so by and large in Italy you don’t have to worry about clothes - the main thing is that it is decent from the point of view of the owner himself. And, of course, she did not violate the norms of the places he was going to visit.

Italy is a country of luxurious Alpine ski and Mediterranean sea resorts. It occupies the southern slopes of the Alps and the entire Apennine Peninsula, Sicily, Sardinia and a number of small islands. It is washed by 5 seas: Adriatic, Ionian, Mediterranean, Tyrrhenian and Ligurian. The riches of nature and the diversity of historical monuments of Rome, Florence, and Venice attract millions of tourists. In addition, Italy provides excellent shopping opportunities in Milan.

Climate of Italy

The Mediterranean climate prevails over most of the territory. The average temperature in January is from 0°C to +12°C, in July +20+28°C. In northern Italy, snow almost always falls in winter and does not melt for several weeks. In spring and early summer there is heavy rain with thunderstorms and strong winds. In the south, that is, in the peninsular and island parts, winter is much milder; in summer, almost all days are clear and dry. In the Alps, the climate varies from temperate at the foot of the mountains to cold at the top. In the mountains, snow lasts for several months, on the peaks it lies constantly, and heavy snowfalls are frequent.

Money of Italy

The national currency is the euro. In circulation are banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, as well as coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.
1 EUR = 7.5 UAH

Traditions of Italy

Italians are very emotional and temperamental people. National character traits are especially evident during the holidays. Each city has its own holidays, which are celebrated only by local residents. As a rule, they are associated with capital holidays or any important events that took place in the city. Some holidays are accompanied by processions along the main streets, sports competitions or carnivals. The most important, bright and fabulous holiday is the Venetian carnival, which is celebrated annually in February and lasts ten days. Its tradition dates back to the pagan holiday of the Roman Saturnalia, during which the differences between masters and slaves were erased. With the advent of Christianity, the holiday was forgotten, but with the beginning of the Renaissance (a hundred years later), the tradition was revived again. The famous Venetian masks appeared at this time. During the carnival, all streets, squares, and canals are filled with people in masks and costumes. Among the huge variety of masks you can find masks of heroes from fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm, Andersen, various political figures and, of course, Harlequin and the Carnival King.

Italian cuisine

National cuisine is one of the main attractions of Italy. Pizza, pasta (pasta), risotto and Parmesan cheese are famous all over the world. Seafood products, meat dishes and mozzarella cheese are very popular, and the Italians have no equal in making coffee and ice cream. The traditions of folk cuisine in Italy are very strong; in many high-class restaurants, dishes are prepared according to recipes known since the era of the Punic Wars, and they are very proud of it. Moreover, in each of the twenty regions of the country there are dozens of their own recipes for even the simplest and most famous dishes, and it is customary to be proud of the difference between the products of local chefs and their “neighbors” and extol their merits in every possible way. And magnificent Italian wines have been famous since ancient times.

Sights of Italy

Coliseum

The Colosseum, a symbol of Rome and all of Italy, was founded by Emperor Vespasian in 72 AD. e., and was opened during the reign of his heir, Emperor Titus. Officially, this gigantic structure was called the “Flavian Amphitheater”, in honor of Titus Flavius, the son of Emperor Vespasian. The Colosseum received its current name (from the Latin colosseus - “huge”) on behalf of the huge statue of Nero, which was located nearby, on the territory of the Golden House (Domus Aurea). Shaped like an amphitheater, the Colosseum was surrounded by tiers of rows of seated stands that housed spectators who came to watch gladiator fights and exotic animals. Today the image of the Colosseum is widely used in art. True, films about gladiators are never shot here - it is not well preserved. Therefore, the role of the Colosseum in films is most often played by the Amphitheater of Mark Antony Gordian in Tisdra (Tunisia).

Aquarium

Europe's largest marine zoo, the Aquarium, is located in the pedestrian area of ​​Porto Antico in Genoa. It was built on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America at the Expo 92 exhibition complex. The aquarium features grandiose ocean tanks to great effect, and features pools and aquariums (71 in total) that replicate marine and terrestrial environments from around the world.

Arena di Verona

Arena di Verona is a Roman amphitheater, one of the most remarkable archaeological monuments in Europe, built in the 1st century AD. e. during the last years of the reign of Emperor Augustus. The arena has the shape of an oval, the length of which is 139 m. The auditorium consists of 45 steps and seats 16,000 spectators. During its existence, the Arena di Verona was the site of many exciting entertainments: gladiatorial fights, knightly fights, tournaments, nightly shows. Today, the Arena di Verona is a world-famous “archaeological theater”, thanks to the annual summer opera festival that takes place within its walls.

Vatican

The independent Vatican City State was created by the Lateran Agreement (concordat) between the Roman Catholic Church and the Italian state of February 11, 1929. The name of the state comes from the name of the Monte Vaticano hill, on which a palace was built in the early Middle Ages, which became the permanent residence of the head of the Catholic Church from the end of the 14th century. The Vatican has fewer than 1,000 inhabitants and is separated from the rest of Rome by a wall and colonnade in St. Peter's Square.

Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the oldest museums in Italy. Construction began in 1560, when the Florentine Duke Cosimo de' Medici decided to begin construction of a building that would later become the administrative center of Florence. The gallery presents the world's largest collection of Italian painting (XIII-XVIII centuries), among which stand out the “Allegory of Spring” and “The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli, “The Adoration of the Magi” by Leonardo da Vinci and the tondo (round painting) “St. Michelangelo's family.

The features of the national character are especially clearly manifested in the traditions and customs that are sacredly observed by Italians, lovers of rituals. In every area of ​​life you can find something characteristic of this particular temperamental nation. Let's call these habits “the commandments of the Italians” and see what Italian traditions and customs look like in the eyes of turisti (tourists - “tourists”).

Italians and emotions

Freud in Italy would have died of hunger: delving into the subconscious of local residents is the prerogative of neighbors and priests taking confessions. Not a single secret thought escapes their attention, and the victims of curiosity themselves are not used to keeping their sentimenti (sentimenti - “feelings”) to themselves. Restraint is about some other people. But they know how to have fun here in such a way that it’s worth envying. Moreover, it is absolutely not necessary to wait for numerous holidays; happiness and joy can be found even in a good lunch and properly brewed coffee. And Italian love passions and stormy courtships, which culminate in a magnificent wedding, deserve special mention. Acting and love for public attention are in the blood of Italians.

Italians and relatives

The Italian mafia is, frankly speaking, a notorious phenomenon. But it is built on quite attractive principles: respect for elders and a sense of blood kinship. This characterizes the Italian people very well, who sacredly honor the traditions of their ancestors. For example, courtship leading up to a wedding ends with traditional matchmaking. The matchmakers ask the girl's hand in marriage from her mother. Of course, now this is a formality, but neglecting it is bad manners. Not inviting even the seventh jelly water to a wedding is a mortal insult. Neighbors also balance somewhere on the brink of kinship. They may not have such tender feelings for them, but they consider their problems to be their own and they are definitely not in danger of being alone. This, by the way, is quite profitable: more guests at the wedding means more money in the wedding borsa (borsa - “handbag”) for gifts.

Italians and religion

To say that Italy is a Catholic country means to say nothing. Every self-respecting village has its own saint patrono (patron - “patron”), in whose honor festive processions are organized. When going on a tourist trip, travelers should inquire about the date of the celebrations - this is incomparable free entertainment. It's easy for foreigners to blend in with the crowd and have their share of fun. In addition, on such days, street music festivals are usually held in towns. An abundance of churches and a crucifix in every home are the norm for Italians, even those who are not very committed to religion. It is no coincidence that papa (pápa - “Pope of Rome”), although formally living in another state, is located in the center of the country’s capital. On the other hand, many foreigners notice that Italians distance themselves from priests when they happen to meet them on the street. Local residents explain this by saying that this is the government, and it is better to stay away from it.

Italians and work

The Russian proverb is perfect for Italians: “Work is work, and lunch is on schedule.” They work no worse than others, otherwise Italy would not be among the world's industrial leaders, but good food and holidays, the favorite of which is matrimonio (matrimonio - “wedding”), always come first. During the wedding, everyone happily fulfills their assigned role: showering the newlyweds with rice, leading the feast, organizing a walk.

Italians and fashion

The Italian fashion industry supports folk customs, according to which the most beautiful sposa (sposa - “bride”) is, of course, Italian. She will not run to the master's program in jeans to quickly sign and forget about the ceremony. No one wears a folk costume with a bright skirt and bodice anymore, but snow-white lace from the best Italian factories is at the service of girls. Sposo (sposo - “groom”) dresses more modestly, in a formal dark suit.

Italians and food

A wedding feast is an opportunity for a chef to show off his best skills. No one has canceled the regional division, so the range of dishes is different everywhere. If Russians decide to celebrate their wedding in Italy, then there is every chance to get to know gastronomic achievements better. Lunch is going to be powerful - it all starts with champagne, and then progresses: appetizers, first course (pasta or risotto), second course (meat, fish with vegetables) and the obligatory torta nuziale (torta nuziale - “wedding cake”) with coffee for dessert.

Italians and weddings

The wedding ritual directly follows from the Italian attitude towards religion and kinship. In the cities of the northern part of the country, young people often refuse church marriages in favor of modest civil registration, or even simply cohabit without formalizing the relationship, but such freedom of morals has not yet become widespread. In general, the principle is again geographical - the further south, the more traditional.

When an Italian wedding is held, customs dictate rules of conduct for the couple. They usually go out on Sundays - this is a good sign. A ribbon is tied near the entrance to the church - a symbol of a strong union. Going to church is not much different from what we are used to seeing in movies: the bride is led down the aisle by her father and handed to the groom. The only interesting difference is the custom of sprinkling rice on the couple as a happy omen. Then the young people take a photo tour of the beautiful places of the city. True, these are not monuments to statesmen, but beautiful historical buildings or natural attractions - the shores of the sea or lake.

Italians are an open nation. If you fail to get an invitation to a real Italian wedding, then no one will mind when tourists discreetly take photographs of the happy couple during the wedding or honeymoon. And all guests of the country can take part in other holidays - if they wish.

In a country where the siesta (afternoon nap) is almost approved at the legislative level, people like to relax more than to work. What traditions and customs of Italy have survived to this day? Which ones have outlived their usefulness and are forgotten? What is remarkable about the people of this beautiful country? You can learn about the most interesting traditions and customs of Italy from the publication.

Population

About 60 million people live on the territory of this Mediterranean state, which resembles the shape of a boot on a map of Southern Europe. In the famous capital - Rome - there are approximately 3 million. The official language of the parliamentary republic is Italian. For many years, the country remained fairly homogeneous in its ethnic composition (Italian majority). However, due to the current global geopolitical situation and large migration flows, Albanians, French, Germans, Greeks and representatives of other nationalities (numbering about 10%) live in Italy today.

It is not surprising that the religious composition is dominated by Catholics (92%). Italians adore their dad; almost every resident of the country has visited the Vatican enclave state, which is located on the territory of Rome, at least once in their life.

In Italy you can also meet Protestants, Muslims, Orthodox Christians and Jews.

Traditional home and costume

A typical building in small settlements remains a Mediterranean-type house. According to traditions and customs, in Italy they have long been built in two floors of stone. The tiled gable roof of the home looks cozy among green trees and shrubs. The building was divided horizontally into two levels. The first floor was allocated for utility rooms and a kitchen, and on the second floor there was a residential part. The interior decoration featured massive wooden furniture, which is rarely seen in modern homes today.

Cheerful and energetic representatives of the nation, following the traditions and customs of Italy, wore very bright, varied outfits. Women's clothing was based on a long and wide skirt, which was decorated with a white or green apron, a shirt with wide sleeves, and a bodice that emphasized the dignity of the figure. The male population dressed in short pants, white shirts, jackets or sleeveless vests, hats or berets.

A true Italian is always distinguished by a neat appearance, accuracy even in small things. Here, men also pay a lot of attention to their appearance.

Features of national cuisine

According to traditions and customs, in Italy there was always a lot of fresh seafood and a variety of flour products (spaghetti, cannelloni) on the table. Nowadays, the culinary preferences of the population of this country have changed slightly. Favorite dishes remain ravioli and tortellini, lasagna, risotto, and pizza.

A popular drink in Italy is coffee, often served with lemon (espresso romano). Alcohol preferences include amaretto, grappa, Campari, sambuca, limoncello. Tiramisu is often served for dessert (by the way, the name of the delicacy is translated from Italian as “makes me happy”).

Holidays

This is a special line - the more holidays for an Italian, the better. Celebrations are organized, of course, on a grand scale, with songs and dances. Italians sacredly honor Christmas (December 25), considering it exclusively a family celebration. As in our country, March 8 and May 1 are celebrated here. Father's Day (in honor of St. Giuseppe) is celebrated on March 19, two days later (March 21) Tree Day arrives, April 1 is April Fool's Day, and the Founding Day of Rome (April 21) smoothly transitions into Italy's Liberation Day (April 25), then It's Mother's Day (May 10), etc. Italians not only clearly know, but also celebrate the days of all their patron saints. These dates are not official, but de facto banks, shops and other establishments are closed.

National character

The inner world of Italians is full of paradoxes and contradictions. The center of the universe for the inhabitants of this country is the family, in the broadest sense of the word. People are very kind to mothers and children, value and sacredly cherish friendship. This is one of the few countries that does not have orphanages.

Italians are born actors; they love to show off themselves in company. These people are distinguished by an easy approach to life, optimism, and a love of fun and laughter. They are very sociable, speak loudly and emotionally, pronouncing sounds clearly. They are intolerant of incorrect pronunciation and very often correct the speech of foreigners. People in this country actively gesticulate when communicating. At the same time, this trait is considered acceptable only for men; it is indecent for a woman to behave this way. However, sociability does not mean openness; they behave very carefully with strangers and do not talk too much.

Types of tourism and attractions

Typically, Italy is visited by travelers who love alpine skiing, beach holidays, sightseeing, health and business tourism. Over the past 10-20 years, shopping tours to the country of famous couturiers and designers have been rapidly gaining momentum.

Traditions, customs, and culture of Italy are inextricably intertwined with its history, which can be traced by visiting the most famous sights of the country. The capital of the state is notable for its ancient Pantheon; the construction of this temple dates back to 27 BC. e. Also in Rome you can see the famous Colosseum, several triumphal arches, the Roman and Imperial Forums, and the Baths of Caracalla. The Basilicas of St. John Lateran and St. Paul will not leave religious connoisseurs indifferent. You should definitely visit Piazza Navona with three fountains; this square has gained fame since the times of Ancient Rome. Excursions to the Capitoline, National Roman Museum and Borghese Gallery are certainly offered to visitors to the capital.

Milan is famous for its Dominican monastery, in the refectory of which there is a fresco of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. You can't help but watch a gorgeous performance at the famous La Scala theater.

The wonderful city of Venice stands on 122 islands, the city is crossed by 170 canals and 400 bridges. Here you can see St. Mark's Cathedral, the Palace of the Venetian Rains. Florence is famous for the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fore, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Uffizi and Pitti galleries, and the tomb of the Medici family.

The customs and traditions of Italy are still preserved. For example, in this country it is customary to have dinner strictly with the entire family, and on Sundays you should visit your beloved grandparents. If you want to win over your Italian business partner, ask him to show you a family photo. Don't worry, he will definitely have it in his wallet.

The people of Italy are very superstitious. For example, they are afraid to talk about the successes and health of their relatives, they never arrange weddings in May, and on New Year’s Day, each family member must eat 12 grapes. By the way, there is a tradition of throwing away (not out the window, of course) all old and unnecessary things in the past year. Perhaps someone said goodbye to the TV.

Italians are one of the kindest and most merciful nations. For example, for cruelty to a cat you can get up to 3 years in prison. Despite this, northerners and southerners of the country treat each other very coldly and dismissively. Southern Italians consider the northern ones to be boring, and the northern ones are sure that the southerners are impenetrable lazy people.

We briefly examined the traditions and customs of Italy, now it has become clear why this wonderful country ranks fourth in the world in terms of tourist attendance. There are more than 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites here - no other country on our planet can boast of such a number.

When studying the customs and traditions of the peoples of Italy, it is important to remember that in this country they love their native language very much, and study foreign languages ​​with reluctance. Therefore, it is worth stocking up on a phrasebook in order to properly get a feel for the local flavor.