Do you know the 5 enchanting festivals of Italian Culture coming this year?

 

Italian culture

Did you know Italy makes half of the World's heritage treasures? Well, now you know! Italian Culture, the culture of the largest group in the Republic of Italy, is known for its ancient heritage which adds to the World's 50 % treasures. Enriched in music, arts, fashion, cuisine styles, and ancient buildings, this culture has immense effects from Holy Roman Empire and its Mediterranian Brother Greece. Italian Culture left an immense impact on today's Western Culture.

History

Italian Culture undergoes through the Golden period of flourishing Roman Empire, Renaissance period and after the World Wars, migrations that make this culture so diverse. 



Festivals 

When Thinking about Italian festivals you immediately think about breathtaking masks, races, etc. That's why Italy is known for its festivals all over the World. Most of the Italian festivals follows the Roman Catholic believes. Some captivating Italian festivals are:

Carnevale Venice 

Did you ever wonder how would it be if everyone around you wears costumes and masks? No, then imagine now. Carnevale di Venice or Carnival festival is the most famous festival of Italian Culture. It's an annual festival celebrated on the Shrove Tuesday, forty days before Easter.
This festival started back in 1162, to celebrate Venice Republic' Victory over the Patriarch or Aquileia. People wore masks to erase the class difference, to hide the identities. The wearing of masks during festivals was banned at some point in history( about 1797) but later in 1791, the Italian government tried to bring back this tradition.

Carnevale festival is known for masks around the World. During this festival masks, parades are held in San Marco Square. Along with the masks parade, there are Gondola and boat parade. Fritelle, or Fritters is the most famous sweet dish that is served during this festival. This year this festival gonna end on 16 of Feb. 

Italian Culture

Battle of Oranges 

You might have heard about battles of drastic weapons, swords, guns but there is another one ' Battle of Oranges'. Strange, Right! The festival Battle of Oranges is celebrated in Ivrea of Northern Italy from Sunday to Shrove Tuesday. In this festival, organized groups throw oranges at each other. And the parade is led by a band of pipers and drummers. It is traced back to a celebration of getting rid of a cruel duke in the Medieval Ages.

Italian Culture

Marriage of the Sea

Wow, even seas are getting married. Marriage of the Sea is an annual festival, celebrated in May in Venice. It is traced back to 1000AD and is celebrated in commemoration of the victory of Dalmatia by Dodge. But why it is called Marriage of the Sea? Because on the occasion, Dodge sailed into the Adriatic Sea and drop the ring reciting " We marry you, sea, as a sign of true and perpetual dominance." It depicts the maritime dominance and relation of Venice with the sea. 

This festival is famous for its boat racing competitions. The boat parade is held, officials like Mayor attends the ceremony, attends parade and a symbolic wedding ceremony is held in which Mayor gives his official statements followed by the blessings of the Patriarch. This year this festival is going to be on May 16.



Infiorata

Infiorata like other festivals has a religious origin. It was first celebrated in 1265 and was introduced by Benedetto Deri and his son. During Infiorata celebrations, flowers are cut, planted in a way to form particular drawings and patterns. Streets are full of flowers and religious objects. Different colored flowers with distinct scents in various patterns give a captivating scenery. Italians carpet their streets with flowers about 60 days after Easter to welcome the Season.


Umbria Jazz Festival

Italians celebrate the Umbria Jazz festival in July in Perugia. It is the most famous World's Jazz festival. Celebrated annually since 1973, this festival is marked by concerts, jazz, pop, acts in streets, churches, as well as theater performances. The festival longs for 10 days with a lot of free concerts. 

There are many more marked with horse races, food festivals, film festivals and so many that it would be difficult to cover in this small post. 

Alright, you are about to pack your bags for Italy. But wait! you may want to know about the Italian friends you gonna make, and delicious foods you gonna enjoy. Let's dive in for more!

Family System 

From traditions and festivals, it is clear how much Italians love to be gathered. That's why family really matters a lot in their family. Sunday Lunch every week with family holds a lot of importance in their daily life. 

Famous Cuisine 

Italians enjoy cuisines like polenta, gnocchi, white truffles, strudels, lasagna, boar, pasta, and pizza.

Italian Cultures
Gnocchi

Religion 

As Italian culture has large impacts of the Roman Empire, most of the Italians follows Roman Catholic believes. Every town in Italy, as it is the place of Italian Culture, has at least one church.

Italian Culture
St.Peter's Basilica

So you have decided to travel through Italy, But what are you gonna visit, just gonna enjoy festivals or want to know about the arts and architecture of Italian Culture?

Arts and Architecture 

Along with impacts from the Roman as well as Renaissance period Italian culture also has the influence of Greece culture on its art, science, and beliefs. Italy is the birthplace of opera, that's why for generations it was in the Italian Language. Ballet dance also has its origin in Italian Culture. Leonardo de Vinci is a great name. The arch of Constantine, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, The pantheon, the Piazza del campo are some masterpieces of architecture.

Italian Culture
Leaning Tower of Pisa

 Famous People 

Some notable personalities who added a large influence on  Italian Culture, as well as the whole World, are Cicero, Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, Cristopher Columbus, and Marco Polo.

 
Italian Culture

Language 

Italians speak French, German, Spanish, but above all, they speak the language spoken by most Italians i.e. Italian or Italiano. 

Italian Culture is one of the World's most beautiful cultures with a huge influence on the western world. Not only its festivals are soul taking, but the people are also lovely and engaging. In Italian Culture when the words fail, gestures are used. Body language and gestures are an important part of Italian conversations. In Italy, there is a proverb " All roads lead to Rome."

Pack your bags to Italy, and enjoy their incoming enchanting festivals. And if you wanna enjoy this trip with your friends, share this post with them, to make them excited.  Have a wonderful pleasant time!

Hi, I'm Dur e Shehwar, a student of International Relations. I'm crazy about exploring cultures, languages, and history. I can speak English, Urdu, some Chinese and a little Spanish. I'm writing this blog to share my insights and experiences with you. Love and Encouragement!

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