http://www.culturecrossing.net/
This website tells you about have to have proper etiquette and behavior in a different culture.
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/italy-country-profile.html
This website talks about the different languages and culture of Italy.
This website tells you about have to have proper etiquette and behavior in a different culture.
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/italy-country-profile.html
This website talks about the different languages and culture of Italy.
Over eighty percent of Italy’s population is Catholic. Italy is the spiritual headquarters of the Catholic branch of the Christian religion. Catholic beliefs maintain that the religion was founded by Jesus Christ and had its beginnings in Jerusalem, but spread quickly to Italy. Once there the Roman Empire was very advanced for its time and had well-defined network of roads and waterways allowed easier travel to spread the religion. Also the Pope, who is the official head of the Catholic religion, resides in the Vatican City in Italy. There are a very small number of the other denominations of the Christian religion represented in Italy. The second most popular religion is Islam. The total number of followers of the Muslim religion in Italy currently stands at about 700,000. The religion of Islam began in Saudi Arabia so it has spread out quite far. Most of the Muslim people in Italy are fairly new habitants to the country.
Although regular church attendees represent only between 30-40% of the population, Catholicism still plays a very important role in Italy’s culture. Every year there are several feasts and festivals that have their origins in the catholic religion that take place in Italy. A vast majority of marriages in Italy still take place in a church, more often than not a catholic church. Weddings are almost always officiated by someone who is an official man of the church. Another thing every young catholic experiences in Italy is their First Holy Communion. This is a right of passage for all young members of the Catholic religion, and is observed by the most of Italy’s population. Like many other Catholic countries Italy values pilgrimage, and every year of Catholics travel across Italy to some holy place or to seek blessings from the Pope himself.
Some of the most sacred places for the catholic religion are located in Italy. First and foremost there is Vatican City, which is where the Pope, who is their direct connection to God, resides. There is also a city called San Giovanni Rotondo, where Catholics believe one of the most famous Saints lived. Another very popular place is the city of Rome, which some say is the capital of Christianity. Catholics believe that Rome is the place where St. Peter began the first holy Catholic Church. Rome is also the city where the largest Christian church in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica, is located. Catholicism is still a form of Christianity; so Catholics still believe that Jerusalem is the holiest of cities. The shrines and tombs of many Catholic Saints are also located in Italy and attract thousands of catholic visitors from all around the world each year.
Although Catholicism seems to be a huge part of Italian culture, citizens do not let their religion interfere with their government. Priests and nuns are popular figures on television programs, and many view the Pope as a great moral leader, but Italy is still not as conservative as most people would expect a predominantly catholic country to be. In fact, abortion and divorce are legal, which is a huge clash with conservative Catholic rules, and many Italians supported the pope's opposition to the war in Iraq. Most Italians seem to still have huge amounts of respect for the church, and take their religion very seriously, they are just not willing to let it affect the way their government operates.
Although regular church attendees represent only between 30-40% of the population, Catholicism still plays a very important role in Italy’s culture. Every year there are several feasts and festivals that have their origins in the catholic religion that take place in Italy. A vast majority of marriages in Italy still take place in a church, more often than not a catholic church. Weddings are almost always officiated by someone who is an official man of the church. Another thing every young catholic experiences in Italy is their First Holy Communion. This is a right of passage for all young members of the Catholic religion, and is observed by the most of Italy’s population. Like many other Catholic countries Italy values pilgrimage, and every year of Catholics travel across Italy to some holy place or to seek blessings from the Pope himself.
Some of the most sacred places for the catholic religion are located in Italy. First and foremost there is Vatican City, which is where the Pope, who is their direct connection to God, resides. There is also a city called San Giovanni Rotondo, where Catholics believe one of the most famous Saints lived. Another very popular place is the city of Rome, which some say is the capital of Christianity. Catholics believe that Rome is the place where St. Peter began the first holy Catholic Church. Rome is also the city where the largest Christian church in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica, is located. Catholicism is still a form of Christianity; so Catholics still believe that Jerusalem is the holiest of cities. The shrines and tombs of many Catholic Saints are also located in Italy and attract thousands of catholic visitors from all around the world each year.
Although Catholicism seems to be a huge part of Italian culture, citizens do not let their religion interfere with their government. Priests and nuns are popular figures on television programs, and many view the Pope as a great moral leader, but Italy is still not as conservative as most people would expect a predominantly catholic country to be. In fact, abortion and divorce are legal, which is a huge clash with conservative Catholic rules, and many Italians supported the pope's opposition to the war in Iraq. Most Italians seem to still have huge amounts of respect for the church, and take their religion very seriously, they are just not willing to let it affect the way their government operates.
Italy has always been considered a central place of western culture and started quite a few cultural phenomenon’s including Catholicism, famous artist, mathematicians, and architects. Many other parts of Western culture began in Italy including history of the Christian faith, philosophy, law, art, science, or social customs and culture. Also, Italy played a leading role in the fight against the death penalty. Despite all this it seems as though Italy has lost a bit of its cultural diversity during the last 30 years. There were once many native minorities in Italy. When we speak of native minorities, I am referring to national and territorially concentrated minorities. After the Second World War, relations with the European neighbor states were sometimes difficult, and there was lots of battles over territory. Because of this some linguistic minorities scattered across the Italian territory were not recognized and preserved. This is an example of a loss of cultural diversity because some of these native cultures were lost. Besides the loss of some native cultures there was also a loss of certain religions. The government had to define the relationship they held with the Catholic Church and with the other religions. Italy chose to follow an approach of agreement in the relationships with the religions; an approach that is still considered valid today. After much debate there were many revisions made, the most important of which was the removal of Catholicism as the religion of the state. This was a big loss of culture because Catholicism has always been a huge part of Italian culture. The entire religion began there and it means a lot to a very large population of the Italian people.
The most recent issue regarding cultural diversity in the Italian context is the increase in the number of migrants. Italy went from being an emigration to an immigration country very quickly. Seven percent of Italy’s population now consists of immigrants. Some people are concerns about foreigners, and worry they are changing the traditional Italian culture. The population of the immigrants tends to be very young; fifty percent resident migrants are between 18 and 39 years old. These younger generations are bringing new trends and ideas taking away from some Italian traditions. Over half of all migrants are women, which is also bringing new trends. Italian men tend to act as though they are dominant and some of these women have different ideas on how gender roles work. The five main groups are the Rumanians, the Albanians, the Moroccans, the Chinese and the Ukrainians. All of these different ethnic groups bring a unique perspective on culture and are changing the way Italy operates. Overall Italy’s culture has changed in many ways over the past few years.
The most recent issue regarding cultural diversity in the Italian context is the increase in the number of migrants. Italy went from being an emigration to an immigration country very quickly. Seven percent of Italy’s population now consists of immigrants. Some people are concerns about foreigners, and worry they are changing the traditional Italian culture. The population of the immigrants tends to be very young; fifty percent resident migrants are between 18 and 39 years old. These younger generations are bringing new trends and ideas taking away from some Italian traditions. Over half of all migrants are women, which is also bringing new trends. Italian men tend to act as though they are dominant and some of these women have different ideas on how gender roles work. The five main groups are the Rumanians, the Albanians, the Moroccans, the Chinese and the Ukrainians. All of these different ethnic groups bring a unique perspective on culture and are changing the way Italy operates. Overall Italy’s culture has changed in many ways over the past few years.
Italian Food
Italian food is a very big part of the Italian culture, and holds significance with my family and I as well. Italian cuisine has developed through centuries of social and political changes, with roots as far back as the 4th century BCE. Italian food is special because its diversity in the many different regions. It is also known for being very simple food, most dishes only having four to eight ingredients. The quality of the ingredients is very important with Italian cooking. Cheese and wine are a major part of Italian cuisine, as well as coffee, epically espresso. We all know and love Italy for bringing us pasta, pizza, and deserts. But my favorite is a classic dish, meatballs.
Meatball Recipe
Meatballs:
1 cup plain breadcrumbs
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/4 cup whole milk, at room temperature
1 tablespoon tomato sauce
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/3 pound ground veal, pork, and beef
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Sauce:
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 large cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
1 large onion, finely chopped 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to season
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to season
3/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
3 fresh roma tomatoes
Two 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
1/2 good red wine
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
For the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, basil, parsley, milk, , tomato sauce, salt, pepper, eggs, garlic and onions. Using a wooden spoon, stir to blend. Add the ground meat. Using fingers, gently mix all the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
Using a 1-ounce cookie scoop or a small ice cream scoop, form the meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls (22 to 24 meatballs). Place the meatballs on a heavy nonstick baking sheet, spacing apart. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until cooked through, 15 minutes.
For the tomato sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet with 2-inch-high sides over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, onions, salt and pepper. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of the basil, oregano and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a simmer. Cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup basil. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if desired.
Add the meatballs to the tomato sauce and simmer until the meatballs are heated through, about 10 minutes. Thin the sauce with wine, 1/4 cup at a time, if needed.
Serve with grated Parmesan alongside.
Most of the food in Italy is grown locally, and traditionally, meals in Italy usually contain 3 or 4 courses. Meals are seen as a time to spend with family and friends instead of just eating, and therefore, daily meals can be longer than in other cultures. During holidays, family feasts can last for hours. The traditional Italian menu is kept mainly for special events while an everyday menu includes only the first and second course, the side dish and coffee. A notable aspect of Italian meals is that the primo or first course, is usually a more filling dish such as risotto or pasta. Overall Italian food is simple, but delicious.
Italian food is a very big part of the Italian culture, and holds significance with my family and I as well. Italian cuisine has developed through centuries of social and political changes, with roots as far back as the 4th century BCE. Italian food is special because its diversity in the many different regions. It is also known for being very simple food, most dishes only having four to eight ingredients. The quality of the ingredients is very important with Italian cooking. Cheese and wine are a major part of Italian cuisine, as well as coffee, epically espresso. We all know and love Italy for bringing us pasta, pizza, and deserts. But my favorite is a classic dish, meatballs.
Meatball Recipe
Meatballs:
1 cup plain breadcrumbs
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/4 cup whole milk, at room temperature
1 tablespoon tomato sauce
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/3 pound ground veal, pork, and beef
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Sauce:
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 large cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
1 large onion, finely chopped 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to season
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to season
3/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
3 fresh roma tomatoes
Two 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
1/2 good red wine
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
For the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, basil, parsley, milk, , tomato sauce, salt, pepper, eggs, garlic and onions. Using a wooden spoon, stir to blend. Add the ground meat. Using fingers, gently mix all the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
Using a 1-ounce cookie scoop or a small ice cream scoop, form the meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls (22 to 24 meatballs). Place the meatballs on a heavy nonstick baking sheet, spacing apart. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until cooked through, 15 minutes.
For the tomato sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet with 2-inch-high sides over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, onions, salt and pepper. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of the basil, oregano and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a simmer. Cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup basil. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if desired.
Add the meatballs to the tomato sauce and simmer until the meatballs are heated through, about 10 minutes. Thin the sauce with wine, 1/4 cup at a time, if needed.
Serve with grated Parmesan alongside.
Most of the food in Italy is grown locally, and traditionally, meals in Italy usually contain 3 or 4 courses. Meals are seen as a time to spend with family and friends instead of just eating, and therefore, daily meals can be longer than in other cultures. During holidays, family feasts can last for hours. The traditional Italian menu is kept mainly for special events while an everyday menu includes only the first and second course, the side dish and coffee. A notable aspect of Italian meals is that the primo or first course, is usually a more filling dish such as risotto or pasta. Overall Italian food is simple, but delicious.