Italy is like a book – Come read!

Flashback 2022

Facts that became news A series of events dominated the news in 2022: wars, vaccines, protests, allegations. In short, there was no shortage of news. The first quarter was marked mainly by the 20th anniversary of the Euro, now a reason for serious reflection, and the beginning of a war, the outcome of which remains uncertain. In the second quarter, scientific and archaeological discoveries were at the top of the news. The third quarter brought the fall of the Italian government, opening the door to a new and promising beginning with the installation of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. In the
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Image by Adriano Gadini from Pixabay

There is mail for Juliet!

Dear Juliet, I won’t ask you if your history, which has distinguished Verona over time as the city of love, is true or a legend. The magic, strength, and power that your history has in keeping love alive for me are enough. For centuries you have shown to be a good listener, attentive to the sorrows of the heart, the friend who’s always there, and perhaps the last hope for those who no longer have anyone to share their dreams or confide their secrets. Dear friend, surely this year too on Valentine’s Day you will hear “there is mail for
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La Befana

And so, the story of Befana was born

“Epiphany takes all holidays away” is an old saying in Italy. Actually, January 6th marks the end of the holiday season. Christmas and New Year celebrations passed and everything turnover into normal daily life again. It’s the beginning of a new year and Befana (a term derived from the epiphany that means manifestation) strives to comfort us in this transition. The tradition says that in the early morning hours between January 5th and 6th, Befana, the old lady, stops by our houses to fill the socks hanging in the fireplace with candies, sweets, cookies, and chocolate, but be careful because
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Flashback 2021

2021 January Literature it George Orwell and Cesare Pavese -literary pieces fall into public domain The books “1984”, “Animals Farm” and all other works by the English writer George Orwell entered the public domain. Brazil, the European Union, and the United States signed the Berne Convention which establishes that the copyright of works expires after 70 years from the 1st of January following the author’s death. Orwell lived until 1950, a year after the release of “1984”. Translated to over sixty countries, “1984” is Orwell’s most famous book and has been turned into comedies, movies, and comic books. George Orwell
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Pinocchio

Pinocchio turns 140, but the old man is Geppetto 😉

“Centuries ago, there lived
‘A king!’ my little readers will say immediately.No, children, you are mistaken. Once upon a time, there was a piece of wood.” Pubic Domain A hundred and forty years ago was born the puppet Pinocchio, carved out of a piece of wood by a lovely old man, the carpenter Geppetto. And then? Then there was the Talking Cricket or Jiminy Cricket (Pinocchio’s consciousness), the Fairy with Turquoise Hair, Honest John (the Fox), Gideon (the Cat), and many others who make up this masterpiece of Italian literature. The big realization is that only after undergoing an interior transformation,
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bandiere-brasile-portogallo

World Portuguese Language Day: new discoveries

Four centuries after the Portuguese discoveries, we rediscover Portuguese. On Unesco’s initiative, it has been established that the World Portuguese Language Day will take place every year on May  5th. More than 260 thousand people use Portuguese daily as their mother tongue, in addition to many others who, after discovering it, fell in love with it. The Portuguese language has always had its own identity, is recognized at every social level, and is constantly evolving, but this initiative provides it with additional value in terms of notability as a global language and a vehicle of international communication.  In this inaugural celebration,
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