Southern Italy: Epiphany Night

Andrea Roman tells her story, “We’re Not…,” to demonstrate how Bolivian culture has influenced her life. In her essay she informs the reader about the many things her mom, a native Bolivian, would scold her for. These atrocious acts included: borrowing sweaters, doing homework on Sundays and wanting to attend sleepovers. None of these things would be judged as wrong in America, they are American customs or traditions that Roman tried to follow. Roman followed these, unknowingly disrespecting her family’s Bolivian values. David Sedaris wrote “Remembering My Childhood on the Continent of Africa” to share his dissatisfaction of growing up in America after he heard about Hugh’s adventures of growing up on the continent of Africa. In his essay he shared the many adventures Hugh, his boyfriend, experienced while living his exciting life in Africa. In America many of Hugh’s adventures would have been harshly judged and considered as wrong. Hugh does many things that Sedaris can only dream of doing. David Sedaris’ “Remembering my Childhood on the Continent of Africa” and Andrea Roman’s “We’re Not…” are told with a similar style but the audience receives different messages from each of them.

The main characteristics of Italian Humanism were to be a Renaissance man,which is skilled in a variety of categories. Humanists wanted citizens to speak and write in order to convince others by studying many classical works. Italian Humanism differs from medieval Scholasticism, which was using critical thought to to defend the church, and was taught in medieval universities. Italian humanists were interested in classical civilization because they would study the medieval mindset of contemporary thinking, and create something else, humanism.

These celebrations represented the resurrection of new life in spring after the cold, frozen winter. Celebrations like these were celebrated in many countries, especially ones of great Catholic populations. Soon when christianity appeared in Rome, religious leaders encouraged the rituals into the faith. Christians and others who encourage this holiday celebrate this time of feasting from January sixth to Shrove Tuesday, The Epiphany to the Day before Ash Wednesday (Thompson, 1998). This time period became known as Carnival; Carnival in Latin means farewell to meat. The motto farewell to meat relates to the fasting that is coming with the Lenten season celebrated by the Christian faith. “Carnival” was soon spread worldwide. In France, this celebration became known to may as Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday,” says the authors of

The central focus and purpose of teaching this learning segment is to educate students about other holidays and cultures, but specifically focusing on Christmas in Italy. While this unit is essentially literacy based, it is also linked to Social Studies when students use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of themes, traditions, and stories in different countries. This unit supports diversity within the classroom and it will expose students to the different ways of celebrating holidays among various cultures. The essential literacy strategy used throughout this unit is to analyze, explain, and describe the similarities and differences between Christmas in Italy and Christmas in their own home in the United States. The students are required to examine the way Christmas is celebrated in Italy in a variety of different ways, through both teacher directed guidance and student centered learning.]

Traditional france christmas ornaments were fruits that they hung on a tree, like pears or apples, but after they went through a drought they instead made glass ornaments in the shape of fruits. They also wrap pieces of chocolate in wrapping paper and hang them on trees. They wake up to smoked salmon blinis every morning on christmas. They have gougeres as an appetizer with wine or cocktails.

Naples, Italy is located in southern Europe along the coast, east of the Mediterranean Sea. Its longitude and latitude are 40.8450° N and 14.2583° E, which means that Naples never gets directed sunlight overhead any day throughout the year. Naples has an elevation of about 20 feet above sea level. This is relatively low, and the city itself is close to the sea as well. This is kind of scary because the sea levels keep rising, and in the future Naples could be submerged in water. Naples Italy also is 45.28 square miles and has a population of around 960,000 people, this is the third most out of all the cities in Italy.

They also put up a christmas tree to represent the holiday season and get gifts for everyone in their family and community. People also prepare a cake or loaf called panettone some people like it sweet though.

During the Italian Renaissance, people were influenced by positive values that helped change human expectations. The values that people based their lives on we're humanism, secularism, individualism, skepticism, generalism, and classicism. Humanism was the idea that people have the ability to do what they want in life. Those who believed in secularism tended to focus more on what they want to do in life rather than focus on religion. Artists show individualism through their artwork by creating more unique pieces. The people were always willing to ask questions due to their skepticism as well. Many talented individuals had skills with several activities expanding generalism is him in the Italian Renaissance. There was also an interest in classicism as people wanted to learn about ancient Greece and Rome.

The table is arranged and set in it’s finest cloths and cutlery. One of their superstitions is 12 grapes, which represent the twelve months and twelve wishes they are to make when eating the grapes (“New Year’s”). They must be eaten before midnight or before the first 12 minutes of the new year are over (“New Year’s”).One tradition which originated in Italy is, eating of lentils (“New Year’s”). It is a way to ensure that the new year is filled with riches. Some eat it during the last day of the year or immediately after starting the new year(“New Year’s”). Toasts with a gold ring are good luck to those seeking money in the

The emergence of Italian nationalism began in the Renaissance Era and was then encouraged by key Italian figures, leading to the unification of Italy which was overall beneficial for the country.

There are three types of meals in ancient Rome Ientaculum (which means breakfast) started with a glass of water and the ientaculum which at this

Traditionally, it was a dish that was prepared only for feasts and celebrations since it was very

For much of ancient Rome’s history, the dietary trifecta consisting of “cereals, grapes, and olives” were mostly commonly consumed by the people of Rome. Evidence points towards dry legumes, also known as “pulses” being the staple of a poor man’s diet (Garnsey 15). Meat and fish were far from being commonly

Italy is a Christian country, 83% of the population belonging to the Roman Catholic church. The relationship between Italians and religion is special. There have been many spiritual people before the Romans came along. Italy is, essentially, a nation embracing, all creeds, and religions, where the relationship between state and the church is regulated and sanctioned by constitutional laws. The question is why is there quite a variety of the number of atheists and agnostic rising? Along with religious minorities, Islam is the largest, followed by Eastern and Oriental Orthodoxy, Protestantism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Judaism. Along with that many do not practice religion around 12% of the population in Italy follows no religion.

Every year on this day not only Italy but all around, people gather from far and near to celebrate this holiday. On April 25 streets all over are crowded with thousands of people enjoying what is happening around them. This is one of the most important days in Italy because it marks the end of Mussolini regime. Parades, marches, concerts, food festivals, political rallies, and speeches honoring the partisans are all taking place on this day. Schools and many public places are closed as well. The one main tradition that exists and will always exist is the song Bella Ciao playing throughout the town. This song was played during WWll and gave hope to all who were fighting. Although this is a very festive day, the main purpose of April 25 in Italy is to honor those who have served, and risked their lives in the Italian Resistance for others to have freedom in the future. People all around can and will celebrate this day. Even people, who do not understand the real meaning behind this holiday, still come together and enjoy themselves, because freedom is what the soldiers