Culture
The educational system has a five-year primary stage and an eight-year secondary stage, divided into first-grade secondary school and second-grade secondary school (or high school). Main articles: Culture of Italy, Art of Italy, Cinema of Italy, and Education in Italy Italy did not exist as a state until the country’s unification in 1861. Due to this comparatively late unification, and the historical autonomy of the regions that comprise the Italian Peninsula, many traditions and customs that are now recognized as distinctly Italian can be identified by their regions of origin. Despite the political and social isolation of these regions, Italy’s contributions to the cultural and historical heritage of Europe remain immense. Italy is home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (43) to date.
Leonardo Da Vinci Visual Art Italian painting is traditionally characterized by a warmth of colour and light, as exemplified in the works of Caravaggio and Titian, and a preoccupation with religious figures and motifs. Italian painting enjoyed preeminence in Europe for hundreds of years, from the Romanesque and Gothic periods, and through the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the latter two of which saw fruition in Italy. Notable artists who fall within these periods include Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Botticelli, Fra Angelico, Tintoretto, Caravaggio, Bernini, Titian and Raphael. Thereafter, Italy was to experience a continual subjection to foreign powers which caused a shift of focus to political matters, leading to its decline as the artistic authority in Europe. Not until 20th century Futurism, primarily through the works of Umberto Boccioni and Giacomo Balla, would Italy recapture any of its former prestige as a seminal place of artistic evolution. Futurism was succeeded by the metaphysical paintings of Giorgio de Chirico, who exerted a strong influence on the Surrealists and generations of artists to follow.
From the category: Education in Italy
Italian cuisine as a national cuisine known today has evolved through centuries of social and political changes, with its roots traced back to 4th century BC. Significant change occurred with discovery of the New World which helped shape much of what is known as Italian cuisine today with the introduction of items such as potatoes, tomatoes, bell pepper and maize, which are all central parts of the cuisine but not introduced in scale until the 18th century.
Ingredients and dishes vary by region. There are many significant regional dishes that have become both national and regional. Many dishes that were once regional, however, have proliferated in different variations across the country in the present day. Cheese and wine are also a major part of the cuisine, playing different roles both regionally and nationally with their many variations and Denominazione di origine controllata(DOC) (regulated appellation) laws. Coffee, and more specifically espresso, has become highly important to the cultural cuisine of Italy.
From the category: Italian Cuisine
Italian art describes the visual arts in Italy from ancient times to the present. In Ancient Rome, Italy was a centre for art and architecture. There were many Italian artists during the Gothic and Medieval periods, and the arts flourished during the Italian Renaissance. Later styles in Italy included Mannerism, Baroque, Rococo, andI Macchiaioli. Futurism developed in Italy in the 20th century. Florence is a well known city in Italy for its museums of art.
From the category: Italian Art
A majority of students will be found in major cities enjoying the nightlife in Italy so it’s not suprising that the atmosphere is much more youthful and vivacious. Ranked in top 5 of the world’s most visited countries, Italy’s nightlife scene, in a large number or cities, has gone through a transition offering a wide range of late-night activities such as live-outdoor music concerts, street-side cinema viewing as well as the traditional outdoor seating at restaurants, with great views of the towns piazze (city squares). Italy’s nightlife is varied and diverse, and certain to meet the expectations of any age group.
The differences between America and Italy are many and obvious, the same could be said for Italian nightlife in general. A typical evening, or night out for Italians is usually built around a long dinner with a group of friends, starting anytime after 9pm and continuing up to or past midnight, a completely enjoyable experience. However, nightlife in other parts of the world carries a little more of a festive feel to it.
From the category: Italian Nightlife
