5 religious festivals in Italy

La Befana (the witch) with coal

From the Feast of the Immaculate Conception to La Festa della Befana, experience five of the most significant religious festivals in Italy and discover why they remain an integral part of Italian identity… Italy is steeped in history and tradition, and its religious festivals reflect this rich cultural tapestry. Religious festivals in Italy are celebrated […]

Applying for Italian citizenship in Italy vs abroad

The Italian Cultural Institute in Belgravia, London.

In many cases when applying for Italian citizenship, you can choose whether to apply in Italy or abroad. Find out more below… Applying for citizenship via an Italian municipality If you are able to travel to Italy, it is often a much quicker process than applying at an Italian consulate. The most important first step […]

Gazzetta Italia: The race to save Bologna’s leaning tower

Two Towers, Asinelli and Garisenda, both of them leaning, symbol of Bologna

In this edition of our bilingual feature, Tom Alberto Bull looks at Italy’s other famous leaning towers, the Asinelli and Garisenda towers of Bologna Words by Tom Alberto Bull Key words Useful Italian words and phrases to add to your vocabulary Ho avuto il privilegio I had the privilege Dopo aver passato Having spent Per […]

Gazzetta Italia: Flying the nest

Adult Son Moving Out Of Parent's Home

In this edition of our bilingual feature, Tom Alberto Bull reports on the tendency of young adults in Italy to still live with their parents Featured image © highwaystarz/Adobe Stock Words by Tom Alberto Bull KEY WORDS Useful Italian words and phrases to add to your vocabulary La spesa settimanale The weekly shop Misure estreme […]

Gazzetta Italia: The rise of Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner

In this edition of our bilingual feature, Tom Alberto Bull reports on Jannik Sinner – the first Italian man to win a major tennis title since Adriano Panatta in 1976 Featured image © Shaun Botterill / Staff via Getty Images Words by Tom Alberto Bull KEY WORDS Useful Italian words and phrases to add to […]

Living in Sardinia: Our Island life

Dave and Marie Tringham living in Sardinia

Living in Sardinia sounds like a tempting prospect. Dave and Marie Tringham from Sheffield share their experience of Island life.  Photo © Dave and Marie Tringham Dave and Marie Tringham are well-placed to share a taste of what it’s like living in Sardinia. They own a two-bedroom apartment in a small beach town in the […]

The running Madonna – the Easter procession in Abruzzo

Members of the fraternity of St. Mary of Loreto carry the statue of the Virgin Mary through the streets of Sulmona in Abruzzo during an Easter procession

Discover the story behind this interesting Easter procession in Abruzzo, which takes place on Easter Sunday… Members of the fraternity of St. Mary of Loreto carry the statue of the Virgin Mary through the streets of Sulmona in Abruzzo during an Easter procession. This unusual Easter procession in Sulmona, Abruzzo, is called ‘La Madonna che […]

Italia! Women: St. Clare of Assisi

Work by artist M. Lorin of Chartres, France. He was commissioned to prepare this painting on glass of St. Claire in 1878

The Order of St. Clare, often known as the Poor Clares, today numbers some 20,000 nuns around the world. But how did this 13th-century nun become the patron saint of television?  Italia! Women #3: St. Clare of Assisi (1194-1253) Chiara Offreduccio (she didn’t become “St. Clare” until two years after her death) was born to […]