As you might have read if you are even just a little bit into italian pop culture, this year’s edition of Sanremo Italian song festival has crowned Il Volo with the winning title. Although this has been the most viewed edition in the last ten years, a lot of criticism has spread around the web. To many youngsters Sanremo still looks…
This year the famous winter festival of the ‘Ndocciata was dedicated to San Giovanni Paolo II. This festival originated during Molise’s pre-christian Samnite era and is specific to the town of Agnone. The torches, or ‘ndocce’ were used during tribal shifts that usually took place at night, as s source of light. After the 9th Century, local farmers began to…
Cinema Made in Italy will be back from 5 – 9 March, as Ciné Lumière celebrates the fifth edition of London’s favourite Italian film festival. Italian cinema aficionados can look forward to another bumper crop, as this five day annual event showcases the best recent Italian productions. Once again, this year’s rich and diverse programme promises to delight and engage…
One day a Mexican student of the course of Italian language and culture told me: “All the birds return to their nest, dear Maria!“. Skipping at first because I thought it was a simple proverb (despite all the proverbs have a grain of truth), I immediately realized what was true! I have always loved Lecce and I always kept in…
Heading to the Sorrento Peninsula and Amalfi coast in winter? It can be a wonderful time of year to come… but if you’re planning to visit Sorrento and Amalfi Coast there are some things you have to keep in mind! When is the off season in Sorrento and the Amalfi coast? From the end of October to April (excluding Easter).…
Now in London, getting deep into January, I am warming myself up by flipping through pictures of our morning visit in July at the incredible Pietrabbondante, Teatro dei Sanniti. A near private experience – only one small group of Italians arrived as we were climbing back up to the car – the visit was very special. Sitting in the amazingly…
Italian Cinema Workshop – Part 2 After the success of our last cinema workshop, this second part is intended to present the reality of Italy through different decades and through the eyes of our great film directors. This short-course is designed for Upper Intermediate and Advanced students of Italian. The aim of this course is to expand the student’s knowledge…
In the past few weeks this video showing an adorable Italian grandpa (actually a cook or something close to) trying to pronounce “Worcestershire Sauce” has become viral and has charmed UK, reminding them why (almost) everybody loves Italians. Now, the common stereotype about Italians trying to speak English or any other language, is based on the irrepressible need we have…
That in Puglia, the land of sun and sea, it snows is rare and that it happens in Villa Castelli, country of wine and oil, is definitely an event! But we have greeted the 2015 in this way! On December 31st, each of us, every “castellano” stood up and, opening the windows, found a unusual, magical and sweet Villa Castelli,…
New term starts on the 23rd of January 2015 The Italian Cultural Institute is the official Italian government centre for the promotion of the Italian culture and language, offering a wide choice of Italian classes. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced, whether you want learn Italian for business or pleasure, we can help you perfect your language skills at…