How Birthday is Celebrated in Italy

THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOUNDATION / March 7, 2024 / Blog /

By Claudia Mosca, an aspiring author and freelance writer

Birthday is a very important celebration, loved by children and adults alike. Italians consider birthday as a special day, the perfect occasion to celebrate together with their family and friends.

In this article, we will discover together what are the most common ways to celebrate a birthday in Italy. Let’s get started!

Birthday traditions

There are many different ways to celebrate a birthday in Italy: you can organize a party, or think about going out to dinner with loved ones. One indispensable element, which cannot be ignored at all and which all Italians do, is eating a cake!

Birthday cakes are not only for children, but are also eaten by adults, adding a touch of sweetness to the celebration. It is important to place at least one candle on the cake, which symbolically represents the year that is leaving and the new one beginning. Italians like to blow out the candles by singing a birthday song for the birthday boy/girl, in order to help him/her celebrate his/her birthday.

The next step is the unwrapping of gifts, which are also very important and much appreciated. Usually, those who attend an Italian’s birthday party bring with them a small gift – even a simple thought! – as a symbol of their interest and attention.

Conclusions

Now that you have found out how to celebrate birthdays in Italy, you can attend a party knowing exactly how to behave. Don’t forget the gift and learn the song “Tanti Auguri” to sing all together before blowing out the candles.

Happy Birthday!

Come si festeggia il compleanno in Italia

Il compleanno è una festa molto importate, amata tanto dai bambini quanto dagli adulti. Gli italiani considerano il compleanno come un giorno speciale, l’occasione perfetta per festeggiare insieme alla propria famiglia e agli amici.

In questo articolo, scopriremo insieme quali sono i modi più comuni per festeggiare il compleanno in Italia, nel pieno rispetto della tradizione locale. Iniziamo!

Le tradizioni di compleanno

Ci sono molti modi diversi per festeggiare il compleanno in Italia: si può organizzare una festa, oppure pensare di uscire a cena fuori con i propri cari. Un elemento immancabile, che non può essere assolutamente ignorato e che tutti gli italiani fanno a prescindere dall’età, è mangiare una torta!

Le torte di compleanno non sono solo per i bambini, ma vengono mangiate anche dagli adulti, aggiungendo un pizzico di dolcezza ai festeggiamenti. È importante posizionare sulla torta almeno una candelina, che rappresenta simbolicamente l’anno che se ne va e il nuovo che inizia. Gli italiani amano spegnere le candeline cantando una canzone d’auguri per il festeggiato, così da aiutarlo a celebrare il suo compleanno al meglio.

Il passaggio successivo è quello dello scarto dei regali, anche loro molto importanti e molto apprezzati. Solitamente, chi partecipa alla festa del compleanno di un italiano porta con sé un piccolo regalo – anche un semplice pensierino! – come simbolo del proprio interesse e attenzione.

Conclusioni

Ora che avete scoperto come si festeggia il compleanno in Italia, potete partecipare ad una festa sapendo esattamente come comportarvi. Non dimenticate il regalo e imparate la canzone “Tanti Auguri” da cantare tutti insieme prima di spegnere le candeline.

Buon compleanno!

ILF Student, Angelica Lanfranconi, wins 2nd Prize in FELC’S Speech Contest, August, 2023.

THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOUNDATION / February 29, 2024 / Blog /

By Angelica Lanfranconi

During the week of July 31 to August 4, I attended the Free Enterprise Leadership Conference. This experience was entirely virtual, which allowed me to participate all the way from Italy. I learned so much during this conference, both through guest speakers and through hands-on activities. During the conference, the students were split up into teams 6-10 people, with each group having a counselor to guide us through the activities. Each team created a company from scratch, going from electing a board of directors, to creating a business plan, to presenting our products to “investors” (the staff of the company). FELC not only taught me about what it really takes to build a business, but also about how to be an effective leader, how to work in a team, and about how the free enterprise system can reduce poverty. The conference was so much fun, and it was a great opportunity for me to see if business and economics could be one of my career aspirations, as I didn’t have much prior experience. The week was very well balanced between hands-on activities, student presentations, and professional guest speakers. One thing that I especially appreciated was that each student was able to play to their strengths, with some members of the team giving speeches, others in charge of debates, and others preparing visual presentations. Thank you to ILF for providing me with such an amazing growth opportunity.

The Journey into Italian Language and Culture as a Science Student

THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOUNDATION / February 15, 2024 / Blog /

By Jessica Morlock, recipient of the Italian Language Foundation’s Enrico Fermi College Fellowship

As a Biology of Global Health major with aspirations of becoming a physician, it is important to me that my college experience is defined by cultural immersion in all aspects. The educational demands of being a pre-med student are intense and rigorous, but my experience studying Italian has proven to be a refreshing, lively addition to my academic ripertoire, exceeding all expectations I had in mind for a diverse education.

Though I was thrilled by the idea of taking an Italian course solely for the purpose of mastering a foreign language, I now know that studying Italian is defined by far more than grammar rules and vocabulary: it involves in-depth immersion into the vibrance of Italian culture. My first Italian course at Georgetown offered a multifaceted style of learning that I had not yet experienced, serving as a counterbalance to the often intense nature of science courses.

In the midst of memorizing chemical terminology and grappling with complex biological concepts, delving into the liveliness of Italian language and culture became a welcome escape that I look forward to continuing.

This journey of cultural exploration was more than just a method of enhancing my language skills—it allowed me to cultivate a holistic understanding of cultural competence, preparing me to become a knowledgeable, empathetic physician prepared to foster a nurturing, deep connection with patients from diverse backgrounds.

The Pizza Champions: Serving up Slices of Napoli at the Super Bowl

THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOUNDATION / January 31, 2024 / Blog /

Written by Amy Riolo

Pieces of both Washington, DC and Naples was part of the 57th Annual Super Bowl, the final match of the playoffs of the US football championship which attracts about a hundred million viewers every year. At the most watched event on television when it comes to the American and non-American sports world alone, Francesco and Enzo Marra, Neapolitan immigrants and residents of the Washington, DC area churned out thousands of pizzas for the occasion.

“It is certainly no coincidence that we have come to launch the real Neapolitan pizza at the Super Bowl, the most important sporting event in the world”: said Francesco Marra, a pizza entrepreneur of Neapolitan origin who, together with his brother Enzo, found success in the States thanks to the specialty of Campania cuisine. Present in Phoenix, they found themselves churning out over five thousand pizzas made from custom Marra Forni ovens decorated with Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagle Logos in their beautiful tile mosaics. Today, Marra Forni is the fastest growing brick oven manufacturer in the US.

The Super Bowl is an event that isn’t limited to the sporting competition between the two teams. At this year’s edition, where the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Phoenix, Arizona, The Super Bowl’s audience of 113 million people, connected between TV and streaming, was the third most-watched TV show ever and the most-watched ever on the web.

For those who live outside of the United States, and have never experienced one, it’s hard to believe that the Super Bowl is an all-round party, a real show that reaches its peak with the Halftime Show: the moment in which – halfway through the game – one or more music stars – this year it’s Rihanna’s turn – perform for about 20 minutes, in which the pitch is transformed into a pyrotechnic stage ready for the performance. The show also involves the many spectators in the stands, who gorge themselves on food and drink, just as if they were at a party, two inseparable elements from the American sporting tradition. And the boundless catering that took part in this year’s edition also spoke Italian. Indeed, Neapolitan.

“Our American story begins 27 years ago,” – says Francesco -, “when our family emigrated from Santa Lucia to the capital Washington DC. All for love: our mother, Pina Dubbio, married an Italian-American and chose the land of opportunities, where you can achieve anything you think of, regardless of who you are and where you come from. With many sacrifices we have managed to transform America into our home”.

Today, the Marras represent the main producers of Neapolitan ovens in the world and – in addition to Marra Forni – they own three other companies: Pizza University & Culinary Arts Center, Oro Catering (exclusive managers of the cafeteria and catering of the Italian embassy in Washington DC, the pinnacle of Italian politics and diplomacy abroad), and Oro Pizza.

Best-selling author Amy Riolo is also an award-winning chef, television host, and Mediterranean lifestyle ambassador. The author of 16 books (with #17 in the works), was named Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy by the President of the Italian Republic. She has also been dubbed “The Ambassador of Italian Cuisine in the US” by The Italian International Agency for Foreign Press, “Ambassador of the Italian Mediterranean Diet 2022-2024” by the International Academy of the Italian Mediterranean Diet in her ancestral homeland of Calabria, Italy, and “Ambassador of Mediterranean Cuisine in the World” by the Rome-based media agency We The Italians.

In 2019, she launched her own private label collection of premium Italian imported culinary ingredients called Amy Riolo Selections which includes extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, organic pasta, and pesto sauce from award-winning artisan companies. Amy is the brand ambassador for Marra Forni and The Pizza University and Culinary Arts Center. She is the co- founder and director of A.N.I.T.A. (Accademia Nazionale Italiana Tradizione Alimentari) and an honorary member of the Associazione Regionale Cuochi Pittagorici.

The ILF’s 2023 Teacher Recognition Awardees!

THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOUNDATION / January 15, 2024 / Blog, Featured, Teachers News /

Each year, the Italian Language Foundation recognizes two outstanding teachers from across the United States for their commitment to excellence in the teaching of Italian. The 2023 Awardees were Enza Antenos from Montclair State University and Steven LaPeruta from Nutley High School. We asked them both to share a bit more about themselves, so we can all be inspired by their passion for teaching Italian and their impressive careers! Check out their stories below.

Enza Antenos

In everyday life, Italian is present beyond borders, transcending national boundaries. American movies, television, and streaming service programming regularly feature Italy and the Italian language – one needs only to think of the second season of White Lotus, or House of Gucci or even the soon-to-be-released Ferrari. Moreover, Italy remains a top destination for American students studying abroad, and most of all, Made in Italy, the worldwide famous label, speaks the language of timeless elegance, exquisite craftsmanship, and refined taste.

My Italian classes at Montclair State U embrace Made in Italy: from the ABCs (Armani, Barilla, Campari) to Italy’s rank as a world economic leader, to the strong presence of Italian companies in the U.S.A., especially in my home state of New Jersey, which hosts the headquarters of Ferrari, Ferrero, Safilo, and Technogym close to our campus, and adds a practical dimension to our exploration.

Introducing Made in Italy right from Elementary 101 sparks my students’ curiosity, inspiring some to pursue a major in Language, Business & Culture with a focus on Italian. We explore the core qualities embedded in Made in Italy products, ranging from aesthetic beauty to technical expertise and excellence. Additionally, students learn how to navigate the intricacies of marketing these products internationally, taking into account the cultural nuances that can impact success.

Studying Made in Italy goes beyond mere financial aspects of different brands, delving into the cultural and historical layers that define the business of Made in Italy. It is more than just commerce; it embodies a form of humanistic capitalism.

Many Italian brands invest not only in their products but also in their employees and communities. For example, in 1910, Ermenegildo Zegna (founder of his eponymous brand) planted trees in the area surrounding his business, “igniting a sustainable spirit and reforestation project” long before we recognized the detrimental effects of unsustainable business practices.

Consider also Luisa Spagnolo, a chocolatier and candymaker famous for her Bacio Perugina, a pioneer in equality and fair pay for women in the workplace in 1915 when she hired the wives of her male employees who had gone to war. She even established daycare facilities at the factory for mothers who needed to care for their young children. The founders of Made in Italy brands pioneered standards that extended beyond business, embodying values of sustainability, social responsibility, and equality that continue to this day.

Steven LaPeruta

Following the completion of my M.A. at Middlebury’s C.V. Starr School in Florence, I promptly embarked on my teaching career, instructing both intermediate and advanced levels of Italian at Old Bridge High School. Under my guidance, the Italian program flourished, becoming the second-largest language program within the department and ranking among the largest Italian programs in the state of New Jersey, as confirmed by ITANJ statistics at the time.

In 2015, I accepted a position at Everett High School, but it wasn’t long before I was back at Old Bridge High School, where I dedicated myself to reinvigorating enrollment. In my role as lead Italian teacher, I offered mentorship to my colleagues, introduced new initiatives to increase interest in Italian, and successfully secured grants to fund teaching materials and scholarships. In 2020, I came to Nutley High School, where I currently teach. My primary goal at Nutley is to continue inspiring and providing my students with the linguistic and cultural knowledge they need to thrive in a globalized world. I strive to foster a classroom environment that not only promotes language proficiency but also encourages a deep appreciation for the cultural richness that defines the Italian heritage. Through innovative teaching methods and a continued commitment to the Affective Humanistic Approach to language learning, I aspire to empower my students to become confident, empathetic global citizens, well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of our interconnected world.