Customs and Traditions: Celebrating the Holidays like an Italian 

If you are spending time in Italy for the holidays, consider yourself fortunato/a! And if you’re dreaming of the magical Boot from afar, you’re not the only one. In honor of the most merry time of year, learn about some of Italy’s most historical and quirky customs and traditions for the holiday season!

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree 

Although city squares and mom-and-pop shops may hang their twinkly lights earlier than the beginning of December, most Italian families wait until the 8th for tree cutting, ornament hanging, and festival music playing. The 8th of December in Italy is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is commonly reserved for a day when Italians decorate the tree as it is a national public holiday. Many families have the day off. This day also “kick-starts” the month-long festivities and holiday cheer! 

Presepi 

Throughout the month, from small hillside towns to big chaotic cities paint the town in spirit, setting up artisanal markets, baking seasonal goods, and presepi AKA nativity scenes. These presepi have deep roots in Italy, a tradition dating back to St. Francis of Assisi in 1223. However, aside from St. Francis, the annual tradition of creating a presepi has a deep history in southern cities like Naples, where presepi are taken as an art form, often highly detailed, and elaborate, including hundreds of figures from bakers and shepherds to villagers and animals. Often hand-carved and designed by artisans themselves, many cities host exhibits, display shows, and even live nativity scenes to enjoy these works of art in person. 

La Vigilia di Natale 

The eve of Christmas, December 24th, is known in Italy as La Vigilia di Natale and is the opener for food feasts for the next three days. Most Italian families reserve a multi-course dinner for seafood. A biblical tradition or not, courses include plates like baccalà, seafood salad, pasta and clams, smoked salmon or muscles, and much more. Each region has its seafood specialty on the table, and the southern-coastal towns tend to have the largest seafood spread, going as far as lining up in the early hours of the morning (I am talking 2 or 3 am) to have a first-hand at their fish selection at the local outdoor markets. 

Don’t expect la Vigilia to be over after an hour or two. Most households are up celebrating until midnight and beyond.With full bellies and even fuller hearts, some traditional Catholic families (again, many stemming from the Southern tip of the peninsula) even venture out to attend midnight mass. Others enjoy dessert (and yes, panettone and pandoro are included!), espresso, and present opening. However, in the spirit of Babbo Natale (Santa Clause), younger children wait until Christmas morning to open presents. 

Buona Fortuna & Buon Anno 

Along with wives' tales, folklore, and superstitions, Italians are always looking for ways to get extra lucky. New Year's Eve and New Year’s is the perfect time to practice some of these good-luck tales and traditions. New Year’s Eve’s dinner is just as important as staying up to watch the ball drop at midnight. The typical meal includes Cotechino, a type of fatty pork sausage, and lentils, both believed to bring good fortune, wealth, and prosperity for the coming year. Another equally as important and popular tradition is to wear red underwear on New Year’s Eve. The color red is believed to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits in the coming year, and a week or two leading up to the big night, many shops and street vendors sell red-colored underwear for everyone in the family. 

La Befana

Gift-giving and surprise treats don’t stop when Babbo Natale comes to town. Legend has it says there is also a little old witch who rides on a broom, known as La Befana, who, according to legend, delivers gifts and sweets to good children on the night of January 5th and coal (or dark candy) to those who have misbehaved. Children hang stockings for the Befana and wake up to find what she left. The 6th also coincides with the Epiphany, the arrival of the Three Wise Men. 

Do you have any other Italian traditions you celebrate? Let us know in the comments below! 

Written by Gabriela Prioetti

A journey to and from Italy: Then and Now

Italy: the land of delectable food, pristine coastlines, snowy mountain caps, romantic language, and mesmerizing dialects—one may say this country seems to offer it all. But what about 100 years ago?

A short history lesson

It wasn’t until 1861 that most of the Italian peninsula was united. It became the Kingdom of Italy ruled by Victor Emmanuel II hailing from Sardinia and was named the King of Italy. Before that, Italy was divided into smaller states, far from being anything close to united. But a more important date to pay close attention to is June 10, 1946, when the short-lived Italian Monarchy was overthrown and the Repubblica Italiana (italian Republic) was born. But this was not an easy feat. Between World War I and World War II, Fascist ruling, a dictatorship, country, language confusion, heritage division, and territory destruction, those years between the monarchy and liberation were far from what us Italy lovers experience now, AKA la dolce vita.

Then

So, what were these Italian people forced to do? Find life elsewhere. There were two waves of one of the largest voluntarily emigrations ever recorded in world history, commonly known as the Italian diaspora. The first wave began in the late 1800s continuing into the first four centuries of the 1900s, estimating that more than 13 million Italians voluntarily left Italy, escaping extreme poverty and fascism, especially those hailing from the south (think Sardinia, Sicily, Calabria, and Campania). These populations were mostly peasant farmers or poor city-goers who didn’t see much light at the end of the tunnel. The second wave began shortly after the war, continuing until the early 1970s. It is estimated that over the century, more than 25 million were living outside the country. But, where did they all go?

Argentina and Brazil quickly became two of the most popular destinations for migrants to settle (still to this day, Brazil and Argentina have the largest Italian populations outside of Italy in the world!). Other countries included America, specifically cities close to Ellis Island, including New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and New Jersey, and Canada. After the war, migration was seen heavily in northern European countries like Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, and France.  Despite where these immigrants ended up, building a new life was far from easy. Most faced harsh working environments, cramped, unkept living conditions, and prejudices. But as we say in Italian piano piano (slowly slowly), those Italian immigrants created life in big cities and began to integrate themselves into their new home and society thanks to a lot of determination and patience (patience).

Now

Today, over 80 million people around the world claim to have some type of Italian ancestry, i.e. full Italian heritage or partial Italian Heritage, and over 5 million Italian citizens live outside of the country. So we could say that history seems to repeat itself, but these 5 million citizens didn’t choose to leave due to war-stricken lands. But, there is still a fine line between job opportunities and sustainable living wages here in The Boot. As of 2023, the average yearly salary in Italy is just over 30,000 euros (around 2,500 euros a month) and this is some of the highest it has been in the 21st century. Although you may be thinking after a recent trip to Italy that the cost of living is more reasonable compared to big cities like New York and Sydney (sure, you may be on to something), the cost of rent and food prices are rising, the job market is slow, and pay is steadily staying the same. So it is no wonder that more and more giovani (youth) are deciding to pack up and say goodbye when an industrial, economic city like Milan isn’t cutting it anymore. Let’s not forget that nearly 25% of Italy’s population is made up of people over the age of 65, one may say anziani (elderly).

That being said, there’s no denying how much population change our beloved Italy has faced over the decades and in recent years. What do you think the faces of Italy will be like in the next ten years? Are we in the midst of the country’s third wave of Italian diaspora? Let us know in the comments below!

Picture & Article by Gabriela R. Proietti

L’estate Italiana (Italian summer) is over *sadly.* As millions of Italians return to their home base, day-to-day life begins to come to fruition once more. Sunset spritzes are traded in for pre-work mornings at the neighborhood coffee bar, promenade strolls for days at the office, and sunny beaches for even longer days preparing for the new year ahead. 

You may be experts in all things Italian culture, from dining etiquette to embracing everything there is to living la dolce vita. Still, some things may surprise you like the educational system in Italy (hint: it is very different from what you may be expecting). Traveling to Italy, thinking of moving, or generally curious? In honor of the back-to-school season, let’s take a look at what it’s like for children going to school in Bella Italia. 

Grade Levels & School Attendance 

Compulsory schooling begins at six years old across the Italian Boot and is mandatory until the age of 16. However, earlier options are available for families that want to jump-start their child’s education. These are known as asilo nido (baby daycare that typically begins being offered around 6 months) and scuola dell’infanzia (preschool from ages 3 to 5-6 years old). Note, kindergarten, also known as prep, does not exist in Italy!  

Primary school, referred to as scuola elementare, begins from age 6 to 11 years, depending on when the child was born. Days are long (think 8-4:30) and there are 5 years total. After primary school comes scuola media aka middle school, lasting another 3 years, and finally liceo, from 14 to 19 years of age (5 years total, and yes, teens technically have an extra year of high school…yikes!). 

School Selection 

In Italy, families can choose where they want to go to school! What?! That’s right, it doesn't stop at which school institution is closest to your place of residency. Although it is not guaranteed the school selected will automatically be appointed to the child, it is highly likely. Turning to high school, the material taught is not the same across the board. Students are obliged to choose a high school specializing in specific subject matters (which usually occurs for most come university and college level…can you feel the pressure?). Options include school of arts, classical studies, sciences, languages, human sciences, and music and dance. 

Study, study, study

Studying for exams and completing assigned homework is a HUGE part of Italian schooling. Afterschool activities are rarely offered by the school (especially in the public system), and elementary school kids to high schoolers spend most afternoons at their home desks preparing for upcoming assignments or exams. Young pupils can expect 3 hours of homework per night and middle to high school 5-6 hours per night. Even after all the planning and preparation, receiving good grades (on a scale of 1-10) in Italy is nearly impossible (if you are rewarded an 8, that is considered excelling and a 6 is usually the average). Many exams are given orally and rarely are given tests that are multiple choice (sorry!). 

Other Quirky Elements 

Are you thinking to yourself how quirky the Italian schooling system is? It doesn’t stop there! Here are a few other interesting elements. Cursive is still taught and is mandatory, and students rarely write with a pencil rather a pen. Italian summers are one of the longest offered in the world (from early June to the middle of September) and summer day camps are not the norm. Some high schools have 6-day school weeks (Monday to Saturday), religion class is part of the curriculum, and lunch is never brought from home but kids eat what is offered by the school.

Read below to get updated on the most popular Italian baby names of 2023.

It looks like the classic boys names are still trending…

1. Leonardo

2. Francesco

3. Tommaso

4. Edoardo

5. Alessandro

6. Lorenzo

7. Mattia

8. Gabriele

9. Riccardo

10. Andrea

11. Diego

12. Nicolò

13. Matteo

14. Giuseppe

15. Federico

16. Antonio

17. Enea

18. Samuele

19. Giovanni

20. Pietro

21. Filippo

22. Davide

23. Giulio

24. Gioele

25. Christian

26. Michele

27. Gabriel

28. Luca

29. Marco

30. Elia

31. Salvatore

32. Vincenzo

33. Liam

34. Thomas

35. Emanuele

36. Noah

37. Alessio

38. Samuel

39. Nathan

40. Giacomo

41. Jacopo

42. Giorgio

43. Simone

44. Ettore

45. Luigi

46. Manuel

47. Damiano

48. Daniele

49. Domenico

50. Daniel

Girls names are sometimes classic and other times not. Sofia, Aurora and Giulia are still in the top 3 and have been for some time.

1. Sofia

2. Aurora

3. Giulia

4. Ginevra

5. Vittoria

6. Beatrice

7. Alice

8. Ludovica

9. Emma

10. Matilde

11. Anna

12. Camilla

13. Chiara

14. Giorgia

15. Bianca

16. Nicole

17. Greta

18. Gaia

19. Martina

20. Azzurra

21. Arianna

22. Sara

23. Noemi

24. Isabel

25. Rebecca

26. Chloe

27. Adele

28. Mia

29. Elena

30. Diana

31. Francesca

32. Ambra

33. Gioia

34. Cecilia

35. Viola

36. Elisa

37. Marta

38. Emily

39. Carlotta

40. Margherita

41. Sole

42. Anita

43. Maria

44. Eleonora

45. Amelia

46. Alessia

47. Nina

48. Luna

49. Giada

50. Sophie

Ingredients -

300gr milk chocolate

250gr dark chocolate

300gr Hazelnuts (remember to toast them)

Half glass full cream milk

One and a half tablespoons of 00 flour

2 tablespoons of honey

Watch the reel on instagram for the method.

OR -

Toast the hazelnuts.

Melt the chocolate in the microwave or in a bowl over hot water. Add the warm hazelnuts and all other ingredients and mix well. Place in a tray lined with baking paper and place in the fridge until it sets.

The Unique Language Landscape of Italy

Termoli, Molise, Italy (Pic credit The Little Italian School)

Author: Anna Wolf

In Italy, people speak Italian – obviously, this is nothing new to you. And as an Italian enthusiast, you have probably also been told that there are an infinite number of regional and local dialects spoken all over the peninsula. But did you know that there are 12 (!) distinct languages other than Italian that are historically spoken in different corners of Italy?

There is for example Ladin, Franco-Provençal, or Catalan. In fact, as you can see on the map, Italy’s linguistic diversity resembles a disorganised patchwork of different language groups, spread all over the peninsula. It is estimated that in total about 3 million Italian citizens speak a so-called historic minority language.

As a lover of Italian language, you might want to practice your newly acquired Italian skills and travel to some Italian destinations. But if you go to Aosta, Sardegna or the Dolomites, you will be surprised to hear locals greeting you with: “Bonjour!” (French), “Ajò!” (Sardinian) or “Bun dé!” (Ladin) instead of the classical “buongiorno” that you would expect.

Italy’s linguistic minorities differ considerably from each other, in the numbers and in the way they are taught at school. For instance, while the German-speaking minority in the North, located in South Tyrol/Alto Adige, continues to have a stable number of speakers (approximately 360.000) and enjoys an elaborate protection system with German language schools, some smaller language groups such as the Croatian minority in Molise lack support and numbers are continuously decreasing.

But why do those communities within Italy speak these different languages, you are wondering? Well, historians will tell you that Italian has not always been the majority language of Italy. Back in time when Italy unified as a state (1861), all those culturally diverse regions were integrated into the new nation state. During the first decades after the unification, through the new school system, the population was educated in Italian – which then was a foreign language to many of them. A famous saying of those times was, “Fatta l’Italia, bisogna fare gli italiani!” (Having made Italy, we now have to make the Italians!).

The historic reasons why those different language communities were living on the peninsula are various: In the south, the Arbëreshë, were descendants of Albanian populations that had migrated there in several waves, starting in the 15th century. Even earlier, Greek populations had settled in Calabria and Puglia, where they continued to speak the “Griko” language. In the north, new linguistic groups became part of Italy as a result of the unification wars and of WW1: the French and Franco-Provencal speaking minority in Aosta, as well as the German speaking minority in South Tyrol and the Slovenian speaking minority in the region around Trieste. After WW2, Italy recognised the linguistic minorities present on its territory in its 1948 Constitution and committed itself to protect them.

So, the next time you meet an Italian person, you might ask them, if they by chance also speak a minority language. Maybe you will be surprised. Anyways, now you know how rich Italy’s linguistic diversity is - and that people in Italy do speak Italian… but not only!                       (~520 words)

Heat on the stove -

2 cups of cream

1 cup of milk

1/4 cup sugar

grated orange zest (1/2 orange)

In a seperate bowl -

Whisk 2 egg yolks and 3 whole eggs

1/4 cup sugar

Drop of vanilla essence (or a pod or a vanillina satchel)

Poor the hot cream mixture into the egg mixture and stir.

Strain the mixture and then pop into small bowls in a tray lined with some water in the over on 170c for half and hour

Orange Syrup -

Squeeze the juice of the orange you used in a pan with a few tablespoons of sugar and a dash of tripple sec and boil until it thickens a bit then put it on top of the cooked creme caramel once cooled.

Watch the video reel here https://www.instagram.com/p/Cwo-KEYvbRZ/

Writer Grace Flynn

As an Australian, I was quite surprised to learn that the unofficial dinner time in Italy sits somewhere between 8pm and 9pm. This was especially puzzling to me considering the rather unfortunate scoff-a-sandwich-at-your-desk lunchtime ritual so many of us Aussies partake in. How can Italian’s stave off hunger until close to what may or may not be my unofficial bedtime? The answer would be aperitivo.

Along with honouring lunch or ‘pranzo’ as the main meal of the day, one of the key ingredients to the Italian eating schedule is aperitivo. Derived from the Latin verb ‘aperire’, meaning to open, the ritual of a pre-dinner drink and snack is about opening one’s appetite up before dinner while enjoying the company of friends and family. Although it’s not an everyday event, aperitivo is always an option in Italy, taking place at around 7pm or 8pm and typically involving a bitter alcoholic beverage, like the popular negroni or americano, alongside olives, cheeses, meats and bread.

Of course, the best way to learn anything is by doing. So, if you’re looking for the best joints in Perth to dabble in the age-old practice of the Italian aperitivo, we’ve got you covered.

La Sosta

Fremantle’s La Sosta has long been a favourite spot for Italian cuisine, boasting fresh homemade pasta dishes, authentic antipasti and an extensive wine list. Meaning ‘stopover’, La Sosta is certainly a top place to stop by for an afterwork drink and nibble, Italian-style. Staying for a full meal is also a good idea. Since opening in 2012, the family-owned restaurant has expanded over two levels and features an Insta-worthy alfresco dining area overlooking the city streets.

Source La Sosta Facebook

Mummucc’

Offering delectable Italian fare, an exceptional wine list and the best martini Tania has ever had (which is no small feat!), Mummucc’ is easily one of the best spots to aperitivo in Perth. Opened by Tania’s good friend Tania Nicolo alongside her partner Ryan Bookless, the elegant wine bar is situated just a stroll away from the couples’ popular pizzeria, Monsterella. Oh, and in case you didn’t know, Mummucc’ (pronounced ‘ma-mooch’) is Abruzzese dialect for ‘dearest mother.’

Source Mummucc’ Instagram

StreetFood dal Porco

This Beaufort Street beauty is being hailed as one of Perth’s most authentic Italian trattorias. If you’re looking to indulge in some proper Italian charcoal barbequed meats like ‘Bistecca alla Fiorentina’ , arrosticini, and mouthwatering crostini alongside your favourite birra or vino (StreetFood is BYO only), look no further

Source Streetfood Dal Porco Facebook

La Madonna Nera

Led by Fiona Di Lanzo, La Madonna Nera is a cosy Italian wine bar situated on Scarborough Beach Road in Mount Hawthorn. Showcasing native Italian varieties as well as Australian drops, La Madonna Nera’s wine list is sure to impress, along with its contemporary Italian menu.

Testun

Brought to Mount Lawley by the owners of well-known Italian trattoria Threecoins, neo-Italian osteria Testun is sure to surprise with its inventive menu and bold interiors. Located on Beaufort Street, the wine bar offers classic aperitivi like limoncello spritz, vermouth and olio martini, making it a great spot for Italophiles to enjoy a Friday bevvy.

Source Testun Facebook

Source: Unsplash

Grace Flynn

After a three-year hiatus, Carnevale di Venezia is back, bringing the return of colourful gondole, glittering maschere (masks – and not the covid type!) and plenty of delectable dolci (sweets) to the floating city.

If you took Italian in school, you may already be familiar with the iconic costumes and beautifully decorated masks that Carnevale is known for. But there’s much more behind the mask of this nation-wide celebration (the fun isn’t just reserved for Venice, after all). From the festival’s interesting history to its colourful processions, Carnevale is more than just a costume party.

The 2023 Carnevale celebrations began on Saturday, February 4 and will continue until Tuesday, February 21 under this year’s astrology-inspired theme, ‘Take Your Time For The Original Signs’. Here’s all that you need to know about the vibrant Italian festival.

A giant papier-mâché rat?

On Sunday, around 100 ornate boats sailed down the Grand Canal led by none other than a seven-metre floating papier-mâché rat.

Known as the ‘Pantegana’, this curious rodent-inspired art project has become somewhat of a humorous staple at Carnevale. When the tradition began, the Pantegana was thrown from the bridge so as to appear as if it were flying as a parody of il Volo dell’Angelo, or the Angel’s Flight, which dates back to the mid-16th century and typically sees a costumed Venetian woman flying through the air attached to a harness.

Due to works in the piazza, there was no Flight of the Angel, leaving the giant rat to take centre stage, or centre canal, rather.

Source: Carnevale di Venezia Facebook Page

How the ancient festival began, got cancelled and returned

Carnevale is ancient. According to legend, the celebration dates back to the Venetians’ victory over the Patriarch of Aquileia in 1162, where people gathered to dance and celebrate in Piazza San Marco. There were sweets, balls, animals parading the streets and fun masks which served as a way for Italians to hide their identity in what once was a small town where everyone knew one another (kind of like Perth if you ask me). Class division dissolved beneath the masks, prompting many to continue wearing them in everyday life.

For hundreds of years, Carnevale continued to be a very indulgent affair preceding Lent. You could say that Venice became the Ibiza of Italy, if not the world, with its casinos and wild parties. That was until the Austrian Emperor Francis II, a royal party pooper, outlawed fun in 1797.

It wasn’t until 1979 that Carnevale returned in full force thanks to the Italian government. Honouring the traditions and craftsmanship involved in the traditional masks and costumes, Carnevale came back more stylish than ever, attracting locals and tourists alike to partake in the festivities.

Carnival in Venice (1750) by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo | Source: WikiCommons

Costumes of all kinds

When you hear the word Carnevale, the classic Renaissance regalia and ornate masks tend to come to mind. However, the costumes worn at Carnevale today aren’t restricted to the traditional. In 2023, you can expect everything from Teletubbies, Mario and Luigi, Minions and emojis sailing down the canals and partying in the streets.

Just as it was some hundreds of years ago, Carnevale invites participants to enjoy a period of pure escapism filled with lavish masked balls, delicious fried donuts called frittelle, concerts and live performances. Now that sounds like a celebration I can get behind.

Source: Carnevale di Venezia Facebook Page

Source : Netflix

Grace Flynn

The power of film can’t be understated, especially when it comes to learning a language. While DuoLingo tries to convince us that learning abstract phrases like ‘my aunty is wearing a purple sweater at the library’ will have you fluent in no time, I’d argue that TV series and movies could be the real ticket to learning a new language and a new culture.  

Or at least part of it.

Sparking a passion for the Italian language, culture and history, these streamable Italian-language TV series and movies are sure to have you picking up Italian phrases and colloquialisms in no time.

Rose Island

Where to watch: Netflix

Set in the late 60s, Italian engineer Giorgio Rosa sets about building his very own nation out on a man-made platform in the Adriatic Sea, just outside of Italy’s territorial waters. Available through Netflix, this comedy-drama film tells the incredible story of Rosa’s battle with the Italian authorities in his quest to retain his independent state, L’isola delle Rose. Along with picking up some Italian vocab, this fun and quirky watch tells a true story that is sure to surprise.

Source : Netflix

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS2NtbEoIc8&ab_channel=Netflix

An Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts

Where to watch: Netflix

If you’re looking for a funny, feel-good series, look no further than Guida Astrologica per Cuori Infranti. Based on Silvia Zucca’s best-selling novel of the same name, this witty rom-com series follows heartbroken and hopelessly single Alice as she navigates dating in her 30s, friendship, an intense office romance and the supposed power of the stars. If you don’t watch this for the purpose of picking up modern Italian lingo and dating vocab, be sure to watch it for the drama!

Source: IMDb

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O48gSeQGMC8&ab_channel=Netflix

Suburra: Blood on Rome

Where to watch: Netflix

Directed by Gomorrah’s Stefano Sollima, this gripping and bloody mafia series takes viewers on a journey into Rome’s underbelly. Inspired by true events, this highly rated Netflix series is perfect for those who enjoy a good crime and gangster show. And for those who are looking to pick up a few choice words in Italian.

Source: Netflix

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GcC9kduhO4&ab_channel=Netflix

Generation 56K

Where to watch: Netflix

Exploring the power of the internet and childhood crushes, Generation 56K is another bingeable rom-com Netflix series that’ll have you picking up some Italian vocab in no time. Flipping between present day and the late 90s, this heartwarming series tells a story of love and friendship set on the small island of Procida.

Source: Netflix

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMgg3v0fUOw&ab_channel=Netflix

Made in Italy

Where to watch: Google Play Movies

Set in 70s Milan, Made in Italy follows Irene, a university student who becomes enamoured with the glittering world of Italian fashion (think big brands like Missoni and Giorgio Armani). Exploring the political unrest of the time period, this historical drama series takes a look at Italy’s tumultuous youth revolution, the rise of feminism and the Italian fashion industry.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg-FJiOHHGY&ab_channel=KylieFlavell

The Hand of the God

Where to watch: Netflix

Directed by Paolo Sorrentino, É stata la mano di Dio was nominated for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars. Set in 1980s Naples, the critically-acclaimed film follows a young Fabietto as he navigates grief and a budding passion for filmmaking. Touching on Italy’s enduring love of football (or more specifically, Maradona), this movie provides insight into Italian culture as well as the fascinating Napoletano dialect.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_1VW_0i6vo&ab_channel=Netflix

Summertime

Where to watch: Netflix

Another romance series that’ll help you pick up some Italian phrases and colloquial language is Summertime. Set in a small town on the Adriatic coast, the series follows teenagers Ale and Summer who share a powerful attraction despite coming from different worlds.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDFDZE_9Mcw&ab_channel=Netflix