The Magic of Christmas Markets in Italy

Bolzano Christmas Market Photo: Stefano_Valeri/Shutterstock

Author: Anna Wolf

Christmas markets are one of the most charming and festive aspects of the holiday season, not only in Italy, but all over Europe. They are usually held in the main squares of towns and cities, where wooden stalls offer a variety of goods, food and drinks. But where did this tradition come from?

The first Christmas markets in Europe can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when German territories covered a large part of the continent. They were originally called “winter markets” and were held on religious feast days, to sell food, handicrafts, and other items for the cold winter months. Some of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in Germany are in Dresden and Nüremberg who date back to 1434 and 1628. Today, one of the most visited historic Christmas markets in Europe is the Strasbourg Christmas market, located in the Alsatian city of Strasbourg, France. Strasbourg has been holding its “Christkindelsmärik” around its cathedral since 1570. Today, the city proudly claims to be the “Capital of Christmas” in Europe.

Also numerous Italian cities traditionally hold Christmas markets. They are usually held from December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, to January 6, the Epiphany. One of the most distinctive features of the Italian Christmas markets is the “presepe”, or nativity scene. The presepe is a representation of the birth of Jesus, and it can be found in churches, homes and public places. It can be made of wood, paper or even chocolate, and usually includes various figures, such as animals, angels and shepherds. The city of Naples is particularly famous for its elaborate presepe.

Image from https://www.napolike.com/christmas-fair-in-san-gregorio-armeno-2018-in-naples

Another highlight at the Italian Christmas markets is the food. Some of the typical specialities that can be found at the markets are “panettone” (sweet bread with candied fruits), “pandoro”, (star-shaped cake with powdered sugar), “torrone”, (nougat with nuts and honey), and “panforte”, (dense and spicy fruitcake). Of course, no Italian Christmas market is complete without a cup of mulled wine, called “vin brulé”.

The most popular and biggest Christmas market in Italy is the one in Bolzano in the region of Alto Adige. For over a month, in around 80 wooden huts in Alpine style, handmade gifts, ceramics, candles and wooden figurines are displayed. Every year, thousands of visitors come to the beautiful Piazza Walther to enjoy the festive spirit. On long weekends it can get quite crowded. Its history goes back to 1989, when the German city of Nüremberg donated its Christmas market statute to the city of Bolzano. Bolzano then opened its first Christmas market in 1991, which was immediately very popular.

So, are you in the “Christmas Market mood” already? Then why not plan your next trip to Italy or Europe during the Christmas season, and experience the charm of the markets? My advice to you: Keep in mind that besides the big and famous markets, there are also many less-known, tiny Christmas markets in smaller towns. They only wait for you to be discovered…

Mix all of the ingredients below to form a paste and then make balls, sprinkle with icing sugar and bake for approx 20 minutes on 175c

3.5 cups almond meal

2 cups icing sugar

2 eggs

rind of a lemon

a drop of almond essence

2 tablespoons of limoncello liquore

Watch the instagram reel here for the method.

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)

Ingredients -

1 large bowl to add everything and combine and a large pie tin

About 5 sheets of puff pastry

1 leek (fry and place in your bowl)

1 egg

About 2-3 bunches of chard (boiled, drained, chopped and put in bowl)

500 gr of ricotta

3 tablespoons grated parmigiano (or grana padano - or anything you like really)

1 packet (180gr) fetta cheese (not traditionally Italian but you can subsitute with mozzarella if you prefer)

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients. Place the puff pastry in your tin. Pour the mixture into the tin and bake in about 200c fan forced oven until the pastry is golden.

Buon appetito!

Click here to watch the instagram reel

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/

Quick, easy and delicious soup as we head towards the end of winter. This quantity feeds 5 with leftovers.

INGREDIENTS

Half an onion

1 large carrot

3-4 celery sticks

2 potatoes

1 small tin of crushed tomatoes

2 tins lentils (or fresh soaked over night if prefer)

1 large bunch chopped chard

Salt and pepper to season

Water - enough to cover ingredients

METHOD -

Watch instagram reel for method using this link here

Cook until all vegetables are cooked but not mushy.

Creamy Custardy Rice Pudding.

If you love puddings, this one is for you. A comfort food desert recipe just in time for the cold weather. Budino di Riso was my nonno’s favourite during the winter months and I remember screwing my nose up at it as a child ….but now I love it!

Scroll down for the recipe and a quick method - or click here to head to our instagram page and watch the process. https://www.instagram.com/the_little_italian_school/?next=%2F

Budino di Riso

RICETTA -

6 cups full cream milk

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cups arborio rice

1 satchel of vanillina (or vanilla extract)

2 egg yolks

1 cup cream

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

METHOD

• Bring the milk, sugar , vanilla to boil.

• Add the rice, return to boil, then turn right down to let cook for half hour.

• Whisk 2 egg yolks in a bowl. When rice has cooked for half an hour, scoop out a ladel worth into the egg yolks and whisk vigorously so they don’t scramble

• Add yolk mixture & cream into the pot with the rice and simmer for another 5 or so minutes

• Add the cinnamon (or not if you don’t like it)

• NB always stir your rice often when on the heat to avoid milk burning on the bottom of the pot and once taken off the heat let it rest a while stirring every so often

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

Pic Source - The Little Italian School (Pietracatella , Molise)

Grace Flynn- freelance writer

To a non-native speaker, the English language can sound like a string of riddles and strange phrases. But idioms like ‘beating around the bush’ and ‘sitting on the fence’ are linguistic common ground; they’re a creative and interesting way to express yourself founded on a shared cultural history. And when it comes to learning a new language, they’re one sure way to achieve fluency and sound like a native speaker.

While there are plenty of English idioms that Italian use (translated, of course), the Italian language has plenty of its own. You may have heard of some already like ‘in bocca al lupo’ which is used to say good luck but actually translates to ‘in the mouth of the wolf’ with its origin in hunting. Many will reply with ‘crepi’; should you end up in the mouth of the wolf, may it die.

If you’re looking to level up your Italian, sprinkle some of these classic idioms into your conversations and Bob’s your uncle or Roberto é tuo zio.

1.     Non vedo l’ora

Rather than saying ‘non posso aspettare’ for ‘I can’t wait’, opt for ‘non vedo l’ora’ which translates to ‘I don’t see the hour.’ Per esempio (for example), a sentence that always holds true: ‘non vedo l’ora di prendere il gelato.’

2.     Che palle!

This translates to ‘what balls.’ Say you’re stuck on the Mitchell Freeway in peak hour traffic or your local café has run out of your favourite pastry, you’d have every right to utter ‘che palle.’

3.     Buono come il pane

What’s better than bread? Niente (nothing), I tell you. That’s why this expression, which translates to ‘good as bread’ is sure to flatter someone. If you think someone is particularly kind, generous or is just a ‘good egg’ as English-speakers would say, you might like to say, ‘Matteo é buono come il pane’ or ‘Francesca é buona come il pane’. 

4.     Avere la luna storta

If someone’s sulking or is in a bad mood, you might hear the rather poetic phrase ‘ha la luna storta’ which translates to ‘you have a crooked moon.’

5.     Conosco i miei polli

A personal favourite of mine is ‘conosco i miei polli’ which translates to ‘I know my chickens.’ If you seem to know a person to the point you can easily predict what they’ll do, you might tell someone ‘conosco i miei polli.’

6.     Perdersi in un bicchier d’acqua

The Italian equivalent for making a mountain out of a molehill is ‘to lose yourself in a glass of water.’ If someone’s unnecessarily stressing out, you might say ‘non perderti in un bicchier d’acqua, andrá tutto bene.’

7.     Non mi rompere le scatole

If someone’s getting on your nerves, the Italian idiom ‘non mi rompere le scatole’ is perfect for conveying your annoyance. Meaning, ‘don’t break my boxes’, the expression also has some more colourful variations including ‘non mi rompi le palle’ which I’m sure you can translate by referring to idiom number two.

Image Source - The LIttle Italian School (Molise, Italy)

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