Italian Culture

Being proud owners of 125000 years of history, our lives as Sri Lankans, since our birth, have been intertwined with the word “culture”. Our relationship choices, career choices, most of our major life decisions have more or less been influenced by our “culture” that we hold on to so tightly. But what is Culture? Who created it? Who defined it? Is it fluid or stagnant in one place?

When I surfed through the internet with the intention of finding out what “Culture” means I came across the etymology of this word. It said “The word ‘culture’ derives from a French term, which in turn derives from the Latin ‘colere’ which means to tend to the earth and grow, or cultivation and nurture. It shares its etymology with a number of other words related to actively fostering growth” ⁽¹⁾

Wow. Okay. So I know we all feel a bit unsettled right now because this differs from everything that we’ve been taught as kids. But, let’s stop worrying for now, and get to the main topic here, and start exploring the Italian Culture; or in other words Italy’s “shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructs and understanding that are learned by socialization.” ⁽²⁾  Bear with me till the end I promise you, it will worth it. And never forget; ‘reading gives you wings’!

Italian culture is mainly based on arts, family, architecture, music, and food. Bordering countries of France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia to the north have influenced Italian culture, as have the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Sicily and Sardinia. The official language of the country is Italian. Other languages spoken by native Italians include Albanian, Bavarian, Catalan, Cimbrian, Corsican, Croatian, French, German, Greek, Slovenian, and Walser.

The major religion in Italy is Roman Catholicism. Roman Catholics and other Christians make up 80 percent of the population and Muslims, agnostics, and atheists make up the other 20 percent of the population. Italy has given rise to a number of architectural styles, including classical Roman, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical.

Italy is home to some of the most famous structures in the world, including the Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The concept of a basilica was born in Italy. Opera has its roots in Italy and many famous operas including “Aida” and “La Traviata,” both by Giuseppe Verdi, and “Pagliacci” by Ruggero Leoncavallo, were written in Italian and they are still performed in the native language.

Italian cuisine has influenced food culture around the world and is viewed as a form of art by many. Wine, cheese, and pasta are important parts of Italian meals. Pasta comes in a wide range of shapes, widths, and lengths, including penne, spaghetti, linguine, fusilli, and lasagna. For Italians, food isn’t just nourishment, it is life.

Family is an extremely important value within the Italian culture. Italians have frequent family gatherings and enjoy spending time with those in their family. These are often centered around food and the extended networks of families.

Italy has managed to secure 21st place in the world ranking of the best countries to live in. But it has been highly affected by the pandemic since the mid-2020. But let’s not let it overshadow the beauty and the richness of its culture. As Bertrand Russell once said “Italy, and the spring and first love all together should suffice to make the gloomiest person happy.”

Just an afterthought: Should culture be something that constricts us from being our best selves? Or should it remain as the black and white picture that forms in our heads whenever we hear the word? Should it be a barrier that stops people from healing from years of pent up grief and generational trauma? Should it be the shield that protects all kinds of discrimination happening in society?

Or maybe, just maybe, it should be a fluid concept that evolves with time (just like how it has been evolving since the stone age), towards a point where everyone in the society gets to live content and untroubled, regardless of their wealth, social status, gender, caste, race, religion or the colour of their skin; with only justice but no discrimination.

The world is huge, and there’s so much more to explore and learn. So I’m going to stop here, wishing you all good health and hoping and praying for the whole world to overcome this pandemic. Fingers crossed!

By Rtr. Chami Kariyapperuma

• (1) & (2): https://www.livescience.com/21478-what-is-culture-definition-of-culture.html
• Image Credits: https://bit.ly/36WVFat, https://bit.ly/3m7hokF