Culture Café: Italy
Our Culture Café: Italy held on the 21st of February was attended by many international students who created an amazing atmosphere, so we dived into Italian culture more than we could even imagine. The presentation was prepared by HSE Exchange Students: Nicola Calvano, Nicola Simone, Michela Montagna, Martina Zama, Sofia Bineri, Gianmarco Donolato, Fabiola Furnari, Luca Bazzoni, Francesca Miuli, Federica Toninello, Serena Barone, and Olivia Genovesi. We are so thankful to you!
We learned about not just history of Italy beginning from ancient times (Roman Empire), but also about its art in different epochs, art, music (yes-yes Felicità) and FOOD!
Did you know there are more than 50 ways of drinking coffee in Italy? Neither did we. And talking about pasta which is loved all over the world... If you think you are good at cooking pasta, do not be so sure, because our students shared with us how to cook TRUE Italian pasta and it’s different from how we are used to cooking it. The best alcohol drinks were mentioned as well, because good pasta has to be served with good alcohol: Chianti, Prosecco, Negroni, Barolo, Spritz. Thanks to them for giving us a chance to try Italian homemade pizza and bread with nutella!
There is no doubt, everyone was aware that it is typical of Italian people to use their body language even more than verbal one. What is more, we were taught how to use Italian gestures in the right way and tried pronouncing tongue-twisters. (Want some? Here it is: Se l’Arcivescovo di Costantinopoli si disarcivescoviscostantinopolizzasse, vi disarcivescoviscostantinopolizzereste voi come si è disarcivescoviscostantinopolizzato l’Arcivescovo di Costantinopoli?”)
Moreover, we were told about famous people such as Dante, II Padrino, but one of them caught our attention a lot: former Prime Minister of Italy, Matteo Renzi. There is no need in explaining something, just watch video with him on Youtube and you will understand.
Furthermore, we couldn’t avoid the fashion industry. Who doesn’t know about Italian fashion capital as Milan? GUCCI, DOLCE & GABBANA, PRADA, Roberto Cavalli, VALENTINO and etc. These original brands you will find in lots of shops over there.
Now a few words about Italian events. There are many magnificent festivals, such as: Venice Carnival, Palio di Siena, Ivrea-Orange War, Viareggio Carnival. They are more than bright, more than amazing, more than terrific!
By the way, interesting fact about Italy: this country can be divided in eight different ways, within there is a huge difference between North and South. And can you imagine? Italy has 30 dialects(!!!)
What is more, our students gave information about two Italian universities where you can have internship. If you have any question about it, feel free to ask them.
And the last and probably the most pleasant news for lovers of Italian cuisine. Our students visited many Italian restaurants and Pizzerias in Moscow and presented a list with best of them:
- Eataly, Kievskaya, 2 Shopping Center “Kievskiy", 4th floor
- La Bottega Siciliana, Ulitsa Okhotnyy Ryad, 2
- Accenti, Kropotkinskiy Pereulok, 7
- Pasta & Basta, Sretensky Blvd, 4/1
- Piccolino, 1-Y Kolobovskiy Pereulok, 11
- Palazzo Ducale, Tverskoy Boulevard, 3
We want to thank everyone who took part in Culture Café:Italy. It was a pleasure for us to dance, participate in competitions and eat food made by our warm-hearted and cheerful students. We hope you enjoyed time with us and basked in the sunny atmosphere of Italy.
Author: Ekaterina Didenko
Editors: Irina Klimova and Ekaterina Kravtsova
Proofreader: Ashley Dunn