Going for a walk?

  It stands out right in the middle of one of the main streets of the centre of Taranto and is the main character of the Rites of Holy Week of Taranto. It’s Maria Santissima del Monte Carmelo Church or, as the inhabitants of Taranto call it, Carmine Church . There are many and diverse churches in Taranto , each one characterized by its own personality. Among them, there is one you can’t miss to see, overlooked d’Aquino street, one of the main walks of Taranto. It’s Maria Santissima del Monte Carmelo Church , better known from the inhabitants of Taranto as Carmine Church . But, compared to the others, this one plays an important role in the tradition of the town. Leggi in italiano

What are "pettole"? Let's discover this traditional food, which is a symbol of Christmas period in the area of Taranto. Pettola . A little pillow of soft and hot dough. You take it from a corner with the tip of your thumb and your index finger: it’s fresh of frying, you know it’s hot, but you’re willing to risk for it. You bring it to your mouth and bite it, curling your lips not to burn them at least, and “crunch”. The thin crust doesn’t oppose: you sink your teeth in its soft heart.  Everything happens while your mother tells you off because you stole a pettola just taken off boiling oil and see your face writhing in the battle against heat in your mouth. Leggi in italiano

Let's meet a famous local product of Puglia and Salento: Primitivo wine of Manduria. We'll meet it in the museum that tells about its history and tradition, ending with a delicious wine tasting. Let's visit the Museum of Primitivo Wine Culture in Manduria!  Leggi in italiano Do you know  Primitivo wine  of  Manduria ? I know that now you’re giggling thinking that this is a silly question:  Primitivo wine of Manduria  doesn’t need any introduction, it’s among the most known and appreciated wines in the world. It’s    one of the prides of Italy. You’d be right answering like this, so I ask another question: how much do you know about Primitivo wine of Manduria?

  The origins of the taranta, how it has become a traditional dance and a symbol of Puglia and of southern Italy from a past therapeutic ritual. In Puglia , especially during summer, it’s easy to find some events where the main attraction is a folk music concert, played with tambourine, violin, accordion and dancers who dance on the   distinctive rhythm of traditional melodies (an example for all is the Notte della Taranta in Melpignano). Leggi in italiano

  Let's visit the Trullo Sovrano, the biggest trullo of Alberobello. Let's dive in this journey in time and in the tradition of one of the symbols of Puglia, which is among the most known in the world. Tell me first symbol of Puglia that comes into your mind. You may have thought about Alberobello and about its skyline made of trullis that with their grey cones animate the slope of the monumental district. Every place in the world has a monument that is a symbol and, even though each area of Puglia has its own, the trullo has a honor place in representing the region. In this blog post, I tell you about a particular trullo, one of those that you can’t ignore when you visit Alberobello: the Trullo Sovrano . Leggi in italiano

A little time trip in the tradition of the majolica of Laterza. We visit the Museum of Majolica (MuMa) and know the history of this precious Apulian production. What comes into your mind if I talk about  Apulian craftsmanship ? Ok, the ceramics from Grottaglie, but do you know that Apulia stood out for another production that was appreciated all around the world? Yes, always in the province of Taranto, in the town of  Laterza , ceramic artists were specialized in the production of  majolica . Leggi in italiano

  Why is there the tradition of St Joseph's Bonfire in Italy? What are its origins? Let's discover the evolution of this feast from a pagan to a religious celebration. March 19. St. Joseph’s day. Father’s Day. We get ready for the bonfire. Leggi in italiano

Let's discover the origins of Carnival, a feast born to dissolve temporarily social obbligations and hierarchies. But why? Let's see the purpose behind this tradition. Leggi in italiano We are in  Carnival  period in Italy. We wear a mask and enjoy with music, jokes and food. But  do you know where this feast comes from?

  Going for a walk in the wood looking for the witnesses of agrarian civilization in Apulia Leggi in italiano It’s not the first time that I name it. I talk about the  Bosco delle Pianelle  when I suggest where to spend Easter Monday or Ferragosto; I recall it when I talk about my childhood, well, it’s a place that is a dear for me. It’s a natural shelter for the inhabitants of the area who want to enjoy some time in nature, without going too far. Actually, besides the picnic area, there are some  paths  that go into the wood. It’s always like playing the  little explorer  when I decide to go for a walk in “the Pianelle” and I take a new path, because even though I’ve come here since I was a child, I can’t say that I know all the paths. Besides my personal relationship with this wood, what makes it so particular is its history, the  link between the territory and human beings ; you can meet the traces of this relationship following the paths. I ma...

  Incontriamo un famoso prodotto locale della Puglia e del Salento: il vino Primitivo di Manduria. Lo incontreremo nel museo che racconta la sua storia e la sua tradizione, concludendo con una deliziosa degustazione. Visitiamo il Museo della Civiltà del Vino Primitivo di Manduria! Read in English Conosci il vino Primitivo di Manduria ? Lo so che adesso starai ridacchiando pensando che sia una domanda sciocca: il Primitivo di Manduria non ha bisogno di presentazioni, è fra i vini più conosciuti e apprezzati al mondo. È una delle punte d’orgoglio dell’Italia. Avresti ragione a rispondermi così, quindi ti faccio un’altra domanda: quanto conosci il Primitivo di Manduria?

Una passeggiata nel bosco alla ricerca delle testimonianze della civiltà agraria in Puglia Read in English Non è la prima volta che lo nomino. Parlo del Bosco delle Pianelle quando consiglio dove andare a passare Pasquetta o Ferragosto; lo rievoco quando parlo della mia infanzia, insomma è un luogo a cui sono particolarmente legata. È il rifugio naturale per un po’ tutti gli abitanti della zona che vogliono concedersi un po’ di tempo nella natura, senza andare particolarmente lontano. Infatti, oltre all’area pic nic, ci sono più sentieri che si addentrano nel bosco. È sempre un po’ come giocare al piccolo esploratore quando decido di andare a fare una passeggiata “alle Pianelle” e prendo un nuovo sentiero, perché nonostante ci vada sin da piccola, non posso dire di conoscere tutti i sentieri.

Il folclore è la saggezza popolare tramandata di generazione in generazione. Rappresenta l’insieme di tradizioni e di credenze che caratterizzano un popolo, tanto da diventare il simbolo di una regione in particolare. Pensa, per esempio, ai Leprecauni per l’Irlanda: sono una parte imprescindibile nell’immaginario collettivo di questa nazione e della sua cultura. Eliminando i folletti taglieremmo via una fetta importante dell’identità della terra color smeraldo. Molto spesso le conoscenze tramandate oralmente, che sono entrate a far parte del patrimonio folcloristico di un luogo, erano un modo per dare un’interpretazione “plausibile” a qualcosa di sconosciuto e che la tecnologia del tempo ancora non riusciva a spiegare. Col tempo e l’avanzare della scienza queste credenze hanno perso il loro compito originario, per diventare qualcosa di affascinante, misterioso e, in alcuni casi, divertente. S oprattutto, però, sono qualcosa di cui non riusciamo a fare a meno, che ci r...

Scopriamo le origine del Carnevale, una festa nata per sciogliere temporaneamente gli obblighi sociali e le gerarchie. Ma perché? Vediamo lo scopo che si cela dietro questa tradizione Read in English In Italia siamo in pieno periodo carnascialesco . Ci mascheriamo e ci divertiamo con musica, scherzi e cibo. Ma sai da dove viene la tradizione del Carnevale ?

Saint Cecilia, the day that marks the biginning of Christmas period in the Area of Taranto. Events, music and tasty pettole are the main ingredients of this feast. Today, we discover this unique tradition of Taranto. The day of  Saint Cecilia  has a particular meaning  for Taranto and its inhabitants. We wait for this day, we celebrate it, in churches boys and girls get ready for this event with choirs for the usual concert. The  Christmas period of Taranto, the longest of Italy , starts with these celebrations. Leggi in italiano

We’re in December and we all know what it means… Christmas is coming ! I don’t know where you are, readers, but here in Apulia, particularly in Valle d’Itria they are organizing a spectacular month this year. Are you curious? I will give you a hint of what’s waiting for us, talking about what we saw for the opening of Christmas period in Valle d’Itria.

Versione italiana The celebration of Halloween has become one of the most awaited appointments of October for some time now thanks to globalization and the important influence of American films. It's a controversial moment here in Italy, where the supporters of the festival face those who are against it, laying claim to their own traditions and going against consumerism. I may agree with the accusation of excessive consumerism, but as for traditions the matter is a bit more articulated. I can't say no to the whys of particular customs that come in my mind, so I did some researches, discovering interesting things that sometimes have little in common with the current feast.

Halloween è alle porte! Halloween approche! Halloween’s coming!  The bones of the dead and cooked grain I negozi si riempiono di articoli spaventosi, costumi, ragni, zucche d’ogni genere. Eppure fino a qualche tempo fa non si faceva troppo caso a questa festa e ora la si guarda come un’influenza dall’USA o dal Nord Europa. In realtà anche qui in Italia abbiamo le nostre usanze legate a questo periodo. Per essere precisi, se Halloween si festeggia la notte tra il 31 ottobre e l’1 novembre, in Italia i riti sono dedicati ai morti, quindi si festeggia la notte tra l’1 e il 2 novembre. Les magasins sont remplis avec des articles effrayants, des costumes, des araignées, des courges de chaque genre. Toutefois jusqu’à quelque temps en avant on ne donnait pas trop d’attention à cette fête et maintenant on la voit comme une influence des USA ou du Nord Europe. En réalité ici en Italie aussi on a nos traditions liées à cette période. Pour être précises, si on fête Halloween...