Real Rocky was a Sons of Italy member

Heavyweight boxing champion, Rocky Marciano, was inducted at a member of the Sons of Italy in August 1953. Often named as one of Sylvester Stallone’s inspirations for the ‘Rocky’ films, Marciano was the only boxing champ to retire undefeated. In the ‘Rocky’ films, Stallone’s character Rocky Balboa idolizes Marciano, even hanging a poster of him above his bed.

According to the official website of Rocky Marciano, the boxer was born Rocco Francis Marchegiano on September 1, 1923 in Brockton, Mass. Marciano took up boxing when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 and continued to fight as an amateur after his discharge. After a failed attempt at a career in major league baseball, Marciano began to fight professionally. He won his championship belt on September 23, 1953 in a fight against Jersey Joe Walcott. He proudly held the title for four years before retiring at the age of 31. Although he only defended his title six times, he remained a fan favorite. Marciano is considered a classic boxer by his fans and is well-known for his ‘never-say-die’ style.

 

Written by OSIA National Office Intern, Carol Cummings. Cummings is a senior at American University, majoring in print journalism, with a minor in Italian.

Armani, Gucci and Prada: What do Italians really wear?

With prices like $795 for a pair of stilettos or $1,750 for a handbag, it’s safe to say that you won’t find brands like Dolce & Gabana or Versace in an average Italian’s wardrobe. La moda italiana is envied and admired by everyone from college students to soccer moms, but what do Italians really wear? On the streets of Italy, you’ll notice that Italians follow more laid-back, yet still fashionable, trends.

Iconic apparel

Thanks to the brand Fix Design, teens and young adults can be found wearing accessories and apparel with images of characters like Mickey Mouse, Tom and Jerry, and Hello Kitty on them. The brand also sells women’s clothing with a 50’s flair that can be recognized by the brand’s signature bow.

Influential movie stars are greatly admired by Italians. You can find James Dean and Marilyn Monroe t-shirts sold by the chic Sisley, a brand owned by the Benetton Group.

American influences

It’s hard to ignore Italy’s obsession with the United States. Old Glory designed apparel, scarves and even shoes are must haves for the fashionable Italian. Although this may seem strange, think of Americans’ obsession with foreign soccer jerseys.

There is not one Starbucks in Italy, but the Italian brand Scout has made the Starbucks’ logo and drinks popular by printing them on women’s clothing.

Foreign sayings

Italians love items with phrases in other languages, often English and French. Many teens wear t-shirts with sayings such as ‘Daddy’s Girl’ or carry purses that read ‘Mon Petit Sac.’

A jeweled smile

A new form of jewelry for women in Italy is bonding a small crystal to the corner of the tooth, usually the one to the right or left of the two front teeth.

No shopping malls

In Italy, you won’t find malls with 50 or more stores like in the United States. Italians shop at their local centro commerciale which includes a grocery store similar to Target or Walmart along with clothing and specialty stores in one building. Oviesse (pronounced Ooh-V-ESSAY), a popular mid-priced apparel store, is usually found in the centro commerciale. It carries the latest fashions and is owned by the Italian department store Coin, one of two in Italy. Similar to ‘Bloomingdale’s,’ Coin can be found, along with Thai-owned la Rinascente, in the center of larger cities.

Bag and shoe trends

Alviero Martini is known for his 1^a Classe handbags. Their recognizable map motif, developed in the late 80’s and early 90’s, has become synonymous with Italian handbag design.

Often called Italy’s most famous sneaker, the brand Superga makes a basic tennis shoe in a variety of colors. Almost every young person in Italy owns a pair, recognized by the brand’s black and red swirl logo.

The debate between ‘Made in Italy’ and ‘100% Made in Italy’: Buyer beware, even if only part of an item is made in Italy, it’s allowed to be labeled ‘Made in Italy.’

American fashion that became Italian: Did you know that Ray Ban sunglasses, the ones made popular by Tom Cruise in Risky Business, are now Italian? In 1999, Bausch & Lomb sold the brand to the Italian Luxottica Group based in Milan.

Many Italians, especially older ones, will buy their clothing at il mercato instead of a store. At Italian markets you can find both fine quality Italian wear and discounted imported items.

Written by OSIA National Office Intern, Carol Cummings. Cummings is a senior at American University, majoring in print journalism, with a minor in Italian.

Per cent’anni

It’s the beginning of May and we have officially entered wedding season, at least here in the United States.

As I’ve come to learn, wedding traditions in Italy differ from those we celebrate here. Our wedding season lasts from mid-April to mid-October, but Italians consider it superstitious to be married during the months of May and August. The month of May is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, while August is Italy’s vacation month. For religious reasons, Italians also don’t have weddings during Lent or Advent. Italians often chose to be married on a Sunday.

Another Italian wedding tradition is similar to the American one, but with a twist.

Traditionally the bride wears something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and in Italy, something received as a gift. The gifted item is to remind the bride of the people who love her.

Regional Traditions

In the South, a wedding ceremony can last the entire day or longer. The bride walks around the ceremony in a procession called il girano delle buste, where the invited families place money in a small bag to help offset her family’s wedding expenses.

In the Veneto region of Italy, the groom walks the bride to the church while the couple encounters several obstacles along the way including a crying baby, according to World Wedding Customs.

The matrimonial meal

Contrary to what one might assume, Italian Wedding Soup isn’t called that because it’s served at weddings, but instead it’s a translation of minestra maritata, which refers to the marriage of the flavors in the soup.

Italian wedding meals usually consist of an antipasto and a multi-course dinner.

Small bits of twisted dough in sugar, known as wanda are often served as desert along with a traditional white Italian wedding cake, according to Life in Italy.

The Wedding Bonboniera (party favor)

Last spring, ‘Italian America’ published an article about the confetti given at Italian weddings. Confetti are sugarcoated almonds symbolizing fertility. The bride either circles the room offering the almonds to her guests, or each guest gets a decorated bonboniera (a muslin or silk bag containing the sugarcoated almonds and the names of the bride and groom written inside). The number of almonds must always be three or five to symbolize the couple that can’t be divided. The number five also signifies five wishes for a successful marriage: happiness, good health, fertility, longevity and prosperity.

New and Old Traditions

The night before the matrimony, it’s common for the bride-to-be to gather at her home with a married woman to prepare the wedding bed. She also often wears green the night before the wedding to symbolize a fertile marriage.

‘O sole mio’

Love songs like, “O sole mio,” made popular by Luciano Pavarotti and “Vivo per lei,” by Andre Bocelli are often sung during the reception while Southern Italians dance to the tradition of the “The Tarantella,” a circle wedding dance.

Here’s a clip of the wedding Tarantella in action.

Historic Italian Weddings

According to ‘La Gazzetta Italiana,’ years ago brides in Tuscany wore black dresses and white hats. The wedding party consisted of only married women because unmarried girls are forbidden to witness the ceremony.

Even today, Italians salute Per cent’anni to the bride and groom, wishing them a hundred years of happy marriage.

Thanks to Laura Kelly, OSIA National Office Administrative Assistant, for the inspiration for this post.

Written by OSIA National Office Intern, Carol Cummings. Cummings is a senior at American University, majoring in print journalism, with a minor in Italian.

The sun, the sea and the wind: my favorite region in Italy

Lu sule, lu mare e lu ientu (Il sole, il mare e il vento in dialetto salentino)

As the weather gets warmer, and then colder, I’m quickly reminded of a place I’d love to escape to: Salento, in the region of Puglia.

Salento- the heel of Italy’s boot- is by far my favorite place, although to be fair I haven’t yet visited sunny Sicily or Sardegna.

I love Salento for its picturesque beaches (both rock and sand), wonderful seafood and breathtaking views. Most of all I love Salento because I’m fortunate enough to have amici Salentini (Salentino friends).There’s no better way to experience a place like Salento then with locals.

If you’ve never been to the south of Puglia, I suggest you visit soon and here are a few reasons why.

They make their own olive oil

Before I visited Salento, I didn’t even know that olives came from trees (I’m not much of a botanist). Salvatore, my old roommate, produced olive oil from trees in his family’s own backyard. Every time I tried to cook with vegetable oil, he would scold me, “solo, olio d’oliva [only (use) olive oil]” because it doesn’t produce pungent smells or burn when cooking.

I trulli

Puglia is known for trulli (mud huts). Formerly used as housing for farmers and fisherman, trulli are historically protected so they can’t be destroyed. The trulli in Salento are unique-looking as compared to those in other parts of Puglia. Made entirely of stone, their natural beauty gives Puglia (and Salento) a distinctive flair.

The cathedral in Otranto

Someone told me that Santa Maria Annuziata, the cathedral in Otranto, Puglia, has the largest mosaic floor in the western hemisphere. Although I have yet to find this to be true, it’s certainly a beautiful work of art.

I Ricci

Have you ever eaten ricci (sea urchins)? Never in my life would I have imagined eating seafood so fresh that you can pick it right from the ocean floor. Sea urchins are a common delicacy in Salento and most locals cut them open and enjoy them while swimming in Puglia’s pristine waters.

The Florence of the South

Lecce has been nicknamed “the Florence of the South” for its amazing Baroque architecture. The most notable church in Lecce is the Basilica di Santa Croce (Church of the Holy), located next to the city’s parliament. It’s said that something new is always discovered in the intertwining sculptures of vegetables, beasts and figures of the church’s façade.

Next time you head to Italy, don’t forget to make a stop in Salento and Salutame lu ientu (Say hi to the wind) – advice from Sud Sound System, one of the region’s most famous bands.

Written by OSIA National Office Intern, Carol Cummings. Cummings is a senior at American University, majoring in print journalism, with a minor in Italian.

“Wait, haven’t I heard that song before?” Italian versions of English language music

I’ve found there’s no better way to improve my Italian than listening to Italian music. From Luciano Pavarotti to Rino Gaetano; from Mina to Vasco Rossi, all Italian music has its charm. That’s why I will never understand the phenomenon of Italian artists creating Italian language versions of American/English songs.  Although Italians aren’t the only ones who do this, it’s amazing how many Italians don’t know that these songs were originally harmonized in English.

While I prefer songs in their original languages, I can’t help but admire how catchy some of these tunes are in Italian! If you’ve never heard any of these songs before, take a listen! Here’s a list of a few of my favorites.

Paola Turci’s “Questione di Sguardi [Matter of Gazes]” is a cover of Faith Hill’s “This Kiss.”

Do you recognize this tune by Hearts of Stone’s “Con Le Mie Lacrime [With my tears]”? It is a cover of The Rolling Stones’ “As Tears go By.”

Another famous cover is Adriano Celentano’s “Pregherò [I will pray],” a version of “Stand by Me,” originally sang by Ben E. King.

Italians even covered The Beatles! Check out this version of “She Loves You [Lei ti ama]” sang by Fausto Leali.

And of course there’s an REM side to Italian singer Ligabue with his version of “It’s the end of the World as we Know It [A Che Ora è La Fine del Mondo].”

The list wouldn’t be complete without the Italian versions of Disney songs. Some of my favorites are “The Circle of Life [Il Cerchio della Vita]” from “The Lion King [Il Re Leone]” and “Kiss the Girl [Baciala]” from “The Little Mermaid [La Sirenetta].”

Written by OSIA National Office Intern, Carol Cummings. Cummings is a senior at American University, majoring in print journalism, with a minor in Italian.

“That’s right, I come from a family of elves” – What your Italian surname says about you

Have you ever wondered what your Italian surname says about you?

You can find out a lot about your family’s history from your last name. Many people may not realize what their last name can tell them about their family, this is especially true for Italian-Americans

According to Italyworldclub.com, there are three common origins for surnames: occupation, family name and family origin. Check out the website to see if your last name is included.

Is your last name De Salvatore or Di Giovanni? The Di in these surnames signifies son of Salvatore, or son of Giovanni, equivalent to the English last name Johnson, or son of John.

Is your last name Di Napoli or Genovese? Many Italian last names signify the region or city in which the family originated. So if your last name is Di Napoli and you’ve always heard that your Italian ancestors came from Milan, this could mean that your family was originally Napolitano!

Is your last name Ferrari? That doesn’t mean that your family necessarily came from a line of high-speed carmakers, but blacksmiths instead. Ferrari is the English equivalent of the last name Smith.

I get my Italian heritage from my grandmother whose maiden name was Elfo. Elfo means elf in Italian, that’s right I come from a family of elves. This probably means that someone in my family was very short and had pointy ears. Last names that relate to physical appearance are also popular in Italy. For example, the last name Basso means that someone in the family lineage was short, while the last name D’Alto could mean that your family was very tall.

Another popular Italian last name, Esposito, was given by the Catholic Church to abandoned babies before the unification of Italy in 1861. This name comes from the Latin word expositus, which means to be put outside. After the unification of Italy, the Catholic Church decided to give orphans last names aligned with the other motives in Italy, like where they originated from or the name of the saint associated with their birthday.

If you can read Italian, check out the website Cognomi Italiani for a more complete list of Italian surname origins and find out that yours says about you!

Written by OSIA National Office Intern, Carol Cummings. Cummings is a senior at American University, majoring in print journalism, with a minor in Italian.

My first Italian soccer game

If you’ve ever been to a soccer game in Italy you know just how unique and exciting the experience is.

It would be an understatement to say that Italians love soccer. Think of a die-hard New York Yankees fan at a Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox game.

Fans that travel from far regions to see their team play. Italians even have t-shirts that display that their support for a certain soccer club has been in their family for generations. While in Italy, I was lucky enough to go to Milan’s famous San Siro Stadium to watch a Milan Internazionale team’s home game, known as Inter or Neriazzuri to their fans thanks to their blue and black striped uniform.

Inter played against another Lombardy team, Atlanta of Bergamo.

San Siro Stadium is on the outskirts of Milan and isn’t the prettiest stadium I’ve ever seen, but it seems that Italians are more concerned about what’s happening on the field than the actual stadium. There are twelve large flights of stairs and a ramp, but no elevator.

Some other strange stadium rules are that you can’t have any bottles- they even give you water bottles in paper cups because of fear of throwing them. There’s also a lot of rowdiness and cursing, but the fans are clearly there for one thing: the game.

The game ended in a pare (draw) 0-0.

Written by OSIA National Office Intern, Carol Cummings. Cummings is a senior at American University, majoring in print journalism, with a minor in Italian.

10 Things to Know About Visiting Italy

Every time I visit Italy I still find certain Italian customs need a bit of explanation. I just got back from eleven days visiting friends and family in Northern Italy and I’ve had time to take in some of my observations. Here are a few things that I think are worth knowing before you take your next visit.

How exactly do you do the important Italian greeting kiss?

Many people still don’t know how to kiss Italian style and find themselves in awkward situations. It’s simple, left side first! Depending on your familiarity with the person, the kiss can be just cheeks touching or actual kisses. But remember, Italians usually only kiss twice, unlike many other cultures that give three cheek kisses. It’s also important not to kiss everyone, a mistake foreigners often make. Italians don’t go around kissing strangers, so if you don’t know the person you shouldn’t kiss them when you first meet.

Fa lo scontrino!

In some cafés you pay for your coffee before you order, in others you pay after. How can you tell? If you see a sign that says fa lo scontrino (get your receipt) you must head to the cash register first!

If you’re a dinner (or lunch) guest, clear your plate!

To Italians, not finishing your food is a sign that you didn’t enjoy your meal. Make sure to eat everything and tell your Italian host or hostess that the food was wonderful.  At restaurants this is less important, but it’s rude not to finish if you are being treated to the meal.

Speaking of food, know your regional specialties before you go!

Take time to research the regional specialties of the cities you plan to visit. If you’re headed to Rome, order pasta alla carbonara (pasta with bacon and egg) and if you’re headed to Venice, order fritto misto (fried mixed fish).

On this vacation I spent most of my time in Emilia Romagna which is known for prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, cappelletti in brodo, pasta Bolognese and fritto gnocco. Italians love their food and each region prides itself in its specialties.

Remember, wine is part of the meal

Wine is part of the meal in Italy, and Italians consider it equally as important as food. Always drink local wine when you’re in Italy!

Enjoy a large gelato panino

You know that Italy is filled with gelaterie, but did you know that Italians also enjoy gelato sandwiches? Italians call it gelato in a brioche and it’s a perfectly acceptable lunch on a warm Italian day.

Stamp your train ticket!

If you’re traveling by regional train don’t forget to validate your ticket by stamping it in one of the many yellow machines. In busier stations, the old machines are now increasingly being phased out by newer green and gray machines. If you have an assigned seat for your train you don’t need to validate your ticket-this is usually the case for Frecciabianca, Frecciarossa and overnight trains.

Coffee and fruit liqueurs are the norm

Italians love coffee, fruit and hazelnuts, especially in liqueur. Find out which ones are made in the regions you plan to visit.

Don’t be surprised to see Italian coffee liqueur for sale at soccer stadiums!

Lots of cigarette smoking

Smoking is more widespread in Italy than the United States. While Italy has laws against indoor smoking, some bars have separate indoor smoking rooms.

Expect language and cultural misunderstandings

Like any foreign country, misunderstanding will happen on your trip. Be patient with Italians, especially with the English language. Try to understand where the speaker is coming from. If your waiter says something in English that sounds a little off, try to understand that when certain phrases in Italian are translated into English, they might have slightly different connotations.

Buon viaggo for your next trip to Italy!

Written by OSIA National Office Intern, Carol Cummings. Cummings is a senior at American University, majoring in print journalism, with a minor in Italian.

The problem with Italian to English translation: An American professor in Italy

“If someone has something to say, he or she should say it.” This phrase in English is grammatically correct, but can be translated into Italian many ways.

On my mini-vacation I’ve been spending a lot of time at the University of Modena where I studied last year. Yesterday, I was invited by an Italian literature professor to attend a guest lecture on translation. The lecturer, an American professor of Italian at Northwestern University, talked about the difficulty in translating phrases word for word.

If you’ve ever studied Italian, you know that certain phrases in Italian cannot be translated literally into English and vice versa.

The lecturer, Thomas Simpson, demonstrated the dilemmas in translation with the particular English phrase I mentioned earlier: “If someone has something to say, he or she should say it.”

If an American translated this in Italian, it would go something like this:

Se qualcuno ha qualcosa di dire, e’ importante che parli! (If someone has something to say, it’s important that they speak!)

But to an Italian this sounds a bit strange. Simpson pointed out that the Italian language is all about aesthetics. Even if there are many ways to say something in Italian, there will always be the “more correct” way to a native speaker. In English it rarely matters how you phrase a sentence. The flow of words is not an important component to everyday English usage.

So how would a native Italian speaker aesthetically say the above phrase?

Se qualcuno ha qualcosa di dire, lo dica subito! (If someone has something to say, he says it immediately!)

Or

Se qualcuno ha qualcosa di dire, e’ bene che lo dica! (If someone has something to say, it’s good if he says it!)

Written by OSIA National Office Intern, Carol Cummings. Cummings is a senior at American University, majoring in print journalism, with a minor in Italian.

A look inside the new Ferrari Museum

Bright yellow banners with the phrase “if you can dream it, you can do it” lined the streets of Modena, Italy (about 22 miles northwest of Bologna) when I arrived on Friday- the town was ready for the opening of the Casa di Enzo Ferrari museum.

This past Saturday, a new museum dedicated to the auto-visionary opened in his hometown. Although I’m not a car fanatic, I do have a special place in my heart for Ferrari because I spent most of last year studying in Modena. I was fortunate to be here again to see this historical occasion.

When I found out that the museum was located only a few blocks from where I used to live, I was very excited. The long-standing Ferrari Museum and factory is located just 10 miles away in Maranello, but now there is a monument to Ferrari in his original stomping grounds.

The automobile gallery, the first part of the two building museum, makes a bold impression. The front of the building is made entirely of windows and lights up the neighborhood at night. The gallery’s modern design was created by the late architect, Jan Kaplicky, and completed by his protégé, Andrea Morgante. Its oblong-shaped yellow roof, a tribute to Modena’s colors, sticks out against the typical Italian brick houses that line the street next to it. Inside, the bright car colors contrast the white floor of the gallery. On display are antique models of Fiat Group automobiles including Ferraris from as early as 1948, as well as models from Modena-based Maserati and Turin-based Alfa Romeo.

The second part of the museum, located in the farm house where Enzo Ferrari once lived, presents a video chronology describing the path that took Enzo Ferrari from a race car driver to a world class automobile maker.

For more information on visiting the museum see the official website here.

Written by OSIA National Office Intern, Carol Cummings. Cummings is a senior at American University, majoring in print journalism, with a minor in Italian.