Culture-+Clare

The arts of Italy are mostly centered around that of the visual kind, that is are forms that focus on the creation of works that are primarily visual in nature. i.e Painting, film making and photography. There were many Italian artists during the Gothic and Medieval periods as Italian art was a center of art and culture in ancient Rome. Florence in Italy is well known for its museums of art, depicting Italy as the inventor of Futurism in the 20th century, the Italian poet Filippo Tommaso Marinetti was the first among them to produce a manifesto of their artistic philosophy. One major act culture that Italy is famous for, is the cinema. The history of Italian cinema began a few months after the Lumière brothers had discovered it, with the industry being born between 1903 and 1908. The first film was a few seconds long and was Pope Leo XIII giving a blessing to the camera.
 * Arts:**

Italians are very proud people and have deep pride for their families and their place of residence. Italians living in their homeland define themselves by their home region or their home province and many of them find it necessary to learn the local dialect as well as standard Italian. Each province or region has their own individual culture and ethnic identity, as well as retaining the basic elements of the Roman language and culture. Italians have very strong bonds within their family, and it is said that any Italian to betray their family will become a social outcast or shunned upon in the community, this has eased up some what within the past 20 years or so however the people of Italy still have much respect for their families and will stick by their family and their families traditions. The family is the center of the social structure and provides both emotional and financial support to its members.
 * Society:**

Music has traditionally been a strong cultural marker for Italian national and ethnic identity and holds an important part in their politics and society. The music of Italy is defined mostly by the influences of opera and instrumental classical music, however recently with the changing music culture of the world, have adopted a body of popular music following the trends of world music. Italian folk music is an important part of the country's heritage and culture. It has a diverse array of regional styles, instruments and dances.
 * Music:**

Italian or lingua italiana was officially adopted by the state after the unification of Italy and is spoken by approximately 63 million people. The language itself is primarily based on Tuscan dialect and is somewhat intermediate between Italo_Dalmatian languages of the South and Northern Italian dialects. Although people from Italy mostly speak Italian, each area or region have adopted their own small alterations to the language, so people from that local area will speak basic Italian and the local dialect.
 * Language:**

One thing that is regarded highly as part of Italian tradition is their proverbs, the proverbs have been passed down through Italian history and is part of their everyday language. Some example of Italian proverbs are: Other important parts of Italian tradition is their works and conseutudes, traditional clothing and moral values.
 * Traditions:**
 * //Better an egg today than a chicken tomorrow.//
 * //Between two evils, choose the lesser//
 * //A good game lasts a short time//
 * //Nothing is new under the sun//

Christmas Customs- Most Italians open their presents on Christmas Day morning or after lunch, although some wait until Epiphany, l'epifania, on January 6th. It's traditional for children to receive a stocking full of sweets if they’ve been good, but if they've been bad, they receive a stocking filled with coal, which is made of black sugar. Traditionally, it's not Santa Claus but the kind witch La Befana who brings the gifts and sweets. It’s thought she followed the wise men but got lost and has been wandering ever since, handing out presents to children at Christmas. Naming Customs- Italian parents name their children in accordance with their Italian customs. A couple's first son is given the name of the father's father; the first daughter is given the name of the father's mother. The second son is given the name of the mother's father; the second daughter is given the name of the mother's mother. Subsequent children are given their parents' names, or the names of favorite or unmarried or deceased aunts and uncles. Wedding Customs- In the past, there was the custom of arranged marriages this is still happening today however it is very common anymore. When a couple is to be wed is is custom to give the bride a diamond ring, this came about back in Medieval times as they believed that diamonds were created through the flames of love and symbolises the ever burning love of the couple to be wed. The night before the wedding, the bride is to wear green as it will provide the couple good luck for their wedding day, and the day of the wedding it is considered bad luck to wear gold, until she receives her wedding ring. The bride is to arrive at the ceremony last, a few minutes late and during this time the bridal party teases the groom. Candy covered almonds are given to the guests to throw at the couple as they walk down the isle so that they will be fertile and produce lots of children throughout their marriage. At the reception, it is tradition for all male guests to kiss the bride for luck and the bride carries around a satin bag for money and card donations. Finally, at the end of the reception the couple break a glass, the number of pieces that result symbolises the amount of happy years the couple will share their marriage.
 * Customs:**

Bibliography: Website: http://italytravelpapers.com/italy-places-of-interest.html Date accessed:27/05/07
 * Bibliography:**

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Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/italian/christmas/index.shtml Date accessed: 26/05/07

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Website: http://www.weddingstrategies.com/ceremony/traditions/italian-wedding-customs.html Date accessed: 26/05/07

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Italy Date accessed: 12/05/07