Welcome to Catania, Sicily, Italy
Catania is the second largest city of Sicily, has the second highest population density on the island and is the capital of the province, which bears its name. It is located on the east coast of the island, half way between Messina and Siracuse and is at the foot of the active volcano Mount Etna. It was founded as Etna in the 8th century BC by Greek colonizers from Calcide in Eubea, led by Evarco. Earthquakes extensively destroyed it in 1169 and 1693 AD, and by lava flows, which ran over and around it into the sea. The first Sicilian University was founded there in 1434 and the city’s patron saint is Saint Agata. The city has been buried by lava a total of seven times in recorded history, and in layers under the present day city are the Roman city that preceded it, and the Greek city before that. Today, the tops of the immense Greek and Roman amphitheatres are at street level and in several places the adventurous can descend into the numerous and uncharted tunnels under the city, although the perils of finding pockets of poisonous gas or being found down there by nasty people make this highly unadvisable. Under the city runs the river Amenano, visible in just one point, on the south side of Piazza Duomo. Catania is also the Italian city with the highest number of theaters per square mile, with numerous professional and amateur theater companies based there.
Say it in Italian
Hello Ciao
Good morning Buon giorno
Good evening Buona sera
Goodbye Arrivederci
How are you? Come sta?
Thank you Grazie
Sorry/Excuse me Scussi
How much is that? Quanto costa?
I don’t understand Non capisco
Customs in Italy
• Punctuality is expected and appreciated.
• Small talk and pleasantries often happen before negotiations although negotiations occur with an “American-style” pressure and efficiency.
• Both hands should be kept above the table when eating, rather than resting them in your lap.
• Wine should be sipped; therefore, if you drink too much, it will be seen as offensive.
• If you want your drinks to be cold, ask for ice as Italians drink most things at room temperature.
• Handshaking is the accepted greeting among men and women.
• Italy is a major center of European fashion; therefore, clothing is used as an indicator to ones status.
Sicilian Culture
Sicily is well known as a country of art; many poets and writers were born on this island, starting from the Sicilian School in the early 13th century, which inspired much subsequent Italian poetry and created the first Italian standard. The most famous, however, are Luigi Pirandello, Giovanni Verga, Salvatore Quasimodo, Gesualdo Bufalino and Ignazio Buttitta. Other Sicilian artists include the composers Sigismondo d’India (from Palermo), Vincenzo Bellini (from Catania), as well as the sculptor Tommaso Geraci. Sicily is also home to two prominent folk art traditions, both of which draw heavily on the island’s Norman influence. Donkey carts are painted with intricate decorations of scenes from the Norman romantic poems, such as The Song of Roland. The same tales are told in traditional puppet theaters that feature hand-made wooden marionettes.
Showtime
Gosia is a graduate of the Music Academy in Warsaw and debuted at the Warsaw National Philharmonic in 1993. She commenced a permanent affiliation with the Warsaw Chamber Opera in 1994. She has headlined with orchestras in Austria, France, Italy, Hungary, Germany, Russia and United Arab Emirates and has made various recordings for Decca and EMI. Her new CD entitled Harp Solo is currently the best selling classical recording in Poland. In 1996 she made her European television debut and since is recognized as one of Europe’s finest harpists. Together, Gary and Gosia have recently completed composing the music for their newest CD entitled Master and Margarita, and will be recording and touring throughout Europe in the 2006-2007 season.
posted by Hills @ 10:08 AM
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