August in Italy

Summer is beginning to wind down but Italian travelers still have a lot to look forward to during the month of August.

Rome hosts the Estate Romana, which is a well-known festival of music and performing arts, including a variety of musical acts and theatrical events.

Cortona is home to the annual Tuscan Sun Festival, which begins the first weekend in August. The festival features concerts, art exhibits, wellness, cooking and wine tastings. Visitors may have the opportunity to experience a Tai Chi class, listen to classical music, take a cooking class or attend a classical music concert - all in one day!

Ci vediamo presto.

Ferragosto and Parliamo Italiano this weekend!

Ferragosto is an Italian holiday celebrated on August 15. Originally, it may have related to a celebration of the middle of the summer and the end of the hard labor in the fields. The Catholic Church celebrates this date as a Holy Day of Obligation to commemorate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary—the real physical elevation of her sinless soul and incorrupt body, into Heaven.

Before the Roman Catholic Church came into existence, however, this holiday was celebrated in the Roman Empire to honor the gods—in particular Diana—and the cycle of fertility and ripening. In fact, the present Italian name of the holiday derives from its original Latin name, Feriae Augusti.

Almost the entire month of August was taken as a holiday and leisure time in Italy in honor of this feast day. In present days, Ferragosto is mainly a short holiday when Italians take brief vacations. The holiday often coincides with peak activity of the Perseid meteor shower, leaving Italians at a particular advantage to view the astral event seen best at pre-dawn hours.

On ferragosto, many Italians get the day off. People celebrate on the streets in many cities of Italy!

The August 13 Parliamo Italiano, which will be held at Maria's house, will honor the Italian holiday, Ferragosto (August 15th).

Maria will prepare a traditional "pasta al forno" and we will all be seated outside on an "Italian Style" long table in Maria's yard to enjoy the evening with friends, delicious food and wine. Kids are welcome!!!

This is a potluck event so please bring a side dish to share or beverage.

When: August 13
Time: 7:00PM
Where: For address and directions, please call 303-733-4335 or email us at info@italianinsititute.com
Cost: Free, bring a Potluck dish or beverage

R.S.V.P. required by August 11th

Summer Fun in Italy!

Summer is in full swing and Italy celebrates summer by hosting a number of special festivals and activities.

As I mentioned previously, Sienna's famous horse race, Il Palio, is held during July and August. Before the race, there is a colorful procession complete with people in medieval costume. For more information click here.

The Disfida degli Arceri di Terre e di Corte is held in Fivizzano, which is located in northern Tuscany. Local archers compete in this medieval festival reenactment, complete with costumes and flag throwers. Click here for more about this event.

As always, thanks for reading!

Parliamo Italiano and Upcoming Dates!

Our next Parliamo Italian potluck dinner is around the corner! Tomorrow!

"Parliamo Italiano" is an extra fun and free opportunity for students who are interested in meeting other members of the Italian Institute and the local Italian community. This is an opportunity that is different from the typical classroom setting, where students can speak Italian with one another in a very relaxed fun environment, and share our passion for the Italian culture and language. We will talk about food, wine, culture and all other interests our faculty and students would like to share. Students should have a good foundation in the basic structure of the Italian language. Every second and fourth Saturday of the month, we will meet at a designated member’s home. This event is a potluck where we invite each of you to bring a beverage or dish to share.

This Saturday the Parliamo Italiano will be hosted by one of the Italian Institute students. Thanks Clay!!!

When: July 23, August 13 and August 27

Time: 7:00PM

Where: For location, please call 303-733-4335 or email us at info@italianinsititute.com

Cost: Free, but please bring a Potluck dish or beverage

Special Pricing for Online Italian Classes in July!!

Eight week introductory Italian classes are now available online and with special pricing only available in July!

This class, which covers the fundamental structure of the Italian language, will introduce students to pronunciation, common greetings, vocabulary and basic sentence structure. Learn also the present tense of regular and some irregular verbs. Students attend class in real time so they have the opportunity to interact and converse with their instructor and other class members. For more information and to register, click here!

July In Italy

While there aren’t any nationwide holidays on the Italian calendar in July, there’s a very famous local festival that occurs each July 2nd – it’s the first running of the Palio in Siena, the city’s medieval horse race! Watch a video here!

Looking to Expand Your Knowledge of the Italian Language?

Join us for our Pronoun Workshop! Eleonora Zilio-Grandi, M.A in Foreing Languages, will guide you during this training to explore the world of direct and indirect object pronouns.

Students will learn to recognize and properly use the direct and indirect object pronouns in present and past tenses, their placement and common verbs associated with them. Practice will be a major component of this workshop .

A lunch break will be provided between 12:00 and 12:45 PM. You may bring your lunch or dine at one of the several restaurants within walking distance.

For more information, please contact us at (303) 733-4335 or info@italianinstitute.com

When: Saturday, June 25
Time: 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Cost: $109

Escape to Tuscany for an Evening with the Italian Institute

Join us for a very special and complimentary event that celebrates everything Tuscany. At 4 PM on Saturday, June 18th, our doors will open for a Tuscany market with:

4 Tuscany wine to sample,
Handmade Ceramics showroom, from Tuscany .
Travel and tourism information of the region
Cheeses and gurmet food sample, from Tuscany.

Two workshops are offered in conjunction with this event.

Workshop One: Italian Music - 5:30 to 6:30pm
Workshop Two: Tuscany Cultural Workshop - 6:50 to 7:50pm

Event Time: 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Italian Institute - 677 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 100

Cost: Free!
R.S.V.P. by calling 303-733-4335 or emailing info@italianinstitute.com

We look forward to seeing you there!!

Festa Della Repubblica!

A little history lesson for you...

June 2 marks the Festa della Repubblica – Feast of the Republic – in Italy. The day commemorates a 1946 referendum in which the Italian people voted to decide their form of government — monarchy or republic — in a tense and chaotic climate following the end of Fascism and the Second World War. Though controversy about irregularities in counting the votes were numerous, Italy was declared a republic. After 85 years of reign the monarchy ended, and the members of the House of Savoy were exiled.

To celebrate the Festa della Repubblica, a grand military parade is held in Rome, presided over by the President of the Republic, currently Giorgio Napolitano. The Prime Minister (currently Silvio Berlusconi) and other public figures will be in attendance.

Wonderful Italy Picture Slideshow from Budget Travel

Just another 21 beautiful reasons to visit Italy for business or pleasure...

Click here to view slideshow.

Why Study Abroad?

Why study abroad? You make be thinking “I’m just trying to do well at my job, money the economy is tight, and study abroad is a luxury.”

.

Many former study abroad students have thought the same. Most will now say that study abroad isn’t a luxury, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity you can’t afford to miss.

Besides being fun and exciting, study abroad is a unique life changing experience that will help you grow academically, personally and prepare you for many other life experiences. Being removed from your comfort zone and placed in an area where you will be emmersed in the language and culture is a excellent way to fast track learning Italian.

Contact the Italian Institute for more information on Study Abroad programs in Italy!

PALIO DI FERRARA

Flag-waving competitions, historical parade and horse race in typical costumes of the 15th Century are just a few things the Palio has to offer.
The Palio was made official in 1279 and rapidly transformed into the symbol of a glorious and fascinating Renaissance. Since then rituals and dates have only changed slightly, and the celebration in the town has not been altered.

A month of celebrations, parades, races and competitions between the eight Contrade [neighborhoods connected to the parish] to win the precious banner dedicated to Saint George, the patron saint of Ferrara.

The month of May welcomes the participants in original costumes who parade through the streets of the city centre and the hard-fought flag-throwing competitions in Piazza del Municipio lead up to the spectacular horse race in Piazza Ariostea. If you're visiting Italy this month, be sure to join the festivities!

Read more history here...

Thinking About Learning Italian? Monthly Classes Are A Perfect Start...

So which of our monthly courses is right for you? Check out our descriptions below and then email us at info@italianinstitute.com to get started!

Italian for Travelers is an 8-hour, four-week course designed for beginner students who are specifically interested in acquiring basic communication skills before leaving for Italy. Students will learn many useful skills, including word pronunciation, meeting and greeting others, requesting information, ordering in a restaurant and asking for directions. The instructor will also impart key, culture-specific tips regarding everyday life in Italy (e.g. hours of operation, restaurant etiquette, tip expectations, etc.). All course materials are included in the price and will be provided to students the first day of class.
MORE INFO...

Italian for Beginners is an 8-hour, four-week course designed for people who are interested in learning Italian but would rather not commit to an 11-week course. In this class, students will study the fundamental structures of the Italian language with an emphasis on use of articles, adjectives, prepositions, and present tense verbs. Basic conversation and easy readings will introduce students to the Italian lifestyle and culture in an interesting and engaging way.
MORE INFO...

Monthly Conversational Classes

are for intermediate and advanced-level students (A2 and B1) that already have a good foundation in the basic structure of the Italian language. This four-week class will provide students with the opportunity to apply and refine their Italian language skills through guided conversations centered around pre-established themes. Each week the various themes will allow students to incorporate new vocabulary while practicing a different verb tense (e.g. present, simple past, simple future and conditional) and improving their conversational abilities.
MORE INFO...

Marco's Coal-Fired Pizzeria Hosts Two Famous Pizzaioli here in Colorado!

Marco's Coal-Fired Pizzeria is hosting a very special event and you are all invited!

Two of the world's premier master Italian "Pizzaioli", Don Antonio Starita and Roberto Caporuscio will arrive to Denver to be conducting a pizza making demonstration, which highlights their unique styles. Don Antonio Starita is a famous fourth generation Pizzaiolo from Naples, Italy and Roberto Caporuscio, from Naples as well, owns a famous New York pizzeria. This is a special opportunity to watch them at work and lear the secrets of the Pizza making and all the steps involved in it, including the streching of the dough. Don't miss this excellent chance to see them in action! Two different locations will be hosting. See below for the one closest to you and make sure to RSVP!

When: Monday, May 16
Time: 6 - 9 PM
Marco's Vallagio
10111 Inverness Main Street
Englewood, CO
Cost: $50 per person, which includes pizza, wine, tax, and tip.
Limited seating by reservation only. 303-296-7000

When: Tuesday, May 17
Time: 6 - 9 PM
Marco's Ballpark
2129 Larimer Street
Denver, CO
Cost: $50 per person, which includes pizza, wine, tax, and tip.
Limited seating by reservation only. 303-296-7000

Special for Friends of the Italian Institute!
You are invited to an exclusive premier event to discover the secrets of the preparetion of the Pizza with "Pizzaiolo" Roberto.

When: Saturday, May 14
Time: 9 - 10:30 AM
Marco's Ballpark
2129 Larimer Street
Denver, CO
Cost: $39 per person, which includes demostration, pizza, tax, and tip. Seating is limited to 25, so reserve early!

Exciting Update about Parliamo Italiano!

Parliamo Italiano will now be held twice monthly! Our hope is that all our students and friends take the extra opportunity to speak Italian and interact with others learning this great language!

To create a more relaxed and fun environment, we are going to meet the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month, which coincides with the Italian community's Denver group. We will have the opportunity to meet in different members' houses as well as the Institute. Please stay tuned for location for each event.

The next Parliamo Italiano is this Saturday, April 23rd!
We will celebrate the pre-Easter holiday. this is a Potluck event so you are encouraged to bring a holiday or traditional dish for this special gathering.

When: April 23rd
Where: Maria's house
Time: 5:30pm
Cost: Free

Summer Food Festivals in Italy...

Going to Italy this summer? Planning on joining us for one of our Study Abroad programs? Love Italian food? Perfect! Enjoy this list of Summer Food Festivals in Italy and plan accordingly!

Festa del Lambrusco: Held in July at Albinea in Emilia-Romagna. Fizzy, red wine is sampled with gnocco fritto, or fried puffs of pasta dough, accompanied by prosciutto and salami and erbazzone, a savory tart stuffed with greens, eggs, and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Festa di Noiantri: Held in Rome along the banks of the Tiber. Noiantri means "we others," which is the way the residents of the bohemian Trastevere neighborhood think of themselves, as a breed apart. Booths offer tastes of bruschetta and sell local crafts and foodstuffs.

Campionato Nazionale dei Mangiatori d'Anguria: National watermelon eating championship held at Sissa near Parma.

Sagra delle Melanzane Ripiene: Held in Montanesi near Genoa for the feast of Saint Rocco. Wine and cheese accompany the stuffed eggplant.

Sagra del Pecorino: At San Godenzo near Florence, fresh and aged sheep's milk cheese is tasted in the town square.

Sagra dell'Anguilla: Orbetello in Tuscany celebrates with eels either fried, marinated, or stuffed.

Look Who Was Featured Online...Deli Italia Center, One of Our Favorites!

We found this posted online last week! A great profile of our friend Riccardo's Deli Italia Center in Lakewood...

"As you walk into Deli Italia for the first time, it’s a bit like Italian sensory overload. The smell of fresh bread layered with spicy meat, espresso and basil fill the nose immediately. Shortly after that the uncontrollable salivation sets in. Every kind of Italian staple is found on the shelves, imported olive oil, pastas galore, polenta, risotto, candies and sauces."

Read more here!

Life at the Accademia! A partner in our Study Abroad program...

For a taste of life at the accademia, watch this musical slide show! Then contact us to find out more about our study abroad programs and our partner, Accademia Lingua Italiana Assisi! We're excited already!
- Italian Institute

Learn Italian While Studying Abroad!

Looking to improve your Italian and maybe mix your studies with a fun trip to Italy?  The Italian Institute Study Abroad Programs, in conjuction with our new partners: Sorrento Lingue and Assisi Italian Language Accademy, offer a variety of programs combining language study with: cooking, painting, or cultural classes, in addition to escursions and weekend trips.

We also provide assistance with transportation from the airport to school locations as well as accomodations ranging from host families, individual or shared apartments, and hotels.

From its ancient history to its exciting present, the "boot" in the Mediterranean provides everything the visiting student could ever want.

For questions regarding study abroad programs please contact the Italian Institute. We'll be featuring much more about these exciting Study Abroad programs in the weeks to come so stay tuned! 

-Maria        

Benvenuto! Welcome!

The Italian Institute was founded in Denver, CO in January 2009 with the mission of promoting intellectual, artistic, and social exchanges between the Italian-speaking world and our local community. Central to our mission is the promotion of Italian culture in Colorado, through the planning of various cultural events and exchange programs, with the cooperation of other local and Italian organizations. The Institute also offers Italian and English language classes for individuals and business, travel consulting services, translation and interpretation services, and cross-cultural business consulting.

Stay tuned for information on our Study Abroad program!