Spring (primavera) is a lovely season in Italy. From north to south, the Boot is covered with fragrant petals (petali) and green gardens (giardini). Continue reading
Spring in Italy
Category Archives: culture
Mother’s Day in Italy
Needless to say that in Italy the “mamma” is an institution like in no other country. So it is no surprise that we have Mother's Day (Festa della mamma). Continue reading
Japanese Movies for Mother’s Day
Celebrate Mother's Day by watching one of these two Japanese movies about moms and their children! Continue reading
Children’s Day in Japan
こどもの日 Kodomo no hi Children's Day is celebrated in Japan on May 5, and it’s a national holiday Continue reading
Django Reinhardt and the Gypsy Jazz Guitar Style
Jean Reinhardt, better known as Django Reinhardt, was a guitarist whose style of playing and composition gave birth to a style of jazz called gypsy jazz. Continue reading
Le Jardin Potager: The Food Garden - Traditions meets Sustainability in France
Le Jardin Potager (kitchen garden) is a food garden where vegetables are cultivated for a family or a relatively small group of people. Such a garden is both practical and a source of enjoyment. In the past, most noblemen with a … Continue reading
Sant Jordi Day in Barcelona
In Barcelona we celebrate April 23rd, Sant Jordi (Saint George) , as a "lovers day". Sant Jordi day is the most romantic day of the year. Continue reading
The Guitar in Bossa Nova and Tropicalism
ossa nova, new wave or new trend, a combination of samba and jazz, is played almost exclusively with a classical nylon-string guitar, accompanied by one or two singers. Continue reading
Doing hanami and saying Sayoonara to Tokyo
Eric talks about what he's been learning recently with Platinum Japanese: the extremely useful verb, shimasu which means do. Continue reading
From France with Love: Kisses in French Culture
#8216;Tristan et Iseult’ by Gaston Bussière, French Symbolist painter In France, kissing is everywhere, everyday! The ubiquitous kiss in France is la bise (kiss on the cheek), or le bisou (kiss on the cheek typically, but can be used for kissing … Continue reading
