Playing ping pong with my cousins during the holidays and reciting a blessing at dinner exemplify my family’s traditions. Tradition, however, can be anything that a person or a group of people thinks, believes, or does. It can be anything from playing basketball every Saturday with friends to reading the bible every night before bed. Every society has different traditions that they cherish. Americans, for example, love the Fourth of July, McDonalds, and baseball. How does this compare with traditions in Italy? My future columns will attempt to answer this question and examine Italian traditions from food and sports to styles and religion. These various traditions contribute to our individual identities and a deliberate study of them will allow us to cross cultures.
I have traveled out of the United States three times. In high school I visited France and as a student of Defiance College I went to Cambodia and Canada. Each trip opened by eyes to new traditions. In Cambodia, most places had tree house sized temples painted with elegant gold designs to honor their ancestors. Once a day Cambodians would place lighted incense on the temple to pay their respects. I was so moved by the traditions that after I returned home I paid tribute to my great grandparents’ graves. It’s amazing what you can learn when you visit another culture and discover their traditions.
I’m not sure what to expect while in Italy, but I do know that by examining their traditions I will better understand Italian culture.
I’m not sure what to expect while in Italy, but I do know that by examining their traditions I will better understand Italian culture.
During our seven day Italian voyage, we will visit Milan, Verona, Venice, Rome, Pisa, Assisi and Florence. Some of the things we will be seeing include, the Leaning Tour of Pisa, the Ponte Milvio, the Victor Emmanuel Memorial, and numerous cathedrals like the Duomo and the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. Some of these sites are better known than others. The Ponte Milvio is a bridge in Rome famous for love padlocks. This is where people attach a lock to the bridge with their initials on it and throw the key into the river, to symbolize everlasting love. If Italy turns out to be as beautiful and romantic as seen in pictures and movies then I think this will be a great trip. More than likely I will learn much more about the country than I originally expected which will only make the trip more enjoyable.
-Lynn Beining
Traditions
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