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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Idiom of the Week

This week’s idiom is “ogni morte di papa”.  In English you would say “every once in a blue moon” to describe something that recurs but not often.

The literal translation of the Italian idiom is “every death of a pope”.  The last pontiff to pass away was Pope John Paul II, whose pontificate, the second longest in history, lasted over 26 years.  However in centuries past, popes, being elected while already at a senior age, were not known for lengthy stays on St. Peter’s throne.  For example, the average term for a pope elected in the 17th century was approximately eight and a half years.  Since the Pope’s term came to a close upon his death, the expression “ogni morte di papa” derived from the few year frequency in which a pope was elected and then passed away.

In English, a language that developed much further away from Vatican City, the expression “once every blue moon” based itself on the lunar pattern of the full moon.  When a full moon occurs twice in a calendar month, the second occurrence is called the “blue moon”.  Since the completion of the lunar cycle takes 29.53 calendar days, those leftover days carry over, and once every two or three years, one single month will host two full moons.  Like the coming of a new pope, the blue moon is both inevitable yet infrequent.

This week, the world also received the news that Pope Benedict XVI is resigning his office, breaking the centuries of tradition wherein a pontiff lives out his entire term.  If a new papal tradition is beginning, who knows what may happen to this Italian idiom?

Monday, February 11, 2013

Galleria Art and Craft Show Recap

The Galleria at Sentieri was a success!  With some sweets and coffee (or wine for some), we spoke in English and Italian as we perused the artistic creations on display.  Thanks and congratulations to all of our presenters:

Sharon Banis, personal photography
Jill Gaertner, handmade soaps and lotions
Richard Hren, personal photography
Robin McDonald, “Yoko Mae” handmade potholders
Elizabeth Miranda, personal photography
Paola Nervi, “Slow Hands” handmade knits
Carla Reiter, “Carla Reiter Jewelry” handmade jewelry
Lidia Varesco, “Lidia Varesco Design” greeting cards and baby apparel




Thursday, February 7, 2013

Sentieri Italiani Invites You To: "È Sempre La Solita Zuppa” - February 10, 1-4 pm




A cultural and culinary presentation on Italian soups hosted by the President of the Slow Food® movement chapter of Brittany, France, will give a brief historical, social and culinary excursus of Italian farmers' tradition.

We will also sample three different soups from three different Italian regions.


Registration

Registration and payment in hand by February 6th, 2013. 

Sentieri Members: $20.00 - not a member? Become a member today!

Non-Members: $30.00

Mail or drop off payment to Sentieri Italiani at 5430 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640, 773-275-5325.

For more information, call or email us at info@sentieri.com and visit our website at www.sentieri.com

Monday, February 4, 2013

Idiom of the Week

This week’s Italian idiom is “È sempre la solita zuppa”.

In English you might say “same old, same old” for describing a situation that was repetitive
or not worth describing.  In Italy you will hear “E` sempre la solita zuppa” for the same reason.


The literal translation is “It’s always the same soup,” which, in English, would
make little sense unless someone had a specific issue with a lack of variety in
soup.


So where did soup enter into this Italian idiom?  Well if a child didn’t
finish his meal, it would often be the same dish that was served to him at the
next meal.  This common practice among Italian parents gave way to the
expression “it’s always the same soup” to mean that nothing new or interesting
has taken place.


Sentieri Italiani is playing on this idiom as the title of our upcoming event on the
history of Italian soup.  A presentation and tasting, hosted by the President of the Slow Food® movement chapter of Brittany, France, will examine, among other things, how the Italian tradition of soup has remained consistent throughout the years. One could say,
“è sempre la solita zuppa”!


Register today and drop off the payment at Sentieri Italiani, 5430 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640, 773-275-5325.

For more information, call or email us at info@sentieri.com and visit our website at www.sentieri.com

Buon Appetito!