Italian culture is renowned for its art, food, wine, fashion and architecture. Italy's art treasures are some of the finest in the world, and its museums are home to some of the most important art collections. The country's rich history and diverse geography have also produced a wide variety of traditional regional cuisines.
The people of Italy are known for their hospitality and warmth. Visitors to the country are often treated like family, and it is not uncommon for strangers to strike up conversations with one another.
In Italy, gambling is a popular pastime. There are many different types of gambling games that Italians enjoy, including casino games, sports betting, and lottery games. Italians are also very passionate about their football (soccer) team, and many people gamble on the outcomes of matches. Jet Casino is an online casino that offers a wide range of gambling opportunities for Italian players and also has a sports betting section.
Gambling is so popular in Italy that the government has set up a special agency, the Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato (AAMS), to regulate the industry. The AAMS issues licenses to gambling operators and supervises all forms of gambling in the country.
One of the most important Italian values is family. It is common for Italians to have frequent family gatherings and spend a lot of time together with their families and friends. Catholicism is the primary Italian religion that influences how people think and act in life. The Vatican, which sits in the center of Rome, is the papal residence. Catholics make up 90% of the population in Italy. Other religions practised in Italy include Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and Protestantism.
Italians are known for their love of food and good living. The Mediterranean diet – based on olive oil, vegetables, fruit, pasta, fish and moderate amounts of meat – is healthy and delicious. Italian cuisine is world-renowned, and dishes such as pizza and pasta are enjoyed by people all over the globe. Italy is also home to some of the finest wines in the world, including Chianti, Pinot Grigio and Prosecco.
Italians are passionate about art, music, fashion, film and design. The country has produced many great artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael. Italy is also home to some of the world’s most famous fashion designers, such as Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and Prada.
Today, Italy is a modern, developed country with a high standard of living. It is a member of the European Union and is a founding member of the Eurozone, the group of countries that use the euro as their currency. Italy is also a member of NATO, the United Nations and the G8, an intergovernmental organization consisting of the world’s eight largest economies.
Italy is recognized worldwide for its innovative, creative design: furniture and house furnishings are produced in significant quantities there, whereas no other country invests as much in the sector and GDP growth. It all began with the conclusion of World War II and the Marshall Plan's encouragement of Italy's economy - then little manufacturers and workshops have exploded in popularity, never stopping since.
Famous Italian designers include Michele De Lucchi, who designed the Tolomeo desk lamp for Alessi; Stefano Giovannoni, whose designs for Alessi include the popular "Mami" and "Girotondo" collections; and Piero Lissoni, who has worked with B&B Italia, Cassina, Flos, and Kartell, among others.
Ferruccio Laviani is an extremely innovative designer. And, unlike most of his peers, he is no minimalist: he understands how to create post-modern items such as the Emmemobili chest of drawers, which features the craftsmanship of cabinetmakers. Clients include Kartell, Foscarini, Flos, DePadova, Moroso, Axor-Hansgrohe, Emmemobili and Laviani’s own brand, FERRUCIO LAVIANI.
Rodolfo Dordoni is closely linked with the Minotti name for 20 years: they've worked together for a long time. However, he creates extremely ergonomic and succinct pieces for Artemide, Cassina, Driade, Emu, Ernestomeda, Fiam Italia, Flos, Flou, FontanaArte, Foscarini, Fratelli Rossetti, Giorgetti, Glas Italia, Gloster, Jacuzzi Collection Europe, Lema Casa, Living Divani , Louis Poulsen, Moroso, Poliform and Fitzwell.
Piero Lissoni is the most renowned Italian minimalist, and his creations are austere and sharply defined. He does, however, have experience with color: see the Porro cabinet below. He collaborates with Cassina, Flos, Boffi, Kartell, Living Divani Furniture, Lema, Cappellini (where he is art director), and many others.
B&B Italia and Maxalto are both led by Antonio Citterio, the primary "star" of the firm. Sofas and armchairs are his forte. However, he has clients from other brands such as Flos and Arclinea, as well as houses themselves - Citterio is an accomplished builder.
Maxalto was originally an independent company, but was acquired by B&B Italia in 1975. Its first store opened in Milan in 1976. Citterio joined Maxalto the following year, eventually becoming its art director in 1980. Under Citterio's direction, Maxalto has become known for its clean, modern designs.
The roots of world culture, at least in its Christian portion, are Italian architecture, sculpture and painting. Yes indeed: the world's canons are based on ancient Greece, but it is the Roman interpretation that people know and adore. The culture of ancient Greece underlies everything, after all, but it was the Romans who spread that culture around, who gave it form and function. As a result, some of the most significant artistic achievements in history were produced in Italy during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.