Get Started for FREE
Sign up with Facebook Sign up with X
I don't have a Facebook or a X account
 Your new post is loading...
Your new post is loading...
Scoop.it!
Roughly half the countries around the world experience low fertility rates, and some get pretty creative in how they encourage procreation. Via Nancy Watson 
Scoop.it!
The lingering use of Catalan in Alghero, Italy, is a reminder of how Mediterranean cultures have blended for centuries. But the language is fading there today.
In an age when people cling ever more tightly to national identity, the lingering use of Catalan in Alghero is a reminder of the ways Mediterranean cultures have blended for centuries, rendering identity a fluid thing. But while the traditional insularity of Alghero has helped to preserve Catalan, the language is struggling to survive, even here.
Tags: language, culture, Italy, Europe. Via CT Blake
Tom Cockburn's curator insight,
December 13, 2016 3:52 AM
7 activists arrested by Spanish police for insulting king felipe
Katie Kershaw's curator insight,
February 17, 2018 3:35 PM
Prior to Catalon’s attempt to gain independence from Spain last year, I was unaware that there was a region of Spain that was so culturally not Spanish. This article then introduced me to the Catalonian people living in Italy. In Italy, the Catalon culture is not even close to as widespread and important as it is in Spain. The language is scarcely used in the one region (Alghero) where it was most prevalent a century ago— in fact only about 25% of people here speak Catalon as their primary language. The article explains that the Catalon culture is dying off in Alghero, unlike in Spain where people are so passionate that they want independence. One of the biggest reasons the article atributes this to is the fact that Italy’s government has not been oppressive of Alghero’s population. There are signs, menus, and people who have spoken the language with no government opposition, so people do not feel the need to protect the culture. On the contrary, the Spanish government strongly pushes Spanish culture onto the Catalonians, which is why they fight for independence. Catalonians feel threatened in Spain and try to defend, whereas in Italy the Catalonians don’t feel threatened and don’t have a reason to cling so strongly to their culture. Younger people in Alghero speak almost exclusively Italian and education in Catalon is very rare. This is interesting to me, because unlike the physical connection that Catalonia has with the rest of Spain, Alghero is quite distanced from the rest of Italy.
The distance seems like it would make it easier for Alghero’s residents to maintain their Catalonian roots, but the opposite is happening. The article touches on this a bit, as it explains that since Alghero is on Sardinia, Sardinian is the most common ethnic group. Sardinian culture and language is more prevalent in the area and Catalonians simply don’t have the numbers to compete. Another explanation for this is the highly centralized way in which Italian education is set up. Schoolchildren’s education is uniform with the education that the rest of Italy and has a much stronger Italian influence than proud Catalonians would like. The final thought I had after reading this article was a question: If Catalonia somehow gained independence from Spain would they attempt to obtain Sardinia as part of their nation in order to take control of their fellow Catalonians? 
Nicole Canova's curator insight,
March 23, 2018 4:24 PM
The Mediterranean region is a good example of the fact that borders do not always indicate identity, a concept I looked at in a few articles on North America. Due to trade relationships that date back thousands of years, cultures were dispersed and blended throughout the Mediterranean. This has led to some interesting things, such as Catalan being spoken in Alghero, on the Italian island of Sardinia.
Scoop.it!
"Facing a low fertility rate (1.4), Italy is holding its first 'Fertility Day' on Sept. 22, which will emphasize 'the beauty of motherhood and fatherhood' and host roundtable discussions on fertility and reproductive health. That may seem inoffensive, but the country’s health department is trying to raise awareness with an ad campaign that’s striking many as misguided and, worse, sexist and alarmist."
Scoop.it!
New figures show the lowest total number of births since the formation of the modern Italian state
Fewer babies were born in Italy in 2014 than in any other year since the modern Italian state was formed in 1861, new data show, highlighting the demographic challenge faced by the country’s chronically sluggish economy. National statistics office ISTAT said on Thursday the number of live births last year was 509,000, or 5,000 fewer than in 2013, rounding off half a century of decline. The number of babies born to both natives and foreigners living in Italy dropped as immigration, which used to support the overall birth rate, tumbled to its lowest level for five years.
Tag: Italy, Europe, declining populations, population, demographic transition model. Via Mike Busarello's Digital Storybooks
Emma Conde's curator insight,
May 26, 2015 10:00 PM
Unit II: Population and Migration
As Italy becomes a highly developed country, it begins to experience a large population decline. Fertility rates are negative and continue to decline, and mortality rates are dropping as well. People are not having large families, and all of these factors contribute to the rapidly declining population of Italy. The prime minister of Italy hopes to simulate an economic and cultural recharge in hopes that this will help encourage people to make more babies so that the population does not continue to decline at this rate.
This relates to the demographic transition model, as Italy is in the last stage of it. Once countries are developed, fertility rates begin to slow as mortality rates continue to decline, causing a decline in the total overall population. This is clearly exemplified through this story about Italy. 
Kevin Nguyen's curator insight,
December 7, 2015 12:01 PM
The low birth rate in Italy is causing the country to think that its dying because there aren't enough new-born to replace the ones that passed away. As the article state, it mainly in the south where the economy is very poor and the average family is not making as much money as they should to support more children. This might lead people to migrate to other places to find opportunities for their future generations. If Italy could find a way distribute wealth evenly across the countries they might be able to find a better result in birth rate. This is easier said than done however. 
Benjamin Jackson's curator insight,
December 13, 2015 3:44 PM
its fascinating that there may no longer be such a term as Italian outside of history books in fifty years. the low birth rate in European countries is a major concern, especially as the economies in those same countries start to suffer.
Scoop.it!
"Discotheques, the symbol of 80s and 90s hedonism, were fake marble temples adorned with Greek statues made of gypsum, futuristic spaces of gigantic size, large enough to contain the dreams of success, money, fun of thousands people," he writes.
Scoop.it!
VENICE, Italy – Venice, renowned for incomparable Gothic architecture and placid canals plied by gondolas that make it one of the most recognizable cities in the world, may have had enough of Italy.
Joshua Mason's curator insight,
March 16, 2015 3:03 PM
Nobody wants to feel like they're not in control and Venice is no different. Large money making cities or regions often try to break off from their states or countries. New York City has talked about becoming its own state (And with a population of 8.406 million as of 2013, it's bigger than some states) before defending that its taxes aren't going to it and that Albany isn't meeting its demands. Venice is in the same boat (dare I say gondola) and simply wants to have a little more autonomy like way back. Secession is a bold move to make and judging from the article, it seems as if it's not wanted by all and maybe just a little more interest in the region will be taken by the government. Sometimes making bold claims is all that's needed to get what you want. 
Kristin Mandsager San Bento's curator insight,
April 6, 2015 9:58 PM
Venice is to Italy as Italy is to Venice. I imagine it will stay this way forever. I think if there are wealthy people who want to see the split happen then it will. But just because a group want a movement started, it won't happen. I imagine Venice will see a few more concessions in the future if this problem persists. 
Richard Aitchison's curator insight,
February 6, 2018 9:53 AM
When you think of Italy a few cities that come to mind are Rome, Florence, Milan, and definitely Venice. So seeing the headline kind of shocked me "Venice wants out of Italy." While the article is from 2014 it is still an interesting read, as other places in the world have had similar problems as we continue to see a major shift in our population to cities and less spread out among the rest rural areas. As the article explains some of the reasons for wanting to leave is the history of the city itself and the pride of the people that live their. As shown in some of the pictures you can see some of the great architecture and as most know it is one of the most recognizable cities in the world. However, what further is explained that many of the people that live there are getting tired of paying millions of dollars in taxes to help support regions in southern Italy that can not support themselves. This money is being sent to the federal government to keep the country's economy stable, but not be given back directly to Venice. This can become a problem all over the world as we see cities starting to support other parts of rural areas and are not giving back to the actual city in which they live in. As cities become overpopulated with high taxes they have become mini-countries themselves. What will be the first city we see break off from a country? It will be interesting, will it be Venice? Probably not, but who knows.
Scoop.it!
From Grand Tours to glamping and opera, Robert Ryan offers plenty of new options for 2014 Via Mariano Pallottini
Carolyn Kyprios at Villa Miramonti, Le Marche's curator insight,
March 15, 2014 7:35 PM
Discover another reason to holiday in Le Marche - the summer opera season in Macerata at the Sferisterio. It's really not so expensive if you stay at Villa Miramonti!
Scoop.it!
Italy is the best place in the world to go on holidays, because there is a likelihood that everything you eat will be taken seriously by the person who cooks it and that most of the things you experience as a tourist will have had effort put into them. Slipping into this way of being, this connection with simplicity and intrinsic quality, also gives you that thing we all crave as tourists, authenticity, a local experience, to eat the way they do, to gain some insight in to their lives. [...] Via Mariano Pallottini
|
Scoop.it!
Did someone get away with murder? A German detective re-examines a case 5,300 years old. Via Kent College History
Kent College History's curator insight,
June 6, 2017 2:59 PM
'High in a remote area of the Oetztaler Alps in northern Italy, 5,300 years ago, Oetzi the Iceman was shot in the back with an arrow.'
Scoop.it!
A monumental display of history outside of Redipuglia, Italy, is more than just a climb up Monte Sei Busi; it’s a bitter reminder of the Great War. The Military Sacrarium Redipuglia is about an hour’s drive from Aviano Air Base. Its grand steps symbolize the hard-fought battles soldiers endured during World War I to maintain control of the mountain’s summit. Inscribed on plaques are the names of places considered to be the worst battles fought. [...] Via Mariano Pallottini, Mike Busarello's Digital Storybooks
venarbol's curator insight,
January 12, 2015 2:44 AM
Reportage sur le cimetière militaire italien de Redipuglia, qui accueille les dépouilles de 100.000 soldats tombés durant la première guerre mondiale.
Articolo sul cimitero militare italiano di Redipuglia, che accoglie le spoglie di 100.000 soldati caduti durante la prima guerra mondiale.
Scoop.it!
World War I pilot Fédèle Azari spent the decade after the war making airplane-related art as part of the Italian Futurist movement. These photos, part of a group of Azari's images that have been digitized and made available through the J.
Scoop.it!
FACT is the UK's best online music magazine and home to the weekly FACT mix series.
Scoop.it!
If you're aching to visit Italy and wouldn't mind cooking classes, a porchetta tasting and an intensive, hands-on class on cake design, this is the tour for you. From Oct. 7-12, renowned sugar artist and cake designer Margaret Braun will host a group in Sant'Angelo, a small, picturesque village in Le Marche—a.k.a. truffle country. The trip will include Italian feasts, a truffle hunt, art tours and master cake classes with Braun throughout which travelers will design their own sugary masterpieces. The trip costs $3,650 (not including airfare). [...] Via Mariano Pallottini
Scoop.it!
Italy’s culture minister has confirmed that ex-Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, is to buy the historic site of Pompeii near Naples in Italy. “Negotiations are at a advanced stage”, said minister Franceschino who went on to state that the sale should be completed by mid-April this year. Full details of the Berlusconi Pompeii purchase deal have yet to emerge, though Italy’s press is reporting that the agreed price was somewhere in the region of €7 million. The sale of one of Italy’s most well known tourist attractions is part of a plan to reduce Italy’s crippling level of national debt by selling off most of the nation’s artistic heritage. [...] Via Mariano Pallottini
Scoop.it!
|
|
Rescooped by Skuuppilehdet from Italia Mia |
Scoop.it!
Even when it's hot, crowded or on strike, Italy is lots of fun. More than any other Western European country, though, travelers to Italy need up-to-date information to travel smart, saving both time and money.
Here are a few updates to help you make the most of Italy in 2014 [...]
While many countries have anti-natalist policies (policies to discourage more births), other countries with declining populations have pro-natalist policies in an attempt to increase fertility rates. While not an exhaustive list, this list gives a few more examples that teachers can use to show how countries in stage 4 of the demographic transition are dealing with declining fertility rates.
Tags: declining populations, population, demographic transition model, models, unit 2 population.