Italian culture

Italian is one of the Romance languages and is the official language of Italy. Although almost
everyone in Italy speaks Italian, native Italians also speak a variety of dialects and other languages,
including Albanian, Catalan, Corsican, Croatian, French, German, and Greek.

Art can be seen across Italy, not just in the museums of Florence, Venice, and Rome, but also in
churches and public buildings. The ceiling of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo
between 1508 and 1512, is the most famous work of art. Other renowned artists from Italy include
Leon Battista Alberti and Leonardo da Vinci.

Operas are a staple of Italian culture when it comes to music. Giuseppe Verdi, Ruggero Leoncavallo,
and Luciano Pavarotti are only a few of the world's greatest artists and composers.

Great works of Italian literature include Dante's La Divine Comida, written in the thirteenth century,
and the sixteenth-century writings of Pietro Bembo, Nicolo Machiavelli, and Ludovico Ariosto. The
Prince by Niccol Machiavelli is considered the earliest classic of political science.

Italy is home to a variety of internationally recognized fashion houses, including Armani, Gucci,
Benetton, Versace, and Prada.

The Roman Catholic faith is practiced by around 90% of Italians. The Vatican City, which is the heart
of Roman Catholicism and where the Pope resides, is located in Rome. Protestants, Jews, and
Muslims make up the remaining 10% of Italians.

Because Italians are full of life and enjoy celebrating, there are numerous national Italian holidays. If
you are planning a trip to Italy, it is crucial to examine the national holidays, as museums, stores, and
restaurants will be closed in celebration, especially on January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th. In
addition to national holidays, each city or region celebrates its own festivals, such as the feast day of
its patron saint. Most Christian holidays are observed in Italy, including Christmas and Easter, as well
as other holidays such as Liberation Day on April 25th, Epiphany on January 6th, Valentine's Day on
February 14th, International Women's Day on March 8th, Labor Day on May 1st, and Festa della
Repubblica on June 2nd.

Italian cuisine is well-known and well-liked all around the world. Who hasn't been smitten by pizza or
pasta? Food is an art form for Italians, who excel at it, and their social gatherings revolve on it.
Spaghetti and pizza are popular throughout central Italy. However, fish, potatoes, rice, sausage, pig,
pasta, polenta, and risotto are the most popular foods in the north. Tomatoes are a mainstay in the
south, whether eaten raw or prepared into a sauce with capers, peppers, olives, olive oil, garlic,
artichokes, eggplant, and ricotta cheese. Food is a means of keeping family and friend relationships
strong, and there is a special dinner for every occasion.
Belgian Culture

Belgium is a country with a diverse population. It is not only bordered by four countries (the
Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and France), but it is also divided into three states, each with
its own language and culture. Belgians speak French as a first language. Many people also speak
Flemish or German, and they are usually fluent in English.

Belgium's rich cultural legacy makes it an important artistic center. Flemish master paintings may be
found in museums and cathedrals around the country; Belgium's contribution to Art Nouveau can be
seen in the cityscape of Brussels; and folk culture is preserved in a range of indoor and outdoor
museums. The mansion of architect Baron Victor Horta, which is now a museum, is one of the most
well-known examples of Art Nouveau architecture in Brussels.

The Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition is one of Belgium's most important annual
musical events. Belgians have also adapted a foreign musical form, American jazz, to their own
unique style.

Belgian cuisine encompasses far more than excellent chocolate and beer. Pork, game birds, fish,
sausages, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, breads, and soups are among the foods eaten by Belgians.
Waffles (wafelen), fries (pomme-frîtes), mussels, and carbonade flamande (beef stew) are all
popular dishes in Belgium, along with potatoes and bread. Belgians claim to be the inventors of
French fries, which they serve in paper cones with mayonnaise rather than ketchup. Their chocolate
is famed, with pralines from Godiva and Leonidas among the best. Most Belgian families value dining
together, especially during dinner, as part of their culture.

Italy ingredients;

 Extra virgin olive oil

 Balsamic vinegar
 Garlic
 Pasta
 Pasta sauce
 Tomatoes
 Oregano
 Capers
 Porcini mushrooms
 Basil
 Italian cheese
 Red/white wine

These ingredients combined together makes up most of the traditional Italian dishes. Italian cuisine
can only be differed through the use of these ingredients. While pasta, sauces, and cheeses are
ubiquitous throughout the country, each region has its own distinct ingredients that have
contributed to Italian cuisine's influence.
Waterzooi

Definition: Waterzooi is a Belgian fish or chicken and vegetable stew made with cream and egg yolks
in a seasoned stock, originated in Flanders. It is commonly prepared with chicken and typically
served with crusty French bread and chopped parsley or chervil on the side.

Main ingredients: Fish or chicken, vegetable broth, egg yolks, cream, parsley, celery, cornstarch,
onion

Waterzooi is one of Belgium's prime soul-soothing dishes, best served boiling hot with a basket of
bread and butter to sop up the delightful broth. In a creamy soup, large chunks of leek, onion, carrot,
and potato float around, with tender morsels of chicken serving as the pièce de résistance. there are
numerous restaurants across the city which offer waterzooi as their signature dish.

Liège waffle

Definition: Belgian traditional liege waffles are a type of waffle produced using yeast dough rather
than batter, as is the case with traditional American waffles. The yeast dough is blended with pearl
sugar, a grainy sugar that caramelizes on the waffle's outside. Pearl sugar is a little lump of sugar that
keeps its shape as the waffles cook, resulting in deliciously crispy sugar bites.

Main ingredients: butter, egg, flour, milk, sugar, yeast, vanilla

The combination of vanilla and butter creates a thick and dense dough that is quite delectable. Most
coffee shops and cafés sell these waffles, as well as stroopwafels (two thinly baked waffles with a
caramel filling in the centre). It is delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Belgian ingredients;

 Potatoes
 Leeks
 Grey shrimp
 White asparagus
 Belgian endives
 Local beer
 Meat
 Cheese
 Butter

Belgian cuisine has a long history of emphasizing regional and seasonal ingredients. Such traditional
ingredients allows the Belgian cuisine to be different from other types of cuisines.
Crevette grise

Definition: The grey shrimp, also known as 'Purus,' is a specialty of the Flemish sea. They are known
as the 'queen of seafood' because they are less than an inch long when peeled, have a greyish-pink
color, and have a stronger flavor than the traditional larger pink shrimps.

Main ingredients: gray shrimp, tomato, lettuce, mayonnaise, scallion

Stuffed tomatoes with lemon juice and mayonnaise, commonly known as 'tomate-crevette,' is a
traditional belgian way to eat them (Tomaat Garnaal). Alternatively, the delicious 'croquette aux
crevettes grises' (shrimp croquette) can also be prepared.