ITALIAN UNIFICATION DAY -- 150 YEARS

Don't be mad at me for this. It's Unification Day in Italy and I feel compelled to report the event. Unification took place in 1861, 150 years ago. Today, in celebration, flags fly, parades march, politicians warble, but there is absolutely no national zeal.

This is the Garibaldian badge, Garibaldi being the man who brought about unification. It is in a tiny little folder tied up with silk ribbon. Written on the cover in a Victorian hand are the words: Garibaldian badge. Sardinian colours. Naples, September 1860. This was six months before unification took place. The badge is hand sewn and made of silk and velvet.
Badge cover.

Shortly after unification, a 19th Century statesman said, "We have made a country. Now we have to make Italians." This has yet to be achieved 100%.

What springs to your mind when you hear the word, "Italy?" Pasta and pizza? Cheery music? Great art? Big families? The mafia? Designer clothes, shoes and handbags? Sun? Whatever it is, I'll bet you think Italians are all pretty much of a muchness except, perhaps for the mafia.

Not quite right. Those in the South Tyrol, now called Alta Adige, want to be Austrians again. They don't want to speak Italian and there is weinerschnitzel and wurst on the menus. There is a separatist movement in the north headed by a man who could bring down Berlusconi any time he wanted. He doesn't want.

Sicily has echos of its Saracen past. Sardinians speak Sardo, a recognised language. People from different cities can have trouble understanding each other. Tuscans speak most clearly and with the best accent.

Italy was once all city states. The languages spoken were many and dialect persists today. It isn't even regional dialects, it is valley to valley. My limited Italian is peppered with dialect words from this valley. Himself uses dialect words from a different valley because the man to whom he speaks most is from there.

Be that as it may, Italians will understand the lingo foreigners learn from language tapes and classes. They will be very pleased and flattered that anybody even tried.

Food varies wildly. Tuscan food is dead plain. Sicilian food is bright and spicy. Venetian is sophisticated. Even ravioli filling varies from region to region. Mostly, it's good everywhere.

Italy is united only by football and by war. Today's celebration isn't going to change that but cheers to Italy, anyway. Tanti auguri! Happy St. Patrick's Day, too. The flags have he same colours.

For the record: 12 C Fog and rain, Day 5. Humidity 82%