Who’s that pizza named after?
Feb | 05
In 1889 the king and queen of Italy, in a bid to seem closer to their subjects, invited pizza maker Raffaele Esposito to the royal palace outside of Naples to make them pizzas. Esposito turned out three different types: one with... Read More
Carnevale on both shores!
Feb | 05
This past weekend Umbra Institute students headed out for the traditional Italian Carnival (carnevale) celebrations. Most Americans think of Venice as the obvious destination -- and indeed the city has been the spot for carnival celebrations since the Grand... Read More
Martedi Grasso on Corso Vannucci
Feb | 05
With Martedì Grasso (Fat Tuesday) yesterday, Carnevalecame to an end. Children and adults alike celebrated during the day and night by wearing costumes, masks, and painting their faces. Last weekend, some fortunate Umbra students even found themselves at the celebration’s epicenter,... Read More
Photo of the Month Winner
Feb | 05
Congrats to Jayne Wilhem from the University of New Hampshire for her winning photo taken in Venice! Jayne will enjoy a free meal from Quattro Passi Pizzeria! Read More
Pizza = Happiness
Feb | 05
Umbra Institute students (and staff) confirmed this binomial last night at Il Paiolo, a pizzeria located in the historic building where the Perugina chocolate factory had its first small kitchen. Il Paiolo had to run two pizzaioli(pizza maker/bakers) to keep up... Read More
Literary Anthology Reading At Argentina
Feb | 05
"Writing is hard work," quipped Hemingway famously. Yesterday was a chance, though, for the students of Professor Cynthia Clough's "Italy of the Imagination" creative non-fiction course to relax, and to listen. The twice-yearly Umbra Institute literary anthology reading was last... Read More