Italian curiosities: Flying between the mountains with the Angel’s Flight of Basilicata
How would you imagine traveling between two ancient villages perched high in the mountains? Most people think of winding roads or steep hiking trails. But in one remarkable corner of southern Italy, people do it a very different way - by flying. That’s right: no bridges, no tunnels - just a single steel cable stretched across a wide mountain valley...
Italian handcrafts: The Veneto amusement district, ride-making capital of the world
Between the quiet towns of Bergantino and Melara, tucked along the left bank of the Po River in the province of Rovigo, lies one of Italy’s most extraordinary industrial secrets: the Veneto Amusement Ride District. This global hub for amusement ride manufacturing is nestled in the rural heart of Polesine, a land where centuries-old artisanal tradit...
Italian design: The Grapur project, a winning Italian example of teamwork
Italy’s business landscape is famously dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with very few large corporate groups. In such a fragmented environment, collaboration between companies is not just beneficial—it’s essential. By building networks, sharing expertise, and increasing their collective scale, Italian businesses can better co...
What's up with WTI: Editorial # 189
Dear friends, Even in this July 2025 editorial, I’m thrilled to share lots of exciting news with you. First up, our cover story, something big is coming to Atlanta, Georgia, this September. We the Italians, through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Italia America Reputation Lab (IARL), is proud to partner in the first-ever Made in Italy Expo in the “Big...
Italian flavors: Taranto and its black gold. The story of the cozza tarantina
Taranto, often called the queen of Magna Graecia, is a city rich in history and art. Founded by the Spartans in the 8th century BCE, it was one of the most important city-states of the ancient world. Even today, its geography is unique, as it is surrounded by two bodies of water—the Mar Piccolo (Small Sea) and the Mar Grande (Big Sea)—precious trea...
Italian handcrafts: The hidden legacy in Leonardo’s masterpiece and the story of Perugian tablecloths
How many times have you looked at Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper? It’s one of the most studied and admired works of art in history. But there’s a detail that most people miss. Right at the center of the table, beneath the hands of Christ and his disciples, lies a white tablecloth adorned with delicate geometric patterns. While it might seem like a...
Italian land and nature: The quartz shores of Is Arutas in Sardinia
Is Arutas Beach stretches for several kilometers, featuring crystal-clear waters that range in color from emerald green to deep blue. It’s famously known as the “rice grain beach” because it’s made up of tiny grains of quartz, which shimmer in shades of pink, green, and pure white. Is Arutas - along with nearby beaches like Mari Ermi and Punta Maim...
Italian design: Arnaldo Pomodoro, between art, design, and architecture
On June 22, 2025, on the eve of his 99th birthday, Arnaldo Pomodoro passed away in Milan. The renowned sculptor, originally from Romagna, stood out as a figure of profound depth and distinctive originality in both the Italian and international contemporary cultural scenes. Pomodoro’s work resists easy classification within any specific artistic mov...
Italian territories: Marsica, a land of history, nature, and heritage in the heart of Abruzzo
Nestled in the interior of the Abruzzo region, Marsica is a historically rich area named after the ancient Italic people known as the Marsi, who inhabited the region as far back as the first millennium BCE. This mountainous zone was once centered around Lake Fucino and its surrounding lands. The name "Marsica" comes from the Latin adjective Marsicu...
Italian art: Giacomo Serpotta's baroque
Talking about the Italian Baroque often feels too broad—and sometimes oversimplified. While Baroque architecture can be found in every region of Italy, each area has its own distinct interpretation, with unique details that unmistakably reflect the local identity. Cities like Rome, Lecce, Naples, and Venice are the most iconic examples of this styl...
Made in Italy Expo to spotlight Italian innovation and industry in the Southeast
This September 2025, a piece of Italy is coming to Georgia—and not just the kind you eat, wear, or dream about during your next vacation. The Made in Italy Expo is planting its flag in Atlanta, and with it comes a renewed sense of pride, purpose, and presence for Italian creativity, craftsmanship, and industry in the heart of the Southeastern Unite...
Italian street food: Gofri and Miasse, Piedmont’s traditional waffles
In the valleys and mountains of Piedmont, long before street food became a trend, locals were already preparing their own rustic, portable snacks. These came in the form of crispy, thin waffles made from simple ingredients like cornmeal, buckwheat, or wheat flour, depending on the area. Known by different names - miasse in Biella and Canavese, miac...