Mirtilli Morgana, Sonia Beretta

365 Italian Festivals in 90 Seconds
Language, Culture, and Everyday Traditions in a Visual Journey
Objective
To offer language learners and educators a daily, engaging glimpse into Italy's rich cultural heritage through short, accessible video clips — one for each day of the year.

Structure

• 365 video clips (approx. 90 seconds each)
• One festival per video, from all regions of Italy
• Focus on folk traditions, local culture, daily life, and seasonal events
• Includes not only festival scenes but also glimpses of everyday rural life — traditional clothing, village settings, and rituals.
  ➡️ These clips show that Italian culture is not only about "high art," but is also deeply rooted in daily customs, small communities, and shared traditions.

Educational Resources

• Each video is accompanied by a narrative text (120–130 words)
• Ideal for listening, reading, and cultural comparison
• Can be used as a starting point for conversation, writing, and interdisciplinary activities
  ➡️ Texts are crafted with clear, expressive language — perfect for both comprehension and active language production.

Multimedia Elements

• Real-life images and watercolor/oil-style illustrations: Artistic scenes alternate with real footage — landscapes, towns, festivals, and traditional costumes — offering a unique aesthetic that stimulates imagination and storytelling.
• Authentic regional folk music: Traditional instruments and melodies enhance emotional depth and cultural immersion.
• Warm, engaging narration in Italian: The voiceover uses accessible vocabulary and a natural rhythm, ideal for non-native learners.
  ➡️ A visually and aurally rich format that supports digital learning and keeps students emotionally connected.

Methodological Approach

• Learner-centered: stimulates curiosity and personal engagement
• Encourages intercultural awareness through comparison with students' own cultures
• Supports the philosophy:
  ➡️ Travel to learn and learn to travel

Classroom Use

• Perfect for daily use in language or culture classes
• Flexible: can fit into 5-minute warm-ups or full thematic lessons
• Encourages interaction, reflection, and exploration
  ➡️ Teachers can ask reflective questions such as:
  • "Is there a similar festival in your country?"
  • "What traditional clothing is used in your culture?"
  • "Do you know any similar music or dances?"
  These questions promote cultural comparison and intercultural awareness, in line with a student-centered, curiosity-driven methodology.