What Italy Is

[whatitalyis]

My first post of 2016 is for the friends of this community (and thanks to Davide @dvd_in_technicolor who was an inspiration with this beautiful pic).

Like many beginnings, ours was slow and quiet, believing in this every day: believing in the project, in the existence of another face of Italy, while getting to know each other and learning about this amazing country. All the pictures we published, the stories we told, the voices we heard, read, prepared for you, take root in our group and in the wonder of getting together, everytime making great efforts to meet up from different parts of Italy. Or in the days in which we share important things and even jokes, because being together is our wild card. 

So let's stay human, keep our eyes open and have fun, as a group and as a community!

[whatitalyis]

We don’t know where she’s going. We only know she must be somewhere in Venice. She’s discovering the city or perhaps: she’s wandering. Isn’t it strange that “wandering” and “wondering” sound so similar? This girl is wandering through Venice, wondering where to go. This is a less known part of Venice that’s usually portrayed like it was only Piazza San Marco or the Sospiri bridge. There are many hidden calle or fondamenta in Venice. Tourists don’t usually walk there. There are many hidden places in this city: you can find them just wandering and being prepared to wonder. And to be surprised by this city that’s like a maze. You get lost in a maze, and then you find yourself. Just let it go. Let Venice go. 

The girl is Elisa - @lilylyle: she’s an athlete and track&field coach, she’s 26 and she likes to wander, wondering.

[whatitalyis]

Today I'd like to introduce you Vadim @madebyvadim, an interactive Art Director & Digital Producer: 

“Italy is one of my favorite country. It has a deep and interesting history it has beautiful cities, amazing mountains, awesome valley and…cool people. As always areal shots are so fascinated because you never knew what to expect and what you see from the air. This one was taken in Dolomites  which is my favorite mountains.”

[whatitalyis]

I was so lucky Instagram gave me the opportunity to meet beautiful and talented people like Valentina (@valentinahortus). I asked her to tell us about her relationship with Italy, as well as about how her personal story is connected with the passion for food and nutrition and the choice to become a vegetarian.

She told me: "My photos, and my blog, were born from trying to nurse some scars. I was bruised from having to leave the US and from realizing that Illustration was not a good career path for me anymore. In addition to that, my health problems related to micro-cystic ovaries were getting worse. I found myself in a dark place, and my blog was a way to "light a match" in the darkness. I realized that I never fully understood, nor cared for, my own country. I had discovered vegetarianism and healthy eating in New York and, as it slowly but surely improved my health issues, I decided that it was worth exploring plant-based food in our own mediterranean diet, and I felt like I had found a trove full of treasure.”

I also asked her to define her immediate future with a word : "I’d say ‘busy’: I want to be busy, and I love to be busy. I cannot really stay for too long without my camera. It is like dried glue on my skin: no matter how much you try to scrape it off, there are always some bits that keep sticking on.

[whatitalyis]

Two years ago I started a new path. A journey made of wonderful people, stories and photos. An experience called #whatitalyis. In these two years, we showed the brightest side of Italy and everything was possible thanks to your photos, your stories. This project is a dream and you make it come true everyday. Thank you all and happy bday, #whatitalyis! #twoyearsofyou Posted by @lafici_

[whatitalyis]

A few months ago I joined a team of great people engaged in a collective project called #whatitalyis. Today we are celebrating its second birthday, but I realized that between a wedding and a babygirl, working and moving and traveling across the country, I never really thought of #whatitalyis for me. This picture was taken in my hometown, along the Ionian sea. As so many people born in southern Italy, I left my home and family a long time ago and never went back. I studied in Florence, Barcelona and New York and pursued a career in translation. But if I think of my life as a building, that's the place where it all began, that's my cornerstone, there on the beach, facing the blue sea, letting the white light and fresh air sharpen my thoughts, starting with the humblest of materials: just a few reeds found along the seaside. That's Italy for me, or at least what I'd like it to be: roots and passion and constant growing. Happy birthday #whatitalyis! Posted by @soltantochiara

[whatitalyis]

Two years and a lot of satisfaction. This is#AlpeDevero, a small village with a lot of beauty around. The perfect conparison with the#whatitalyisteam: a large family with all the beauty of Italy to tell. Yo! #twoyearsofyou Posted by @inanutshell

[whatitalyis]

I left home 18 years ago. 18 years of life without my mother, my aunts, my grandmothers. The kitchen is the common thread that unites us, even if we are far away. It's the story of several generations. My culture. Today is the birthday of #WhatItalyIs our birthday: a wonderful human group, an archive of Italian life that we try to show you and tell about. Today I'm also more proud of yesterday. So, happy birthday, @whatitalyis#twoyearsofyou Posted by @donatellase

[whatitalyis]

I already knew that Italy is one of the most beautiful country in the world, but thank to What Italy Is and the stories it's been telling for the last 2 years, I discovered how much it is beautiful. Wii discovered hidden places, people and traditions and put them under a spotlight, for the good of the whole country and the world. Proud and happy to be part of this beautiful thing called What Italy Is. Happy second birthday! #TwoYearsOfYou Posted by @mpietropoli

[whatitalyis]

What Italy is • The magic land •#whatitalyis It's not easy speaking about you Italy, that's why we try to tell about you through real stories, as you are made by them! A great honor for me to be a part of@whatitalyis > Happy birthday <✌️>#TwoYearsOfYou < Posted by @roccorossitto

[whatitalyis]

Happy birthday @whatitalyis! I'm so proud to be part of this wonderful project and be constantly thrilled by every single story shared with us. Thank you all! w/ love Marta @lamartamilanese #WhatItalyIs #TwoYearsOfYou

[whatitalyis]

{ What Italy Is } • From the best lookout I've found on Lake Garda - North of Italy - I still trust in Italy, the country where I was born, hope it will be able to work on Beauty. Every single human could do it.

Our editorial project is focused on this purpose. Telling true stories about the beauty and hope in this country, through the talent and genius of those who experience it.

Happy - 2nd - Birthday to all of you. ‪#‎WhatItalyIs‬ ‪#‎TwoYearsOfYou‬

With Love // Simone - @brahmino

[whatitalyis]

For me, Italy continues to be the constant discovery of people, places, traditions and why not...great food. In these 2 years of @whatitalyis I read amazing stories and "observed" places that over and over again made me think “awesome”. "Beauty will save the world," someone once said. I believe it. Happy bday #whatitalyis #twoyearsofyou Photo, story and <3 by @masinutoscana

[whatitalyis]

My mom used to make this cake for breakfast. It was perfect to be soaked into the "Caffellatte". It’s a cake of Emilian tradition, made with poor elements, dating back to the time when the desserts were a luxury for special occasions or religious festivities. My father used to call it "brazadèla” and that name always makes me laugh, even now! So, that’s the sense of the entire#whatitalyis project for me: through your words and photos I can discover all those deep ties that bind us, those memories that make us smile and allow to rediscover a sense of belonging, sometimes forgotten. Happy B day #whatitalyis, w/love Cinzia / @cuordicarciofo

[whatitalyis]

The Vatican Museums, located within the city's boundaries, display works from the immense collection built up by the Popes throughout the centuries, including some of the most renowned classical sculptures and the most important masterpieces of Renaissance art in the world. Davide (@il_mastromatto) takes us there with his beautiful shot. I asked him to tell me something about his life and it turned out he was born and raised in Palermo, and he is very proud of it. He also loves to travel a lot, while discovering our country's beautiful places. On these trips he especially likes to capture monuments and historic sites, as if he wanted to own the history of the city he is visiting. After several "not so good” work experiences, Davide had to reinvent himself. He tells me: "Thanks to photography, I managed to get back in the game and a hobby became a job: now I’m a photographer for some football associations, parties and events. I wouldn’t never expected something like this until three years ago, and instead photography literally changed my life.” I also asked him to define his immediate future with a word, and he said: photography. He explained: "I believe this art represents the evolution: it encompasses many different worlds, such as a part of a social network. And it’s precisely within this social aspect that today everyone can show their talent.”

[whatitalyis]

Samee - @samsette - is a freelance digital designer and photographer. She has been living in London for the last two years and before decidedly returning to live in Australia, she and her boyfriend wanted to travel through Italy, from north to south. 

“This photograph was taken on a day trip to Procida, a small island in the Gulf of Naples. We found ourselves forever walking uphill during our time in Italy, always seeking the highest point for the best views of a city or town, and Procida was one of our favourites. Italy is a magical place, full of history and tradition, cultural richness and strong community values. We will miss wandering through its quaint towns and stumbling on family run bakeries; the textures and colours of all the buildings; the people watching; and of course the pizzas. We will be back again though, we know this for sure.”

[whatitalyis]

Andrea - @ilpizzicaluna - is 27 and he’s a graduate in Graphic Design for Business Communication. During the week he works as Art Director and, when he can, he takes some photos. This one in particular was taken in front of the Fontana di Trevi, during the first hours of the morning: thanks to the absence of tourists, Andrea has been able to enjoy its beauty at its best.

“After years of living in the city, I had the pleasure to see this magnificent monument free from any visual impediment, and above all clean and restored, as if it had just been completed by Pannini. Italy is so rich in cultural and historical assets, that if we wanted we could live on tourism. We should learn and understand that when we deface a monument we're destroying a part of our history. At the moment, if I could bring a place back to light, I would choose San Berillo, an historical area of Catania that is completely abandoned and forgotten by its citizens.”