Italian Update
BUONGIORNO!
Salve a tutti! (Hello everyone!).
Mamma Mia!! I can’t believe that we are already half way through the first term… time is just passing by velocemente (quickly)! I hope that your child/ren is/are coming home telling you what they are learning/revising in Italiano so far this term. 🙂
In today’s newsletter, I have written about 2 different sporting events that have an Italian connection, one way or another. (Grade 5/6 ‘s are also currently learning about the first article below)...
Le Olimpiadi Invernali 2026, (Winter Olympics)
Now that the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano/Cortina have finished (domenica il 22 febbraio), I thought it would be nice to report back where both Italy and Australia came in the final rankings as individual countries (if you don’t know already). 😀I’d also like to say complimenti to both countries, as they achieved personal bests as a nation this year…
Italia came 4th overall and achieved the most medals and golds won in a single Winter Games for its country.
Italia ha vinto (won) dieci, (10) medaglie d’oro🥇, sei (6) medaglie d’argento🥈 e quattordici (14) medaglie di bronzo🥉. Bravissimi!! 👏
Australia came 14th which is fantastico, since we are a country surrounded by water and have minimal snow, compared to our European and North American neighbours, (granted that most of our winter athletes train overseas). 🏔️🏂⛷️🎿
Australia ha vinto (won) tre, (3) medaglie d’oro🥇, due (2) medaglie d’argento🥈 e una medaglia di bronzo🥉. Complimenti!! 👏
If you watched La Cerimonia di Chiusura (the Closing Ceremony), you would have noticed that it was held in the Arena di Verona, an ancient amphitheatre in the Northern Italian city of Verona. Many open-air concerts, operas and shows have been held in this arena. I have been lucky enough to visit Verona (which is close to Venezia) and have also had the pleasure of watching an open air opera called Aida in this arena. There are a number of ancient amphitheatres throughout Italy, the largest of which we know as il Colosseo (the Colosseum), which is located in Roma and is also the largest in the world!
(The Winter Olympic and Paralympic mascots - Tina e Milo)
If you enjoyed watching some of the 16 different sporting events that were held during the 2 weeks that passed, you are in luck because starting il 6 marzo fine 15 marzo (6th March until 15th March), Le Paralimpiadi Invernali (the Winter Paralympics), will take place. This is where athletes with mobility impairments, amputations, blindness, and cerebral palsy are able to compete in modified winter sporting events. La Cerimonia di Apertura (the Opening Ceremony), will also be held in the Arena di Verona.
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the first Winter Paralympic Games. In bocca al lupo (good luck), to all that are competing starting this coming weekend!
Formula 1
Also, coming up, closer to home, this coming Sunday, 8 marzo (Sunday 8th March), is the beginning of the Formula 1 2026 racing season. Here in Melbourne, you will be able to see many F1 cars racing against each other to gain pole position and win their respective races. I will especially be looking at the Ferrari team and hoping they do well this year! Do you know where the Ferrari originated? Perhaps you could research this? Forza Ferrari!! 🏎️
Until next time…buona settimana a tutti! (Have a good week, everyone, and happy sports viewing.
Signora Rosa 🌹