The language and culture of bella Italia will be celebrated during a 10-week course in conversational Italian starting in the Baakens Valley next week.
The classes, to be held at popular Remo’s Italian Restaurant in Alabaster Street, offer an opportunity to learn this beguiling and beautiful Latin language through food, culture and music.
Participants will also learn how to face typical situations they might encounter while travelling in Italy.
“We decided to give Italian classes due to many requests from our patrons – either those going to Italy on holiday or coming from an Italian heritage but unable to speak the language,” says Michelle Puggia of Remo’s.
“Being Italian, and getting a few Italian visitors to our restaurant, we thought it would be a great idea. We are passionate about Italy and our heritage, food and music.”
Puggia says the classes will be interactive and fun, focussing on basic vocabulary and communication skills to help participants who might be travelling to Italy on holiday.
“We mentioned the idea to Franca Vezzalini, who already offers conversational lessons in Port Elizabeth, and she was very excited to help us with the lessons at Remo’s.
“Franca was born in Somalia, a former Italian colony. Her parents were from Bologna in Italy and she studied at the University in Perugia.
“Her son, Cedric Vandenschrik, who now lives on the Italian island of Sardinia, comes home every few months and agreed to assist as well with a lesson done to music.”
Vandenschrik’s girlfriend, Manuela Borsato, who was born in Venice and now lives in Sardinia, will be doing the first few lessons on cooking Italian food, Puggia says.
“The rest of the course will help you on your way – tips on how and where to buy bus or train tickets; how to shop at the markets or how to order in a restaurant; places of interest to visit; what to do and what not to do. All in Italian, of course!”
Borsato is a passionate cook who recently started a healthy living blog at mavitasana.com
Vandenschrik is well known in the Bay as a performer and show producer. He lived in the Italian capital, Rome, for six years, and is proficient in both French and Italian.
“The idea came out of the need for informal conversational Italian classes with a lot of fun thrown in,” Vandenschrik says. “Italy is always associated with food, hence the idea of starting with this and grabbing the opportunity while Manuela is visiting.”
Classes will be held every Monday, starting on March 4, from 6 to 8pm. The cost is R250 a class or R2,000 for the full 10-week course. Light suppers will also be served in typical Italian family style.
For more information and bookings, contact 060-998-0789.