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Lesson Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Italy Series at ItalianPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Italian holidays and observances. I’m Becky, and you're listening to Season 1 Lesson 11, Father’s Day.
In Italy, just as there's a day for mothers, there's a day for fathers — called Father's Day, of course. Since Italy is a country with Catholic traditions, this festival corresponds with the day of St. Joseph, the father of Jesus, and is observed on March 19.
In this lesson we’ll talk about how fathers are celebrated in Italy.
Now, before we go into more detail, we’ve got a question for you- Do you know what other word Tuscan children use to address their fathers?
If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening.
Like Mother's Day, Father's Day was established in Italy just after World War II, following the example of the United States. In Italy, however, the festival existed long before as the feast of St. Joseph, and was especially celebrated in the places where St. Joseph was commemorated as the patron saint.
One of the most special and ancient traditions of this celebration, especially found in Sicily and Puglia, are the large “tables of St. Joseph.” For example, in Enna, as in many other parts of Sicily, families lay out splendid tables full of sumptuous bread, pasta, seasonal vegetables, sweets and above all, oranges. Anyone visiting those houses can eat whatever they want.
Some traditional Father’s Day sweets are common throughout Italy. The very tasty zeppola, for example, are sweets similar to fried bignè and covered with custard. The most common practice is for children to give a small gift as a token of appreciation to their father, and a tray full of donuts is a popular gift as it can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Recently in Italy, people have been using a new word- mammo. It’s used to indicate a new kind of father, one who takes care of the children and does everything that was traditionally done by only women in Italy, for example, cooking, ironing and cleaning.
Now it's time to answer our quiz question-
Do you know what other word Tuscan children use to address their father?
They call him babbo. For example, Pinocchio, a character of Tuscan origin, called his father babbo.
Well listeners, how was this lesson? Did you learn something new?
In your country, is there a festival dedicated to fathers?
Please leave a comment telling us at ItalianPod101.com.
See you next time!

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