Grandmothers are special people in Italy who are well respected by everyone especially their family members. Italians have a special name that they call all their grandmothers which is nonna.
Alternatively, nonnina can be used as a term of endearment which means “little grandmother.” Sometimes, nonnina can be shortened to nonni, but this is also the plural form of grandparents.
Bisnonna is an Italian name for grandmother while grande-nonna is used to address great-grandmother.
Italian has a beautiful culture that is associated with large, close families, but economic troubles and changing times are altering that model.
Importance of Grandparents in Italian Culture
Extended families are very important in Italian culture, with grandparents and great-grandparents. Adult children are known to be very close to their parents. It is expected of families to eat at least one meal a week together and they also do this on other occasions.
Italians and Italian-Americans are both still predominantly Roman Catholic. Grandparents and other members of the extended family often play significant roles in reinforcing beliefs and religious practices.
Grandparents Day in Italy
Italian grandmothers are celebrated on grandparents day which is a day dedicated, which they call Buona Festa Dei Nonni, since 2005. Grandmothers are celebrated every October 2. On this day or on another date, Italian schools celebrate grandparents day by inviting them to schools, honoured and “feasted.”
It is interesting to know that the official flower of Buona Festa Dei Nonni is the nontiscordardimé, the forget-me-not, which is the same as in the United States. “Thou Shalt” is the official grandparent’s song is solely entitled to them.
The song “Ninna Nonna” is a popular song that is considered to be an unofficial song of Grandparents Day. An to the grandparents who have distinguished themselves with meritorious service are awarded an annual prize—”Il Premio nazionale del nonno e della nonna d’Italia”.