We the Italians November 16, 2015 - 72 | Page 45

th # 72 •nOvemBER 16 , 2015 On top of a very famous palace in Rome, there is a popular line “A people made of artists, poets, saints, philosophers, scientists and sailors”. The line, thought to celebrate the “Italian Civilization,” remarkably summarizes how often the Italians are seen, and this not necessarily in a positive sense. While this statement does emphasize our most relevant excellence in the arts, it is often misleading and misinterpreted. The myth of today wishes to address one stereotype in particular, “the land of poets” and how it is often perceived abroad and outside the literary Italian community. WE THE ITALIANS | 45 www.wetheitalians.com