L'Italo-Americano

www.italoamericano.org 8 THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2020 L'Italo-Americano D u r i n g t h o s e first, drama- t i c d a y s o f l o c k d o w n b a l c o n i e s became, for a large number of Italians, the sole place to experience human con- tact. Stepping outside on that small, reassuring out- door corner of our home was the closest thing to our former life we had: we could see the streets, we could meet our neighbors, we could even sip a coffee in compagnia, all within the safety given by height and distance. On our bal- conies, there was no risk of infection. As creative and r o m a n t i c a s w e a r e , w e soon took to them to sing, party and to show affection and respect for frontline workers, inaugurating a t r e n d t h a t w a s t o b e e m b r a c e d b y t h e w h o l e world. During those frighte- ning months, we discove- red again how special and important these extensions o f o u r h o m e s c a n b e , something we perhaps had forgotten, as busy as we were with our always-onli- ne, always-plugged in pre- Covid 19 lives. I f y o u l o o k c l o s e l y a t Italy's social and cultu- ral history, however, if you look closely at the way o u r g r a n d p a r e n t s l i v e d , b a l c o n i e s a p p e a r o n c e again in all their glorious beauty and centrality. In Italy, balconies — and terraces, when you have enough space — are just as common as living rooms, they are every family's per- sonal tie with the world outside, with the neigh- b o r h o o d a n d t h e c i t y . Balconies are a little slice of reality, without any of the stress, the risks and the demands of it. They help feel less lonely, because on them you are part of life again, even when misfortu- ne, illness or quarantine f o r c e y o u a w a y f r o m everything and everyone. O u r g r a n d p a r e n t s knew a thing or two more t h a n w e d o a b o u t t h e beauty of "balcony life." During the Summer, my grandmother would always suggest to sit outside and "prendere il fresco" (enjoy some fresh, evening air) with her after dinner: we would sit there, looking at t h e s k y a n d p l a y i n g o l d word-guessing games. And the air was, indeed, fresh and fragrant, the feeling one of protection and cozi- ness that could only belong to home. But balconies in Italy are a l s o a h a p p y , c h e e r f u l extension of our kitchens: if you have one big enough for a table and a couple of chairs, then they can turn into a place to prep dinner, a corner to have aperitivo or coffee and, of course, the best dining hall you can f i n d i n t o w n . A l l t h i s d u r i n g t h e S u m m e r , o f course, when the whether is gentle and light graces our days for longer. A s q u i n t e s s e n t i a l l y Italian — Mediterranean, I should say — as they may appear, saying they are an Italian invention would not b e f a i r . V i t t o r i a Traverso recently publi- shed a fascinating article o n t h e B B C T r a v e l M a g a z i n e d e d i c a t e d t o their history, where it turns out they really go a long Balconies are much more than an extra room in the house, they are our connection with the world (Photo: Dreamstime) Here's why balconies are a real piece of Italian life FRANCESCA BEZZONE Continued to page 10 LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE

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