Pizza as cultural heritage
Members of ItaliAMO underline that pizza is more than just a popular dish. They believe it's a key element of Italian gastronomic culture, so important that the craft of Neapolitan pizza has been included on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List. As those who study Italian culture and language add, pizza has become a symbol of the country.
From Antiquity to the Queen
The origins of pizza can be traced back to ancient times, but as Italianists note, its true fame began in the second half of the 18th century. It was then that Raffaele Esposito created the Margherita pizza in honour of Queen Margherita of Savoy. The queen herself was captivated not only by its taste but also by its symbolism – the green of basil, the white of mozzarella, and the red of tomatoes, the colours of the Italian flag.
One pizza, many faces of Italy
According to ItaliAMO students, there is no single "Italian pizza." Regional differences are enormous. Neapolitan pizza has a thin, soft crust and fluffy edges, while Roman pizza is much crispier thanks to a higher percentage of olive oil. Italians experiment, but – as students note – they do so with moderation and respect for tradition.
Pineapple? This is where the controversy begins
When asked about Hawaiian pizza, the club members respond with a smile but a firm tone. Italians DO NOT ACCEPT it. Students claim that pineapple on pizza is a product of American culture, not Italian. In some Italian pizza places, this item appears on the menu jokingly – at a price many times higher than a classic Margherita. It's a subtle but clear comment.
Strange combinations? Probably not
Pizza with fries or sausage – as they say – is common, especially among children and students. However, in traditional trattorias, the classics reign supreme: margherita, capricciosa, quattro formaggi and diavola. The Italian pizza philosophy is based on the principle “less is more”.
The pizza paradox
An interesting fact pointed out by ItaliAMO members is that Italy isn't the country where the most pizza is eaten. The United States takes first place, and Italy is second. Despite this, pizza remains one of the most recognisable symbols of Italy.
As the Italianists from ItaliAMO's Student Science Club unanimously conclude, pizza is not just a dish, but a story about history, culture and the Italian approach to life, and 17 January is the perfect day to hear this story – preferably at the table. Enjoy!
Source: ItaliAMO Student Science Club, Faculty of Philology, University of Lodz
Edit: Kacper Szczepaniak, Biuro Prasowe UŁ
