30/08/2020
Per i miei amici non italiani...... I LOVE TRIESTE
Although it has a modest population, Trieste is historically not a provincial city. It became one after its annexation to Italy in 1954. It was the second most important city of the Austrungaric Empire after Vienna and it is worth remembering that the Habsburgs were descendants of the great dynasties of the Holy Roman Empire, from which they inherited : it was therefore the second city of the greatest empire of all time, like it or not. Savoy, Bourbon or Donald Duck which may have been great royal houses in the places you come from, in comparison they were hoes. And if you are French I remind you that "your" dynasties were half Habsburgs.
Trieste is a particular city because it has always been the meeting point between European civilizations and the Slavic ethnic groups, and as if that were not enough it has undergone a great oriental influence as an important trading center of the Silk Road. Do you think you have the Chinese? We the Chinese have had them since the Middle Ages.
In Trieste you will find the second largest synagogue in Europe (before until a few years ago) but also one of the most atrocious cremation facilities of the III Reich, the Risiera.
The largest Greek- and Serbian-Orthodox communities coexist in Trieste, with churches of rare beauty.
Trieste has a very large community (calling it a minority would be at least idiotic) of Slovenian origin and mother tongue: it is not uncommon to enter a shop and hear Slovenian spoken. But there is also the Foiba di Basovizza, one of the largest of the great war.
There is the most majestic square facing the sea that the world knows and the largest (in terms of volume) cave in the world (improperly called grotto).
Trieste is at the bottom of a cul de sac that closes the Adriatic, and is surrounded by hills and mountains: its climate is particular and without speaking of the Bora, which deserves a speech in itself, you can find yourself in December walking in short sleeves in Carso (the hilly hinterland) and in March to watch incredible sunsets over the sea surrounded by snow.
Trieste is the city with the highest concentration of permanent production theaters: two prose theaters, one opera and the Slovenian permanent theater, with an effervescent outline of countless amateur theaters even with real seasons and season tickets.
Trieste is the city where the most daring diving competition is organized. But it is also the city where the Mayor takes part in the most daring diving competition.
At least 4 carnivals are celebrated in Trieste: the most famous, in Muggia, the Karst carnival, the carnival of the districts, city, and the summer carnival, again in Muggia.
Trieste is not a seaside city, rather it is a city with the sea: its traditions have little to do with seafaring life but the story tells of the great trade of its port. Even the food and wine tradition has no fish roots, preferring by far the foods of Austrian character or of the Slovenian tradition.
One of the typical dishes is the pork in the boiler (the porzìna, but not only) in the bread, with mustard and kren (horseradish). It is eaten at all hours, typically from 8 to 20. Be wary of the real triestinity of one who eats it without mustard or kren.
After the war Trieste was under American government: jazz is part of its history, as well as rock. Get over it.
Trieste has always been very rich both in money, thanks to the port and trade, and in culture. When in Italy women did not leave the house, here they were office managers. On the other hand, the Trieste-born loves more having fun - with little and in a healthy and socially acceptable way - than working. Do you need a job done well and economically honest? Anyone from Trieste will tell you “la vadi in friul”.
The motto is “Viva l'A. and a little bon, that you go well, that you go badly, always happy and never passion ": it perfectly embodies the triestinity. THERE. (with the dot) is Austria. Trieste is nostalgic. Maybe detached, but nostalgic. E po 'bon: it is untranslatable, it could be understood as "and everything is fine". "Always happy and never passion": it is clear that the Trieste-born is not a whiner of character.
In essence, he is an indifference to everything, in a cosmic way. But not in a negative sense: he simply needs little, he is satisfied and does not care for the rest. The important thing is to eat and drink in company.
In Trieste there is the largest coffee company in the world. The average Trieste, therefore, is awake. And nervous. He is not angry with you, he is just like that.
In Trieste there is also the headquarters of one of the largest insurance companies in the world. The first online insurance was born in Trieste.
Trieste has always had a great sporting tradition but it is also one of the cities with the highest per capita alcohol purchase ratio. Do not challenge a Trieste. Never. Nor in sports, much less drinking.
In Trieste there are no great meeting places: you go to Barcola, on the seafront, or on the banks. Or in osmizza - we'll come back to this later. Don't expect discos or American bars: you are in the land of festivals. Here people live together, walking, eating and dancing in the open air. Even in winter.
If you learn to drive in Trieste in any other place you are a rally driver.
For a true Trieste, the world ends at Lisert, more or less at the height of the motorway exit. Anything beyond Lisert is alien. Work, for example (see “la vadi in friul”).
It is also quite common to see dialogues like (translated into Italian):
- Are we going to eat fish in Staranzano? [40 km, but it is beyond Lisert]
- Up there? No, give it best to Porec! [60km, in Croatia and you have to cross Slovenia first]
The Trieste-born will know how to lead you through the most hidden streets of Istria but will never be able to extricate himself from roundabouts and crossroads of the beyond-Lisert. If you are in a car with someone who orientates you, have some doubts about his real triestinity.
Trieste has an incredible liveliness especially theatrical and the Trieste is a delight. What makes you think that you won't find anything to eat after the theater or, in any case, late in the day?
The Triestine is whiny. He complains about everything, especially from Trieste. Obviously don't touch Trieste.
If you think you have seen a wild boar strolling quietly near the center, you have probably seen a wild boar strolling quietly near the center. The people of Trieste complain that there are too many wild boars and that the city is overrun and then take selfies with them to prove it.
