Bel Paese is the classical poetical appellative for Italy, meaning the "Beautiful Country" in Italian, due to its mild weather, cultural heritage and natural endowment.
The usage of the term originated in the middle ages, between the most famous usages the ones from Dante and Petrarch:
"del bel paese là dove 'l sì sona,"[1]
"il bel paese
Ch'Appennin parte e 'l mar circonda e l'Alpe"[2]
The term is currently widely used in modern Italian as in other languages as a synonym of Italy, but sometime can be intended slightly ironically[3], and it is commonly used as a term of endearment by members of the Italian diaspora, and it is often used to endorse or promote goods[4] and services[5] both in Italy and abroad.
References
- ^ Inferno, Canto XXXIII, line 80, Dante Alighieri
- ^ Canzoniere, CXLVI, lines 13-14, Petrarch
- ^ "Italy: Farewell to the 'Bel Paese'?". Berg Publishers. 1999. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=CE855BighvAC&lpg=PA231&ots=-4wCus6nzs&dq=Italy%3A%20Farewell%20to%20the%20'Bel%20Paese&pg=PA231#v=onepage&q=&f=false. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
- ^ Bel Paese (cheese)
- ^ "Google results for '"Bel Paese" restaurant'". http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%5C%22bel+paese%5C%22+restaurant. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
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