Another education in Italian history was provided by a local expert to Bridgewater-Raritan High School students.
The students in the Italian classes taught by Giuseppina Bologno and Giuseppina DiMartino again received the lecture of Marco Cortigiani, a distinguished member of the Florentine Organization in the United States and a resident of Basking Ridge, who paid a visit to Bridgewater-Raritan High School on Thursday, March 27.
Mr. Cortigiani delivered a specialized lecture on the Calcio Storico Fiorentino, which is a combination of soccer, rugby and wrestling from 16th-century Florence. The game is still played today in costumes.
He visited Bridgewater-Raritan High School last year when he spoke about the accomplishments of Verrazzano.
According to Italian Teachers Ms. Bologno and Ms. Di Martino, Mr. Cortigiani provided an in-depth exploration of the historical background of "Calcio Storico" in Florence and his lecture served multiple educational purposes.
Ms. Bologno and Ms. DiMartino further detailed his lecture.
In the AP Italian and Culture Class, Mr. Cortigiani offered a comprehensive historical explanation of this game, with a detailed explanation of the Middle Ages and Renaissance cultural relevance. In the 4 Honor, the lecture was adapted to meet the needs of this high-achieving group.
For Level 2 and Level 3 students, he provided appropriate scaffolding techniques to ensure the accessibility of the content for beginning Italian language learners.
The lecture traced the evolution of Calcio Storico Fiorentino from its origins in the Middle Ages to its present-day manifestation. Key points included:
The significance of March 25 as Florence's historical New Year's Day and the Feast of the Annunciation (Ascensione).
Comparison of Calcio Storico rules with those of other sports, highlighting its unique characteristics.
Examination of modern-day celebrations, including color guards, musicians, tambourine performances, and the traditional "crollo del carro" (explosion of the cart).
“The visit by Mr. Marco Cortigiani underscores Bridgewater-Raritan High School's commitment to providing enriching, multicultural educational experiences, enhancing language acquisition and fostering a deeper understanding of global cultures and traditions,’ Ms. Bologno and Ms. DiMartino stated.
They added:
“The Italian department, along with the entire school community, extends its gratitude to Mr. Cortigiani for his invaluable contribution to our students' education. We look forward to future opportunities for cross-disciplinary learning and cultural exchange.”