First thing in the morning, when I live Civita di Bognoregio, I wake up, I dress up and go to the nearest Coffee Shop. It is a 2 minute walk down the street. Friends with whom I meet every morning are already there. We each have an espresso each and a croissant, of course. With cigarette we discuss morning news and rumors. We say “Bongiorno!” to everyone who passes by but they can barely hear us as the clutter starts early in the morning and never stops here. Maybe in the midday. After this morning ritual I go to my local craft shop. Whether I sell cookies or pottery doesn’t matter because the work day is the same.

I live on a hill that is only 300 years old. People's abuse of the old place - connected with Bognoregio - caused an enormous downfall. The soft soil slides down the clay base that was formed 300 000 years ago. We lost ⅓ of our city and nobody lived there for almost 300 years.

The work day starts not that early and not that late – around 8:30 AM. First things – a little clean-up, first customer in a rush, then – peaceful job. In the first part of the day there are not that many clients, they are doing their own businesses. This time I can devote myself to production. However, around midday it is different – tourists have woken up, locals have lunch break. Rush is going on. About an hour later – nobody again. Pennichella is going on. This time also may be dedicated to creating some new products. As the workday goes to an end, the customers are returning. However, they need to hurry, as I won’t work for that long. Everybody knows how important my time with my relatives is, so I can do my job when I want, make a little enough money and nobody will ask me for more.

In the afternoon I meet with my family – spouse, children, grandparents and close friends, and have a great dinner with them. It’s a tradition – my parents did so, so do I. Later I do some leisure time activities – read a book, a newspaper, or watch a movie, or have a talk. The day is complete and I can go to bed.

Jānis Drelings, Rihards Azarevičs, Marta Raupe, Viktorija Vasiļjeva

   What we are going to do here? How will the lectures go? Will there be good places to eat? With these questions we arrived to Montefiascone, because is very little information about this city on the Internet. But all our questions disappeared after walking around the city. We found the places to eat cheap and tasty and places with good view on city. It was very nice to see people walking around the street, smiling and saying hello. City feels small and cozy, just like our hometown Daugavpils in Latvia.

   In truth, Italian cities have their own atmosphere, which make us want to go back there again. The problem is that the city is not popular among tourists, but tourists are a good way how to earn money to restore old buildings and build a new ones. To solve this problem people can make instagram account of school, where others will be able to see achievements of school. The same situation with restaurants and other activities, social networks are a good way to popularize the city.

   People in Italy are trying in every possible way to preserve the history of their country. It is the ancient riches of Italy that attract tourists, people there are trying in every possible way to protect their history. For example, we visited the winery "Antica Cantina Leonardi", which is famous for its wine Est!Est!!Est!!!. The winery is running by the 4th generation of this family, they still keep the special atmosphere of their ancestors.

   People there love their country very much, they are insanely reverent and emotional about it. When we watched a video dedicated to Italy at one of the lessons, one girl started to cry, which perfectly shows the love for the country. In some places, people are slowly accepting innovations, for example, people have only recently begun to pay with cards or do not consider it necessary to learn English. In the village of Montefiascone, where we lived, despite the fact that it was small, there were a large number of small coffee houses and restaurants, people there are very proud of their cuisine and try to make money on it.

   In general, it was very pleasant to visit not only the tourist cities of Italy, but also those in which the spirit of ancient Italy was preserved. The project gives us the opportunity to communicate with foreigners and study the history of other countries. In a short amount of time we learned quite a lot of interesting things about the history and culture of this city, as well as met interesting people. We would gladly return to this city outside the project.

Evelina Prokofjeva, Justīne Madara Širina,

Svetlana Kirillova, Jana Bulavska

Imagine waking up one morning as a resident of a small Italian town, surrounded by the enchanting beauty of Viterbo, Montefiascone, Bolsena, or the village of Civita. These towns are not only known for their picturesque landscapes but also for their strong cultural identity, which is deeply rooted in the rich history and traditions of Italy. However, like many small towns across the world, they face the challenges posed by climate change, which have brought about significant changes in their way of life.

Cultural identity plays a vital role in the small Italian towns, serving as a thread that weaves the fabric of their existence. Montefiascone, a town located in the province of Viterbo, is renowned for its historic buildings, such as the stunning Rocca dei Papi, a fortress that dates back to the 12th century. The town is also famous for its wine, particularly the Est! Est!! Est!!!, which has been produced for centuries. The people of Montefiascone take great pride in their local traditions, including annual festivals that celebrate their wine, food, and music.

Similarly, Bolsena, situated on the shores of Lake Bolsena, boasts a strong cultural heritage. The town is home to the Basilica di Santa Cristina, a magnificent church that houses the relics of Saint Cristina, the patron saint of Bolsena. The religious processions and events held in honor of the saint are deeply ingrained in the town's cultural fabric. Additionally, Bolsena hosts the Bolsena Summer School, an annual event that attracts artists and intellectuals from all over the world, fostering a vibrant cultural exchange.

Viterbo, the capital city of the province, is another small Italian town teeming with cultural riches. Its medieval quarter, known as San Pellegrino, transports visitors to a bygone era with its narrow streets, ancient palaces, and beautiful churches. The town's most famous event, the "Macchina di Santa Rosa," is a breathtaking procession that takes place every September, showcasing a towering structure adorned with lights and carried through the streets by a team of strong men. This event commemorates the patron saint of Viterbo and is an integral part of the city's cultural identity.

The village of Civita, perched on a rocky outcrop, is a testament to the resilience of Italian culture. The village, with its unique architecture and narrow pedestrian bridge connecting it to the mainland, is a living museum. Its preservation efforts and dedication to maintaining its historical integrity have earned it a place on UNESCO's World Heritage list. Civita, though small in size, attracts tourists from around the world who come to witness its timeless beauty and experience the tranquility of its streets.

However, these small Italian towns are not immune to the effects of climate change. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and changes in rainfall patterns have disrupted their traditional way of life. Agriculture, a significant part of the local economy, has been affected by shifting growing seasons and water scarcity. Wine production in Montefiascone and fishing in Bolsena have experienced fluctuations due to alterations in lake temperatures and fish populations.

In response to these challenges, the small Italian towns have adapted their strategies to preserve their cultural heritage while embracing sustainability. Efforts are being made to promote eco-tourism, showcasing the beauty of the natural surroundings and encouraging visitors to engage in environmentally friendly practices. The towns have also invested in renewable energy sources and implemented initiatives to reduce carbon emissions.

Cultural places such as museums, art galleries, and historical sites have played a crucial role in the development of these towns. They not only attract tourists but also serve as educational hubs for locals, fostering a sense of pride and appreciation for their heritage.

Evita Gorenko, Elīna Mukāne, Katrīna Eva Millere

As participants in the Erasmus+ project, we are excited to share a day in our life as residents of Montefiascone, a small Italian town nestled in the region of Lazio. Montefiascone is a town rich in history, culture, and tradition, and we feel fortunate to call it our home. How do we imagine our day as residents of Montefiascone?

Our day begins with a leisurely stroll through the town's narrow, winding streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the local community. We stop to chat with each other and our neighbors, practicing our Italian language skills and learning about the town's history and traditions.

Next, we visit one of the local markets to pick up some fresh produce for the day. The markets in Montefiascone are a feast for the senses, with colorful fruits and vegetables, artisanal cheeses, and freshly baked pieces of bread on display. We speak with the vendors, learning about their farming practices and the local food culture.

After lunch, we might take a siesta, following the Italian tradition of taking a midday nap to recharge for the rest of the day. In the late afternoon, we might head out for a walk or a hike in the surrounding countryside, enjoying the beautiful scenery and fresh air.

In the evening, we meet up with friends for an aperitivo, sampling local cocktails and small plates of traditional Italian cuisine. Later, we might enjoy dinner at a local trattoria, savoring the flavors of the region and the camaraderie of the local community.

Through our day in Montefiascone, we are able to experience the rich culture, traditions, and sense of community that define this small Italian town. As participants in the Erasmus+ project, we are excited to share our experiences with others and to learn about the cultural traditions of other small towns throughout Europe. By fostering cultural exchange and understanding, we can build a stronger and more inclusive community, both locally and globally.

Written by Krista, Anete, Ariāna and Luīze