They have a great history. They were tramped over by every European power, every plague and every misfortune, yet still managed to produce the best of food, music, painting, craftsmanship and sculpture.
They’re not a country or a people in any unified sense of the world or word. They’re a bunch of parishes and principalities who lord their own particular speciality over their neighbours’ own particular speciality. It’s a mentality born out of trauma, love, the need to survive, pride and the urge to be the absolute best. Napoleon fucked up their guild system and the best of what they had to offer. The prick. Then left wing politics finished the job and twisted the knife in ways that philistines and dilettantes can’t appreciate.
At their best they showed the world how to trade, build, play and pray. A great bunch of lads.
In terms of culture they put the Irish in the ha’penny place.
Slag the Italians again and I’ll puncicate you.
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