Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Friuli-Julian Venice), Friûl in the regional language, and also abbreviated to Friuli or FVG, is the autonomous region in the northeast of Italy. On the external borders are Austria and Slovenia, on the Italian side it is surrounded by Veneto. The capital of the region is Trieste (Trieste), the other important places are Gorizia, Udine and Pordenone.

These 4 cities are namesakes of the 4 provinces that make up the region and their administrative centers. Udine has a special position. Due to its central location, the city is the economic center and carries more weight in everyday life than the official capital Trieste. And her university also scores better in comparison lists. Last but not least, the inhabitants of Trieste are not considered real Fûrlan.

In addition to Italian, Fûrlan is officially the second language, which is taught in all schools up to and including secondary school. It is sung, published, films made and political in it. Fûrlan has a number of variants, both within and outside the region. It is closely related to the dialect in southeastern Veneto and also to the regional language in northwestern Slovenia. Similar to the similarity between the Plat in East Groningen and the Ostfries, just across the border in Germany.

The origin of the Fûrlan is hybrid and it is basically related to the Ladin of Alto-Adige and Romansh from Switzerland. It has gone its own way as a regional language, comparable to the difference between Dutch and Afrikaans. Influenced by passing peoples, the many regional contacts and regularly shifting borders, Celtic, Slavic, German, Latin and also contemporary Italian can be recognized.

In culinary terms, there are a number of special dishes and products, with the common denominator being the cucina povera, each with its own story. To name a few: pitina, a raw smoked 'sausage ball' of finely chopped meat with wild herbs and covered with cornmeal. Brovada, sour turnips inlaid in the marc that is left to ferment after pressing the grapes (also used to distill grappa). Muset, a tender salsicce made from the snout of the pig. And everything always served with polenta, boiled or fried.

There are also many pearls in the wine field. Often too small to be able to have a lot of export, but certainly no less quality. On the contrary, many wineries are small-scale family businesses. They grow a few local varieties with love and largely organically, which they know everything about. And with great care, dedication and tranquility, beautiful wines are bottled. An important partnership of a number of good small wineries is, for example, EnoPordenone.

In terms of nature, sports and culture, Friuli-Venezia Giulia has everything at hand: mountains for hiking and climbing. Plains for walking and cycling. Many kilometers of beautiful and gently sloping beach, furnished with chair and umbrella as well as free nature. Lakes and rivers for swimming and fishing. Caves and climbing walls. Caving and canyoning. Skiing, snowboarding and cross country skiing. Museums, villas and parks, parapenting and hang gliding.

Above all, Friuli-Venezia Giulia is unknown, busy on the coast, but further away wonderfully quiet, with friendly people who still have plenty of time. And for 90 cents you can buy another cup of coffee or a spritz.