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What is your favorite word in your language and why?
My favorite word is “sciorta.”
In Neapolitan, sciorta means fate, destiny, but also fortune — sometimes even all three at once, including the sense of inevitability or fatality. What I love about this word is its richness: it doesn’t just describe what happens to us, but also how chance, choice, and the unexpected weave together to shape our path. Unlike the English “fate” or “luck,” sciorta feels more alive, more dramatic, carrying the weight of Naples’ culture itself — a city where every moment can be both struggle and blessing. It’s a word that holds contradiction and beauty at the same time.
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What is your favorite dish from your hometown? If you no longer live there is there a good local restaurant that serves it?
My favorite dish from my hometown is Parmigiana di Melanzane.
It’s more than food — it’s a symbol of Southern Italy, a dish that carries the soul of my land. Every layer of eggplant, tomato sauce, basil, and cheese tells a story of warmth, generosity, and tradition. It’s a recipe that speaks of family tables, summer gardens, and centuries of culinary heritage. And if you ever want to taste the real one, you have to come visit me on the Amalfi Coast, where I live — here, every restaurant tells the same story in its own delicious way.
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Besides the languages you teach, do you speak or study any other languages?
Yes, besides Italian and Neapolitan, I also speak and study other languages. English has been central in my academic and professional journey, but I’ve also explored Spanish and French, which connect closely to my cultural and linguistic background. What fascinates me most is not just communication, but how each language opens the door to a different way of seeing the world. Even when I’m not fluent, I enjoy learning expressions, idioms, and cultural nuances — because every new word is like adding another color to my personal palette.
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What are your interests outside of teaching at Strommen?
Outside of teaching, I’m very passionate about exploring and experiencing life through different activities. I love canoeing and hiking, especially when it brings me close to nature and breathtaking landscapes. I often visit historic town centers, where I can connect with Italy’s rich past, while at the same time I enjoy contemporary art and how it challenges the way we see the present. Music is also central in my life — from traditional Neapolitan songs to international sounds. I’m an enthusiast of sailing and off-road adventures with my Suzuki Santana, and whenever I can, I travel across Italy on my Vespa — one of my favorite ways to discover hidden corners of my country.
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What do you consider your hometown? Why do you love it?
I consider Salerno my hometown, and honestly, it’s hard to explain what it means to me in just a few lines — it would take a whole book, maybe even an encyclopedia. We’re talking about a city embraced by mountains and the sea, lying between two of the most beautiful coastlines in the world: the Amalfi Coast to the north and the Cilento Coast to the south. Salerno carries layers of history — Lombard, Norman, Roman, and Etruscan — and offers one of the most livable environments in Italy and Europe. Imagine a two-kilometer waterfront filled with greenery and free of cars, or a historic center that can stand proudly beside any in the world. Walking through it, you literally step over Roman baths beneath your feet. Add to that the climate, the food, and the lifestyle… If Salerno were a woman, she would undoubtedly be Miss Italy.
