Writer-Spin
Corsica - Mixing French and Italian Cultures
by Judith Evicci
Located between the coasts of Spain and Italy, this sparkling Mediterranean vacation island is famous for it's fabulous multi-cultural cuisine and sunny climate. Corsica beckons visitors the way the sirens call the sailor.
Over the centuries, political control of Corsica's has been fought for by the English, French, Italians and Greeks. Invading army influcencs explain the mix of cultures retained by Corsica. The story goes that some deserting soldiers, married Corsican women, took their wife's name, and remained in Corsica rather than continue the fight.
Napoleon Bonaparte, born on the coast of Corsica in August, 1769, returned the island to French rule around 1800.
As a practical example of the mixed cultures, my family, on my father's side, came from Corsica and spoke French. However, the last name of Evicci is obviously Italian.
As you maneuver the beautiful country roads, named in the Corsican dialect, your tempted to stop for a strong coffee at a roadside French cafe, or for a glass of Corsican wine, made from Greek introduced grapes, grown on the island for more than 2500 years.
White sands frame more than 200 beaches of pure Mediterranean waters. Visit in spring, when the marquis scrub blooms, or in autumn for the chestnut-harvest village celebrations.
My dream is to visit soon to capture a sense of my father's family and my heritage.
