Tucked away in the heart of the Dolomites, the Ladin valleys are home to one of the Alps’ oldest cultures. The Ladin people—speakers of a rare Romance language descended from Latin and Rhaetian—have safeguarded their identity for centuries across northern Italy’s provinces of South Tyrol, Trentino, and Belluno. In this episode, we explore the deep roots of Ladin heritage, from ancient Roman influence to rich legends shaped by the mountains they call home. We also consider the challenges they face today.

Curious to learn more about the Ladins? A visit to the Museum Ladin in San Martino in Badia offers an immersive look at their history. Or, if you're looking for something you can explore from home, The Ladins of the Dolomites: People, landscape, culture, edited by Tobia Moroder, is a great resource. Note: it was a bit hard to get my hands on a copy of this book, so if you're interested, write me and you can borrow mine ;)

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The Basque Country—known as Euskal Herria in the native language—is a nation without a country, nestled between northern Spain and southern France. With a history stretching back over 40,000 years to before the last Ice Age, the Basque people have preserved a unique identity through their language and rich traditions. In this episode, we explore their fascinating past, vibrant culture, and what life looks like for the Basques today.

Want to dive deeper into Basque history? If you have the chance, visiting the region is the best way to experience it firsthand. But if travel isn't in the cards right now, I recommend the book The Basque History of the World by Mark Kurlansky as a good starting point.

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Welcome to Culture Pocket!

I’m thrilled to have you join me at the beginning of this passion project, where we’ll explore the rich and diverse cultures that fill our world.

This episode is just the start, and I can’t wait to take you on this journey of discovery. To stay up to date with new episodes, be sure to subscribe to the podcast!

Let’s dive in!