Music, flavors & colors of the Mediterranean: a journey through the lands, sounds, identity and culture

The Mediterranean connects music, cultures, languages and traditions. Through food, popular music, local dress and landscapes, each place tells a unique story about different countries united by these rich heritages and we’re proud to celebrate these incredible regions.

Recently, we worked together on a project that highlights them so... why not expanding on it here through a longer post?

This article focuses on the folklore of some of the cities and regions that some girls of our team call home: Italy, Spain and Morocco. For each country, we chose two places: Rome and Sardinia, Fes and Chefchaouen, Valencia and Andalusia (perhaps we could even turn this into a series where, from time to time, we spotlight different countries and territories that are meaningful to us). Enjoy!

Rome

Rome is a city built on history. Its streets carry centuries of life. Every year, on the anniversary of Julius Caesar’s assassination, people gather where it happened. They wear traditional clothing inspired by the ancient Roman world. These moments show how the past remains close.

The food of Rome is legendary. Cacio e Pepe is one of the city’s symbols. Pasta, pecorino romano and black pepper. Simple. Powerful. Roman. Veggie options are available.

Music plays a central role in Roman identity. La Società dei Magnaccioni is a traditional folk song filled with humor and spirit. Its authorship is unknown but the most famous versions are by Lando Fiorni and Gabriella Ferri.

“Ma che ce frega, ma che ce 'mporta, se l'oste ar vino ci ha messo l'acqua e noi je dimo e noi je famo, c'hai messo l'acqua nun te pagamo” (Translation: who cares, what does it matter, if the innkeeper put water in the wine? We tell him, we say to him, you put water in it, we’re not paying you)

Sardinia

Sardinia offers mountains, beaches and wild land. It is a place independence. Each village has its own traditional clothing. Embroidery, colors and patterns vary from one area to another.

Seadas are one of Sardinia’s most loved dishes. A cheese-filled pastry fried in oil and served with honey. Sweet, salty and completely unique. They are also suitable for vegetarians and deeply rooted in Sardinian tradition.

The music of Sardinia often comes from the heart. It is poetic and direct. An example is Spunta la luna dal monte by Pierangelo Bertoli and Tazenda.

“Coro meu, fonte 'ia, gradessida, Gai purudeo, potho bier’sa vida” (Translation: My heart, sacred source, grateful, May I be able, oh God, to see her alive)

Fès

Fès is a city of sacred craft and deep tradition. Its famous tanneries fill the city with color. These circular stone vats hold dyes of bright colors.

Fashion in Fès includes fine embroidery known as Tarz Fesi. The traditional djellaba carries this detail. It reflects time, precision and beauty.

One of Fès’s most iconic dishes is Bastilla. A golden filled pastry. The inside is normally saly, while the top is sweet with cinnamon and sugar. Vegetarian versions with vegetables or lentils are also common.

Music in Fes connects with spirituality. There is the Talaʽ al-Badru ʽAlayna of unknown authorship which is very popular in the whole country.

Ṭalaʽ al-badru ʽalaynā, Min thaniyyāti al-wadāʽ, Wajaba al-shukru ʽalaynā (Translation: The full moon rose over us  from the valley of Wada and it is incumbent upon us  to show gratitude)

Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen is known for its blue walls and calm atmosphere. The city sits between the mountains with colors filling every corner.

Local dress reflects this energy. Djellaba, bright colors, embroidered fabrics and caps show a mix of tradition and personal style.

Zaalouk is a dish made with eggplant, tomatoes, garlic and spices. Served warm and eaten with bread, it is rich, smoky and vegan by nature.

The music of the region speaks of struggle and love. A Yemma Azizen (unknown authorship) expresses strength in difficult times:

“A yemma ɛzizen a yemma Turzi-yi snesla Di lḥebs unezgum ɣemqaɣ” (Translation: Oh dear mother, don’t cry for me, in prison I endure hardship)

Andalusia

Andalusia carries a mix of Spanish, Arab, Jewish and Christian roots. Its architecture, language and art reflect this blend. The streets of Seville and Granada echo with music and movement.

Traditional clothing includes flamenco dresses filled with ruffles and bold colors. These dresses appear during festivals and performances.

Berenjenas fritas con miel, or fried eggplants with honey, are common across the region. The dish mixes textures and flavors and is usually served as a vegetarian tapa.

La Tarara is a popular traditional song of unknown authorship adapted to music by Federico García Lorca. Playful, but filled with deeper meaning. One verse says:

“Lleva la Tararaun vestido verdelleno de volantesy de cascabeles” (Translation: la Tarara wears a green dressfull of rufflesand bells)

Valencia

Valencia stands between tradition and modernity. During Las Fallas, a major celebration, locals wear traditional clothes rich with lace and embroidery. The whole city becomes a stage.

Paella, the most famous dish from the region, started as a farmer’s meal. Today, it exists in many forms. Vegetarian paellas are popular and reflect the region’s agricultural roots.

During the Fallas, songs fill the air. El Fallero is a paso doble tied to the celebration.

“Xiqueta meuaque del carrer eres l'amaper culpa teuatinc el cor encés en flama” (Translation: My little girlyou were the queen of the streetbecause of youmy heart is set on fire)

Mediterranean music, land, fashion and culture: a shared identity

These places are different but connected. Through their music, food, clothing and land, they speak of pride, memory and love. Celebrating the Mediterranean culture means celebrating strength, creativity and history. This region is part of who we are. And we are proud to honor it.