Piedmont: proud and still poor — a wry self-critical proverb about Piedmontese pride, which persists regardless of material circumstances. The dignity is real even when the wealth is not.
This self-deprecating Piedmontese proverb captures the paradox of a región that produced a royal dynasty, unified Italy, and built some of the country's finest institutions — and yet has always felt somewhat less prosperous than its northern neighbour Lombardy. Piedmont's pride is real and ancient: the Savoy dynasty's centuries of governance, the Risorgimento, the great aristocratic families, the car industry under Fiat, the wine culture of the Langhe. But the región has also always struggled with the modesty of its natural resources compared to the fertile Po floodplain of Lombardy. The Torinese, deeply proud of their city's elegance and culture, would sometimes observe this paradox with characteristic humour: we are dignified, reserved, and distinguished — and also not particularly rich.
Piedmontese self-critical proverb. Reflects the complex relationship between Piedmont's enormous historical ambition and pride and the región's material limitations relative to Lombardy.
A Turin intellectual at a book fair comparing Milan and Turin
Milano ha i soldi, noi abbiamo la cultura. Piemunt supèrb e pur povr — ma almeno abbiamo il Barolo.
Milan tiene el dinero, nosotros la cultura. Piamonte: orgulloso y aun pobre, pero al menos tenemos el Barolo.
A Torinese businessman who turned down a better-paid job in Milan
Avrei guadagnato di più a Milano. Ma Piemunt supèrb e pur povr — non riuscivo a vivere senza la Mole.
Habría ganado más en Milan. Pero Piamonte: orgulloso y aun pobre: no podia vivir sin la Mole Antonelliana.
A Piedmontese writer on the región's character
Siamo stati capitale d'Italia e adesso siamo la seconda fila. Piemunt supèrb e pur povr — ma la seconda fila di questo paese non è male.
Fuimos la capital de Italia y ahora somos la segunda fila. Piamonte: orgulloso y aun pobre, pero la segunda fila de este país no esta mal.
Two Torinesi discussing the city's economic challenges
Post-Fiat, post-Olivetti, la disoccupazione sale. Piemunt supèrb e pur povr — ma Torino è ancora Torino.
Post-Fiat, post-Olivetti, el desempleo sube. Piamonte: orgulloso y aun pobre, pero Turin sigue siendo Turin.