Milan couldn’t ask for a better symbolic representation than the Duomo (cathedral). The cathedral reaches skyward while its strong, solid foundations, planted firmly in the ground, have stood the test of time. It encompasses the expertise and knowledge of many past generations. The city, like the cathedral, firstly develops strong foundations, building on what it already knows to be solid and promising: a certain way of working, a certain way of production and innovation, a certain way of weaving social links, and a certain way of managing institutions at the service of the citizens and businesses. Tradition is like a lifeblood that courses through the population and the city still identifies itself with its traditional symbols. Those who know the richness of the past are well equipped to confront the present and plan for the future. In recent years, the challenge has focused on promoting the region and its quality products and encouraging investment in terms of knowledge and resources.
Milan is, without a doubt proud of it typical products and specialties and even in the area of gastronomy it is known for its iconic dishes, such as yellow risotto, cassoeula and ossobuco. Its historic trattorie, restaurants and patisseries continue to provide a benchmark for the Milanese and are an important part of the city’s heritage which it seeks to enhance. Honouring the tradition of language, the Milanese dialect is still spoken in this city and an annual theatrical exhibition highlights the dialects extraordinary capacity for expression. Tradition is its culture, learned and popular, grand and profound, that rests on the shoulders of giants, such as writers, scholars, doctors of the church, artists and thinkers. The continued presence and importance of tradition in this city can still be observed in the daily life of the locals, such as going to the cinema on a Sunday afternoon, the delight in frequenting markets, places of social interaction, and taking a stroll with the family through the streets in the city centre.
