Contemporary etiquette took centre stage at one of Florence’s most prestigious schools, thanks to Yuliya and Alesìa Savitskaya — authors of numerous books and articles on etiquette since 2004. Together with Prof. Ugo Barlozzetti, writer, historian and art critic, they were invited by the association Vivere il Poggio to meet students of the Educandato Statale SS. Annunziata Villa del Poggio Imperiale in Florence.
Contemporary Etiquette Comes to Florence’s Poggio Imperiale
The event was structured as an interactive introduction to contemporary etiquette, engaging both students and teachers in a meaningful reflection on the rules of civilised living. During the meeting, the authors presented their latest conceptual work: Etiquette: Social Renaissance — a book that redefines the role of manners in modern society.
Students and teachers showed remarkable interest in the educational and methodological compendium entitled “Foundations of Contemporary Etiquette”, published in 2010 in Minsk and recommended by the Ministry of Education of Belarus as an elective course for the study of etiquette in schools and colleges. Currently available in Russian, the authors have already begun working on an Italian translation — a sign of growing interest in etiquette education across Europe.
Yuliya and Alesìa Savitskaya admitted to being genuinely and pleasantly surprised by the level of engagement and participation shown by the students throughout the session.
What Contemporary Etiquette Really Means: Insights from the Experts
Two Perspectives on Manners and Social Respect
Barbara Cardinali, Lawyer and President of the Vivere il Poggio Association, shared her own personal experiences with etiquette situations in daily life, offering the students an honest, relatable perspective on how manners shape our interactions.
Prof. Ugo Barlozzetti highlighted a key principle of contemporary etiquette: knowing proper conduct means conveying the right behavioural codes to others. This awareness, he explained, builds mutual respect and ultimately leads to genuine social balance — something increasingly rare and valuable in today’s world.
For a deeper academic perspective on etiquette and social behaviour, the International Association of Protocol Consultants offers valuable resources on etiquette education worldwide.
Role-Play Simulation: Parents and Children Switch Roles
One of the most memorable moments of the event was a civil etiquette simulation centred on the mutual obligations and duties of parents and children. The twist: a student was assigned the role of the parent, while an adult took on the role of the child.
This role reversal produced a striking result. The student playing the parent admitted to having genuinely felt disappointment and frustration at the disrespectful behaviour displayed by their “child.” The exercise demonstrated, in a vivid and immediate way, how the rules of contemporary etiquette are deeply tied to our emotional lives — not merely to formal convention.
Contemporary Etiquette as an Educational Priority
At the close of the event, students interactively demonstrated their knowledge of key etiquette rules and unanimously agreed on the importance of deepening their understanding of good manners and social conduct.
The Educandato Statale SS. Annunziata Villa del Poggio Imperiale is one of Italy’s oldest and most prestigious educational institutions, keeping alive a long tradition of high-level learning. Its genuine interest in the culture of contemporary etiquette confirms that this discipline is not a relic of the past — it is a living, essential skill for modern life.
As Yuliya and Alesìa Savitskaya consistently emphasise, contemporary etiquette requires honest self-reflection, the ability to assess one’s own behaviour and circumstances, a desire for personal growth, and a positive approach to life. Each individual’s knowledge of etiquette directly reflects on the broader cultural level of society as a whole.
It is therefore essential to create the right conditions for young people to study and apply etiquette in their social lives — a mission that Yuliya and Alesìa Savitskaya have pursued with dedication for over twenty years. You can explore their work and upcoming events at Etiquette Savitskaya.
Source: Corriere Aristocratico