Etiquette Social Renaissance is the title of the book that Yuliya and Alesia Savitskaya — Belarusian writers and poets based in Florence — have dedicated to etiquette in the 21st century. Published under the patronage of the Salviamo la Cultura Association, with a preface by art critic Luca Monti, the volume has now reached its second edition. It addresses an urgent question: how can etiquette help a society in the grip of a communication crisis?
Etiquette Social Renaissance: Why This Book Was Written
Contemporary society has forgotten the fundamental rules of civilised living. Up until the first half of the twentieth century, precise norms for social coexistence were codified in traditional etiquette. Over time, these rules fell out of use, while new ones emerged that have yet to be systematised.
The Savitskaya sisters have been working on etiquette since 2004, the year of their first publication in Moscow. Since then, they have written school manuals, organised international conferences and held seminars in Italy and Belarus. The book Etiquette Social Renaissance is the synthesis of this many years of experience, both theoretical and practical. To learn more about the authors’ approach, read our article on Savitskaya Professional Etiquette.
Etiquette Social Renaissance: The 7 Central Themes of the Book
1. The Crisis of Interpersonal Communication
Sociologists and psychologists agree: society has reached a deep crisis in communication between people. Poor conduct is on the rise, egocentrism overshadows human potential and leads to destructive behaviour. The Savitskaya authors identify etiquette as a powerful social tool, capable of harmonising and stabilising both the individual and the community.
2. From Table Manners to Ethical Communication
The book shifts the perception of etiquette away from mere table ceremony towards an ethical and aesthetic interpersonal communication across every sphere of life. Through a thought-provoking photograph by Italian photographer Gino Turina, the authors show how etiquette concerns every aspect of human relationships — not just formal dinners.
3. History, Decline and Possible Solutions
Etiquette Social Renaissance opens with a historical overview before moving towards new contemporary concepts. The volume analyses the factors influencing cultural decline, addresses the most widespread misconceptions about etiquette, and proposes concrete solutions to help society escape the communication deadlock it has created for itself.
4. Etiquette as a Tool for Social Harmony
At the heart of the etiquette social renaissance concept lies a fundamental conviction: good manners are not an outdated formality reserved for the elite. They are a living instrument for building more respectful, human and civil relationships — accessible to everyone.
5. Etiquette in Italy and International Perspectives
The authors draw comparisons between the Italian etiquette tradition and international approaches, highlighting both shared values and cultural differences. For a broader perspective on etiquette standards worldwide, the International Etiquette Centre offers extensive resources on modern social conduct.
6. Education and the Role of Schools
One of the key proposals in the book concerns formal etiquette education. Drawing on their own Foundations of Contemporary Etiquette — recommended by the Ministry of Education of Belarus as an elective course — the Savitskaya authors argue that schools have a crucial role to play in transmitting social norms to younger generations.
7. Self-Reflection as the Foundation of Etiquette
The final truth in the book is perhaps the most personal: genuine etiquette begins with honest self-reflection. Knowing how to behave means first understanding oneself — one’s reactions, habits and blind spots. This inner work, the authors argue, is the true foundation of the etiquette social renaissance.
Who Are Yuliya and Alesia Savitskaya
Born in Minsk and based in Florence, the Savitskaya sisters run the Florence Art Deposit Gallery and the Salviamo la Cultura Association. Since 2019, they have organised salons, exhibitions and cultural conferences in Florence, collaborating with embassies, Italian regions and Tuscan municipalities. Their publications on etiquette are held in Russian and Belarusian state libraries.
The book is recommended for a wide audience thanks to its accessible and direct language. Its first edition was officially presented at the Libreria Salvemini in Florence in 2023. To find out more about the Salviamo la Cultura Association, visit salviamolacultura.it. For further reading on etiquette culture, see also Galateo.it.
Etiquette Social Renaissance: A Book for Everyone
The book’s final message is clear: Etiquette Social Renaissance is not a bon ton manual for a privileged few — it is a cultural tool for anyone who wishes to contribute to a more harmonious society. Good manners are not an empty formality: they are the foundation of more human, respectful and civil relationships.
Source: original article published in La Notizia — Cristiano Vignali
Publications by Yuliya and Alesia Savitskaya
- Contemporary Etiquette, 2004, Moscow, Novoe Znanie — ISBN 5-94735-065-3
- Foundations of Contemporary Etiquette (school textbook), 2010, Minsk, Aducazia i vihavanne — ISBN 978-985-471-405-9. Approved by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus as an elective study text for colleges and secondary schools.
- Educational Package: lesson programme and teaching methodology for etiquette teachers, 2010, Minsk — ISBN 978-985-471-404-2
- Poetry collection “Vse otrjaetsya gde-to” / “Everything is Reflected Somewhere”, 2016, Minsk, Medisont — ISBN 978-985-7136-32-2
- Poetry album “Synergies”: a collection of poems by Yuliya and Alesia Savitskaya dedicated to art, in Russian and Italian.