L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018 www.italoamericano.org 22 L'Italo-Americano T he 150th anniversary of the Italian Heritage Parade took place in a beautiful sunny Sun- day in San Francisco, on October 7th. The parade wel- comed hundred thousands visi- tors, who took the street of North Beach to cheer at many hand- crafted floats celebrating San Francisco Bay Area businesses, community groups and Italian organizations, as well as noted Italian Americans, local high school Italian clubs, and march- ing bands. The P arade began around 12:30 pm at the foot of Jefferson and Powell Streets in Fisher- man's Wharf, proceeding south through North Beach on Colum- bus Avenue, and ended in Wash- ington Square in front of Saints Peter and Paul Church. At night, around the Civic Centre area, the City Hall was also lit in the col- ors of the Italian flag, in honor of Italian American contribu- tions to city. The parade was and has been, once again, a moment to be proud of the culture and the tra- ditions of the Italian community. It was a fun and enjoyable festi- val, with very high expectations as the Italian American commu- nity celebrated its 150th anniver- sary. We talked to Italian Consul General Lorenzo Ortona, who joined the parade with his wife Sheila Ortona, representing all the Italian expats in the Bay and beyond. Consul Ortona, first of all: how did the 150th anniversary celebrations go? I think the celebrations were a great success. Never was there such an impressive public partic- ipation and never there have b e e n s o m a n y f l o a t s i n t h e parade. Not only did the tradi- tional Italian American institu- tions join, but also the Associa- tion for Italian Communities, the COMITES, the Italian American School in San Francisco – "La Scuola," some dancers from the Puglia Region, the Leonardo Da Vinci Society and the Juventus Silicon Valley Club, represent- ing soccer lovers, just to name a few. It was a joy to see the old a n d n e w I t a l i a n i m m i g r a n t s come together and celebrate the great Italian heritage in this part of the world. In the last year, things have changed as the City of San Fran- cisco made the decision to aban- don the historical Columbus Day and changed it into the Indige- nous People's Day, following the decision made by the cities of Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle. However, through the c o l l a b o r a t i o n b e t w e e n m a n y l o c a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s a n d t h e Board of Supervisors, an agree- ment was made and the new decision had the Italian Heritage Day happening alongside the Indigenous People's Day. This allowed to also recognize the importance of the legacy of the Italian American community in the Bay Area. With things changing over the last twelve months and more, how can this day still represent a big moment for the Italian American commu- nity? It was a complicated year for the Italian American community of the Bay Area. For the first time, it seemed - at first - as if the importance of our communi- ty was not being recognized by the San Francisco Authorities. On the other hand, it became a new opportunity, for all the Ital- ian American Associations, to come together under the new CIAO Federation. This allowed to understand that nothing can be taken for granted and the Ital- ian heritage needs to be cher- ished and explained, every day, for all generations to come. I think our Community managed to convey many important mes- sages, obtained the recognition of the day as Italian Heritage, and feels now much stronger compared to last year. It was an opportunity to spread a message of inclusiveness to all the com- munities existing in California and to rejoice in the rich Italian heritage. We have also seen lots of enthusiasm from new genera- tions of Italians and Italian Americans. How would you explain this interest towards a Parade that is now the oldest in the country? I think that the Italian Ameri- cans, the Italians, and in general the Italophiles are grateful for being able to celebrate, together, a wonderful day that recognizes what all Italian immigrants have brought to the history of the United States in every field, as well as the transfer of many important values that are now part of the diverse history of this country. The heritage is enriched by the new immigrants who con- t i n u e t o a d d i n g e n u i t y , h a r d work, and high level skills to this area of the United States. It is a day in which we recognize t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f a b r i d g e between the "old world" and the "new world" and we cherish the Italian traditions while looking at the future. The young genera- tions understand now this very well and are happy to be part of the parade. W e s a w M a y o r L o n d o n Breed joining the Parade and the City Hall lit up in the tri- colore on Sunday night after the parade. What does this mean for the future? I was very pleased to meet M a y o r L o n d o n B r e e d i n t h e parade. As mentioned in her cer- tificate of honor issued on the day of the Parade, "there have been many meaningful additions and evolutions throughout the last 150 years, all embracing the living culture as well as the long history of Italians and Italian Americans and their many con- tributions to San Francisco." She added she is very much looking forward to the future endeavors of the Italian Community in this part of the United States. I think that San Francisco is grateful to w h a t t h e I t a l i a n i m m i g r a n t s brought to this wonderful city and that they are eager to see more Italy in this part of the world. The lighting of the City Hall with our national colors contained both messages, it was v e r y m e a n i n g f u l a n d I t h i n k made every Italian proud. Expectations for this event are usually very high, as CEO Joe D'Alessandro told us in a pre-event interview. Do you think they were matched and what should we expect for next year? As the Ambassador of Italy to the United States, Armando Var- ricchio, underlined in his letter to the Italian American communi- t i e s i n h o n o r o f t h e 1 5 0 t h Anniversary of the Italian Her- itage Parade, the key is to be i n s t r u m e n t a l i n f o r g i n g a n d strengthening the bonds between Italy and the United States, to be an essential part of our commu- n i t i e s - o n b o t h s i d e s o f t h e Atlantic. These are the bonds, these are the values, that we cel- ebrate today. I think the parade was a perfect example of this. It w a s a m e s s a g e t o t h e s t r o n g b o n d s b e t w e e n I t a l y a n d t h e United States and to all that the Italian immigrants brought to California and what they will continue to bring. We will con- tinue to work in the years to come with friends like Joe D'A- l e s s a n d r o a n d a l l t h e l o c a l authorities in San Francisco to b r i n g t o g e t h e r t h e C i t y a n d tourists all around the world to rejoice in the strong and growing Italian roots of this wonderful city. SERENA PERFETTO Consul General Lorenzo Ortona and his wife Sheila. Photo Credits: Website of the SF Italian Heritage Consul General Lorenzo Ortona recalls a day of celebrations of the Italian Heritage in San Francisco SAN FRANCISCO ITALIAN COMMUNITY Some moments of the Parade along the street of North Beach. Photo Credits: Website of the SF Italian Heritage

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