L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021 www.italoamericano.org 14 L'Italo-Americano W e all long t o r e t u r n to normal- i t y : h o w we'd love, once again, to think only about our holidays and the place we'd travel to, when summer arrives, and prepar- ing our suitcases, just like "we used to do." Our minds would already be dreaming about the hotel, or about the hours of relax, spent on a deck chair by the pool, sip- ping on a cocktail, listening to music. Perhaps, we'd be already thinking about beau- tiful walks through quaint landscapes or about dinners in some small, characteristic r e s t a u r a n t , a d e l i c i o u s l y inviting dish on the table, a wine glass in the hand, the warm summer night embrac- i n g u s a n d i n v i t i n g u s t o relax. Yes, we miss it all very much, and it's not difficult to admit it. Everywhere in the world, we all feel the same. This is, perhaps, the only truly global thought: how we'd love this ill-fated pan- demic to end and return to b e f r e e a n d h a p p y , a s w e were a couple of years ago! But we must admit that, compared to last year, we can at least breathe a sight of relief. Thanks to vaccines and inoculation campaigns that, finally, begin to work proper- ly in many countries, a less d r a m a t i c a n d m e n a c i n g future seems to be on the way. Of course, there is still a l o n g w a y t o g o , b u t i t ' s a wider, easier path, both in the US and in the Belpaese. A n d s o , w e c a n s t a r t dreaming again about com- ing back to Italy, even for tourism. As of today, ¼ of Italians have received at least one does of a Covid-19 vac- cine, which means that the beginning of the summer will coincide with a progressive and gradual return to nor- mality. Little by little, every- thing will be back to normal. Some regions, like Lazio for instance, have been leading the way, with a strong vacci- n a t i o n c a m p a i g n w i t h around-the-clock inocula- tions and strict controls at Fiumicino airport on all pas- sengers: a guarantee of safety for those coming to Italy and for us Italians, who soon will live again shoulder to shoul- der with the many interna- tional visitors coming to our country. This is why the idea of fly- ing to Rome is no longer t h a t d i f f i c u l t t o i m a g i n e . Finally, we can dream about being in the Eternal City and t a k e a s t r o l l n e a r t h e P a n t h e o n . W e c a n c h e c k i n t e r c o n t i n e n t a l f l i g h t s ' departures times, and have concrete, realistic hopes to be soon in Piazza San Pietro or t o t a k e a p h o t o o f t h e Capitoline Wolf. Comforted by such a pal- p a b l e , p o s i t i v e o u t l o o k , L'Italo-Americano is glad to give again to its readers the opportunity to visit Italy, with the return of its tradi- tional sweepstake. When in Rome is our new propos- al and will offer to its lucky winner 6 days and 7 nights for two in the Eternal City, all for only 12 dollars. A small t o k e n t o h e l p L ' I t a l o - Americano keep going. It's a small price for a big dream: When in Rome will show you the magnificence of the Coliseum, whose restora- tion was finished during the lockdown, and of the Arch of Constantine, which is cur- rently being cleaned from the dust and debris of years of pollution and will soon reveal all its sculptural opulence. And what about Augustus' monumental complex near the Ara Pacis? It is finally open again, after 15 years of restorations, ready to show to the public the emperor's cir- cular mausoleum, the largest in the ancient world. Rome played it smart: she's been getting ready to look better than ever. But the Capital, the Vatican, all its marvelous museums won't give you a true picture of the city unless you experience Roman life. What about, then, adding a personalized food tour to the dream? W h e n i n R o m e will lead you through a culi- nary journey to taste the best d e l i c a c i e s o f t h e c a p i t a l , under the wing of an expert guide. You see! Nothing bet- ter than winning the first prize to enjoy your slice of "Grande Bellezza!" But believe us when we say you'll be happy even if you get second place. In the year Italy a n d t h e w o r l d c e l e b r a t e Dante Alighieri, L ' I t a l o - Americano offers an Italian language course. Whether your family hails from Italy or y o u a r e a p a s s i o n a t e Italophile, it'll be an incredi- ble experience for people of all ages: learning Italian is the key to unlock your family his- tory, to appreciate in full the music and poetry of a lan- guage that holds within the millenary inheritance of our peninsula. Or, quite simply, to discover how many words we use English actually come from Italy. The third ticket selected in July will win 300 dollars: you see, in the end those 12 dol- lars are going to be adequate- ly rewarded, one way or the other! The reason behind this initiative is simple: it'll help L'Italo-Americano keep working, day after day. We've reached 113 years only thanks to your help: you choose us, you support us, you appreci- ate us. When you write to us, there is a word, among your suggestions and requests, we consider our best reward. Your "thank you" is worth all our efforts. At the same time, you make us understand how important it is to keep on going even in difficult times such as these, and bring the paper's mission forward: we are the historical voice of the Italian-American community on the West Coast. L'Italo- Americano is part of your life, of your traditions and habits, but also part of your community. Supporting it with 12 dollars (and the pos- sibility to win a trip to Rome) m e a n s t o g i v e a c o n c r e t e hand to a piece of the com- munity's shared identity. It m e a n s e n s u r i n g i t h a s a future, so that our patrimony of memory, culture and social life, a patrimony that belongs to us and is part of our histo- ry, is preserved. LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE SIMONE SCHIAVINATO The Eternal City Experience The Coliseum, a true symbol of Rome: how would you like to see it? (Photo: Michal Bednarek/Dreamstime)

• Cover