L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 T his year, Italy celebrates the 160th anniversary of the Unification and 160 years of diplomatic relations with the US. Our countries became diplomatic partners on the 13th of April 1861, when Italy was still a Kingdom and reconfirmed their partnership in 1946 when it became a Republic. The relationship between Italians and Americans, and our cultural and social exchanges, have progressively intensified in time, joining a well- established set of common ideals, values, and principles, without forgetting transatlantic cooperation. The contribution given by the Italian-American community to the US, and that L'Italo-Americano's mission and the value of the Italian Heritage Month From the Editor offered to Italy by American citizens living in the Belpaese, have also grown. H o w e v e r , w e c a n ' t r e p r e s e n t t h e I t a l i a n - A m e r i c a n community's contribution to society, its characteristics, and its way of life adequately only by referring to the great migratory influx that brought so many Italians across the ocean, making our language one of the most studied. In other words, the identitarian dimension of more than 20 million proud Italian- Americans cannot be explained in full only through migratory statistics, nor by the evolution of what we used to call "Little Italys." Historically, Italian-Americans contributed greatly to the development of their adoptive country and, often, they continued to be part of the many changes their Fatherland went through. While diverse in terms of experiences, origins, connections, and opportunities obtained in the US, Italian-Americans share traits that sometimes penalized them and other times helped them. Millions of people, who integrated into American society and mixed with American people but who, at the same time, chose to wear their origins on their sleeve, too, reclaiming their heritage and their roots in many ways, also linguistically. A multi-faceted, complex universe, where every generation dealt differently with the past it left back in some forgotten village in the Alps or the Apennines. Where every individual dealt differently with his or her own family history, with traditions, with religious practices; with the idea of communitarian redemption or personal success, but also with the opportunities and obstacles of today, and the dreams and opportunities of the future, all within a continuously evolving, multi-cultural society. This edition opens Italian Heritage Month and it is the greatest honor to have Ambassador Mariangela Zappia on the pages of our newspaper, which has been the voice of the Italian-American community on the West Coast for 113 years. L'Italo-Americano's added value lies in its longevity, which makes it the oldest community newspaper in the US. The century that weighs on our shoulders mirrors the evolution of Italians in America: often difficult, but also filled with amazing achievements. If, on the other hand, we look forward, we can discern marvels that speak of scientific discoveries, aerospace collaborations, and technological innovation, all sectors that represent today's leading edge. It's been an incredible journey, that erased most of the prejudices our community had to endure until some years ago, also thanks to the diplomatic contribution of our Embassy, which created privileged connections with American institutions, emphasizing how a community like ours -- that holds on to its original values while contributing to the development of America -- is an added value for the United States. L'Italo-Americano has been working incessantly on this process, promoting the knowledge of the community and its Italian and Italian-American protagonists, but also that of our Made in Italy, and of its principles of authenticity, quality, and excellence, in opposition to the Italian-Sounding market. We've been urging our readers to get to know and love a country that is no longer the one migrants left behind centuries ago, even though some may still believe it today. Italy is an innovative, pioneering nation at international level which, even during the pandemic, showed the ability to react earlier and better than many others, if we consider that, today, 8 in 10 Italians are fully vaccinated. L'Italo-Americano carries on its mission with pride and confidence -- and not only during Italian Heritage Month -- to support the development of a modern conception of Italian-American culture and identity, one that celebrates the past, of course, but is also aware and proud of the promising inheritance we've been creating for the new generation. Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italiana all'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano 610 West Foothill Blvd. Unit D, Monrovia, CA 91016 - Tel.: (626) 359-7715 PLEASE SEND CORRESPONDENCE TO P.O. BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano Newspaper (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization), www.italoamericano.org, is the largest and longest-running Italian newspaper in America, not to mention the cultural and news resource for all things Italian in the US. A bilingual newspaper which represents an historical landmark for the Italian American Communities in the West Coast and throughout the US. L'Italo-Americano benefits from subsidies by the Italian Government, Memberships and Donations intended to support and not interrupt a mission that began in 1908 to preserve and promote the Italian language and culture in the USA Periodicals postage paid at Monrovia, California 91016, and additional mailing offices. PUBLISHER Robert Barbera Grande Ufficiale EDITOR IN CHIEF Simone Schiavinato ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Patrick Abbate EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Barbara Minafra COPY EDITOR Francesca Bezzone LOS ANGELES CONTRIBUTOR Silvia Giudici SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTORS Catherine Accardi Serena Perfetto SEATTLE CONTRIBUTOR Rita Cipalla CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariella Radaelli, Francesca Bezzone, Luca Ferrari, Stefano Carnevali, Chiara D'Alessio, Paula Reynolds, Nicoletta Curradi, GenerosoD'Agnese, Fabrizio Del Bimbo, Maria Gloria, Alfonso Guerriero Jr., Anthony Di Renzo Serena Perfetto, Kenneth Scambray, Chiara D'Alessio © 2020 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano PO Box 6528 Altadena, CA 91003 Mail form and check to L'Italo-Americano, P.O.BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003 Selling Homes Throughout The Bay Area Adele Della Santina "The Right Realtor makes all the di昀erence." 650.400.4747 Adele.DellaSantina@compass.com www.AdeleDS.com DRE# 00911740 Expert in preparation, promotion, and negotiation!

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