L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 I f there is a symbol every Italian identifies with, that's the Tri- colore. A synonym of national unity and of the many battles we fought to get the Belpaese we love. A reminder of the tragic sea of people who died for the very ideals which, today, characterize and inspire our society, it has also, on more than one occasion, invited the people of Italy to feel like one in their shared history, and to recognize themselves with strength in the symbols of the Repub- lic. "The bandiera tricolore must be present in our homes and kept with care. It is a living, contemporary symbol, the mod- ern emblem of an ancient people of great culture, traditions, art, nobility of spirit. It should be given as a gift by mayors – who all wear a tricolored sash – to newly-weds and every new Italian citizen." In recent times, the 10th president of the Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi (1999-2006), often high- lighted the importance of national symbols and rituals: he celebrated the sacrality of the flag, often concluding his speeches with a passionate "Long live the Tricolor, long live our Flag, long live Italy." He, more than others, tried to rouse in his people a non-rhetorical sense of belonging to the Nation, and bring the idea of Fatherland back to the fore because he had understood the importance of unity, of a common sentiment of belonging, of shared values rooted in Green, white and red mean community, trust and solidarity From the Editor our history: a common thread joining together Risorgimento, Resistenza, our Constitution and Republican ideals. But Ciampi also tried to develop in each Italian citizen a deep and personal connection with these symbols, so that they weren't only empty vessels; so that the military parades and the Fori Imperiali could become a moment of union and gratitude for the service given both within and without our national borders, and not only a showing off of aggressive- ness or power; so that the concerts and parties at the Quirinale gardens weren't just a runway for VIPs, but a col- lective celebration of our Fatherland's unity and its citizens' freedom, just like it's written on the Vittoriano. This is why, during the last speech of his presidency, Ciampi said: "Since the very first day, I lived at the Quirinale with my wife: it's been my home for seven years, the President of the Republic's home, the Italian people's home." For the same reasons, the Palazzo del Quirinale (with its Napoleonic apartments, the Studio della Vetrata and the Lille tapestries room), a concentrate of 400 years of history and art, has been open to the public ever since, it has been given back to people, to citizens, so that it can be visited and loved. So that it is no longer a vestige of power, but of Italian culture. A seed that has developed well if, in the darkest of times, at the beginning of the pandemic, Italians spontaneously took the tricolor out of their drawers and hang it at their windows to give each other strength. And those who didn't have a flag at home got creative and made one with towels, sweaters, and paper colored in green, white, and red. "The warmth with which many of my fellow citizens, in the most difficult of times, displayed our flag at their windows and sang the Canto degli Italiani, marked our country's col- lective memory, bringing back the fundamental values of soli- darity and social cohesion. All institutions and all expressions of civic society did their part." These are the words Sergio Mattarella, he himself about to leave the Quirinale, in a mes- sage to the country which has certainly been a goodbye, but also a thank you to Italy and her people "for their maturity and for the sense of responsibility they demonstrated" in their choice of "not wasting the opportunity to get vaccinat- ed," as well as an invitation to have faith and to solidarity. Mattarella, whose popularity has progressively grown through the years and has become particularly strong during the pandemic, spoke to people and not to the palazzo, that is, to the parties that are fighting over who'll be his successor. When speaking to "the mayors and their communities, to the Region Presidents and to all those who relentlessly worked on the territory, with people," that is, to the local symbols of our Tricolore, he said he recognized "the true face of a unified and fraternal Republic. Patriotism concretely expressed in the life of the Republic." He invited the community to "look forward, aware that the destiny of Italy depends on every one of us, too." He expressed hope, even though the pandemic "inflicted deep social, economic and moral wounds," and that "the journey is going to be long and difficult still." But, as we have "the resources to strike back and rebuild," we can start again. He, then, appealed to be aware, to pursue "the Italian people's common aspiration to be a true community," just like our flag asks us to do. "Often, especially in recent times, we stressed how we can overcome difficulties only if every single one of us accepts to do our part. If I look at the journey we have taken together in the past seven years – he concluded – I am hope- ful. Italy will grow. Even more so when it'll recognize the common destiny of our nation, and all European nations. Happy new year to you all! And happy new year to our Italy!". 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. 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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, Paula Reynolds, Nico- letta 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

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