L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2 2023 www.italoamericano.org 26 L'Italo-Americano LOS ANGELES ITALIAN COMMUNITY L os Angeles cele- b r a t e d I t a l i a n American Herita- g e a n d C u l t u r e Month to honor the sacrifices, achievements and contributions of the mil- lions of Italian immigrants and their descendants living in the United States, parti- cularly in the arts, sciences and culture. This year, the opening of t h e I t a l i a n - A m e r i c a n H e r i t a g e a n d C u l t u r e Month was spearheaded by the Little Italy of Los Ange- les Association in collabora- tion with Council District #15, represented by Council- m e m b e r T i m M c O s k e r . Specifically, District #15 of the Council and the city of San Pedro boast the largest Italian community in all of California, with approxima- tely 40,000 people. O n O c t o b e r 2 0 t h , w i t h the support of the CD15-City of Los Angeles, the presi- dent of the Little Italy of Los Angeles Association (LILAA), Mario Amalfita- no, its vice president, John de Girolamo, the cultural affairs ambassador, Anna Manunza, and the board of the Little Italy of Los Ange- les Association were welco- med by the City Council in Downtown Los Angeles by a delegation of Italian dignita- ries comprised of the Con- sul General of Italy, Dr. Raffaella Valentini, the Deputy Consul General, Dr. Lorenza Errighi, Dr. Ema- nuele Amendola, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles, and some other key members of the Sistema Italia. " W e c e l e b r a t e I t a l i a n American Heritage Month within the framework of a s t r o n g a l l i a n c e , s t r a t e g i c c o o p e r a t i o n a n d d e e p f r i e n d s h i p b e t w e e n o u r countries and our people. With hard work and valua- ble skills, Italian immigrants – s a i d C o n s u l G e n e r a l Valentini – played a fun- damental role in the con- struction of Los Angeles. Today, all together, we pay homage to their contribu- tion in the most varied sec- tors of society". " I w a n t t o e x p r e s s m y gratitude to the city of Los Angeles and the entire city council for their support in honoring Italian American Heritage Month" Lilaa pre- s i d e n t M a r i o A m a l f i t a n o said at City Hall during his proclamation speech. "I am d e e p l y h o n o r e d t o s t a n d before you during Italian American Heritage Month. T h i s m o n t h i s a s p e c i a l opportunity for all of us to celebrate our shared herita- ge, our contributions to this great nation, and the rich history of Italian culture." What does this cele- bration mean to you? A s a f i r s t - g e n e r a t i o n American, I hold this occa- sion close to my heart, as it allows me to reflect on the i n c r e d i b l e j o u r n e y t h a t brought my family here and on the countless sacrifices they made for a better life in this land of opportunity. My uncle, Biagio Siniscalchi, a n d m y f a t h e r , I s i d o r o A m a l f i t a n o , w h o l e f t a lasting mark on my life, have an incredible story, which is one with the great American d r e a m , d e d i c a t i o n , a n d a profound sense of family. My uncle Biagio's journey to the United States in 1954 was a testament to his cou- rage and determination. At j u s t 1 7 y e a r s o l d , h e embarked on a voyage from Naples, Italy, to New York. He worked tirelessly in the construction industry, and through hard work, he flou- rished. But what makes Bia- g i o ' s j o u r n e y e v e n m o r e extraordinary is the fact that he didn't stop at achieving his own dreams: with unwa- vering love, he sponsored the migration of his parents a n d s e v e n s i b l i n g s t o t h e United States. This act of g e n e r o s i t y a l l o w e d m y mother, Rosaria, to join him, starting in New York as an Italian immigrant. A n d y o u r f a t h e r ? I s i d o r o A m a l f i t a n o , m y father, met my mother while he visited New York as an Italian merchant mariner. He married my mother and moved her back to Italy, and after 2 years, my father deci- ded to make a bold move to California. Despite the chal- lenges of settling in a new city as an Italian immigrant, my father displayed extraor- dinary tenacity and a strong work ethic. He started his own business years later, providing employment to d o z e n s o f i n d i v i d u a l s . T h r o u g h h i s a c t i o n s , h e showed the importance of hard work and giving back t o o n e ' s c o m m u n i t y . M y father tirelessly worked as a commercial fisherman and never complained. He did it for the love of his family and with the unwavering support of my mother, Rosaria. Was your life, as an Italian-American and a first-generation Ameri- can, influenced by being f r o m a n i m m i g r a n t family? Growing up, I was always taught to be respectful of other cultures, to embrace d i v e r s i t y , a n d t o f o s t e r understanding and unity. At the same time, I was instil- l e d w i t h a d e e p s e n s e o f pride in being Italian-Ame- rican. I was taught to love my country but to also have pride in where my family was from, Italy. I work hard on being a bridge from Ame- r i c a t o t h e o l d c o u n t r y through diversity and unity. What is your relation- ship with Los Angeles? My roots run deep in Los Angeles, where I was born and raised. As a product of t h e L o s A n g e l e s U n i f i e d School District and a lifelong resident of this city, I am t r u l y a p r o u d A n g e l i n o . Today, I proudly serve as the president of the Little Italy of Los Angeles Association. Our organization is dedica- ted to not only creating a Little Italy district but also preserving and celebrating Italian culture, which is such an important part of this great city. I s t h e r e s o m e t h i n g about the Italian-Ameri- c a n c o m m u n i t y y o u ' d like Angelinos to know? Los Angeles has a long and vibrant history of Italian p r e s e n c e . F r o m t h e e a r l y Italian immigrants who arri- ved in the late 19th century to the many Italian-Ameri- can families who continued to shape our city, the Italian i n f l u e n c e i s u n d e n i a b l e . They have contributed to Los Angeles in numerous ways, from the construction of iconic landmarks such as the Griffith Observatory to the development of the thri- ving business and arts com- munities that define our city today. And then, Italy gave t o t h e w o r l d s o m e o f i t s greatest talent: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Galileo, Marco Polo, Dante, Pavarot- ti, Rudolph Valentino, and Frank Sinatra, just to name a few! What is your message f o r t h i s i m p o r t a n t month? As we celebrate our heri- tage during Italian American H e r i t a g e M o n t h , l e t u s remember that being Italian is about so much more than just the food, fashion, and historic landscape. While o u r c u l t u r e i s k n o w n f o r this, it is also rooted in the values of family, community, and hard work. What is your wish for the future generation? As a proud Italian Ameri- can, my wish for the future generation is to see them c o n t i n u e t o e m b r a c e a n d c e l e b r a t e t h e i r h e r i t a g e w h i l e a l s o m a i n t a i n i n g a strong connection between the United States and Italy. I hope that future generations of Italian Americans never forget the rich cultural heri- tage they received through the generations. It's essen- tial for them to cherish the t r a d i t i o n s , v a l u e s , a n d c u s t o m s t h a t m a k e b e i n g Italian so special. And then, I w i s h t h e m t o v a l u e t h e p r i n c i p l e s o f h a r d w o r k , resilience, and determina- t i o n , w h i c h a r e d e e p l y ingrained in Italian culture. These qualities contributed to the success of many Ita- lian Americans and can con- tinue to do so. Love for your family, a strong work ethic, and a love for life are cha- racteristics that should be p a s s e d d o w n t o t h e n e x t generation, too. Basically, my wish for future genera- t i o n s i s t h a t t h e y c a r r y forward the legacy of their Italian heritage with pride, embrace the cultural wealth it offers, and maintain the bond between the United States and Italy strong. By doing so, they can continue to contribute to the history of American society while also preserving the unique and valuable aspects of their Italian heritage. And I want to thank my father, Isidoro, and my uncle, Biagio, who came to this great country with much faith. Italian-American Heritage Month was celebrated in Los Angeles SILVIA NITTOLI Vice Consul Lorenza Errighi, Lilaa Cultural Affairs Ambassador Anna Manunza, Council Member Tim McOsker, Consul General Raffaella Valentini, Lilaa President Mario Amalfitano and IIC Director Emanuele Amendola (Photo: Sophie Gilchrist)

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