L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 6 NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS ing lasting change. It's fascinating to juxta- pose the spaceflight of astro- n a u t W a l t e r V i l l a d e i , which we covered in March, with the ancient R o m a n Appian Way, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in August. These two examples are emblematic of Italy's dual identity: a pre- sent defined by technologi- cal innovation and a past d e e p l y r o o t e d i n h i s t o r y . T h i s d u a l i t y — b e t w e e n a future brimming with scien- tific progress and the vast cultural and artistic heritage of a millennia-old history— runs through Italy's entire story. Beneath the surface l i e s a t r e a s u r e t r o v e o f knowledge, safeguarded and h a n d e d d o w n o v e r c e n - turies. In May, we reflected on the rural world through the l e n s o f I t a l i a n - A m e r i c a n photographer Joe Vitone. His photographs capture the t i m e l e s s s p i r i t o f P u g l i a , where the ancient resurfaces as if by magic—in the most classic preparation of toma- t o s a u c e — a n d w h e r e t h e m o d e r n w o r l d e m e r g e s alongside it. Wind turbines now stand beside sunflow- ers, changing the landscape but not the essence of the work: the sweat of brows, the labor of hands, and the toil of working the land and animals. In October, we recounted the ongoing restoration of the Watts Towers in Los A n g e l e s , o v e r s e e n b y Ermanno Carbonara, an Italian who chose to live and w o r k i n C a l i f o r n i a . H i s c a r e e r n o w i n c l u d e s t h e h o n o r o f p r e s e r v i n g t h e legacy of another Italian, Simon Rodia, who crossed the ocean in the early 20th century. What's particularly fascinating is how Rodia's unconventional work seems to echo the Festa dei Gigli of Nola, a town in the province of Naples not far from where he spent his childhood. It's as though his extraordinary, eclectic art filters memories of his early years, translating ancient traditions inherited from his hometown's folk- lore into something new. A n d w h a t a b o u t S a r - dinia's supercentenari- ans, witnesses to the slow passage of time? In July, we explored this Italian Blue Zone—a demographic and geographic area where life expectancy far surpasses the a v e r a g e — a n d d i s c o v e r e d t h e i r s e c r e t t o l o n g e v i t y . Then there's the legendary Ferrari, racing toward a futuristic horizon. Founded in 1929, Italy's most iconic racing team has carried the desire to win far beyond the tracks, embodying the les- son of its founder, Enzo Fer- rari. As we read in the May edition: "A factory," Enzo s a i d , " i s m a d e o f p e o p l e , machines, and brakes. Fer- rari is made by people. It's the people who create the p r o d u c t . " O r , a s c u r r e n t d i r e c t o r P i g n a t t i M o r a n o puts it: "If you want to build an exceptional car, you must put people in the best possi- ble conditions to make it." In a sense, this is what Califor- n i a — a n d A m e r i c a i t s e l f — b e c a m e f o r s o m a n y e m i - grants: a place where they c o u l d f l o u r i s h f a r f r o m home. The common thread run- n i n g t h r o u g h a l l o f t h i s year's editions has been the constant interplay of perma- nence and evolution, conti- nuity and legacy: the lesson that time always changes, but it never completely pass- es. T h e j o u r n e y o f L ' I t a l o - Americano began 116 years ago. The newspaper itself was born within this perpet- ual dichotomy of past and future—of yesterday's lin- guistic and cultural heritage and tomorrow's possibilities. It exists in a present that is always changing, yet contin- ually enriched by the memo- ries and legacies of the Old World and the achievements of the New World. This is its defining trait and greatest strength—just as it is for all Italian Americans, who care for their roots while nurtur- ing the new branches that stretch toward tomorrow, ready to bloom in the spring sky that will arrive in just a few weeks. The vitality of a culture lies in its ability to evolve, grow, and develop. It will change with the seasons, but the flowers that bloom will a l w a y s c a r r y t h e g e n e t i c imprint of the seed that fell from the original tree. The journey of L'Italo-Americano began 116 years ago, within this perpetual dichotomy of past and future. Today, it exists in a present that is always changing, yet continually enriched by the memories and legacies of the Old World and the achievements of the New World CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 This year, we have also celebrated La Rossa of Maranello, Ferrari (Photo: Rosemari Vasilica Tiganila/Dreamstime)

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