L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2025 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 S e e n f r o m I t a l y , these associations can look folkloric, a l i t t l e o l d - f a s h - ioned, even overly Americanized. In reality, they are a genuine expression of an identity that formed over time by blending familiar habits from "what our grandparents used to do" with community structures shaped by Ameri- can life. The result is some- t h i n g t h a t s e e m s t o b e l o n g completely to neither world, and at times even feels slightly outside of time, as if it existed in a parallel dimension. This is not a criticism. It is, rather, a way to describe that space occupied by people who live between two cultures, those who feel half Italian and half American; those who have been American for generations but still feel a pull toward their Italian roots; and even those who carry an Italian last name, and with it a sense of affection for a country they may not actually know. When you attend an Italian American event, whether it's a black-tie gala, a reception at the Italian Cultural Institute, The historical and social importance of Italian American associations From the Editor a dance that ends with the crowning of a "queen," a barbe- cue draped in the tricolore, or a scholarship fundraiser, you experience two things at once: there is the warmth of instant familiarity and a certain disorientation, but the invi- tation is to look past the surface. Ask why, beyond the appearance of nostalgia, people still gather at Casa Italia, still take part in religious processions that look like they've stepped out of a faded photograph, still work to keep con- tact between generations, and still slip a few dialect words into conversation when they run into an old paesano at a social dinner, where tables are covered in red-and-white checkered cloths and the plates are filled with lasagne and spaghetti with meatballs. Two major annual commemorations unite the many clubs, confraternities, and mutual aid societies founded decades ago to bring together Italian Americans and give them a shared sense of belonging. The first is Columbus Day which, in October, Italian Heritage Month, is used to honor the contribution of Italians and Italian Americans to the building and growth of the United States. The second is Italy's Festa della Repubblica on June 2, which marks the birth of the Italian Republic and also highlights the bond between Italy and the United States. These are not the only important dates, just the most visible ones. Between patron- saint feasts tied to villages of origin and community dinners that run year-round, this identity is not remembered once a year, it is practiced continuously. Dates, anniversaries, and rituals help keep a sense of self alive, but the heart of it is not only celebration, it is the desire to live one's Italianità – one's Italianness – in con- crete, everyday ways. People who come together through Italian American associations are not only sharing senti- ment; they are sharing support, building networks, organiz- ing scholarships and cultural programs, and creating places where it is still possible to say, together: we come from that world. In California alone, this effort to preserve and trans- mit Italian heritage involves around 150 organizations, from very small, informal groups to large, structured institutions such as NIAF and OSDIA. Their value lies in holding togeth- er a living identity, one that adapts to contemporary life rather than being frozen in time. For these communities, having a physical place to gather, talk, argue, plan, and be publicly visible matters enormous- ly. It is in these halls, clubs, and cultural centers that lan- guage, traditions, and a sense of shared story are renewed. The fact that many of these organizations are more than 100 years old already tells us something, regardless of how tra- ditional or how Americanized their style of expression may seem. And the newer associations are just as important: younger generations are building film festivals, perfor- mance groups, language programs, cultural clubs, even sports fan clubs built around Italian soccer teams. The for- mats change, but the aim is consistent: to keep Italian cul- ture present and active. That this survives in an age of fast, mostly digital contact is not just touching, it is meaningful. Belonging is, at its core, a form of personal and social enrichment, and this is the real message behind Italian Heritage Month: unity among different strands is what keeps the Italian American community strong. And even for those who are neither Ital- ian nor Italian American, there is something to gain. By stepping into these spaces, you often find unexpected points of connection and new reasons to care. Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS P.O.BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003 Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italianaall'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano Please send correspondence to P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano Newspaper (a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization), www.italoamericano.org, is the largest and longest-running Italian news- paper 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 Nittoli SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTOR Serena Perfetto SEATTLE CONTRIBUTOR Rita Cipalla CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariella Radaelli, Matt Walker, Francesca Bezzone, Luca Ferrari, Stefano Carnevali, Paula Reynolds, Teresa Di Fresco Nicoletta Curradi, Generoso D'Agnese, Jessica S. Levy, Fabrizio Del Bimbo, Maria Gloria, Chuck Pecoraro, Anthony Di Renzo Serena Perfetto, Kenneth Scambray, Chiara D'Alessio, Luca Signorini, Giulia Franceschini © 2025 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114

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