L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2026 www.italoamericano.org 24 L'Italo-Americano LOS ANGELES ITALIAN COMMUNITY T here are no stars or celebrity names e n g r a v e d i n t h e p a v e m e n t o f P i a z z a M i r a - mare in San Pedro – only the names of Italian fishermen who immigrated to the United S t a t e s i n t h e e a r l y 1 9 0 0 s . Located at the corner of South Harbor Boulevard and West 6th Street, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and in the heart of Los Angeles' Little Italy, the n e w l y i n a u g u r a t e d p u b l i c square pays tribute to the Ital- ian immigrants – many from Ischia, Genoa, and Sicily – who arrived in San Pedro to work as fishermen at the Port of Los Angeles. The piazza is dedicated to t h e m , b e g i n n i n g w i t h t h e c o m m e m o r a t i v e t i l e s t h a t allow Italian-American fami- lies to leave a tangible mark of t h e i r o w n h i s t o r y . L i k e a reversed Walk of Fame, Piaz- z a M i r a m a r e h o n o r s n o t celebrities, but grandparents, great-grandparents, and first- generation immigrants, men and women who crossed the ocean in search of opportuni- ty and a future. Many tiles will bear the name of the first family member to arrive in San Pedro from Italy. "From the very beginning, Piazza Miramare was conceived not simply as an urban project, but as a place of collective memory, identity, and com- m u n i t y l i f e , " s a y s A n n a Manunza, a board member of the Little Italy of Los A n g e l e s A s s o c i a t i o n (LILAA). Another central element of t h e p i a z z a i s t h e F i s h e r - men's Fountain. The name is a tribute to the generations o f I t a l i a n f i s h e r m e n w h o h e l p e d s h a p e S a n P e d r o , transforming the harbor into one of the city's economic and cultural pillars. Piazza Mira- m a r e a l s o s i t s a b o v e a n important historical artifact, the San Pedro Time Capsule, buried in 1988 and scheduled to be opened in 2088, further reinforcing the sense of conti- nuity between past, present, and future. "We wanted to respect the history of the site, which was previously known a s P e p p e r T r e e L a n e , " Manunza explains. "The Time Capsule remains at the center of the piazza, and during con- struction we were extremely careful to preserve it." The space, adjacent to San Pedro City Hall, is owned by the City of Los Angeles and managed by LILAA, which is responsible for its mainte- nance and cultural program- ming. "Our goal is to give the community a true Italian- style piazza, a daily gathering place, open to all generations, where we can host cultural events, celebrations, and ini- tiatives connected to Italian traditions," Manunza adds. What were your prior- ities in designing Piazza Miramare? Sustainability was key. We also spent a lot of time think- ing about the placement of the Fishermen's Fountain. Traditionally, fountains are placed in the center of a piaz- za, but we wanted a flexible space that could host events, allowing room for seating, booths, and a stage. That's why the fountain was placed to the side. It is already oper- ational and uses recycled water, combining environ- mental responsibility with historical preservation. Were there other ele- ments you felt strongly about? Yes, the pergola was very important to us, as well as the fixed wooden seating. We didn't want plastic or metal, but natural materials that evoke the feeling of a tradi- tional Italian piazza. The e n g r a v e d t i l e p r o g r a m i s especially meaningful. H o w d i d t h a t i d e a come about? It originated within the LILAA Board. Every board member purchased a tile, myself included. We didn't install them at the inaugura- tion because we're still wait- ing for the engraver, but the first tiles should be installed next month. The proceeds support LILAA's programs a n d t h e o n g o i n g m a i n t e - nance of the piazza, which is entirely our responsibility. To t h a n k t h e h u n d r e d s o f donors, we'll be hosting a pri- vate ceremony in their honor. Is there a donor you are particularly grateful to? Absolutely, Marisa Antoni- ni. We were short on funds for the Fishermen's Fountain and were considering not building it. Marisa insisted it be realized and fully spon- sored it. She is originally from Turin and is a Knight of the Italian Republic. She is deeply involved in philan- thropic work, especially pro- jects supporting education, children, and women. She's truly an extraordinary per- son. In Italy, piazzas are the l i v i n g r o o m s o f o u r cities. How do you envi- s i o n t h i s s p a c e b e i n g used? We want it to be a daily g a t h e r i n g p l a c e , o p e n t o everyone. Some local grand- mothers have already pro- posed hosting monthly can- noli nights and card games. Others would like to organize crochet classes. We'll also b r i n g i n I t a l i a n v e n d o r s , mobile pizzerias and gelato carts, for pizza nights and gelato nights. There's incredi- ble enthusiasm around this space. H a v e a n y e v e n t s already been scheduled? Yes. The next event will be a Carnival celebration for children on February 15, fol- lowed by Gaelic & Garlic on March 14, a collaboration with the Irish community. We've also decided that the annual Festa Italiana will officially kick off from Piazza Miramare. W h a t a r e y o u m o s t proud of? The passion behind the project. The inauguration was organized in just nine days, with the entire LILAA Board working around the c l o c k . A s a r e c e n t I t a l i a n i m m i g r a n t , I f o u n d S a n Pedro to be an incredibly welcoming community. This project became a personal mission, giving something back and creating meaningful moments for future genera- tions. Were younger genera- tions involved as well? Very much so. Many Ital- ian-American students from local schools volunteered during the opening. Among t h e m w e r e G i a n n a a n d Marco, ages 13 and 15, chil- dren of Gianine Rizzi, an Ital- i a n - A m e r i c a n c i t y c o u n - c i l m e m b e r i n S a n P e d r o . That's how we launched the Junior Board, made up of young people who will sup- port our events and represent the future of Little Italy Los Angeles. What kind of response have you received from the San Pedro communi- ty? Overwhelmingly positive. Many residents told us the piazza reignited their interest i n t h e i r I t a l i a n h e r i t a g e : some have enrolled in Italian language classes, others want to volunteer or become mem- bers of the association. J u s t d a y s a f t e r t h e opening, what impres- sions have stood out? I t ' s r e m a r k a b l e . W e ' v e already received numerous requests, especially from Ital- ians, asking to get married in Piazza Miramare. We've only just opened, and it's already becoming a beloved place for the community. That's the most meaningful sign of the connection this space has created. SILVIA NITTOLI Many authorities and friends of LILAA were presents at the inauguration of Piazza Miramare including, among others, LILAA board member Anna Manunza; IIC LA Director Emanuele Amendola; Consul Lorenza Errighi; member of the Chamber of Deputies Christian Di Sanzo; Consul General Raffaella Valentini; Councilmember Tim McOsker; former Councilmember Joe Buscaino; LILAA President Mario Amalfitano; LILAA Vice-President John De Girolamo (Photo: John Mattera Photography) P i a z z a M i r a m a r e : w h e r e S a n P e d r o preserves immigrant memory

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