L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017 www.italoamericano.org 30 L'Italo-Americano SAN FRANCISCO ITALIAN COMMUNITY I n the month of June, Italy's Republic Day, the historic Statuto Race, and the 63 rd annual North Beach Festival are c e l e b r a t e d a s o n l y S a n F r a n c i s c o k n o w s h o w . R e d , white and green are proudly displayed throughout the month as these crowd-pleasing events turn the City's streets into fes- tive feste. Italy's Republic Day 2017 was June 2 but was celebrated in San Francisco on May 30 at the St. Francis Yacht Club. As in past years, the elegant event drew hundreds of enthusiastic guests who stood in the receiv- ing line to greet event host, San F r a n c i s c o ' s I t a l i a n C o n s u l General, Lorenzo Ortona. This is considered by many the most important event of the Italian c o m m u n i t y i n t h e B a y A r e a along with the Italian Heritage Parade in October. Italy's Republic Day, also k n o w n a s F e s t a d e l l a R e p u b b l i c a ( F e s t i v a l o f t h e Republic), is a national holiday celebrated on June 2 each year. The celebration is to honor the day Italians voted to abolish the monarchy in 1946. It is consid- ered the Italian version of the American Independence Day, the Fourth of July. R e p u b l i c D a y c o m m e m o - rates the 1946 institutional ref- erendum when the Italian popu- lation was called to decide what form of government (monarchy or republic) they wanted for the country after the Second World War and the fall of Fascism. After 85 years of monarchy, with 12,717,923 votes for and 10,719,284 votes against, Italy became a Republic, and House o f S a v o y m o n a r c h s w e r e deposed and exiled. Celebratory events in Italy include official ceremonies, military parades, and laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, inside the Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland), in Rome. Also a crowd favorite is the Frecce Tricolori flying over the Altare. On June 4, the streets of San Francisco came alive with the 97 th running of the S tatu to Race, America's 4th oldest foot race west of the Mississippi. The race commemorates the Statuto Albertino, the Italian " c o n s t i t u t i o n " t h a t l a i d t h e ground work for the unification of Italy. The race has been run in North Beach since 1919 with o n l y a o n e - y e a r g a p d u r i n g World War II. This year's race began on Stockton Street in front of the San Francisco Athletic Club (SFIAC), next to Washington S q u a r e p a r k , t r a v e l e d d o w n Stockton to North Point, onto the Embarcadero, under the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, down to Bryant Street and then returned on the same route end- ing back at the SFIAC. This iconicly scenic route allows participants to fully immerse themselves in a race that actual- ly spans seven centuries. The race began in Verona, Italy in 1271. Crowds of men, possibly naked, according to historic accounts, stood at the ready to run a foot race that continued to be held annually in one form or another for the next seven centuries. Male runners running naked could be a tradi- tion linked to ancient Etruscan games where those performing in athletic races ran naked. Or, a more likely reason could be that running naked made it dif- ficult for other fellow runners to grab at the clothing of those in front of them in order to sabo- CATHERINE ACCARDI Italian Summer - San Francisco Celebrates Italia in June tage their lead. If you missed Republic Day and the Statuto Race, you are still in time to enjoy the 63 rd annual North Beach Festival taking place on June 17 and 18. The North Beach Festival origi- nally began as the Upper Grant Avenue Street Fair, years later was renamed the North Beach F a i r , a n d m o s t r e c e n t l y , r e n a m e d t h e N o r t h B e a c h Festival. Throngs of residents and vis- itors alike flock to this historic event which has been accurately described by fans as "the ulti- m a t e p a s s e g g i a t a . " D a n i e l M a c c h i a r i n i , s o n o f P e t e r M a c c h i a r i n i , f o u n d e r o f t h e Upper Grant Avenue Street Fair, explains the fair in this way: " T o d a y w h a t w e c a l l t h e North Beach Festival began in 1 9 5 4 a s t h e U p p e r G r a n t Avenue Street Fair. It was the progenitor of all the street fairs, festivals and streetscape events that exist in this country today. I t w a s o n e o f t h e e a r l i e s t c o u n t e r - c u l t u r e i c o n o c l a s t i c artistic events originating in San Francisco. And it was the cre- ation of local merchants and artists and had great community support and participation." Upper Grant is where the fair stayed until 1984 when its over- whelming popularity continued to draw such crowds that the venue was expanded to adjacent streets. To this day, local artists, musicians, and the treasures of "Little Italy" never fails to draw thousands of people. This year, over 125 art and crafts booths, 20 gourmet food booths, live entertainment, and the blessing of the animals in the Shrine of S a i n t F r a n c i s o f A s s i s i ( 6 1 0 Vallejo Street) will be offered once again. Multiple stages will present live music throughout each day and "beverage gar- dens" will quench thirsts. New this year, on June 18 at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., Circus Bella will bring its popular one ring c i r c u s t o t h e N o r t h B e a c h Festival. More information is available at http://www.srespro- d u c t i o n s . c o m / e v e n t s / n o r t h - beach-festival. June is the beginning of sum- mer and with it comes the first in a series of upcoming celebra- tions that will take place over the next several months com- memorating all things Italian and culminating with the Italian H e r i t a g e P a r a d e i n O c t o b e r , Italian Heritage month. Italian Consul General Lorenzo Ortona & Mrs. Sheila Ortona greet guests at Italy's Republic Day event. Photograph by Catherine Accardi Italian Community Services provid Bay Area Italian-American seniors and famili with trusted rourc to help them live healthy, independent and productive liv. We are commied to honoring and prerving the Italian language and culture, with an emphasis on the strength and suort that com om family, community, education and goodwill. Casa Coloniale John F. Fugazi 678 Green Street San Francisco, CA 94133 415 •362 •6423 www.italiancs.com . . • Translation for seniors /new immigrants • Community service coordination • Information and referrals Statuto Race in San Francisco's Little Italy. Courtesy of the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club Street painting. Courtesy of Steve Restivo Event Services

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