Montreal Vol.6 No. 1

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I TA L I A

PM40981004

PANORAM

D E C 2 0 1 0 / J A N 2 0 1 1 • VO L . 5 • N O. 5

T H E M AG A Z I N E M A I L E D TO I TA L I A N / C A N A D I A N H O M E S I N T H E G R E AT E R M O N T R E A L & OT TAWA A R E A S

BIMESTRIAL • BIMESTRALE • BIMESTRIEL

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COVER

THE SECRET OF FAITH

TROIS D’ENTRE NOUS • THREE OF US • TRE DI NOI • MATTHEW NINI, PIERRE PAOLITTO AND FRANCESCO JOHN SCALIA

SINGER

GINO VANNELLI NOUVEAUX

REMINISCES IN MONTRÉAL

Fr

ee

pa sub no sc r r .c a m i i p t i om ta on li a @

MARIÉS 2010

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O F F ICI A L F ER R A R I A N D M A SER AT I D E A L ER

Print/Small Sizes 15 - 249 mm in height

Ferrari Maserati Québec Display Sizes 250 mm - in height

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Our new state of the art, 44,000 sq.ft. facility is now home to Montreal’s exclusive factory authorized Ferrari & Maserati retailer. Our increased capacity will greatly enhance our ability to look after your personal requests with greater efficiency. Our personalized service includes sales, regular scheduled maintenance, collision repair and the Classiche restoration service for your classic Ferrari.

The team at Ferrari Maserati Québec possesses the expertise to make your experience second to none. We are committed to and passionate about our clients’ total satisfaction. This is our goal. Our best is yet to come.

We invite you all to visit with us, enjoy an espresso, or a Ferrari or Maserati.

Ferrari Maserati Québec 3980 Jean-Talon West, Montréal QC H4P 1V6 Telephone: 514.337.7274 www.ferrariquebec.com www.maseratiquebec.com All trademarks and copyrights are exclusively rights of Ferrari S.p.A. and Maserati S.p.A.

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BIMESTRIAL

PUBLISHER AND EDITOR Tony Zara EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Filippo Salvatore MANAGING EDITOR Gabriel Riel-Salvatore ASSISTANT TO THE MANAGING EDITOR Adam Zara

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HAIR STYLIST & MAKE-UP Nazzareno Salvi - Estetica Emmanuelle Blanchard ADVERTISING - SALES Frank Crisafi PUBLIC RELATIONS Enzo Tirelli COVER PHOTO Farhi Yavuz www.yavuzphoto.ca

ART DIRECTOR Gabriel Riel-Salvatore Manon Massé GRAPHIC DESIGN Manon Massé PROOFREADING Marisa Pellegrino Carlotta Morteo EDITORIAL INTERN Amanda Fulginiti

CONTRIBUTORS Piero Facchin Sabrina Marandola Franca Mazza Claudia Ficca Mary Melfi Chiara Folini Mamma Pina Joey Franco Peter Pomponio Joanne Latimer

Me Pasquale Artuso Sonia Benedetto Laura Casella Francesco Di Muro Loretta Di Vita

Editorial

Giovanni Princigalli Sophie Suraniti Léa-Catherine Szacka

Art and Culture

Comments and opinions ................... 13 Editor’s note ..................................... 14 Un invito alla riflessione .................... 15

Cover story Le secret de la foi .......................... 16-17

Christmas Special Il Presepe............................................ 19 Il Presepe, un’operate d’arte e di fede per Giulio et Marta Dinucci ......... 20 Canonisation du frère André à Rome .......................... 21 Will the Real St. Nick Please Stand Up? .............................. 22 Tomie dePaola’s Merry Old Witch Strega Nona ........................... 23 Cin cin! Bringing in the New Year Italian Style ....................... 24

Life Stories Catholic Mission of Annunziata’ Parish finally gets its own Church ............... 25

Food and Travel Old Fashiond Italian Christmas Cookies ....................... 28-29 Vin: Bulles ou bollicine? Sélection de mousseux Italiens ................. 32-33 Recettes: Plaisir et réconfort ............. 35 Eating Italian in New York City ......... 36 Le panettone, un pain béni! ............. 37 Muro Lucano .................................... 38

Life Style Profile: Tony Masi ............................. 39 Living Italian Style ....................... 40-41 Fashion: Style Guy ....................... 42-43

Music: Gino Vannelli .................... 44-45 Cinéma: Venezia il cinema e la Mostra .................................. 46-47 Cinema: Director’s Cut! Local band featured in Hollywood Movie Barney’s Version ..................... 49 Cinema: Sorridere al tempo che passa: Stefania Sandrelli ............ 50

Business Advertorial: TD Bank ......................... 51 Peter Pomponio: Will Planning........... 52 Pasquale Artuso & Associés: Festeggia i suoi 25 anni .................... 54 Cassa Popolare Canadese Italiana: For Effective Online Services and Sound Investment Advices ......... 55 Advertorial: Rodimax ........................ 56

Events Ottawa Plaque at Piazza Dante to commemorate five interned Ottawa-Italians ................................. 57

Community Events .............. 58-59 Newlyweds Advertorial: Sheldon Kagan .............. 62 Wedding ...................................... 63-67

Sports Il giuoco del calcio fiorentino ........... 68 A Long-Distance Love Affair ............. 68 Making headway: The fascinating world of art and speed ..................... 69

We look forward to hearing from you!

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Legal deposit - Bibliothèque nationale du Québec / National Library of Canada - ISSN: 1916-6389

Le opinioni espresse negli articoli firmati non rispecchiano necessariamente le idée della direzione e/o dell’editore che non vanno ritenuti legalmente responsabili del loro contenuto e della loro veridicità.

Les opinions exprimées dans les articles signés ne sont pas nécessairement celles de la direction et/ou de l’éditeur et ils ne peuvent pas être tenus légalement responsables de leur contenu et de leur véridicité.

The opinions expressed in this magazine and/or its signed articles are those of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of its administration or publisher and cannot be held legally responsible thereof.

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Comments from our readers

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Send us your thoughts and stories.

Envoyez-nous vos suggestions et commentaires.

Inviateci i vostri commenti e suggerimenti.

The minute your magazine is delivered, the phone calls to my friends commence.

“Did you receive Panoram Italia yet, check your mailbox?” We unanimously agree that this is the classiest, glossiest, most ingenious and delightful magazine that touches all aspects of the Italian Community. Tony Zara’s heartfelt tribute to his mother was so endearing that I had to express my thoughts as soon as I finished reading it. Each one of us has lost someone special that will forever leave a void in our lives but not in our hearts. Thank you for sharing your mother with all of us.

Ennia Mulfati, Montreal This issue was amazing. The article about the roman and Sicilian catacombs, along with another one concerning Istrian Italians were both favorites of mine.

Hopefully more articles about Istrian Dalmatian Italians can find their way into the magazine. Keep up the fantastic effort.

Domenico Marco Miletti, Montreal Dear Mr. Zara, in the last issue of Panoram Italia, your moving tribute to your mother compelled me to write you a note congratulating you on this homage to one of your parents.

I would also like to congratulate you for the wonderful work you do with Panoram Italia. Having taught for 40 years, I know how difficult and demanding it is to sustain excellence and quality, day in and day out, when there are deadlines to be met, written assignments to be handed in, edit-

ed, and then processed through lay-outs and the final stages of publishing. It is a very demanding task indeed, and the magazine continues to be as excellent as it was in its very first publication. Take care and keep up the good work.

Antoinette Taddeo, Montreal Caro Tony, devo complimentarmi con voi tutti per il fantastico lavoro che fate con la vostra rivista superprofessionale. Se ti farà piacere, vorrei parlare di voi sul mio modesto notiziario in italiano e inglese per la comunita in Australia. Cordialità e saluti a voi tutti.

Luigi De Luca, Direttore responsabile, Sono Siamo Italiani, Sydney I am from Montreal, however I now live in Calgary. I receive your magazine here and I love it, it keeps me connected to my roots in Montreal. I would love to be part of the “Living Italian Style” section that you publish. Thanks for publishing such a great magazine that all Italians can be proud of. VIVA L’ITALIA e VIVA MONTREAL. Jason Cassetta, Calgary To all your writers, reporters, editors and the rest of the team - congratulations!! You guys are doing such great work on this magazine, all I hear these days is “did you ever read Panoram Italia magazine and the interesting stories they

publish?”, and I just have to agree, because you do publish very interesting stories, news etc. Bravo Guys! Keep up the good work!

Giovanna Occhionero We are honoured by all the work and energy that your magazine places on the Italians in Montreal.

Congratulations!! Bringing a bit of our Italian culture to the generation who carries an Italian name, who hangs at hype restaurants, cafes and clubs and who makes it a point to attend la Settimana Italiana after nonna’s Sunday lunch.

Anna Vaccaro Sama, Montreal I always look forward to receiving Panoram Italia. It’s one of the most interesting magazines I have ever encountered.

The coverage of stories of our ancestors as well as all the ads are very interesting and so very well done. Wishing a long life to this wonderful magazine.

P. Mancuso I made a $30.00 contribution and I received the most amazing cookbook - I can’t believe it - Every family that is receiving Panoram Italia magazine free at their home should take the time to make this contribution - It is well worth it - I can’t wait to try some of the many delicious recipes - if you don’t like to cook, order it just for the pictures - you will love it.

Giovanna Dolce v

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Publisher’s note

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Nina, Incoronata Di Donato , Antonietta, Clemente, Erminia Salvatore, Maria

Thank God for little miracles!

By Tony Zara

My tribute to my beloved mother Giulia on the occasion of the 30 th anniversary of her death sparked many letters and e-mails from you, the reader, mostly commenting on the emotions it brought out. I can tell that many of you suffered and continue to suffer, as I do, a great sense of loss. he best surprise from this story was a call I received from a lady that worked with my mother at Hyde Park Clothes. Incoronata is her name. She began the conversation by saying that I would probably remember her since she has such a unique name, Incoronata! She was right, I also worked summers at this factory and I did remember the name, Incoronata, but nothing else about her.

Incoronata Di Donato and I spoke for quite a while. Being the same age as my mother, and the fact that they worked together for many years brought me back in time - a time where my mother was alive and all the wonderful memories it evoked. It also served as a reminder of how far our community has come thanks to the dedication to family and the hard work of these courageous and remarkable ladies like Incoronata and Giulia.

During our conversation I could not help but ask her if, by any chance, she might have some pictures of herself and her coworkers on the job. To my amazement, she said yes. Thank God for little miracles!

In these two photos, thanks to Incoronata, you, the reader, have an opportunity to see the real heros of our community. Thanks to these women, and thousands like them, we are who we are today. On behalf of all our community I say THANK YOU! We shall never forget your sacrifices.

Merry Christmas and please give your mothers a great big hug and tell them how much you love and appreciate all that they have done for YOU! N.B.: Incoronata tried her best to remember all the names of these wonderful ladies.

Should there be any errors or omissions, please accept our apologies in advance. v

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Due inviti alla riflessione

Editoriale

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minorenne Ruby nel quale è coinvolto il Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri italiano Silvio Berlusconi.

Sono ormai sedici anni, dal 1994, che la repubblica italiana è governata quasi ininterrottamente dal magnate Berlusconi, che si era arricchito - prima di lanciarsi in politica e fondare Forza Italia - facendo il palazzinaro, costruendo cioè caseggiati di poco valore alla periferia di Milano. Berlusconi ha poi saputo approfittare della privatizzazione dei mezzi Filippo Salvatore d’informazione per crearsi un impero mediatico, Mediaset, grazie al quale è riuscito ad arrivare al potere e continua a condizionare una buona percentuale dell’opinione pubblica italiana. L’Italia è, per chi la guarda dall’esterno, una videocrazia dominata da un individuo Le parole che state per leggere, cari lettori, sono un invito alla che ha ricorso sistematicamente al populismo più becero per mantenersi al potere. Certo, r i f l e s s i o n e. L a r i c o r r e n z a d e l l a n a s c i t a d e l R e d e n t o r e Machiavelli insegna, la politica ha una sua logica autonoma ed il comportamento di chi dell’umanità, il Santo Natale, è l’occasione più propizia governa non va sempre giudicato secondo principi moralmente impeccabili. Si scade, se lo si dell’anno per meditare sul significato da dare alla vita umana fa, nel giustizialismo astratto, alla Antonio Di Pietro. Tuttavia la mancanza di un comportamento dignitoso nel suo rapporto con altri leader politici a livello internazionale, l’erotomae sui valori che dovrebbero guidarci, come esseri umani e nia per le avvenenti adolescenti di cui sembra affetto, i numerosi falsi in bilancio, i legami con come cittadini, nei nostri comportamenti quotidiani. Viviamo personaggi corrotti o addirittura, più o meno direttamente, con dei malavitosi, stanno parain un mondo dove domina il relativismo morale, dove viene lizzando il normale funzionamento dello Stato italiano. Al di fuori dei confini nazionali l’Italia come un paese alla deriva con a capo un personaggio da barzelletta. A causa delle continuamente reclamato il diritto individuale e la ricerca del appare frasche di Silvio Berlusconi l’Italia finisce con il diventare un paese che non può essere preso piacere immediato. Il consumismo, che ottunde la capacità sul serio. I vizi privati e la corruzione di Berlusconi stanno danneggiando in modo pesante critica della persona, è, diceva Pier Paolo Pasolini all’inizio l’Italia, una delle principali economie a livello mondiale. Se la prima repubblica è sfociata in degli anni Settanta, la ‘forma più pericolosa e totale di Tangentopoli, la seconda, corrispondente al regime berlusconiano, sta declassando l’Italia quasi al livello di una grossa repubblica di banane. La terza repubblica potrà cominciare solo fascismo’, perché riduce l’individuo a semplice consumatore, quando Silvio Berlusconi, un vecchio di 75 anni, sarà obbligato a ritirarsi a vita privata. lo trasforma in cosa e rende la sua vita superflua.

I sintomi sempre più numerosi sono che il suo abbandono della vita pubblica è imminente.

Auguriamocelo per il bene dell’Italia.

Auguriamoci anche che nel corso del 2011 verrà fatta luce sulla corruzione presente nel setl passaggio ‘dall’età del pane all’età dei consumi’ è, antropologicamente, la più tore dell’ edilizia quebecchese. Sia a livello municipale montrealese che provinciale quebecchese profonda e irreversibile rivoluzione nel mondo tecnologicamente sviluppato le cui tanti sono gli indizi che sembrano rivelare che tutto il sistema degli appalti è stato per anni in conseguenze si stanno manifestando in tutta la loro perimano ad un cartel che ne determinava le attribuzioni in colosità e gravità davanti ai nostri occhi. Sta diventando Al di fuori dei confini nazionali l’Italia appare come modo illecito, facendo così lievitare i costi e obbligando sempre più difficile esercitare il nostro senso critico, il libero ogni singolo cittadino onesto a pagare tasse sempre più un paese alla deriva con a capo un personaggio da arbitrio, che ci rende liberi come individui.

L’esistenza di un sistema illecito di appalti, con barzelletta. A causa delle frasche di Silvio Berlusconi esose.

Il relativismo morale eretto a sistema domina, legami più o meno diretti al crimine organizzato, mi l’Italia finisce con il diventare un paese che non può porta a fare un’ altra riflessione: le conseguenze deleterie dicevo, nel nostro mondo occidentale. Ognuno reclama la propria libertà individuale, ma spesso rifiuta di tenere per l’intera comunità italiana di alcuni individui che essere preso sul serio. conto dei doveri da rispettare. Il contratto sociale che ci incarnano il crimine organizzato. governa è infatti il risultato della libertà che ognuno di noi ha accettato di delegare alla Fino a quando ci saranno tra di noi persone come loro -che dalle parti mie chiamiamo comunità per il bene comune. Tanti, da quando il mondo è mondo, sono stati i falsi profeti. ‘mangiapane a tradimento’, non ‘uomini d’onore’,- abbiamo tutto da perdere. Rispettiamo Chi esercita il potere politico ed economico si riempie la bocca di belle parole che poi ignora quindi e guardiamo con ammirazione solo chi lo merita davvero. volutamente. Vorrei illustrare questo principio con un esempio recente: lo scandalo con la (15 novembre 2010) v

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Our Cover

Filippo Salvatore

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Le secret de la foi

The secret of faith

Rencontre avec Francesco John Scalia, Matthew Nini et Pierre Paolitto, trois jeunes séminaristes présentement en formation à la prêtrise.

Interview with Francesco John Scalia, M a t t h e w N i n i a n d P i e r r e Pa o l i t t o, three seminarians currently in formation for the Catholic priesthood.

ctobre, par un après-midi ensoleillé. Les érables sont toujours couverts de jaune et de rouge alors que je roule rue O Sherbrooke vers le Grand séminaire de Montréal. Cette bâtisse

t is a sunny October afternoon. The maple trees are still covered with yellow and red leaves as I drive along Sherbrooke Street Iheading towards the Grand Séminaire de Montreal, an imposing

imposante de pierres grises de style néoclassique faite érigée par Monseigneur Ignace Bourget en 1840 est la maison mère des pères sulpiciens. Fief de l’église Catholique au Québec, le Grand séminaire avec son annexe qui abrite le Collège de Montréal, est situé à l’ouest du centre-ville. Sa construction se voulait une réponse à l’establishment protestant anglophone montréalais.

Ce fut la réaction de Bourget contre l’approche libérale de l’Institut Canadien et de la Francmasonerie, deux idéologies montantes qui menaçaient la suprématie des ultramontains.

Le Masonic Memorial Temple se trouve en effet à deux pas du séminaire. Les deux bâtiments évoquent toujours des systèmes de valeurs sociales opposées, bien que leur signification symbolique et historique échappe à bien des montréalais d’aujourd’hui.

Alors que j’attends dans le hall d’entrée pour rencontrer Francesco John Scalia, Matthew Nini et Pierre Paolitto, trois jeunes séminaristes présentement en formation à la prêtrise, je suis frappé par la quiétude de l’endroit. La lumière du soleil couchant s’engouffre dans les lucarnes du long corridor projetant sur les murs et le plancher des rectangles dorés. Les voilà qui descendent finalement l’escalier et nous nous installons dans le parloir pour commencer l’entrevue.

Matthew Nini, le plus jeune des trois, n’a que 20 ans. Il est né au Nouveau Brunswick et est l’aîné d’une famille de trois enfants. Son frère Christopher et sa sœur Gianna demeurent toujours chez leurs parents, Dorothy Roy et Mario Nini. Les Nini vivent au Canada depuis les années 1930s. L’arrière grand-père de Matthew, Luigi, un homme d’affaires prospère, émmigra de Sienne vers Boston avec sa femme Patrizia et ses deux frères, après avoir fait banqueroute. C’est après s’être déniché un emploi chez CNR (Canadian National Railway) que Mario part s’installer au Canada dans la ville de Bathurst au Nouveau Brunswick. Matthew comprend toujours l’italien, mais ne le pratique pas. « Il n’y a que trois ou quatre familles d’origine italienne à Bathurst, mais nous sommes la seule originaire de Toscane. Maintenir sa langue s’avère difficile sans communauté. Toutefois, il existe bien un lien entre Bathurst et Sienne, car ces deux villes partagent la même sainte protectrice : la Madonna dell’Assunzione. J’ai grandi en pratiquant la religion Catholique. Assister à la messe et recevoir les sacrements de la première communion et de la confirmation ont signifié quelque chose d’important pour moi. Ça m’a permis de comprendre qu’en tant qu’êtres humains, nous sommes tous ici pour une raison : guérir et remédier au mal qui afflige le monde.

La personne qui nous a montré comment le faire est Jésus Christ.

Je me perçois comme un disciple de son message de rédemption, d’amour, de justice et de paix. » Le chemin qui a mené Pierre Paolitto à devenir séminariste est bien différent. « Je n’étais pas un catholique pratiquant, mais j’ai toujours été intéressé par la philosophie et la théologie, » répond d’un ton feutré ce jeune adulte charmant. La découverte de la foi a été pour moi un processus long et graduel. Plus je lisais, plus je me rendais compte que chaque être humain est un fils de Dieu. Mes amis ont été surpris lorsque je leur ai fait part de mon intention de devenir prêtre, mais ils ont respecté ma volonté. Mes parents et ma famille ont réagi de façon très positive et sont très heureux de ma décision. » Pierre est né en 1980 à Montréal et a un frère plus jeune, Alexandre. Son père Umberto, époux de Jocelyne Bernier, est né à Montelongo, Molise, et est arrivé au Canada à l’âge de 16 ans en 1966. Pierre a fréquenté l’école française et a obtenu un diplôme de technique en documentation au Collège Maisonneuve. « Je me considère un canadien avec une dimension italienne. Je parle la langue de mon père et j’ai visité l’Italie à plusieurs reprises. Nous entretenons toujours des liens avec la parenté là-bas. » Le plus âgé et le plus éloquent des trois jeunes hommes assis devant moi dans le parloir se nomme Francesco John Scalia, né à Montréal en 1978. Il est le fils unique de Corrado Scalia et Mary Elizabeth Bickford. Son père Corrado a quitté en 1963 pour Montréal son village natal de Cattolica Eraclea, Agrigento, en Sicile avec toute sa famille (ses sœurs Anna et Caterina, son père Francesco et sa mère Carmela). À l’âge de quatre ans, Francesco a déménagé avec ses parents à Toronto. C’est là qu’il a reçu son éducation Catholique à l’école privée Bishop Francis Allen elementary school et Saint Augustine High School. « J’avais treize

un bel pomeriggio di ottobre. Gli aceri sono ancora avvolti dal loro mantello di foglie gialle e rosse mentre guido verso il Grand Séminaire de Montréal, una struttura imponente di pietra grigia che Monsignor Ignace Bourget ha fatto costruire nel 1840 dai Padri Sulpiciani come sede centrale del cattolicesimo quebecchese. Il Grand Séminaire e l’attiguo Collège de Montréal, ubicati nella parte ovest della città, avevano come scopo di sfidare, simbolicamente e fisicamente, il potere dell’establishment economico protestante di lingua inglese. È stata la reazione del Bourget al liberalismo dell’Institut Canadien e della Massoneria, due ideologie laiche emergenti che stavano mettendo in discussione la supremazia dell’ultramontanismo. Quasi dirimpetto al seminario si erge, infatti, il Tempio Massonico. I due edifici esprimono ancora due sistemi opposti di valori, ma il loro significato storico contrastante non è inteso dai montrealesi di oggi che li considerano semplicemente parte dell’arredo architettonico della città.

Mentre aspetto nell’atrio di incontrare Francesco John Scalia, Matthew Nini e Pierre Paolitto, tre seminaristi che si stanno formando per diventare preti, mi colpisce la quiete che permea il luogo. Il sole avvvolge i lunghi corridori con i suoi raggi giallognoli e proietta rettangoli dorati di luce sul pavimento ed i muri. Eccoli all’improvviso che scendono la scalinata. Ci accomodiamo nel salone e il nostro incontro comincia. Il più giovane dei tre è Matthew Nini di soli venti anni. Nato a Bathurst nel Nuovo Brunswick è il primo di tre figli. Suo fratello Christopher e sua sorella Gianna vivono ancora con i loro genitori, Dorothy Roy e Mario Nini. I Nini vivono in Canada dagli anni Trenta del secolo scorso. È stato Luigi, il bisnonno di Matthew, un uomo d’affari benenestante di Siena che si è trasferito a Boston con la moglie Patrizia e con due fratelli a causa di gravi problemi economici.

Mario ha trovato lavoro alla CNR (Canadian National Railway) e dagli Stati Uniti è venuto a vivere in Canada a Bathurst, nuova residenza dei Nini. Matthew capisce la lingua italiana, ma non la parla correntemente. ‘Ci sono solo quattro o cinque famiglie d’origine italiana a Bathurst, e la nostra è la sola che proviene dalla Toscana. Siccome non esiste una comunità, è difficile mantenere viva la lingua. C’è comunque una cosa che unisce Bathurst e Siena: la Madonnadell’Assunzione è la protettrice di tutte e due le città. Sono cresciuto da cattolico praticante. Andare a messa, ricevere la prima comunione e la cresima hanno avuto un significato profondo per me. Mi hanno fatto capire che noi come esseri umani siamo in questo mondo per un fine, quello di guarire il mondo e liberarlo dal male. È stato Gesù Cristo che ci ha indicato il modo di farlo. Mi vedo come un seguace del Suo messaggio di misericordia, d’amore, di giustizia e di pace.

Pierre Paolitto ha seguito una strada diversa nel diventare seminarista .’Ero un cattolico non-praticante, ma ho sempre avuto un interesse per la filosofia e la teologia’ dice il bel giovane che si esprime a bassa voce. ‘La scoperta della fede è stato per me un processo lungo, graduale. Più leggevo, più mi rendevo conto che

grey-stone structure that Monsigneur Ignace Bourget had built in 1840 by the Sulpician Fathers as the headquarters of Catholic Quebec.The Grand Séminaire, together with the annexed Collège de Montréal, located in the western part of the city, were meant to be a symbolic and physical challenge to the English-speaking Protestant Montreal economic establishment. It was Bourget’s reaction to the liberalism of the Institut Canadien and to Freemansory, two rising secular ideologies that were challenging the supremacy of ultramontanism. As a matter of fact, almost facing the seminary stands the Masonic Temple. The two buildings still express their opposite social-value systems, but their contrasting historical significance is lost to most present-day Montrealers, who just see them as part of the city’s architectural landscape.

As I wait in the lobby to meet Francesco John Scalia, Matthew Nini and Pierre Paolitto, three seminarians currently in formation for the Catholic priesthood, I am struck by the quiet that permeates the premises. The setting sun wraps the long corridors with its rays and casts on the floor and walls golden rectangles of light. All of a sudden here they are, coming down the stairs. We move to the parlour room and our interview begins. The youngest of the three is Matthew Nini, who is only twenty years old. He was born in Bathurst, New Brunswick, and is the oldest of three children. His brother, Christopher, and sister, Gianna, still live with their parents, Dorothy Roy and Mario Nini. The Ninis have been living in Canada since the 1930s. It was Matthew’s great-grandfather, Luigi, a well-to-do businessman who moved from Siena to Boston with his wife Patrizia and two brothers after he was financially ruined. Mario found a job with CNR (Canadian National Railway) and moved from the USA to Canada, and since then Bathurst, New Brunswick has become home for the Ninis. Matthew still understands Italian but is not fluent in it. ‘There are only four or five families of Italian origin in Bathurst, but ours is the only one from Tuscany. Keeping the language is difficult if there is no community. There is, however, one thing that unites Bathurst and Siena: the patron of both cities is the Madonna dell’Assunzione. I grew up as a practicing Catholic and going to mass, and receiving First Communion and Confirmation, meant something deep to me.

It made me understand that we, as human beings, are here for a purpose, which is to heal and fix the evil of our world. The person who showed us the way to do it was Jesus Christ. I see myself as a continuator of His message of mercy, love, justice and peace.’

Pierre Paolitto’s path towards becoming a seminarian is quite different. ‘I was not a practicing Catholic, but I have always been interested in philosophy and theology,’ says the handsome and soft-spoken young adult. ‘The discovery of faith has been for me a long and gradual process. The more I read, the more I came to realize that each human being is a child of God. My friends were surprised when I told them I wanted to become a priest, but they respected my choice. Both of my parents’ families reacted very favourably and are very happy about my decision.’ Pierre was born in 1980, in Montreal, and has a younger brother, Alexandre.

His father, Umberto, husband to Jocelyne Bernier, was born in Montelongo, Molise, and arrived in Canada at the age of 16, in 1966. Young Pierre attended French language elementary school and is a graduate of Collège Maisonneuve in ‘technique en documentation’, or library technician. ‘I consider myself a Canadian with an Italian dimension. I speak my father’s language and I have visited Italy several times. We are still in touch with our relatives there.’

The oldest and most eloquent of the three young men who sit in front of me in the parlour is Francesco John Scalia, born in Montreal, in 1978. He is the only child to Corrado Scalia and Mary Elizabeth Bickford. Corrado immigrated to Montreal from his native town of Cattolica Eraclea, in Agrigento, Sicily with his family, (his sisters, Anna and Caterina, his father, Francesco, and his mother, Carmela). When young Francesco was four years old, he moved with his parents to Toronto. It is there that he received his education in private Catholic schools, Bishop Francis Allen elementary school and Saint Augustine High School. ‘I was thirteen and a half years old, in the month of February, during a retreat given by the Redemptorist Fathers, that I received what I felt was the call to join the priesthood. It was while I was listening to the retreat animator and reflecting upon the mission that the Church

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Il segreto della fede I n c o n t r o c o n Fr a n c e s c o J o h n S c a l i a , M a t t h e w N i n i e P i e r r e Pa o l i t t o, t r e seminaristi che si stanno formando per diventare preti.

É

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www.panoramitalia.com ans et demi, c’était en février durant une retraite organisée par les pères rédempteurs que j’ai reçu l’appel qui m’a poussé à joindre la prêtrise. Alors que j’écoutais l’animateur de la retraite parler du rôle que l’Église est appelé à jouer dans le monde pour transmettre le message du Dieu rédempteur, j’ai commencé à sentir en moi une inspiration divine, une sorte de grâce, de réconciliation avec mon fort intérieur que je n’avais jamais ressenti auparavant. Ensuite lorsque j’ai entendu le chœur de la paroisse chanter l’hymne « N’aie pas peur », la puissance de l’appel de la foi m’a subjugué. J’ai alors éprouvé une sensation de paix intérieure et j’ai pris conscience que ma vocation était d’aider les autres à rencontrer Dieu, tout comme je venais de le faire, sans avoir peur. Cette expérience m’a transformé à jamais. J’ai ainsi découvert pour la première fois ce que signifie avoir la foi, quelque chose qui prend naissance dans nos cœurs. La foi est différente de la croyance qui relève plutôt d’une acceptation mentale de Dieu. » Francesco est revenu à Montréal en 1999 et s’est par la suite inscrit au Grand séminaire de Montréal. Il sera ordonné prêtre d’ici quelques années. « Dans notre monde hautement laïcisé qui subit les contrecoups de l’individualisme et de la solitude, et où règne un hédonisme sans limites, je me considère un instrument de Dieu pour aider les gens à rencontrer le Christ, notre Sauveur et notre Rédempteur. » Alors que Francesco, Pierre et Matthew m’accompagnent vers la sortie, je me retourne un instant pour les regarder. Ils sont extraordinaires ! Tandis que par le passé les jeunes de familles pauvres devenaient frère, prêtres ou sœurs par nécessité, afin de recevoir une bonne éducation et un travail respectable, aujourd’hui, au début du troisième millénaire, c’est la foi, « un cadeau que nous avons tous reçu de Dieu », qui les motive à le faire. Leur nombre est bien moindre qu’auparavent dans notre monde matérialiste et hédoniste. On compte actuellement au Grand séminaire 15 jeunes hommes prêts à consacrer leur vie à Dieu. Je m’arrête encore un instant pour admirer l’imposant bâtiment et en tant que Catholique non pratiquant, je suis envahi d’une sensation de légèreté et de contentement que je n’arrive pas à comprendre. Voilà, je suppose, le secret de la foi. v

Our Cover ogni essere umano è figlio di Dio. I miei amici sono rimansti sorpresi quando ho detto loro che avevo l’intenzione di diventare prete. Entrambe le famiglie dei miei genitori hanno accolto la notizia con grande piacere. Pierre è nato a Montreal nel 1980 ed ha un fratello più piccolo, Alexandre. Umberto, suo padre, è nato a Montelongo, nel Molise ed è arrivato a Montreal nel 1966, all’età di sedici anni. Pierre ha frequentato le elementari in francese ed ha ottenuto un diploma in tecnica della documentazione bibliotecaria. ‘Mi considero canadese con una dimensione italiana, spiega. Parlo la lingua di mio padre ed ho visitato l’Italia diverse volte. Siamo rimasti in contatto con i nostri parenti.’

Il più grande ed il più eloquente dei tre giovani che sono seduti davanti a me nel salone è Francesco John Scalia, nato a Montreal nel 1978. È il figlio unico di Corrado Scalia e di Mary Elizabeth Bickford. Corrado è venuto a vivere a Montreal da Cattolica Eraclea ( Agrigento) in Sicilia con i suoi (le sorelle Anna e Caterina, il padre Francesco e la mamma Carmela) nel 1963. All’età di quattro anni Francesco ha traslocato con la sua famiglia a Toronto. È là che ha frequentato dapprima la scuola elementare privata cattolica Bishop Francis Allen ed in seguito la Saint Augustine High School. ‘ Avevo tredici anni e mezzo, il mese di febbraio, durante il ritiro dato dai Padri redentoristi che ho provato in me la vocazione di diventare prete. Mentre ascoltavo l’animatore del ritiro che stava spiegando la missione che la Chiesa è chiamata a svolgere nel mondo per far conoscere alla gente la misericordia ed il perdono di Dio, ho cominciato a sentire dentro di me un’infusione di grazia, una sorta unica di ispirazione che non avevo mai provato prima. Poco dopo nel sentire il coro parrocchiale cantare l’inno ‘Non avere paura’, la profondità della mia vocazione mi ha veramente colpito. Ho provato una sensazione di pace interiore e mi sono reso conto che la mia vocazione era di portare gli altri ad incontrare Dio, come avevo appena fatto io, senza avere paura. Posso dichiarare senza l’ombra di dubbio che questa esperienza mi ha cambiato per sempre. Ho scoperto per la prima volta cosa significasse avere la fede, una sensazione che si sprigiona dal cuore.

La fede è diversa dal credere il quale è semplicemente l’accettazione mentale di Dio.’ Francesco è tornato a Montreal nel 1999 da solo. È in seguito entrato nel seminario e fra qualche anno sarà ordinato sacerdote. Nel nostro mondo super-laicizzato dove prevale spesso la solitudine ed il dolore dell’individualismo, mi vedo come un mero strumento divino per aiutare il mio prossimo ad incontrare Cristo, il nostro Redentore e Salvatore.’

Mentre Francesco, Pierre e Matthew mi accompagnano all’uscita, mi giro e li guardo di nuovo. Sono veramente straordinari! Mentre nel passato i figli di famiglie povere diventavano frati, sacerdoti o monache per ricevere una buona istruzione ed un lavororispettabile, all’inizio del terzo millennio, è la fede, ‘un dono che siamo disposti a ricevere da Dio’ che li spinge a farlo. Il loro numero si è ridotto di molto rispetto al passato in quanto viviamo in una società dominata dal materialismo e da uno sfrenato edonismo. Al giorno d’oggi ci sono nel Grand Séminaire solo 15 giovani pronti a dedicare la loro vita a Dio. Mi volgo e ammiro la sua facciata imponente ed io, cattolico non praticante, mi sento invaso da una sensazione di leggerezza e di contentezza che non riesco a spiegarmi razionalmente. Questo, suppongo, è il segreto della fede. v

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is called to embark upon in the world to let people come to know God’s mercy and forgiveness, that I began feeling in me a special infusion of grace, a unique kind of inspiration with myself that I had never quite felt before. Later on when I heard the parish choir sing the hymn ‘Be Not Afraid’, the full depth of my vocational calling struck me. I felt a sensation of internal peace and I became aware that my vocation was to bring other people to encounter God, like I had just done, without being afraid. I can definitely say that this experience transformed me forever. I discovered for the first time what it meant to have faith, something that starts from within the heart. Faith is different from belief, which is rather more of a simple mental acceptance of God.’ Francesco came back to Montreal in 1999 by himself and eventually entered the Seminary, and is expected to be ordained a priest within the next few years. ‘In our highly secularized world that often tends to suffer from the pain of individualism and solitude, I see myself as only a mere instrument for God to help lead people to encounter Christ, who is our Redeemer and Saviour.’

As Francesco, Pierre and Matthew see me to the door, I turn and look at them again. How extraordinary they are! Whereas in the past, young people from poor families became friars, priests or nuns out of necessity, to receive a good education and a respectable job, nowadays, at the beginning of the third millennium, it is faith, ‘a gift we are ready to receive from God’, that motivates them to do so. Their number is smaller than in previous years, and this, in a society strongly characterized by a rampant materialism and an often unfettered hedonism. There are currently all together only 15 young men ready to devote their life to God in the Grand Séminaire. I turn and look at its imposing facade and I, a non-practising Catholic, am overwhelmed by a sensation of lightness and contentment that I cannot explain rationally. This is, I suppose, the secret of faith. v

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Il Presepe

By Mamma Pina

The «Presepe» or «Nativity» was initiated by S. Francis of Assisi upon his return from a pilgrimage to Bethlehem.The first Presepe was presented in 1223 in the town of Greccio and was quickly diffused in Umbria and Tuscany. Only in the 15 th Century, the Presepe became known in the area of Naples. t is clear that the Nativity of Jesus (to give the Holidays a closer Christian meaning) is represented here in the scenes of a Neapolitan village. The Presepe enriched our home with the figurines we have collected for over twenty years, and every year my husband Pasquale goes expressly to Naples, at San Gregorio Armeno, to buy a few more pieces to complete our Presepe consisting of rich and poor figures that made up the life of the town. Then, at the end of October he goes to the Laurentians to gather the moss for the landscape that changes every year.

Now it is our children Mauro & Fabio who really see that the Presepio comes to life and Baby Jesus arrives on the manger on the 24th of December, just like in Naples where the family has the ritual of a procession around the house to bring the baby to the world.

In my village of Quintodecimo, there is “LA SAGRA DEI PRESEPI” where every year the whole village comes to life with Nativity scenes in every corner of the town and people come from all over to see them.

We have thought to bring our family’s Presepe to this corner of Montreal so that all of you can enjoy a part of our heritage during this festive season. Pasta Casareccia is located at 5849 Sherbrooke West in N.D.G. Happy Holidays and may this season bring peace and prosperity to you and your families. v

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www.panoramitalia.com Il presepe, un’opera d’arte e di fede per Giulio e Marta Dinucci Gabriel Riel-Salvatore / Filippo Salvatore Photos: Joey Franco

I coniugi Giulio e Marta Dinucci sono originari di Lucca in Toscana.

Si sono conosciuti in Italia, ma si sono sposati a Montreal, nella chiesa Madonna della Difesa di Montreal dove sono giunti nel 1950, la bellezza di 60 anni fa. Giulio ha lavorato per tanti anni nel settore dell’edilizia, mentre Marta, da attenta casalinga, ha badato alla crescita ed all’educazione dei suoi quattro figli, tutti maschi.

Al giorno d’oggi sono bisnonni ed hanno sette nipotini. l presepe è sempre stato e rimane una tradizione di famiglia per i Dinucci. “Siamo delle persone religiose. A casa nostra abbiamo sempre fatto il presepe”. Anche a Lucca, chiarisce Marta, “esisteva l’usanza di fare il presepe a casa. So che è una tradizione che si trova in ogni regione d’Italia, ma specialmente a Napoli. Fin da giovani, da buon lucchesi, celebravamo il Natale ricostruendo con delle figurine la natività del Cristo”. “In lucchesia, nel paese di Altopaschio, spiega Giulio, c’era prima che noi lasciassimo l’Italia e c’è ancora oggi un concorso di presepi al quale abbiamo partecipato”.

“Quando sono arrivata qua a Montreal, chiarisce Marta, non mi piacevano gli alberi di Natale.

Per me, per celebrare l’avvento del redentore è importante vederlo nascere in una grotta tra il bue e l’asino, con i pastori ed i re magi. Il presepe fa rivivere meglio dell’albero la nascita di Gesù. L’abete con le candeline non fa parte delle nostre tradizioni”.

“Per i Dinucci la festa di Natale, l’avvento del Salvatore, è stato sempre celebrato con il presepe. Prima era piccolo, ma man mano, con il passare degli anni, si è ingrandito”, spiega Marta. “Sono 15 anni che lo facciamo così grande che occupa una stanza intera della casa e ci vuole un mese per farlo”, dice Giulio. Prima il presepe occupava una piccola parte del salotto, mentre dal 1995 occupa tutta la sala da pranzo. Ci vuole piu o meno un mese per installare le luci, costruire lo sfondo, il cielo stellato e mettere ogni pupazzo al proprio posto.

“Facciamo le diverse operazioni piano piano, iniziando dal fondo. Prima installiamo dei panelli dipinti da un caro amico, Luigi Cruciat, che purtroppo è deceduto”.

Ci sono anche due fontane che funzionano con una pompa che fa circolare l’acqua.

“Tutto è naturale”, spiega Giulio. “Sono io stesso che raccolgo la maggior parte dei materiali utilizzati: il legno, le pietre, la sabbia, i teloni di carta dipinta, la borraccina, i sassetti, il muschio che ho trovato nelle Laurentides, mentre andavo in cerca di funghi”. Il presepe, oltre ad esprimere concretamente la noro fede, è un’attività che li abita dodici mesi all’anno.

Fano tutto a mano, pure le casette. Solo le statuette sono comprate in Italia. “Ne abbiamo riportate alcune ogni anno dall’Italia. Quasi tutte le figurine provengono da Bagni di Lucca” aggiunge Giulio. “È vero, commenta Marta, ma ce ne sono che provengono anche da altre parti. I soldati romani là in fondo me li ha regalati un amica che li ha comperati a Napoli.

Abbiamo anche un sainton che viene da Parigi. Gesù bambino, la Madonna e San Giuseppe provengono da Lucca però. Sono statuette di gesso dipinte”.

“Se io avessi studiato, sarei diventata una brava ingegnere” dichiara Marta guardando il presepe, la sua opera d’arte che le sta davanti.

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Con il sorriso raggiante sulle labbra i coniugi Dinucci tengono a far sapere che centinaia di bambini, di diverse scuole, sono venuti a vedere il loro presepe. ‘Abbiamo stabilito un’ intesa con la scuola Terry Fox vicino a casa nostra. C’era anche una scuola francese, Saint-Béatrice, che portava i bambini con l’autobus” ricorda Marta. “A noi piaceva tanto accogliere le scolaresche”, spiega Giulio.

“Era importante che i bambini vedessero come avevamo ricostruito la scena della natività di Cristo. L’immagine del nostro presepe permetteva loro di capire che Natale non è solo una ricorrenza dove si ricevono regali, ma è soprattutto la celebrazione dell’incarnazione di Dio che si è fatto uomo per aprirci le porte del Paradiso”. “Adesso le cose sono cambiate. I direttori delle scuole non vogliono offendere gli scolari che non sono cristiani e quindi non portano più gli studenti a visitare il loro presepe. “È avvenuto da qualche anno un profondo cambiamento di mentalità per quello che riguarda la religione. La società in cui viviamo è sempre più laica e ce ne dispiace perché per noi la cosa più bella al mondo è la fede che dà la religione. Credere in Dio ci aiuta molto”, spiega Marta. “Se si ha la fede si è più contenti”.

“Ognuno crede in quello che vuole”, ma, si chiede Marta, “perché impedire ai bambini di vedere una cosa bella come il presepe? La maggioranza dei bambini che venivano erano di origine italiana ed erano cattolici. C’erano anche alcuni francesi. Tutti guardavano e si preparavano. Cantavano canti di Natale. Erano curiosi. Facevano tante domande sulle diverse scene presentate nel presepe. Per esempio sui pastori intorno al fuoco che venivano visitati dagli angeli per annunciare loro la nascita di Gesù”, aggiunge Marta. “Ricordo che una coppia di Ucraini che erano venuti a vedere il nostro presepe si commossero tanto che si misero a piangere. Come credenti ci fa bene preparare ed ammirare il presepe a casa nostra. Ci fa pure piacere trasmettere questa tradizione ai nostri nipotini. L’eredità spirituale che trasmettiamo loro è di una importanza fondamentale: facciamo capire loro in modo concreto il vero senso del Natale” spiega Marta. Per adesso Giulio e Marta non sanno se qualcuno prenderà “la relève”. Lo sperano. Magari le dimensioni del presepe non saranno grandi come quello che ci sta davanti, ma il cuore mi dice che in qualche modo fare il presepe resterà parte della loro famiglia. Marta e Giulio vanno ancora a messa da cinquant’anni nella chiesa Madonna delle Difesa, anche se dal 1970 hanno traslocato a Laval. La fede si manifesta anche così.

Per visitare il presepe contattare in anticipo Marta e Giulio Dinucci al: 450.963.3062 1310 Des Lacasse, Laval v

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Canonisation du frère André à Rome Par Léa-Catherine Szacka (texte et photos)

Le 17 octobre dernier, des pèlerins et visiteurs de plusieurs pays du monde ont afflué dans la capitale italienne afin d’assister, au Saint-Siège, à une messe bien particulière : la cérémonie célébrant la canonisation de six nouveaux Saints, dont l’un était bien de chez nous.

epuis peu, celui que l’on connaissait comme le frère André est devenu le premier saint homme né au Canada. Aux cotés du polonais Stanislaw Kazimierczyk Soltys, de l’espagnole Candida Maria de Jesus (Juana Josefa) Cipitria y Barriola, de l’australienne Mary of the Cross (Mary Helen) MacKillop, et des italiennes Giulia Salzano et Battista Camilla da Varano, Saint André Bessette (Saint frère André ou encore Saint André de Montréal comme plusieurs préfèrent l’appeler) a été canonisé par le Pape Benedetto XVI, lors d’une messe mémorable à la place Saint-Pierre.

L’événement, qui a duré plus de deux heures, a attiré quelque 40,000 personnes venues de partout à travers le monde. L’émotion était à son comble alors que la place était remplie de spectateurs arborant avec fierté les couleurs de leurs nations respectives.

Mais qui était le frère André? On a beaucoup répété qu’il venait d’une famille très modeste, que c’était un homme du peuple, pauvre et humble. En 1937, plus d’un million de personnes ont assisté aux obsèques du frère André qui prirent alors des allures de funérailles nationales. Portier du Collège Notre-Dame pendant presque 40 ans, le frère André était connu pour ses dons de guérisseur. Pourtant, il disait : « je ne suis rien d’autre qu’un simple instrument entre les mains de la providence ». Vers la fin de sa vie, le frère André fera construire, sur le Mont-Royal, face au Collège, un Oratoire, le plus grand sanctuaire au monde dédié à Saint Joseph. En 1982 il fut béatifié par le Pape Jean-Paul II. C’est donc pour célébrer cet homme extraordinaire, ainsi que les cinq autres nouveaux Saints, que des milliers de fidèles (ou simplement de curieux) s’étaient rassemblés sur la place Saint-Pierre en cette magnifique matinée du 17 octobre 2010. Regroupés le plus souvent par pays, ils arboraient chapeaux, foulards et drapeaux. Des casquettes d’un oranger vif étaient le signe distinctif des italiens, alors que des foulards de soie bleu pâle étaient brandis par les espagnols venus célébrer la consécration de leur Sainte. Les Québécois,

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eux, étaient identifiables grâce aux petits foulards blancs qu’ils avaient noué autour de leur cou, orné du slogan « frère André, un ami, un frère, un Saint » et d’un petit dessin de l’Oratoire Saint-Joseph. Sur la façade principale de la Basilique, on avait placé, dès la veille, six portraits des futurs Saints. André et le polonais Stanislaw trônaient au milieu du lot.

Plus qu’un événement religieux, la messe du 17 octobre était l’occasion d’une rencontre entre l’Italie et le reste du monde. Espagnols, italiens, australiens, canadiens et polonais se serraient la main, le sourire aux lèvres. « I studied law in Canada! Beautiful country! » s’exclamait chaleureusement un homme australien à un groupe de pèlerins canadiens. Pour les deux communautés, c’était jour de fête. Les canadiens, bien que venus en grand nombre, se sont faits plutôt discrets.

Peu de drapeaux et souvent de petite taille. Ce sont les australiens et les polonais qui semblaient faire le plus de bruit sur la place Saint-Pierre. « Les australiens sont extrêmement nationalistes » affirme Andrew, un artiste originaire de Melbourne installé à Rome depuis quelque temps. Il faut dire que, pour les australiens, le 17 octobre marque une véritable page d’histoire, Mary of the Cross étant la première Sainte Australienne de tous les temps. À Rome, bien peu de signes de la canonisation du frère André dans les jours précédents l’événement. Les romains ne semblent pas attacher beaucoup d’importance à cet évènement, voire ne sont tout simplement pas au courant.

Dans la presse italienne, on a fait grand état de la Sainte australienne, qui aurait été une des première à dénoncer la pédophilie chez les prêtres avant d’être excommuniée de l’église catholique en 1871, puis réintégrée juste avant sa mort. Il Corriere della Sera ainsi que La Repubblica y consacrent un article. Bien peu de traces de notre Saint canadien.

Lors de la messe, célébrée en plusieurs langues, le pape a déclaré : « André, mon frère, tu savais prier... tu savais

accueillir, tu savais souffrir. » Les reliques du frère André ont été présentées au Pape par le Cardinal Turcotte, archevêque de Montréal, qui représentait le Québec et le Canada.

Le Pape a terminé sa messe en saluant les délégations officielles, et tout spécialement celles du Canada et de l’Australie, venue, dit-il, de si loin. Et une dernière parole du Saint Père: « Puisse la vie du frère André inspirer la foi chrétienne canadienne. » Beaucoup ont parlé de l’impact qu’aurait cette canonisation sur la foi catholique et la ferveur religieuse au Canada et, plus particulièrement au Québec. Josette, accompagnatrice du groupe de la communauté Regina Pacis venu spécialement du Québec pour l’événement, espère que cette canonisation réveillera la foi et se dit contente de cette « bonne nouvelle pour l’église du Québec ». « Chez nous, dit-elle, on a la foi, mais on a aussi une grande blessure. Un évènement comme celui d’aujourd’hui sert à montrer aux gens qu’ils ne sont pas seuls, qu’il ne faut pas avoir honte d’avoir la foi. » Plus septique, André Pratte dans son éditorial du 18 octobre, publié dans le quotidien La Presse, parle de ce renouveau de la foi catholique au Québec comme d’un miracle qui n’aura pas lieu. v

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Will the Real St. Nick Please Stand Up? The Image / Legend of Santa Claus

by Amanda Fulginiti

‘Twas the day before Christmas and all through the house every creature was stirring including Gigio the mouse. The salsice were taken from the cantina with care, in hopes that tomorrow la famiglia would all be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of Santa’s reindeers danced in their heads... Hold on. Let’s back things up a bit. Has anyone ever thought to themselves: Exactly why do we feel comfortable having a plump viecherello in a red jumpsuit come down our chimney once a year? Or why exactly we have this image at all?

Well, many would be quick to point fingers at Coca Cola, who, in a 1931 ad in The Saturday Evening Post, painted by the artist Haddon Sundblom, solidified what we now think of Santa: Good old, jolly Saint Nick with a red-suit with presents to bear. This just goes to show you how potent mass entertainment can be... Of course the legend of Santa existed long before corporate hands got a hold of it. The image of Santa ranged in size and height: big, small, fat and tall- a kind of identity crisis of sorts. He has been known to have worn a Norse huntsman’s animal skin to a bishop’s robe. This attests to the fact that modern day Santa is a combination of images from stories from a variety of countries.

Sundblom’s image came from an earlier image of Santa drawn by cartoonist Thomas Nast who first drew the character in 1862 for Harper’s Weekly. In that issue, Santa was illustrated as a small elf-like figure who supported the Union. Over the years Nast continued to draw Santa and it was he who would settle on the color of the suit. Coke borrowed the image of Santa for their “Thirst Knows No Season” campaign because they felt that he stood as a true icon of winter- an icon which they in turn helped to develop. The first artist they used, Fred Mizen, illustrated a department store Santa in a crowd drinking a bottle of Coke. The genius of Sunblom’s image, however, was his decision to create a personal identity for Santa instead of showing a man dressed as Santa. He drew inspiration from Clark Moore’s 1822 poem “Twas a Night Before Christmas” description of St. Nick because it emphasized Santa as warm, friendly, pleasantly plump and, above all, human.

But, like I said, it’s a misconception to place the origins of the icon that is Santa with Coca Cola advertising. So will the real St. Nick please stand up? Ok, it is not that easy, but let us start at the beginning. San Nicolò or Saint Nicholas, a Saint and Greek Bishop of Myra (present day Turkey) of the 5th Century AD, had a reputation for secret gift-giving.

Those who left out shoes, it is said, would find coins. Sound familiar? Still today children in Italy, particularly in Trieste and other Venetian towns have the tradition of writing notes asking for gifts from San Nicolò. If that does not give it away one should also know that he is considered to be the patron Saint of children. His fame came from religious sects in Rome and the South of Italy, and from there his image spread throughout Europe. This may be a better explanation for Santa’s red garb since it is customary for Bishops, like Nicolò, to wear red robes lined in white. He later became the patron Saint of Amsterdam - known as Sint Nicolaas in Dutch or by the abbreviated version Sinterklaas (North Americans take the name Santa Claus from this Dutch translation). The cult of Saint Nicholas was brought to New York by Dutch colonizers. In his History of New York, published in 1809, the popular author Washington Irving gave Americans their first detailed information about the Dutch version of Saint Nicholas. Irving described the arrival of the saint on horseback each Eve of Saint Nicholas- December 6th his name day.

So how did gift giving move from December 6th to December 25th? Well that is a different story all together. For now, it’s time for caffè and don’t forget the brandy; Anice and sambucca will always come in handy. So don’t pass on the biscotti and pizzelle on the table. Oh, yes the panettone is there for all who are able. As for Nicolò or Santa, either would suffice; ’cause, hey, who wouldn’t want to receive presents twice! v

Laura

Sur rendez-vous

Consultante florale

.ca www.lauracasagrande.blogspot.com lauracasagrand@gmail.com

Tél.: 450.661.9717 Cell.: 514.825.1029

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Christmas Special

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Tomie dePaola’s Merry Old Witch Strega Nona

By Gabriel Riel-Salvatore

Santa Claus is a mainstay of the Christian Holiday season all over the world, but in Italy, La Befana - Italy’s good witch - ranks right up there with ye ‘old Saint Nick. The arrival of La Befana is on the eve of Epiphany - January 5th to be exact. Legend has it that if a child was good throughout the year, she will swoop down the chimney and leave a small gift. If the child was a real rascal, however, nothing but coal would be found. But how did this wrinkly old lady hunched over and wearing a shawl come to be seen so perfectly in our imagination?

Well, it’s thanks to author Tomie dePaola’s version of “Strega Nona” whose series has been loved by generations of children’s book readers and is understood as the archetypical image of the Old Befana. ig nose and big chin, white headscarf, quirky eyes and smiling mouth on a small, chubby body with a long skirt and apron. “She is so cute, so Italian,” as dePaola puts it. “There’s always a lot of confusion about Strega Nona,” reveals dePaola on his web site: “Why,” many Italians and Italian-Americans ask me, “is NONA spelled with one N instead of two?” (The Italian word for GRANDMOTHER is NONNA.) Strega Nona is Calabrese, like my ancestors.

As far as my relatives told me, NONA is a slang spelling for “Granny” or “Grandma” which after all is spelled differently than “Grandmother.”And, on top of it all, NONA is her NAME!” While dePaola was originally inspired by the Italian commedia dell’arte character Pulcinella to draw his beloved cartoon, Strega Nona’s story is mainly drawn from Italian folklore.

The original tale published in 1975 features a “good” witch healer that lives in the hills of Calabria who cures headaches, finds husbands, removes warts with ease and is a malocchio healer.Villagers refer to her as a strega, a witch, because she can treat all sorts of ailments.When

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she gets too old to take care of her place, she hires Big Anthony to help. She gives him a list of things to do around the house and instructs him never to touch the pasta pot. But after seeing what the pasta pot can do, he cannot help himself. The pot overflows and pasta spreads all over the city. A situation only Strega Nona can handle. The tale is funny, easy to understand and punctuated with Italian terms. dePaola’s illustrations are a pleasure for the eyes and adds to the fun of reading the story.

Strega Nona shares her words of wisdom for leading a magical life in several more books. dePaola writes about Strega Nona’s life, telling the readers how she got the magic pasta pot and learned her magic from her own Nona. Since the mid-1960s, dePaola has written or illustrated about 200 books and sold more than 6 million copies worldwide. His best-known volume remains Strega Nona (1975). In Merry Christmas Strega Nona, many children view Strega Nona as the dear old “Grandma Witch” who prepares her traditional Christmas Eve supper on the first Sunday of Advent. Other dePaola’s books include The Legend of the Old Befana the Mother Goose collection, a seven-volume series called 26 Fairmount Avenue about his childhood during World War II; Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs, about a small boy’s discovery of death; and religious books such as Francis, the Poor Man of Assisi, and The Clown of God. His latest book is BRAVA, STREGA NONA! a celebration of his much loved character. With doors to open, tabs to pull, and a host of other interactive features, there is sure to be a new generation of readers to be drawn into Strega Nona’s magic world.

If you would like to give someone a copy of the book for Christmas or any other event, all you have to do is order it online at Amazon and/or Chapters. Words of advice: be aware that it may take some time to receive it in the mail. If you are just looking to quickly reacquaint yourself with the series you can check out dePaola’s movie version available on youtube.

Strega Nona Books • BRAVA, STREGA NONA! A HEARTWARMING POP-UP BOOK (2008) Written and Illustrated by Tomie dePaola Paper Engineering by Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart • The Legend of Old Befana: An Italian Christmas Story written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2001) • Merry Christmas Strega Nona (1991) written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola - Sandpiper Publishing • STREGA NONA an original tale written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola - Simon & Schuster, New York, 1975 (hardcover picture book) v

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Christmas Special

Cin cin! Bringing in the New Year Italian Style

By Amanda Fulginiti

Where will you be when the clock strikes 12 on December 31 st? While many would be quick to name New York as the most desired place to visit during the Count Down, you might want to consider some Italian hot spots for this or next’s Capodanno. On the last night of the year, there is no Dick Clark. No fake silver ball falls from the sky, and no one sings “Auld Lang Syne”. But oh, there’s a party. Italians call the night San Silvestro in honour of St. Sylvester, an early pope (280-335), whose feast day is December 31. ust like many other people in the world, they merrily celebrate and welcome the arrival of the New Year. Be it Venice, Rome, Florence, Naples or any other Italian city, New Year’s in Italy has that special charm that won’t fail to enchant. A note to travellers: be careful while celebrating the New Year in Italy, as the old custom of throwing your old stuff out of the window is followed still to this date. Leave it to the Italians to dramatically display their readiness to accept the New Year! The Italian New Year’s Eve menu often includes cotechino, a big spicy sausage, and zampone, pig legs. Just like in other countries in the world, many Italians wait for the midnight hour on the squares and streets of the Italian cities. The toasts and wassails are held with the Italian sparkling wine, Spumante or Prosecco. If you are interested in discovering il bel paese in 2011 here are a few recommendations. Buon anno a tutti!

J

Venice Can you think of a more magical place to spend the holidays than Venice? On the 31st of December, “Love,” the new Venetian way of celebrating the New Year, returns to Piazza San Marco, ready to set the heart of the city beating. The piazza will host the celebrations with music, toasts and fireworks that will culminate in a vast, communal kiss- one unanimous kiss to send a message of love, peace and brotherhood to the world.

This is the simple but profound gesture to which they welcome in the New Year. This event is destined to become the focus of media attention and a worldwide symbol of goodwill as well as a very special memory for both the city and all those who will be there to enjoy this new, unforgettable night in Venice. Words of warning: access to Piazza San Marco and the surrounding area is recommended only to people wearing gum boots, since there will be 20-25 cm of high water in Piazza San Marco on the night of New Year’s Eve.

Rome Rome’s traditional New Year’s Eve celebrations are centered in Piazza del Popolo. Huge crowds celebrate with rock and classical music,dancing and, of course, fireworks. The celebrations last well into the night. On New Year’s Day (while the adults are sleeping), children will be entertained in the square by performers and acrobats. Next to the church of Santa Maria del Popolo, you can still see the exhibit of traditional nativity scenes (through January 8) from 100 regions of Italy and other countries of the world. Rome has a classical music concert outdoors on the square in front of the Quirinale, off Via Nazionale, around 11:00 which is followed by fireworks at, you guessed it, midnight!

www.panoramitalia.com Naples The ceremony of New Years’ Eve in Naples is a real gift for the people who can finally forget all their troubles and wait for the magic midnight toast followed by an unforgettable fireworks show. Capodanno in Naples is brought alive by the sounds of zampogne (similar to bagpipes) that is brought by the zampognari; in the streets there’s plenty of stalls selling typical sweets and the capitone (a type of eel) is of good omen for the New Year. Many popular beliefs and superstitions accompany the moment of the dinner that is basically composed of seafood courses, cothechino with lentils and zampone. Tombola is almost a must before and after dinner. Midnight is surely the most fascinating moment as all the people go out on their balconies to light small rockets and fireworks. The result is something amazing and impossible to imagine as the city seems besieged by lights. The tradition of throwing out the old originates in Naples. Suggestion for New Years’ Eve in Naples is to choose either to stay at home partying with family and friends or go to the main square, Piazza del Plebiscito, to see concerts and fireworks.

Bologna Bologna traditionally celebrates New Year’s Eve with the Fiera del Bue Grasso (fat ox fair).

The ox is decorated from horns to tail with flowers and ribbons. The church bells are rung, spectators light candles and of course, fireworks are set off. At the end, a special lottery is held with the winner getting to keep the ox. The procession ends just before midnight in Piazza San Petronio.

Florence Wouldn’t you like to be looking at fireworks on the Ponte Vecchio this year? Historically, Florence celebrated March 25th as the New Year. Dante believed it was the date of the creation of the world, and what Dante says goes around these parts. And it was supposed to be the date of the Annunciation - being, as it is, 9 months before Christmas. However, Florence has joined the rest of the world’s festivities on December 31st. One of the most popular clubs in Florence, Tenax, holds a New Year’s Eve party every year - but hurry, space fills up quickly. Fireworks are usually launched from Piazzale Michelangelo, a very famous square with a magnificent panoramic view of Florence.

Milan If you are looking for a place to celebrate New Year’s Eve, then do consider jetting over to Milan, one of Italy’s and the world’s most elegant and stylish of cities. From parties to erotic shows and loads of great live music, there is no main focal point for public celebrations. Piazza Castello and the Piazza del Duomo, with the evocative backdrop of its spectacular cathedral, are the two most vibrant spots to spend New Year’s in Milan. The piazze will feature live music, dancing and, of course, midnight fireworks. With a less frenetic pace and a popular spot for die hard romantics, the banks of the Naviglio Grande canal provide beautifully illuminated waterways and cozy waterfront trattori to take in the New Year in style.

Join of Facebook page and tell us about your New Year’s Eve plans.

Wishing you a very happy and prosperous New Year regardless of where you will be! v

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Life Stories & Traditions

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After 47 years of waiting, the Catholic Mission of Annunziata Parish in Lachine finally gets its own Church

By Sonia Benedetto

After attending Sunday morning mass in an old fire station for the past 47 years, the parishioners of the Italian Catholic Mission of Annunziata Montreal bought Saint-André Hubert-Fournet Church and have been gathering at their new location ever since. he year was 1963 when the city of Lachine donated an old fire station for the advancement of the Mission of Annunziata Montreal. Since its beginning, several priests have guided the parish to ensure its continuation. And after all these years, on October 24th, 2010 the members of the congregation, joined by the West Island community and several dignitaries, finally inaugurated their new church and made its opening official. And their move to 4360 Broadway St. in Lachine is only a testament to an ever-growing congregation.

Built in 1957, the new location (an actual church) had been vacant for the past two years, but required extensive repairs. After some much needed care, the stairs in the main entrance are entirely restored with new granite steps along with a new roof and stonework on the exterior façade.

Eventually, the windows will be changed; the rectory and the paint work inside the church will also be completed. But at least now the statue of the Madonna di Loreto and many other statues taken from the old building will be able to welcome up to five hundred parishioners.

By selling the fire station as well as the reception hall located behind it, which also belonged to the Mission, they

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were able to finance their new purchase and all the necessary renovations. Of course, the enthusiasm that came from numerous residents of the area as well as their approval of the project was also a key element that made the reopening of the church a reality. Still heading the project is Father Giuseppe Fugolo, a Scalabrinian priest from Padova, Italy and Father William Penn, a diocesan priest of Haitian origin.

Father Fugolo, who has been living in Québec for 35 years, is also responsible for Madre dei Cristiani Italian Mission in Lasalle. Together, they have been fostering the project in collaboration with generous, active and dynamic volunteers such as church wardens, members of two committees (promotions and finance) and of course the entire Italian community of the West Island.

What is certain to remain the same is the Mission’s name as well as its purpose. Although mainly an Italian mission, the founding constitutional act specifies its role to cater to the needs of the West Island community at large. The church becomes a community center according to the different needs of different ethnic backgrounds. For example, their “Santa Casa” daycare has the capacity to welcome fifty to sixty

children and many enrolled are new immigrants from around the world. The church is also a shelter to the poor and needy.

The basement alone can fit up to four hundred people.

The main goal remains, however, to keep the faith and to serve Italian-Canadians and their children, and many generations to come. Today, the new location will ensure success for all who live in the West Island area. Needless to say, the congregation is very proud to call Saint-André-HubertFournet their new home. v

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Beaucoup plus qu’un boucher...

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BECOME A FRIEND OF PANORAM ITALIA Donate a minimum of 30$ and receive a copy of the TASTING FRANCA cookbook delivered to your door. DONATE TODAY! Contributor Levels Friend… $30 Sustainer… $50

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WHY DONATE? Please continue to support Panoram Italia by contributing to the Friends of Panoram Italia affinity program. Advertising revenues alone can’t cover ever-increasing printing and distribution costs. We need contributions from our faithful readers to continue offering this vital community publication. With your generous donations, Panoram Italia will be able to provide more coverage, and greater frequency.

To contribute visit WWW.PANORAMITALIA.COM or mail cheque to Panoram Italia 9300, Henri-Bourassa West, suite 100, Saint-Laurent, Quebec H4S 1L5

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Merry Christmas and Happy 2011

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Food & Travel

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ricette - recettes - recepies

Old Fashioned Italian Christmas Cookies The following recipes were taken from Mary Melfi’s website Italy Revisited (www.italyrevisited.org) that seeks to document Italians cultural heritage by creating an extensive photo archive of the day to day life of farmers and townspeople living at the turn of the 20th Century. Visitors are encouraged to share family photos taken before 1969 which capture the Italian way of life in Italy or abroad.

Dessert recipes handed down over generations are also welcome, as are folk sayings and current photos of linen trousseaus, country antiques and Little Italys. “(Dialect) Whi fatija mangia e chi non fatija mangia e beve. In English: Who makes the meal eats, and who doesn’t make the meal, eats and drinks.” - Italian Proverb on Eating, Puglia Italy

Calcioni al cioccolato

Ingredients Dough: • 5 extra large eggs • 10 large tablespoons sugar • 5 large tablespoons melted lard • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 4 cups flour Filling: • 1 lb toasted almonds • 4 slices Italian bread • 2 lbs walnuts • 1 cup dark Italian coffee • 11 squares semi-sweet chocolate • 2 cups sugar [Oil for frying]

* A bitter almond extract from Italy sold in small bottles in Italian specialty shops; one can substitute bitter almond extract if unavailable. ** Raw almonds [NOT roasted] with their skin still on and freshly ground at home in a food processor will result in better-tasting cookies than store-bought ground blanched almonds.

For frosting: about 2 pounds bitter sweet chocolate

Directions For the filling: Grind nuts in blender to fine consistency.

Toast Italian bread, make very fine bread crumbs. Grate chocolate. In heavy saucepan, place 1 cup of dark Italian coffee and about 2 cups sugar. Bring to boil, add chocolate, stirring until melted. Cook 1/2 hour, stirring often. Add nuts, cook a few minutes, and if needed add some bread crumbs to thicken (should be consistency of thick pudding). Cook 1/2 hour more. If too thin, add bread crumbs. If too thick, add coffee.

Dough: Mix ingredients and work into a fine dough. Roll dough out to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut 4 inch circles. Dot each circle with about 1 tablespoon of filling (The cookies should be thick). Fold over, making half moon shapes. Press the ends together with a fork. Fry till golden.

Frutta Martorana

Amaretti Originated from: Casacalenda, Molise Contributed by: Sue Alfieri and Pauline Fresco Ingredients • 4 eggs • 16 oz sugar • 1 small bottle [45 ml] essence of Mandorle Amaro* • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder • 3 tablespoons flour • 1 tablespoon Magic baking powder • 1 kilo almonds, with their skin on, ground fine** • 1/2 cup icing sugar for coating cookie dough

Ingredients Dough: • 8 large eggs • 16 oz (2 cups) roasted almonds, ground • 12 oz (1 1/2 cups) sugar • 1 1/2 cups honey • 8 oz (1 cup) espresso coffee • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves • 1/2 cup cocoa powder • 1 teaspoon vanilla • 1/4 cup bitter-sweet grated chocolate • 4 teaspoons baking ammonia • 1 teaspoon cinnamon • 1 tablespoon Magic baking powder • Finely grated zest of 1 orange • Finely grated zest of 1 lemon • Flour as much as needed (5 to 6 cups)

Calcione, Calcioni, caveciune, caveciuni, cauciune, cauciuni, cauciun’, calciume, calciumi, calciune, cavazune and cavazuni* Originated from: Abruzzo or Calabria Contributed by: Dorinda (nee Carosella) Cavanaugh

since 1968

Mostaccioli (makes about 150 cookies) Originated from: Guglionesi, Molise Contributed by: Mrs. Yolanda DiTullio

Directions: Preheat oven to 350° F degrees. Roast whole almonds (with peel). Grind. Make espresso coffee in coffee machine. Reserve 1 cup of liquid.

Grate a block of bitter-sweet chocolate and measure 1/4 cup. Put aside. Using an electric beater, beat eggs.

Add espresso coffee and honey. Add vanilla and the rest of the flavourings. Slowly add flour - using the electric beater at the beginning. When the dough gets thick, use a wooden spoon. On a floured wooden board flatten the dough out using the palm of your hand and cut into diamond-shaped cookies about 4 inches by 3 inches. Bake in the middle rack for about 12 minutes. Remove from oven and let the cookies cool for several hours (or overnight). Using a double boiler, melt the block of bitter-sweet chocolate. Using a fork, dip the mostaccioli cookie into the melted chocolate (Let the frosted cookies air-dry on the table for 6 to 8 hours (If one has a stove fan one can accelerate the process by turning it on).

Directions: Beat first 6 ingredients. Add the ground almonds using all if possible. Form small balls coating them with icing sugar and placing on aluminum baking sheet.

Bake at 350° F for 12 minutes. You can use a small-sized ice-cream scoop to get the desired shape and size.

Ricciarelli (Sienese Almond Cookies) Originated from: Siena, Tuscany Contributed by: Mary Melfi Ingredients • 1 1/2 cups ground almonds • 2/3 cup sugar • 2/3 cup butter • 3 eggs • 1 tablespoon orange juice (or 1/2 teaspoon orange extract) • Zest of 1 orange [mixed with a tablespoon of sugar] • 1 cup flour [or more]* • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (optional) • Pinch of salt • Icing sugar for dusting * The measurement for the flour is approximate.

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Assorted Pastries

Fresh cakes and Christmas Logs

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ricette - recettes - recepies Directions: Preheat the oven to 325° F. Melt the butter on low heat. Cool. Beat sugar and butter until creamy. Add eggs. Mix well. Add orange juice (or orange extract). In a separate bowl mix ground almonds, sugar, flour, and salt together. Gradually add the liquid mixture to the solid mixture. Work into a cookie dough. If it’s too soft, add more flour, if it’s too hard, add more butter. On a lightly floured board roll out the cookie dough to 1/4 inch thick. With an almond-shaped cookie cutter, cut the dough into “ricciarelli.”

Bake on a cookie sheet on the middle rack for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are a golden color (They shouldn’t be brown, if they are they’ll taste burnt!). Cool. Before serving dust heavily with icing sugar.

Biscotti con Succo d’Arancia Originated from: Southern Italy Contributed by: Mrs. Angela Giulione Ingredients Dough • 6 large eggs • 4 cups (32 oz) flour • 6 teaspoons Magic baking powder • 1/2 box of Crisco [1/2 lb or 225g of lard] • 1 cup (8 oz) sugar • 1 cup (8 oz) orange juice* * Freshly-squeezed orange juice will improve the flavour of the cookies, though store-bought orange juice can be used.

For decoration: • about 1/4 cup of icing sugar (for rolling cookie dough) • Maraschino cherries in syrup (each cherry cut into 4 or 6 slices) - optional Directions: Preheat oven 350° F degrees. Take Crisco out of fridge and keep at room temperature for about 1/2 hour to an hour. Mix four and baking powder. Cut Crisco into tiny slices and mix into the flour. Beat eggs, orange juice and sugar together. Combine the egg mixture with the flour mixture and work into a soft dough (if the dough is too soft add a touch more flour). Shape dough into a ball. Take a small lump of the dough the size of a golf ball. Roll the golf-size ball of dough in icing sugar (Repeat the process until all the dough has been used). Place the golf-sized balls of dough rolled in icing sugar on greased cookie sheets, making sure they are at least 2 inches apart (They’ll expand). Using the palm of your hand flatten out the balls of dough - just a little.Place a thin slice of maraschino cherry in the center of each unbaked cookie (Optional). Bake for about 25 minutes or until the cookies are golden. Cool. Keep in fridge until needed. Serve at room temperature.

Ferratelle (Pizzelle, flavored with lemon) Originated from: Ascali Piceno, Marche Contributed by: Micheline Di Gerolomo Ingredients • 12 eggs • 1 cup sugar • 1 cup vegetable oil • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 1 teaspoon vanilla • Juice of 1 lemon • Grated zest of 1 lemon • As much flour as needed to make a pancake-like batter [about 6 to 8 cups] Equipment needed: A pizzelle baker Directions: Mix first five ingredients. Add a cup of flour and mix. Add another cup and mix. Repeat until you get a pancake-like batter. Brush pizzelle baker irons with oil. Heat pizzelle baker. Drop a tablespoon or so on each pizelle iron (generally there are two). Cook. Discard the first two pizzelles. Continue dropping a tablespoon or so on each pizelle iron. Cook for a minute or two or until golden.

Remove. Cool. Serve at room temperature.

Aniseed Biscotti Originated from: Sardinia Contributed by: Rita Ferrara Ingredients Dough: • • • • •

1 cup flour 6 large eggs, separated 1 cup Castor sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 tablespoon anise seeds

For decoration: 2 tablespoons Castor sugar Equipment needed: 2 or more rectangular pans, 4 inches wide (length can vary), greased cookie sheets lined with parchment paper *About 2 dozen cookies, depending on size

Directions: Preheat oven to 375° F degrees. Separate egg yolks and egg whites. Beat egg whites till stiff. Beat egg yolks and sugar until creamy. Meanwhile, mix the flour, the baking powder and 1 tablespoon anise seeds together. Slowly add the flour, baking powder and aniseed mixture to the creamed egg yolk and sugar mixture. Beat well. Fold in the beaten egg whites.

Pour the batter into the greased pans (the number of pans needed will depend on the length of the pans). Sprinkle the batter with sugar. Bake until golden - between 15 and 20 minutes.

Cool for about 10 minutes. Remove the cooked batter from the pan, and cut into slices - 4 inches wide, and 3/4 inch thick. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, and place the biscotti slices, side by side providing ample space between the slices.

Bake for about 5 to 8 minutes. Cool. Serve at room temperature.

Propriétaire Luciano Recine

A place where lively music accompanies your meal Wood stone oven pizza, grilled lamb, rabbit & steak, pasta with authentic homemade sauces.

Thursday-Friday-Saturday - Live music with singer • Tuesday-Sunday 17h to closure 177, rue St-Zotique Est (corner De Gaspé), Montreal (Little Italy) - (514)

w w w.piat t opieno.com

276-1076

Caragnoli (Rose wheels, fried pastry dough strips) Christmas fritters Originated from: Casacalenda, Molise Contributed by: Mary Melfi (her mother’s recipe) Ingredients Dough: • 3 eggs • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil • 3 tablespoons sugar • 1/8 teaspoon baking powder • Flour as needed (about 2 cups to 2 1/4 cups) • Vegetable oil for deep frying • 2 to 3 cups of honey for topping or 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup icing sugar for dusting.

Directions: In a mixing bowl beat eggs. Add sugar and mix well. Add oil. Mix flour and baking powder. Add the flour slowly to the egg, sugar and oil mixture and work into a soft dough. Knead (by hand) for a few minutes. Divide the dough into two portions and shape them into balls. Wrap the dough-balls in clear plastic and place them in separate containers. Let the dough rest for 4 to 6 hours in the fridge.

Remove one of the dough-balls out of its container and form a log (Kind of like a biscotti log). With a sharp knife cut a small piece of dough (about 2 inches wide). Flour the piece of dough, and pass it through a pasta machine. The resulting pastry panel (or sheet) should be a bit thinner than a lasagna noodle (about an 1/8 of an inch thick). Using a serrated roller pastry cutter cut the pastry panel into strips about 1 3/4 inch wide x 26 inches long.

To make the rose wheel take a strip of dough and fold it over, then every inch or so pinch the two sides together so that there is an opening or cup between every pinch (One can place one’s finger in the fold and then pinch on the side of the finger). When the strip of dough has been pinched and cups have been formed curl the dough onto itself, round and round, so that it looks like a rose. To retain this shape parts of the strips have to be pinched together. Repeat the steps for each piece of dough you cut. When all the rose wheels are completed, fry them in hot vegetable oil until they are golden. Cool.

Glaze the rose wheels dipping them into a pan of hot honey and then place the caragnole onto a large tray, so that they will avoid sticking together. As an alternative to honey, one can simply dust the caragnole with icing sugar after they have been fried and cooled. v

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vino - vin - wine

Bulles ou bollicine? Sélection de mousseux Italiens pour le temps des fêtes par Gabriel Riel-Salvatore

Mon grand-père, grand amateur de bonne chair et de bon vin, n’hésitait jamais à sabrer le Champagne. Si les bulles délient les langues, elles attisent également l’appétit. Car, voilà la véritable beauté de ce type de vin, apéro idéal et vin festif par excellence. uoi de mieux pour stimuler les esprits que les divines bulles de Champagne ? On dit que celui-ci ne donne jamais mal à la tête. C’est moins vrai pour le portefeuille et c’est pourquoi, même si la France domine encore et toujours le marché du vin mousseux dans le monde, avec le Champagne en tête, la récente récession contribue aujourd’hui à détourner l’attention des consommateurs vers d’autres bulles jugées plus accessibles.

Ainsi les temps changent. Les mœurs aussi. Les vins mousseux de tout acabit sont à la mode. L’aperitivo vénitien, qui a depuis longtemps fait ses preuves dans la Sérénissime, s’est tranquillement répandu dans les grandes villes de la péninsule italique et s’inscrit désormais dans l’ADN culturel des Milanais branchés. New York n’est pas en reste et les bollicine italiennes sont dans le vent plus que jamais dans la Big Appple, comme l’attestait un récent article publié dans le New York Times par la célèbre chroniqueuse en vin Lettie Teague qui définissait le Prosecco comme « one of the purest kind of aperitif ». À l’ère du marketing à tout crin, ce vin, issu des collines du Valdobiadene et de Conegliano dans le Veneto au nord de Venise, bénéficie d’un avantage de marque qui va au-delà de ses qualités intrinsèques : son nom facile à prononcer en fait un produit commode à retenir. De plus, ses trois syllabes forment un fort joli mot qui sied bien aux tables bon chic, bon genre du monde entier. Pierre Julien sommelier au restaurant Graziella abonde en ce sens rajoutant que « son prix accessible, sa fraîcheur et sa faible teneur en alcool (11-11.5%) en font aussi un vin très populaire. » Bien évidemment, il existe différent degrés de qualité de Prosecco et, comme les vignerons du Champenois l’ont vite compris, les producteurs de Prosecco s’efforcent de protéger la réputation de leur poulain avant que des artisans peu scrupuleux n’en ternissent l’image en lui donnant plutôt des airs de bourrique que de pur sang. On divise les Prosecco en deux grandes familles, les DOC et les DOCG, cette dernière aussi appellée Prosecco Superiore. Comme le Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, l’appellation porte le même nom que le cépage dont elle est issue. Le Prosecco tire son nom d’un village homonyme situé dans la région du Frioul d’où on aurait importé dans le Valdobiadene ce raisin dit de Prosecco. Depuis 2009, tout raisin produit en dehors de la zone permise d’appellation contrôlée (Doc ou Docg) devra obligatoirement se restreindre à l’emploi du mot «Glera», qualificatif historique de ce cépage et synonyme de Prosecco, terme toutefois peu invitant pour sa connotation disgracieuse.

Il existe trois typologies de Prosecco : Brut, Extra dry et Dry, reconnaissables par leurs arômes caractéristiques de pomme et de poire, accompagnés de nuances florales et d’agrume. Ils se distinguent par leur degré de sucrosité (sucre résiduel) qui va du plus sec au plus doux. Ils sont tous issus de la fermentation en cuve communément appelée Metodo Charmat-Martinotti, typique des produits frais et fragrants destinés à une consommation dans l’année. Si le Prosecco et le Champagne sont tous les deux des vins mousseux, la comparaison s’arrête là, au dire de Matteo Bisol de la maison Bisol, référence ancestrale dans la région. « C’est comme comparer les vins de Bordeaux avec les vins de Bourgogne. Ce sont deux styles complètement différents. » Giuseppe Martelli président du comité italien des appellations contrôlées d’Italie, récemment de passage à Montréal pour présider un séminaire sur le Prosecco, confirmait justement ces propos : « Le Champagne, issu d’une double fermentation en bouteille, est un vin de garde qui évolue sur des notes complexes tandis que le succès du Prosecco repose sur sa fraicheur reconnaissable par un goût et une effervescence qui sautillent dans la bouche (Saltellano in bocca).» Bien qu’on associe encore beaucoup les mousseux à des moments de célébration, le Prosecco et la tradition de l’aperitivo qui s’y rattache tendent à faire changer l’attitude des consommateurs face aux vins effervescents. Une récente expérience au restaurant Japonais Kaizen avec les produits de la maison Bisol m’a même permis de croire qu’il peut aussi s’agir d’un vin de « tutto pasto » (pour accompagner tout le repas), à condition bien sûr que la qualité soit au rendez-vous.

Toutefois, le vin mousseux demeurera toujours synonyme de fête et de plaisir. Ce n’est donc pas par hasard qu’Antonio Lucarelli directeur de la chambre de commerce Italienne à Montréal a décidé de souligner le 15 e anniversaire de l’événement automnal annuel : Une dégustation de vins d’Italie, au Marché Bonsecourt sous le thème du Prosecco.

Q

Autres types de mousseux italiens Autre originalité italienne, le Lambrusco, vin rouge mousseux d’Émilie-Romagne souvent médiocre, offre toutefois des exemples décents.

Vin de plaisir sans prétention, il est idéal avec la charcuterie. Dans le haut de gamme, produit cette fois-ci en méthode traditionnelle champenoise, l’appellation Franciacorta figure au sommet du palmarès des bulles italiennes, grâce au travail assidu de producteurs passionnés, tel que Maurizio Zanella de la maison Ca’ del Bosco, qui ont su mettre en valeur le potentiel exceptionnel du terroir de cette appellation de l’Italie du nord.

Visitez panoramitalia.com pour accéder au guide complet des vins Italiens 2010.

La classe

Style et bon goût!

Mimosa pourquoi pas?

Prosecco Le Crede 2009 Bisol Veneto Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Docg Brut 19.30 $ (SAQ-10839168) ★★★ (86) Vin floral au fruité agréable, fin et élégant. Parce qu’on aime surtout les bonnes choses.

Prosecco Nino Franco 2009 Nino Franco Veneto Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore Docg Brut 17,95 $ (SAQ-00349662) ★★★ (86) Mousseux rafraîchissant à la mousse fine et soyeuse aux jolies fragrances de pomme et de poire. Faites bonne impression.

Prosecco Special Cuvée Casa Vinicola Zonin Veneto Prosecco Doc Brut 14,45 $ (SAQ-10540721) ★★ (83) Vin frais et léger aux douces notes d’amande et de poire. Osez les bulles pour le brunch.

Pour le plaisir!

Amarcord 2008 Podere Castorani Emilia-Romagna Lambrusco di Sorbara Amabile Doc 14,70 $ (SAQ -11203321) ★★ (83) Vin rouge mousseux amabile, donc demi-doux, frais et charmant. À découvrir. Vos amis s’en souviendront.

Finesse et raffinement Cuvée Prestige 2008 Ca’del Bosco Lombardia Franciacorta DOCG Brut 31,00 $ (SAQ - 11008024) ★★★ (88) Vin admirable au parfum de brioche suivi d’arôme de citron et de pomme verte.

Vin fin au caractère délicat et féminin. Quand on veut ce qu’il y a de mieux.

Dress to impress!

Prosecco Paparazzi 2008 Podere Castorani Veneto (Treviso) Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Doc Extra Dry VSQPRD Importation privé $ ★★★ (85) Vin frais et moelleux aux notes de pommes et de fleur d’acacia, légèrement sucré. À boire en boîte, au restaurant ou les deux.

Métro, boulot, bistro, apéro!

Prosecco Santi Nello Botter Veneto Prosecco Doc Extra Dry 15.45 $ (SAQ-10540730) ★★ (83) Mousseux doux, frais et fruité sur de légers arômes floraux. Beaucoup mieux qu’une pinte de blonde et si facile à commander.

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Cafe La Buca

Great food, free entertainment By Tony Zara Montrealers lament no more about the lack of great Italian restaurants in South Florida. The next time you plan on visiting South Florida, be sure to make reservations at LA BUCA as soon as you book your airline ticket. This tiny 20 seat resto is usually booked several weeks in advance, especially on weekends. arco Spina, the main man behind this little jewel, not only cooks up a storm right before your eyes but also manages to make you laugh all night.

Ask for the menu and you will probably get the same reply we did: “What menu? My mother is the menu.” Referring to the fact that the menu is usually what Marco and his mother Maria feel like cooking that day. Typically, antipasto, pasta, meats, etc. Mostly, cooked in his high temperature wood burning oven.

Since it’s a bring your own wine place and the food is very reasonably priced, I recommend trying everything they are cooking that evening. They will stop bringing food when you’ve had enough. Just make sure you don’t forget to try the authentic Neapolitan pizza. And definitely leave some room for his home made desserts.

Papà Giorgio e Marco By the way, don’t mind the décor... they don’t call it LA BUCA (the hole) for nothing? Lastly, should something not entirely agree with you, don’t tell Marco - he doesn’t take criticism too well. Ask him to tell you the story of the time a regular client came to pick up a lasagna to go and dared complain about the price.

CAFE LA BUCA - 451 S. Cypress Creek Road, Pompano Beach - 954-786-0673 v

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Drinking and dining for a good cause at Castello di Ama Winery

By Gabriel Riel-Salvatore ho wouldn't love to spend a weekend in a beautiful Castello, nestled in the gentle Tuscan hills of Chianti Classico, surrounded by endless vineyards and olive groves? Joseph Broccolini, Vice-President of Broccolini Construction, had the privilege to do so after entering the highest bid during an auction/fundraiser held during Santa Cabrini Hospital's annual Golf Tournament in 2008 for a trip at Castello di Ama winery.

Hosted by owner and Chief executive of Castello di Ama winery, Lorenza Sebasti Pallanti, Joseph and his wife Carmela, with a group of dear friends, enjoyed a memorable stay in the magnificent residences of the borgo: Villa Ricucci and Villa Pianigiani, two splendidly revampted 18th Century buildings. Present with the Broccolinis were Andre Lanza and Francine, Tony Messina and Stella, Joe Borsellino and Mary and Gino La Storia and Carmen.

The group also visited the historic wine cellar and surrounding garden that both thrive with contemporary art work, reflecting the artistic sensibility and philosophy of the winery.

The winery standard-bearer is "Castello di Ama," a wine produced by a rigorous selection of sangiovese grapes from the most outstanding vineyard parcels of the domain. Since 1978, they introduced two superb crus: Vigneto Bellavista and L'Apparita, which have helped raised quality standards in the Italian wine world.

The Santa Cabrini Hospital Foundation would like to thank and acknowledge Mrs. Sebasti Pallanti for all of her much appreciated charity work. A fundraiser for the Hospital will be held on October 25th, 2011 at Buffet Le Crystal featuring the wines of Castello di Ama along with Lorenza Sebasti Pallanti and her Chef Giovanni Bonavita. Tickets will be $1,000 per person. v

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ricette - recettes - recepies

Plaisir et réconfort Soupe au riz et aux lentilles Riso e lenticchie in brodo

• 2 gousses d’ail, écrasées • 1 petit oignon blanc, haché fin • 1 piment fort, haché (avec les pépins) • 1 tomate entière • 200 g (7 oz) de riz arborio • 250 g (9 oz) de lentilles, lavées et triées

• 18 tasses (4,5 L) d’eau plate • 1/4 tasse (60 ml) d’huile d’olive extra • vierge (et un peu plus pour arroser à la toute fin) • Gros sel de mer, au goût • Poivre, au goût

Photos: Farhi Yavus

Recipes: Franca Mazza

Faites bouillir les lentilles dans 2 litres d’eau pendant 20 minutes. Égouttez et laissez reposer. Dans une casserole, faites chauffer l’huile d’olive, l’ail, le piment, l’oignon et la tomate entière à feu élevé. Assaisonnez de sel et de poivre. Plongez les lentilles dans 1,5 l d’eau, portez à ébullition et baissez ensuite le feu pour laisser mijoter 20 minutes. Entre-temps, faites cuire le riz arborio dans le litre d’eau restant pendant 15 minutes, puis égouttez-le. Mélangez le riz et les lentilles et arrosez de quelques gouttes d’huile d’olive.

Polenta au torta mascarpone Polenta con torta mascarpone Faites bouillir l’eau avec du sel. Baissez le feu, incorporez lentement la semoule de maïs et agitez jusqu’à ce que le mélange soit homogène. Ajoutez le torta mascarpone, le parmesan et le beurre.

Remuez constamment pendant 30 minutes, en ajoutant de l’eau au besoin. Laissez refroidir 5 minutes, servez et saupoudrez de parmesan.

• • • • • •

500 g (18 oz) de semoule de maïs 6 tasses (1,5 L) d’eau plate 500 g (18 oz) de torta mascarpone 200 g (7 oz) de parmesan (et un peu plus pour saupoudrer) 4 cuillères à table (60 ml) de beurre Gros sel de mer, au goût

La patience est de mise lorsque l’on prépare une polenta, puisqu’il faut constamment la remuer. À l’instar des pâtes alimentaires, la polenta se sert avec presque tout. Une fois cuite, on peut aussi la laisser durcir pour ensuite la faire frire. Ajoutez un oeuf frit sur la polenta et la recette prend une tout autre allure. v

Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo / Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année

2227 Bélanger est • Montréal • Québec H2G 1C5 T.514.374.5653 • www.gastronomiaroberto.com

Riches en protéines, les lentilles sont un élément essentiel de tout régime végétarien en raison de leur polyvalence et de leurs qualités nutritives. Cette soupe peut aussi être servie seule comme repas végétarien.

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Eating Italian in New York City

By Claudia Ficca

With so many great coffee options to start my day, I opted for possibly the oldest cappuccino in America “Caffe Reggio”. The original owner, Domenico Parisi, brought the first La Pavoni espresso machine to America and was the first to offer the espresso and later the cappuccino to his customers. The shop hasn’t changed much since the opening nearly 100 years ago. The walls are covered with paintings, some pieces said to be from the school of Caravaggio dating back to the Renaissance.

Unfortunately the La Pavoni machine i s n o l o n g e r b e i n g u s e d t o m a ke coffees; it sits at the back of the shop looking pretty. f you long for a delicious, no fuss espresso, check out Zibetto Espresso Bar in Midtown West. This stand up espresso bar offers a smooth and robust espresso with just the right dose of Italian style barista attitude.

At Il Cantuccio everything is made in house from products imported from Italy. As the name indicates, their specialty is Il Cantuccio, similar to a biscotti but softer, these delicacies come in three varieties: apricot, dark delicious chocolate chunks and prunes, which they cut fresh right in front of your eyes. This four-month-old lovely bakery will bring you back to Tuscany in just one bite of the deliciously crusty and salty schiacciata. Have it plain or request to have it stuffed with prosciutto & arucola or salame & pecorino. In the mood for pizza?

Try their pizza al taglio, the margherita is garnished with beautiful basil and creamy mozzarella; it’s fresh and delicate.

If you feel like having a Neapolitan style pizza, head to Kesté Pizzeria where you can find owner and chef Roberto Caporuscio at work by the wood-burning oven. Chef Roberto is also the president of the Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani whose objective is to preserve and protect the Neapolitan pizza tradition. Kesté, meaning “this is it” in Neapolitan dialect is really worth the taste.

If you are on the go and craving an American-Italian style slice, stop in at Joe’s Pizza.

The crust is light and crunchy, the fresh mozzarella is melted beautifully and the tomato sauce

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BACCALÀ (Grande) $ senza spina:

7.99/lb

is perfectly sweet. It’s sublime every time! Speaking of Joe and mozzarella, if you are thinking of bringing home some cheese you must go to Joe’s Dairy. This hole in the wall on Sullivan Street supplies their in-store, hand-made mozzarella for top chefs of NYC such as Bobby Flay, Mario Batali and Todd English to name a few. Try the smoked or fresh mozzarella, they are equally delicate, creamy and fresh.

A great spot for a classic trattoria style lunch is Bar Pitti. This restaurant offers delicious no fuss food and great people watching. The relaxed patio is inviting on a nice day and the daily menu offers a great selection of dishes for all tastes and budgets. The owner Giovanni wanted to give NYC “una trattoria Toscana dove chiunque può sedersi e mangiare bene” and he has been doing so since 1992.

Now how can you go the entire day shopping around NYC without a gelato pit stop?!

With three locations to satisfy your sweet tooth you can have a little taste of heaven at “GROM, il gelato come una volta.” This gelateria chain prides itself on offering the highest quality gelato, while being socially responsible. The company operates a farm in Piemonte where they cultivate melons, strawberries, apricots, peaches and figs using traditional and organic methods. The gelato is divinely creamy and intensely flavored and the sorbets are refreshing and oh-so fruity.

Want to relive your Roman holiday? Make a dinner reservation at Sora Lella. This restaurant in Soho offers typical Roman food in a casual/chic atmosphere. Sora Lella’s grandson, Chef Mauro Trabalza, follows traditions with a menu that is authentic and mouth watering.

Many of the dishes such as the rigatoni alla carbonara and the pasta e fagioli include cured pork jowl, known as guanciale, a typical roman ingredient which is similar to pancetta but meatier and less salty. Try the tonnarelli alla cuccagna with pork and walnuts, this recipe dates back to 1961. The secret mix of spices in this flavorful dish will tickle your taste buds. This is the family’s second restaurant, the first located on an island called Isola Tiberina in Rome’s Tevere has been serving locals, tourists and celebrities since 1959 when actress Elena Trabalza or “Sora Lella” was in the kitchen. The walls of the restaurant are decorated with pictures of Sora Lella and her famous brother, actor Aldo Fabrizi. End your meal with the homemade salame al cioccolato, a sweet finale to a perfect day.

Address book Caffe Reggio www.caffereggio.com Zibetto Espresso www.zibettoespresso.com

Joe’s Dairy 156 Sullivan Street 677-8780

Il Cantuccio www.ilcantuccionyc.com

Bar Pitti 268 Avenue of the Americas (212) 982-3300

Keste’ Pizza & Vino www.kestepizzeria.com

Grom Gelato www.grom.it

Joe’s Pizza www.joespizza.com

Sorra Lella www.soralellanyc.com

More great Italian spots to try Salumeria Rosi www.salumeriarosi.com Mercato www.mercatonyc.com Porchetta www.porchettanyc.com L’Arte del Gelato www.lartedelgelato.com

(514) 336-4840

5860 St-Francois Road, St-Laurent, Qc H4S 1B7

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Le panettone,un pain béni !

Par Sophie Suraniti

Chaque année, on les voit pendre des plafonds tels de grosses lanternes ou montés en mur pyramidal dans les épiceries. Les panettoni peuvent effectivement prendre de la hauteur !

Jamais un dessert du temps des fêtes n’aura été autant consommé de part le monde. Partout où les communautés italiennes se sont établies, la tradition demeure : à Noël et au Nouvel An, le panettone trône sur les tables !

Qu’est-ce que le panettone ?

Il s’agit d’une grosse brioche italienne, en forme de dôme arrondi d’environ 15 cm de haut, à base de beurre, et dans laquelle on trouve des raisins secs, des fruits confits et des zestes d’agrumes.

Pourquoi ce nom ?

Son nom viendrait de « pane di Toni », le pain de Toni ; ou, de « pane del ton » qui signifie pain de luxe en dialecte milanais. Les histoires concernant les origines du panettone sont nombreuses et très fantaisistes ! Les historiens de l’alimentation s’accordent au moins sur le fait que ce pain sucré soit né à Milan au 15e siècle. Quant au reste... libre à vous de choisir entre l’histoire du pâtissier royal qui rate son gâteau et se retrouve « sauvé » grâce au talent de son commis Toni ; de l’amoureux Toni qui, pour se faire aimer du père de sa dulcinée innove avec une recette ou encore de la sœur cuisinière d’un couvent très pauvre qui invente cette pâtisserie et la bénit d’une croix. Toutes ces histoires ont des fins heureuses : la brioche fait un véritable hit ! Mais la piste la plus sérieuse reste celle du gros pain enrichi (de beurre) et garni luxueusement (raisins, fruits confits, etc.) et qui, à l’occasion des fêtes de Noël, est partagé au sein de la famille, symbole du partage dans la religion catholique.

Ce qui distingue un bon panettone... d’un mauvais ?

D’abord et avant tout, son moelleux et sa légèreté lorsqu’on le prend et le soupèse. Mais avec les emballages actuels, souvent faits d’épais carton, cette appréciation s’avère parfois difficile !

Autre piste : la liste et la qualité des ingrédients. Du vrai beurre (et non des huiles hydrogénées), des jaunes d’œufs, des fruits confits de qualité et des raisins secs bien dorés. Surtout, pas de colorants alimentaires ou d’arômes artificiels ! Les agents conservateurs semblent hélas inévitables, même dans les produits artisanaux. L’emballage est lui aussi un critère de choix : un « bon » panettone devrait se présenter comme un beau paquet cadeau et être cerclé avec élégance ce bandeau qui sert de moule lors de la cuisson est à la fois une marque de fabrique et une protection contre le dessèchement. Alors oubliez les sachets de plastique transparents !

sont faits en Italie, à la main, et portent sur le dessus la fameuse croix, symbole du pain béni.

C’est la compagnie Motta qui, la première, a commercialisé le pannettone. Depuis, différents fabricants (Alemagna, Bauli, Dal Forno, Motta et Tre Marie pour les plus importants) se sont lancés dans la production et innovent dans les recettes avec d’autres choix de parfums et de garnitures (crème de limoncello ou de noisette, sabayon).

Les différents types de panettoni en commerce ?

Les meilleurs panettoni disponibles sur le marché ?

On trouve dans les épiceries italiennes et dans certains supermarchés deux grandes catégories de panettoni : les « artisanaux » et les « industriels ». Les vrais panettoni

Entre un panettone vendu à 5 $ et un autre à 25 $, il y a tout un monde de saveurs et de qualité ! En fait, la comparaison n’est guère possible, quoique les plus grosses compagnies parviennent à incorporer de « bons » produits (notamment du beurre) grâce aux volumes de production qui sont énormes - des millions chaque année ! Quant aux produits artisanaux, certains peuvent même atteindre 40, voire 60 $ ! C’est surtout du côté de l’habillage et de l’emballage que se démarqueront ces panettoni luxueux. Plus raisonnablement, vous trouverez un produit artisanal de qualité dans les 25 $, comme ceux de la marque Rustichella d’Abruzzo. Voici quelques endroits à Montréal pour vous procurer de bons panettoni : La Baie des fromages, Capitole, Le Fouvrac, Milano, Mercanio, Cavallaro ...

Ses petits cousins : Le pandoro : la version du panettone sans raisins secs et fruits confits, plus haut.

La colombe de Pâques : les ingrédients sont les mêmes que le panettone, excepté les amandes grillées et le sucre glace sur le dessus. Se vend à Pâques. v

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Muro Lucano

By Francesco Di Muro

Situated in a rugged corner of Basilicata, this charming mountain top town embodies the essence of the south: warm and inviting with an untouched, raw beauty.

”

aese mio che stai sulla collina...” So begins that iconic song that Ricchi e Poveri first sung back in 1971. Those rich, melodic bars of music are the first that I can remember hearing as a child. But beyond the music, it is these first words that made the most profound impression on me. It brought up warm images of idyllic, sleepy towns in the Italian countryside; small clusters of brightly coloured stucco homes and terracotta tiles that seem to shimmer in the sunlight. It wasn’t until I saw pictures of my family’s home town that this fanciful, storybook setting roused in my imaginings by this song materialized into an actual, tangible place.

Granted, the Italian countryside is well known for its absurdly picturesque landscapes featuring countless small, quaint towns. But this was different, this was special, for this was my home town: Muro Lucano.

First, let us situate ourselves and delve into the heart of il Mezzogiorno, in the region of Basilicata. Dominated by arid mountains and lacking a truly developed transportation infrastructure (not surprisingly), Basilicata has been traditionally overlooked by many tourists. One of the least-explored regions of Italy, Basilicata makes up the ‘arch’ of the Italian peninsula’s boot, nestled between Campania, Puglia and Calabria. Known as Lucania in ancient times, its charm lies inherently in the numerous small ancient towns decorating the region. Muro Lucano is no exception. Poised atop a mountain ridge, some 600 meters above sea level, this commune lies some 50 kilometers northwest of the regional capital: Potenza. In antiquity, important fortifications surrounded a Roman encampment on the towns current site; these walls would serve as the foundation of the towns’ first structures and of its name.

The tenth century saw the addition of a castle, which has become the most recognizable landmark of the town. The castle, perched above the town, has a commanding view of the breathtaking mountain landscape which surrounds the town. It does seem that more often than not the history of the region has been mired by hardship. Some say that this mirrors the qualities of the rugged terrain. Even nature has marked the town. The area has been the victim of many devastating earthquakes over the centuries, making it hard for the region to develop. In 1705, Muro Lucano was almost completely destroyed by a powerful quake.

More recently, the town was hit again in 1980, the repercussions of which can still be seen

P

to this day through the ongoing reconstruction efforts. In recognition of the townspeople sacrifice and stalwart approach in dealing with the crisis, the town was awarded a citation in 2005 by the Italian government.

Yet, even under the constant threat of the next quake, the townspeople refuse to yield. For such intransigence they are rewarded; the towns’ location in the foothills of the Apennines mountain range provides almost every house with a view of the rugged rural landscape: a rich, verdant beauty which has remained mostly untouched throughout the centuries. Even viewed from the ravine below, the town seems to undulate over and around the crest of the mountain.

The oldest section of the town, in the shadow of the castle, il Pianello, is filled with narrow pedestrian alleys and handsome, stucco homes, painted in vibrant pastels. Not even these narrow, cobbled streets can hide the rustic beauty of the town. Seen from above the terracotta roofing tiles of this quarter seem to ripple and blend into one another, in soothing uniform patterns.The rest of the town spreads out from this older section following the relief of the mountain. The center of the town is located in the natural inward curvature of the mountainside. Here we find the main piazza, Piazza dei Monachi, and one of the half-dozen churches of this town of 6,000 inhabitants. Although small in size, this piazza does heighten the intimate qualities and close-knit nature of small town life. Numerous balconies from surrounding houses open up onto the piazza and it is not uncommon to hear neighbors conversing with one-another between balconies and with those on the piazza below. The appeal here is that there is no pretense, no false pride, accepting life in its purest form. Merely walking the piazza, this rural leitmotif seems to permeate the surroundings and one cannot help but become intoxicated by its effect. Here, time loses its conventional sense. If it was not for the regular chiming of the church bells to indicate the hours, one would easily get carried away by the charm of the town.

Refreshing mountain air and rugged vistas coupled with the simple life and coloured history serve to make Muro Lucano the embodiment of the towns way of life in il Mezzogiorno. How many people can say that their town is in song? Muro Lucano’s uniqueness lies in its quiet humbleness, ensconced in a rugged, yet majestic shroud. A town I’m proud to say is my family’s origin. v

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ritratto - portrait - profile

Tony Masi From working-class Brooklyn to McGill Provost

By Sabrina Marandola

He has a PhD. He’s a member of the National Statistics Council of Canada. He’s in charge of developing the overall budget of McGill University, one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

And like many of you, he’ll be eating baccalà, shell fish, orecchiete al sugo, and arrosto al forno this Christmas. eet Dr. Anthony Masi, a self-described “working-class kid from Brooklyn” who always embraced his italianità - and partly credits it for his success in both his professional and personal life. “I never viewed my ethnicity as an impediment to my career. I always saw it as a strength,” says the 61-year-old man sitting in his spacious office on the fifth floor of McGill’s administration building.

Masi, who has been calling Montreal home for more than three decades, has just been re-appointed to his second mandate as Provost of McGill University. “It’s an exciting internal job,” he says. “McGill is an institution seeped in history. It’s a world-class institution.” Being Provost means Masi is the chief academic officer of the university, after the Principal. He is in charge of all academic policies and programs at McGill, student services, faculty appointments, and he is responsible for the university’s overall budget.

But Dr. Masi says a road paved with hard work and sacrifices is what got him to his spacious office on the fifth floor. “I know where I came from - a working-class family in Brooklyn,” he recalls. Masi grew up in a culturallyrich neighbourhood in New York where the blocks were filled with people from the Italian, Jewish, Polish and Black communities. His mother was born in the United States, and even though she didn’t speak Italian, he says his household was always rich with Italian, culture.

“My mom and all of her siblings were born in the U.S., but they always considered themselves Italian,” he says. And this wasn’t always easy. Masi vividly recalls his mother enrolling him in the closest neighbourhood school called St. Francis of Assisi. “Everyone was Irish. I was the first kid they saw with Mediterranean traits,” he says. “I learned how to defend myself very quickly.”

Young Tony went on to graduate from high school, and earned his way into Colgate University (a private Liberal Arts school) via a football scholarship. “Even though I had a scholarship, my parents made enormous sacrifices sending me to a private school, and I had many jobs to help pay the bills,” he recalls. While at that time he was studying in computers, he worked as a waiter serving tables and spent every summer working in a factory in New York City.

After Colgate, he went on to Brown University, for a PhD in Sociology and Demography.

His area of expertise was the labour market, and Masi decided to zero in on steel mills.

Masi never expected this path would lead him back to his family’s roots in Italy. “I found three steel mills in Europe: one in France, one in Spain and one in Bari in southern Italy.”

The mill in Bari became the obvious choice as the place to conduct his PhD study. “It was the single largest integrated steel mill in the world, the firm was very open to my presence... and it was Italy. I was drawn to it, knowing this is the place my parents had left.”

But there was a small glitch: Masi did not speak a word of Italian. “I took courses. I studied Italian for three months with a tutor before I left New York. In Rome, my Italian was good, but when I got to Bari and heard people yelling in the streets in dialect, I thought I got off at the wrong train station. I thought to myself, ‘Am I in Spain?!’” Masi refused to speak English for the next three months, and by the end of his first summer in Puglia he was fluent in

M

Italian... and could even speak barese, the local dialect.

His experience in Italy also brought fulfillment to his personal life. During his time in Bari, he met his wife, Maria. The two have been married for more than 30 years, and have two children, who are fluent in English, French and Italian. “My wife never studied English, so we speak to each other in Italian at home.

As a result, my sons grew up with all three languages.”

With a PhD in hand from Brown University, the young Dr. Masi was offered a job in Montreal at McGill University where he taught Sociology and Demography. He also worked in Italian universities as a visiting professor in Bari and Pisa. He quickly became known as one of the first professors to use web and internet tools in his courses - this was the early 1980s - and by 1988, he had built computer labs for the entire Faculty of Arts departments at McGill. He persuaded IBM and Apple to donate computers, and the labs became the single largest local area computer network. These accomplishments earned him the job of Chief Information Officer at McGill, before eventually being appointed Provost.

When he is not at McGill, Masi is an advisory board member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada, and is also involved with the CIBPA (Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association). Masi says he is committed to staying connected to the Italian community. “I want to make people in Canada realize that there are credible and important partners out there, other than England, France and Germany. Italy has credible partners, and we need to seek them out.” He also has a message for the young generation: keep working hard to move ahead. “Italian-Canadians have a lot to be proud of. There are always attempts to stereotype, but it’s by working really hard that we can prove those stereotypes hardly ever apply.” v

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Photos: Vincenzo D’Alto / Make-up: Emmanuelle Blanchard

VIVERE ALL’ITALIANA - Vivre à l’italienne - Living Italian Style

Jessica Germano Roberto Borsellino Nickname: Robby Occupation: Mortgage Specialist Director - TD Canada Trust Age: 24 Generation: Second Dad from: Cattolica Eraclea - Sicily Mom from: Reggio Calabria Speaks: English, French, Italian, Spanish Raised in: Rivière-des-Prairies

Nickname: Je, Jess, Germano Occupation: Fashion Designer for Garage (accessories) and part time Jewelry Designer for myself. Age: 28 Generation: Second Mom and dad from: Campobasso Speaks: English, French and Italian Raised in: Laval

Passion: Latin dance Clothes: Zara shirt, Guess jeans, Armani belt, Zara shoes Favourite designer: Giorgio Armani Boutique: Zara Restaurant: Panino Espresso Favourite dish: Bistecca alla Fiorentina Absolute must in the pantry: Nutella, taralli and S cookies Type of wine/drink: Jack Daniels Favourite Italian saying or quote: ‘Mangiasti ???’

Last time you went to Italy: June 2007 Place you must go back to at least one more time in your life: Sicily

Passion: Fashion, Music and Traveling Clothes: Vintage leather dress, H&M cardigan, Christian Louboutin shoes and necklace made by me Make up: Mac/Laura Mercier/Dior Favourite designer: Christian Louboutin, Elie Saab and Dsquared2 Boutique: Zara, Holts, Topshop, A&F, F21 & Garage.

Restaurant: Da Emma and Koi (in L.A.) Favourite dish: Gnocchi della nonna and filet mignon.

Absolute must in the pantry: Nutella, chocolate chip cookies and lots of candy.

Type of wine/drink: Ice wine

Favourite band or singer: Juan Luis Guerra Best Italian movie: Johnny Stecchino What you like most about our magazine: It’s a great way to learn more about our interesting culture and community.

Best way to feel Italian in Montreal: Sit on a terrace in Little Italy while enjoying an espresso.

Best coffee in Montreal: Café Milano Crescent or St-Laurent: St-Laurent Most common name in your family. How many? Libertino (3) Dream: To raise a beautiful loving family and accomplish all my proj-

ects with great success.

Sexiest Italian: Marie Josee Strazzero You know you are Italian when or if: You begin a sentence with “Me I...”

Best nightclub in Montreal: Macaroni Favourite thing to do in Montreal: Jogging on Gouin You know you were raised Italian when: Your mom chases you with a wooden spoon and your dad counts to 3 before throwing you a sandal if you don’t behave.

Spaghetti o penne: Penne Favourite Italian song: Volare

Favourite Italian city: Florence Best memory growing up as an Italian: It would be between: gathering with the family at nonna’s house for holidays Vs. driving around with Mom, Dad, Freddy and Lori (brother and sister) honking horn and waving Italian flag every time Italy won games in the Euro/World Cup. Favourite thing about being Italian: Being Italian, it is impossible to say you have a “favourite thing” since we have it all: food, fashion, passion, love, art and beauty... My favourite thing about being Italian is: “Being Italian!”

Favourite Italian saying or quote: ‘Chi dorme non piglia pesci’ Spaghetti o penne: Farfalle!

Best Italian movie: Pierino contro tutti What you like most about our magazine: The “Vivere All’Italiana” section of course! But overall I love the fact that it’s an excellent way to stay connected with the Italian community!

The magazine is super informative and stylish at the same time!

Best coffee in Mtl: It’s a tie between Gentile and Milano’s Best way to feel Italian in Montreal: When you speak “u dialett’ italiano” with your friends or coworkers!

Favourite Italian song: La Prima Cosa Bella from Nicola Di Bari... It was my grandmother’s favourite song.

Mare o montagna: I love them together... on one side il mare and the other le montagne.

Pet peeve: When people put dirty dishes in the sink without rinsing them first.

Sexiest Italian: Johnny Germano and Filippo “Spacone” Nardelli Thing about you that would surprise most people: I have a small business on the side...

I make jewelry!

Best nightclub in Montreal: Moomba Best pizza in Montreal: My mom’s by far Your fashion idol: Olivia Palermo & Sienna Miller

Si vous souhaitez être considéré pour paraître dans la section Vivre à l’italienne, joignez-vous à notre page Facebook et envoyez-nous un message nous expliquant pourquoi vous seriez un bon candidat.

You know you were raised Italian when: When in your household, you have at least 2 fridges, 2 full size freezers, a supply of home made wine, a supply of home made tomato sauce, your own coldcut slicer & sausages and provoloni hanging from the ceiling of the cantina.

Favourite Italian city: So far... Rome!

It’s wonderful... I’d go back in a heartbeat!

Favourite thing about being Italian: Madonn’... there’s too many things that make me proud of my nationality... the food, the fashion, the music, the art, the history, the culture, the language, the scenery, the beaches, the people... I can go on and on!

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VIVERE ALL’ITALIANA - Vivre à l’italienne - Living Italian Style

Zena Edaibat

Photos: Vincenzo D’Alto / Make-up: Emmanuelle Blanchard

Anthony Franceschini

Nickname: Zenuccia Occupation: Graduating in December 2010. Will be working at PwC as an Audit & Assurance Associate Age: 24 Generation: Second Dad from: Amman, Jordan Mom from: Sicily, Italy Speaks: English, Italian, Arabic, French Raised in: Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Montreal Passion: Dance and music Clothes: Top and blazer from Club Monaco, shoes and leggings from Zara Favourite designer: Valentino Boutique: Club Monaco Restaurant: Restaurant Roberto Favourite dish: Spaghetti alle vongole Absolute must in the pantry: Honey Nut Cheerios Favourite Italian saying or quote: “La vita è una schifezza, e tu sei la vita mia” Last time you went to Italy: Summer 2009 Mare o montagna: Mare

Best way to feel Italian in Montreal: Attend an Italian wedding Place you must go back to at least one more time in your life: Florence Dream car: Audi R8 Favourite band or singer: The Roots Best Italian movie: Il Postino Italian soccer team: Juventus What you like most about our magazine: Bridges the gap between the older and younger generations of Italians Type of wine/drink: Brio Thing about you that would surprise most people: I have moved 14 times in my life

Best coffee in Montreal: Café Myriade Crescent or St-Laurent: St-Laurent Most common name in your family. How many? Francesca, at least 4 Pet peeve: People who wear white socks with sandals Dream: Becoming a Chartered Accountant Sexiest Italian: Giuliano Ciccocioppo You know you are Italian when or if: You are asked to pick vegetables from the garden for dinner Best nightclub in Montreal: The W Lounge Your fashion idol: My older sister Laura

Spaghetti o penne: Spaghetti Favourite thing to do in Montreal: Breakfast with friends You know you were raised Italian when: You watched Disney movies in Italian Favourite Italian song: Canto della terra Andrea Bocelli Italian artist or actor you would like to meet: Roberto Benigni Favourite Italian city: Rome Best memory growing up as an Italian: Nonna’s stracciatella soup and polpette Favourite thing about being Italian: Being part of one of the most influential cultures in history.

Occupation : Avocat Âge : 23 Italien de : 3e génération Père originaire de : Campobasso Mère originaire de : Montréal (Reggio Calabria, grand-mère et Campobasso, grand-père) Grandi à : Montréal Passion : L’histoire, la musique et le sport Designer favori : J. Lindeberg Boutique: Signor Terry Restaurant préféré : Le Pirate de Laval Plat préféré : Manicotti fatti in casa Must dans le garde-manger : Pain frais du jour Vin ou drink préféré : Grey Goose et lime pressée Expression italienne préférée : « Chi si ferma è perduto, chi osa vince. » Dernier séjour en Italie : Novembre 2010 Voiture de rêve : Aston Martin DBS

Meilleur film italien : Viuuulentemente Mia (1982) Équipe de soccer: AC Milan Ce que tu apprécies le plus à propos de Panoram Italia : Le fait que le magazine rejoint tous les groupes d’âge et couvre les événements sociaux dans la communauté.

Meilleure façon de se sentir italien à Montréal : Inviter la famille à un brunch du dimanche Penne o Spagetthi : Penne Meilleur café à Montréal : Je n’aime pas le café.

Crescent ou St-Laurent : St-Laurent

Nom le plus commun de la famille.

Combien? Nicola, 3 Ce que je déteste : Le trafic Italienne la plus sexy : Elisabetta Canalis Rêve : Devenir le prochain Ari Gold Mare o Montagna : Mare Tu sais que tu es italien quand : La famille t’appelle pour souligner la fête de ton prénom («name-day ») Meilleur club ou sortie à Montréal: Buona Notte Meilleure pizza à Montréal : Pizzaiolle Fashion idol : David Beckham

To be considered for a photoshoot in future Living Italian Style sections, simply like Panoram Italian on Facebook, and express your interest on our wall. An administrator will get back to you with further details.

Tu sais que tu as été élevé à l’italienne quand : Ta copine ne peut pas dormir à la maison Ville préférée en Italie : Rome Dessert italien préféré: Cannoli à la ricotta Meilleur souvenir d’enfance en tant qu’italien : Avoir le plus gros lunch de la table au dîner...

Saveur de gelato préférée : Nocciola Chose que tu apprécies le plus à propos d’être italien : Avoir une culture et une identité qui me permettent de me démarquer au quotidien

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moda - mode - Fashion

Style Guy Holiday fashions for men range from structured suits and city coats to urban casuals.

By Joanne Latimer

Is it time to graduate from your skater clothes? If you’re approaching 30, you should be wearing more than just hoodies.

Structured clothing is dominating menswear-even casual clothing for young men. Dark shades, like midnight and slate, are hot for the holidays, alongside earthy browns and black ink. The classic charcoal suit or wool coat is a good investment, as is a leather belt. Hold the bling, keep it elegant. After work, change into a zippered bomber coat and relaxed jeans. Skinny jeans are for teenagers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear denim with a fitted shirt and a long jacket or overcoat. Shirts with too much graphic print are “so 2008”, so keep the shirt graffiti to a minimum. If you want colour, that’s what sportswear is for. Training jackets and accessories, like iPad cases and card holders, are the best way to add a splash of colour.

MEXX

H&M

Birks

WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie

Ecco belt

Strellson

FIFA Collections

Icebreaker

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moda - mode - Fashion WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie, iPad case: $295 (USD) www.wantessentiels.com Z Zegna: suit $1250, coat $1250 Z Zegna: Jacket $685, pant $315 ZegnaSport: Jacket $550, polo $275, pant $195 ZegnaSport: Jacket $450, jean $250 www.zegna.com

ZegnaSport

Dermatologica Shave Kit: $50 www.dermatologica.com ZegnaSport

FIFA Collections: jacket $90 www.fifa.com MEXX: suit jacket $289.90, pant $129.90, tie $59.90 www.mexx.ca Strellson: $59-$79 www.strellson.com Le Château: zip-up $125, jeans $79.95, red shirt $69.95 www.lechateau.ca H&M shirt: $29.95 www.hm.com

Z Zegna

Birks card holder: $125 www.birks.com

Z Zegna

Feet First: $80 www.feetfirstshoes.com Gap: overcoat $148, dark jeans $69.50 Gap two: blazer $108, pinstripe shirt $54.50, jeans $79.50 www.gap.com Ecco belt: $80 www.eccocanada.com Icebreaker: jacket $450 www.icebreaker.com Fusaro by Lauro & Co: wool coat $399 www.lauroandco.com

Dermatologica

Gap

Gap

Fusaro by Lauro & Co

Le Château

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musica - musique - music

Gino Vannelli Photos: Chris Giannini

Montreal’s favourite Italian-Canadian son shows no signs of slowing down Interview by Sonia Benedetto Written by Adam Zara

It’s no wonder Gino Vannelli is arguably the most accomplished Italian-Canadian musician ever. If you were one of the many witnesses to Gino’s live act this past October during his stopovers in Quebec City and Montreal, the proof was definitely in the pudding. At age 58, his voice remains world class and his looks still make women melt. Add charisma, some of the best pop songs ever written, and a top notch band to boot, and your recipe is foolproof. Gino took time off his busy schedule to sit down with Panoram Italia for an exclusive interview. Here’s what he had to say: Tell us a bit about your childhood in Montreal.

My childhood was a pretty good one. It was full of music. My brothers and I always played music. We had bands as early as I could remember. I started playing bongos and then gradually the drums by the time I was 8-9 years old.

Any special memories of your neighbourhood and your Italian upbringing?

Someone was always making wine (laughs). It stunk up the whole neighborhood (more laughs)!

On Sunday’s, someone would always play the accordion and sing songs like ‘Marina’ or ‘O sole mio.’ I was born and raised on Saint-Timothée Street downtown until about 5, and then we moved to the Ahuntsic area until about 14, and finally Ville d’Anjou until I moved away.

At the age of 17 you were already signed to a record label. By 23, you were filling concert halls and winning Juno’s; you literally went from Montreal to Hollywood. How did it all happen for you?

Well, first was New York for about two years, which was a great education. The first day I got to New York, someone was making off with my guitar and I had to run after him. It was difficult. I lived in Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Harlem, Midtown, Yonkers, down in the Village, and not very pretty places. For a month in January, my bed was literally next to a furnace. I did anything I could to get a record or publishing deal at the time. My brother Joe and I then saved up money and recorded demos, went to Los Angeles and Hollywood, stayed there for 3-4 months, and made every record company listen until that eventful day finally came when A & M decided they were going to sign me.

Being a young man of Italian descent, the son of an Italian immigrant, did it make it harder for you to reach your goal? Was it more difficult to be accepted by the industry back then?

It’s a strange irony because I think in my dad’s day, in the 40’s and 50’s, being an Italian singer was an advantage because you had such popularity with Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Julius La Rosa, and so on. But things got very anglofied when the Beatles came around. And being Italian in the late 60’s, early 70’s, I can’t say was unpopular, but it was not the norm; people had this stereotypical image of what an Italian singer was.

What helped you break through all of that?

A hard head (laughs). You just keep doing it and banging away. I really took my case to the people, in the sense that I toured and toured. In the beginning when I started touring, there were literally 20 people in the audience, and then I’d go back five months later and maybe there were 40 people, and then within two years we were selling out concert halls. It grew exponentially very quickly.

Later on in your career, you sang in Italian. How did that happen, and at what particular moment?

Well my dad died in the mid-90’s and he would often sing to us in Italian. When we kids were restless at night, he’d calm us with an Italian song, so it had a way of burying itself within me. His death had been on my mind for a few years of course. I had written a song that was in a Puccini/Schubert style, and I thought to myself that this would be an Italian song in which I decided to have a conversation with my dad. It’s called ‘Parole per mio padre’. I recorded it on someone else’s album, and somehow representatives of the Vatican had heard the song, and wanted me to sing it for the late Pope (John Paul II) during a Christmas celebration that the Vatican was putting on in 2000.

Tell us a bit about your latest album entitled The Best & Beyond.

It was an Italian by the name of Marco Rossi, the owner of Azzurra Music, who had the idea to do a different kind of collection of some of my best songs. We discussed it and he agreed that I would take my West Coast band and re-record them with the new arrangements, and create something that people knew, but something new.

So you’re revisiting old material?

Revisiting it, but almost like I should have recorded it. In that sense. There was always a little bit of regret. Maybe we were also limited by the technology of the time. I wish I had different technology when I recorded Brother to Brother, therefore doing ‘I Just Wanna Stop’ and ‘Brother to Brother’ on this album, of course I’m going to say that I enjoy these versions a lot better, whereas a lot of people would feel nostalgic or partial to the old version. But as the artist, I’m very partial to the new version, because I really did it the way I wanted to do it, although you also have hindsight to help you. But more than that, Marco asked for liner notes at first and I got so involved in writing them that it turned into a book called Stardust in the Sand.

Do you often go back to Italy?

Yes these days I am often in Italy, at least twice or three times per year.

Have you gone back to your father’s village?

That I haven’t done, because I usually have a purpose when I go. I work with a very talented Italian artist by the name of Mario Rosini; he’s a great piano player, and we do many concerts together. We just finished five concerts in Copenhagen, and we’re going to do a few in his hometown near Bari.

How do you feel in Italy, being an Italian-Canadian?

Well I’m kind of an odd creature to them because I kind of am them but not. I think, generally speaking, they’re pretty proud of me. But over and above all that, I think Italians still understand the voice more than many audiences. When you go to Italy, and you sing something correctly and well, they let you know. If I do a good job on a song, they’ll start giving me a hand in the middle of the song where they think the passage that I sang won their approval. So they’re kind of the only people that do that.

Did you ever think you’d become this successful?

Did you ever expect such a large following on an international level?

I never looked at it that way. You know when you’re a kid you say: “I wanna be famous, I wanna be big.”

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Photos: Chris Giannini

Did you ever say that?

Yes of course, but you have no idea what it means, you have no idea that being successful means that you have a lot of people that are depending on you, that you really travel a lot, you’re going to go through garbage that you don’t feel like going through. I’ve been deported out of countries, I’ve b e e n h e l d a t g u n p o i n t , l o t s o f c r a z y t h i n g s. . .

You have this concept of success where it’s all glittering gold, but there are lots of rats and bugs in that treasure chest.

Can you describe to us what being Italian means to you, and how you identify with other Italian Canadians?

Italians have a hard-headedness about them that I consider to be a good quality. They could be stubborn in a good kind of way. A lot of Italians have good body energy, good stamina, endurance, and those are things that I’m very grateful for, because it took a lot, and still does take a lot to do the things I wanna do. As for identifying with the community, I spent so much time travelling the world and writing up in the mountains of Oregon where I live, that the only time I do get to spend some time in the Italian community is like, now ; these next three days (laughs).

B u t y o u did g r o w u p i n t h e c o m m u n i t y .

Any specific memories of Pius X High School in Ahuntsic?

Hmm... I don’t know if I should say (chuckles). I got into trouble a lot.

I think the Principal and Vice-Principal didn’t like my hair-do or my side burns... and the way I wrote English compositions. Not that I blame them, because they were frightfully odd (laughs).

They’ll probably end up buying your book. v

(laughs) Maybe…

Visit our Facebook page to view a video of Sonia Benedetto’s exclusive interview with Gino Vannelli. www.facebook.com/panoramitalia

More about Gino • • • • •

Studied Music at McGill University Won 7 Juno Awards Was nominated for 4 Grammy Awards First white artist to appear on Soul Train ‘I Just Wanna Stop’ hit #1 in Canada and #4 in the US in 1978 • Brother to Brother went Platinum in Canada in 1979 • Recorded 17 albums • Performed for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in 2000

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Quentin Tarantino, président du jury

Leone

Venezia, il cinema e la Mostra Léa-Catherine Szacka

Barney’s Version

La Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica de Venise est le plus ancien festival du genre (1932). Mais la célèbre Mostra de Venise fait aujourd’hui face à une certaine compétition notamment avec le Festival des films du Monde de Montréal et du Festival international des films de Toronto. Les stars continueront-elles à défiler, malgré tout, sur le tapis rouge du Lido? Cette année, pour la 67 e édition du festival, le directeur Marco Müller peut se vanter d’avoir attiré, entre autres, Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Naomi Campbell, et Isabella Rossellini. Et cela en plus du controversé Quentin Tarantino et de son ex-copine, la réalisatrice Sofia Coppola. rée en 1932, la Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematrografica de Venise a lieu chaque année, vers le début septembre, au Lido de Venise. Le célèbre festival est aussi appelé Biennale del Cinema, puisqu’il fait partie d’une institution culturelle pluridisciplinaire nommée Biennale di Venezia. Le principal prix du Festival de Venise, le Leone d’Oro (Lion d’or), est remis au meilleur film présenté lors de la compétition officielle, alors que les Coppe Volpi (Coupes Volpi) sont remises au meilleur acteur et à la meilleure actrice. D’autres prix tel le Lion d’argent ou le prix spécial du jury sont également décernés durant le festival.

Le festival de films de Venise est caractérisé par son côté très ‘populaire’. En effet, le site de la Mostra au Lido de Venise est accessible à tous, et plusieurs fans y attendent patiemment l’arrivée de leurs vedettes préférées. De plus, stars et publics se croisent librement dans les ruelles étroites de la Serenissima. À la Mostra, plusieurs représentations sont ouvertes au public et chaque soir, les films en compétitions sont projetés dans diverses salles du Lido ainsi qu’au magique cinéma en plein air du campo San Polo.

Cette année, le directeur du festival était le romain Marco Müller qui depuis 1980 œuvre comme critique, historien, et éditeur dans le milieu du cinéma, en plus d’avoir contribué à l’organisation de nombreux festivals de cinéma Européens. Le Jury présidé par Quentin Tarantino (USA) était constitué de Guillermo Arriaga (Mexique), Ingeborga Dapkunaite (Lituanie) Arnaud Depkunaite (France), Danny Elfman (USA) Luca Guadagnino et Gabriele Salvatores (Italie). Le film d’ouverture, Black Swan de l’américain Darren Aronofsky (Lion d’or en 2008 avec The Wrestler) a eu un grand succès. À Venise, en plus de la compétition officielle incluant cette année 23 films, plusieurs catégories sont au programme : controcampo italiano, orrizonti, settimana della critica, retrospettiva, giornate degli autori. Également, le circuito off, un évènement parallèle qui, pour sa 11e édition, présente une série de films documentaires.

Deux films canadiens étaient présentés à la 67e édition de la Mostra vénitienne. D’abord, en compétition officielle, le très remarqué Barney’s Version, adaptation du roman du même nom signé Mordechai Richler et tourné, en grande partie, à Montréal. Réalisé par Richard J. Lewis, ce film raconte l’histoire de Barney Panofsky (Paul Giamatti), juif montréalais – probablement Richler lui-même – qui après deux mariages désastreux rencontre Miriam (Rosamund Pike) qui l’accompagnera dans une vie remplie de scotch, de cigares et de hockey... Avec Dustin Hoffman dans le rôle du père Panofsky, ce film à l’humour tranchant faisait partie de la compétition officielle, bien qu’il n’ait rien raflé. Également au programme, mais hors-concours, le nouveau film de Denis Villeneuve (Polytechnique), Incendies, une adaptation de la pièce de Wajdi Mouawad racontant l’histoire de deux jeunes québécois partis aux Moyen-Orient sur les traces de leur mère décédée. Ce film, présenté en première officielle à Venise, a été très bien accueilli. Tellement qu’il a depuis été sélectionné comme soumission officielle canadienne pour la course aux Oscars.

Du côté de l’Italie, deux films ont fait parler d’eux. D’abord, la Pecora Nera d’Ascanio Celestini, un jeune premier de 38 ans ayant déjà remporté de nombreux prix littéraires et d’interprétation. Acteur, réalisateur et écrivain, Celestini joue lui-même le personnage principal de Nicola, un jeune garçon placé à l’asile en bas âge par sa grandmère. Magnifique, ce film raconte l’univers des institutions psychiatriques italiennes et des ‘fabuleuses années soixante’. Le second film, La solitudine dei numeri primi, est une adaptation du roman du même titre publié en 2008 par Mondadori et signé Paolo Giordano. Le très attendu film relatant l’histoire des destins parallèles d’Alice et Mattia, dont les existences marquées par une enfance difficile se croisent à plusieurs reprises sans pourtant jamais s’unir.

Malgré le grand succès du best seller de Giordano, le film semble en avoir déçu plusieurs.

C

Incendies

La pecora nera

La solidtudine dei numeri primi

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Alba Rohrwacher (Alice Della Rocca dans La solitudine dei numeri primi)

C’est le film Somewhere de Sofia Coppola qui a remporté le Lion d’or du festival.

Ce film lent et partiellement autobiographique raconte l’histoire de Johnny (Stephen Dorff), une vedette d’Hollywood qui, complètement désabusée dans sa vie de star, renoue avec sa fille de onze ans, Cleo (Elle Fanning). Une rencontre qui changera sa vision de la vie. Un film d’ambiance, Somewhere propose certes des prises de vues originales et une atmosphère typiquement Coppola, mais avec une trame narrative pratiquement inexistante.

Très controversée, la décision du jury a fait couler beaucoup d’encre dans les jours qui ont suivi la clôture du festival le 11 septembre dernier. La décision a été annoncée comme unanime, or beaucoup croient que Tarantino a usé de son magnétisme pour convaincre le jury de donner le lion d’or a son ex copine, la star Sofia Coppola, et le prix carrière à son producteur et ami, Monte Hellman. Le film Essential Killing, de Jerzy Skolimowskia a fait remporter la Coppa Volpi pour meilleur acteur à Vincent Gallo en plus d’avoir rafler le prix spécial du Jury. Bien que quatre films italiens aient fait partie de la compétition officielle pour 2010 (un nombre record), aucun d’entre eux n’a remporté de prix. v

Somewhere

Sofia Coppola

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Director’s Cut Local band featured in Hollywood Movie Barney’s Version

By Laura Casella

Perhaps you’re familiar with them as I Giovani Direttori or I Direttori or as they’re known today, The Directors . However you do, the heart of this Montreal band has always remained the same. But after performing together for over thirty years, they’re about to be noticed in a very big way. t was a regular day in the summer of 2009 when male lead singer Tony Picciuto got a call from the assistant of IHollywood director Richard J. Lewis. He was searching for the right band to be cast in an upcoming movie and came across the website for The Directors.

“I thought it was some kind of joke,” admits guitarist Frank Bufo, about when he heard the news. It certainly wasn’t. The movie is Barney’s Version, the much-anticipated motion picture based on the 1997 highly successful novel by Canadian author Mordecai Richler. It was shot partly in Montreal last year and stars Dustin Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, and Minnie Driver, just to name a few.

It was 1969 when Tony Picciuto and Frank Bufo first met.

Their dads, being from the same village (San Bartolomeo in Galdo), would get together Friday nights in NDG to play cards.

The boys would soon discover that they shared a love for music and guitar and decided to form a band. Although they started off as a rock n’ roll band, they slowly shifted to a more traditional wedding band yet always keeping their rock sound roots. Today the evolving band is comprised of eleven people, and is one of the most sought after show bands in Montreal.

It didn’t take long for Richard J. Lewis to recognize this band’s talent. After meeting the group for an interview and

watching them perform at a wedding, The Directors were cast to appear in a pivotal 12-minute wedding scene for lead character Barney Panofsky’s second marriage, played

by Paul Giamatti. The scene is set in the 1970’s and was filmed over three days at the Ritz Carlton hotel. The band also went in a studio and recorded seven songs for the scene. It was an experience they will never forget.

“The first day of shooting we were up at 5:30 a.m. to get into costume, hair and make-up,” recalls Bufo. “We finished at 10:30 that night.” “I don’t think I’ve ever been so tired,” claims Randi Katz, the band’s female lead singer, who joined the group in 2000.

In the midst of all the hard work, there were many laughs shared between the band and the rest of the cast.

“Dustin Hoffman walked in and I was off the ground, just star struck,” recounts Picciuto. “He came to sit beside me and we were instructed not to talk to them. So finally he turns to me and says ‘Excuse me - is that your band playing in the background?’ I said, ‘you know Mr. Hoffman I’m a big fan, but sorry, you’re not allowed to talk to me’.

And he laughed.”

Katz and Picciuto had the opportunity to see the film at the Toronto International Film Festival this year.

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“I finally realized that the movie was not about the band,” says Picciuto, laughing. “It was phenomenal. We are so proud to be a part of such an incredible story.” It’s a story which in some way marks a new beginning for The Directors.

“After 38 years of performing, this was like the medal at the end of the race,” Picciuto states. “The end of the race? This is just the beginning!” exclaims Katz. Overall, the band is truly humbled by the whole experience.

“I have something I can show to my grandchildren one day,” says Bufo. “All our names appear in the credits so it’s like we are stitched in pop culture.” “It’s definitely a milestone,” adds Katz, as the other members nod in unison.

So what’s next for this talented show band? “We’d like to quit our day jobs and do this full-time,” admits Bufo. “Just do what we love every day which is to perform.”“This experience has proved to me that if you work hard enough and you love something, eventually good things will happen,” says the humbled Picciuto.

T h e re l e a s e d a t e f o r B a r n e y ’s Ve rs i o n i s expected in December 2010. For more information on The Directors and their trek to the big screen visit www.thedirectors.ca v

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Sorridere al tempo che passa: Stefania Sandrelli Giovanni Princigalli

L’ o p e r a p r i m a d i S t e f a n i a S a n d r e l l i s ’ i n t i t o l a C h r i s t i n e Cristina , e racconta della vita della cortigiana di origine italiana alla corte di Carlo V di Francia, Christine de Pizan (interpretata dalla figlia Amanda). Il film è stato presentato all’ultima edizione del Festival des films du monde de Montréal. ncontro Stefania Sandrelli all’Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Montréal, che non si è fatto scappare l’occasione d’invitarla e di offrire in suo onore un ricevimento ed un piccolo bagno di folla composta da vari esponenti della comunità italiana: professori, politici, donne e uomini di cultura, impiegati e funzionari del Consolato. La Sandrelli, non fa appena a scendere le scale dell’Istituto, avvolta in un elegante abito rosso vivo, che la piccola folla di convenuti l’accoglie con un caloroso applauso. Lei è gentile con tutti e a nessuno nega una foto o un sorriso che non sembra affatto formale o forzato. È così generosa ed affascinante nell’elargire questi dolci sorrisi da cui fioriscono parole gentili, che non si può fare a meno di ammirarla, di fotografarla, di stringerle la mano. Di gentilezza, la critica invece non ne ha mostrato poi così tanta con il suo film Christine Cristina, ma in questa tiepida sera tardo estiva di Montreal, a consolarla ci pensa una delle firme più note della critica cinematografica italiana, la giornalista di Repubblica, Irene Bignardi, che le dice “Il tuo film è bellissimo”. Lei le risponde “Bellocchio mi ha detto che è un piccolo ma bel film.”

I

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Stefania Sandrelli è stata la protagonista d’immemorabili film, quali Novecento di Bernardo Bertolucci e C’eravamo tanto amati di Ettore Scola. Nel primo recitava tra due colossi d e l c i n e m a i n t e r n a z i o n a l e, R o b e r t D e N i r o e G é r a r d Depardieu. Nel film di Scola invece, era accanto a due indimenticabili talenti del cinema italiano: Vittorio Gassman e Nino Manfredi.

Provo a parlare con lei di cinema. Le chiedo proprio di Novecento e di C’eravamo tanto amati e di com’era recitare tra De Niro e Depardieu. Le chiedo delle sceneggiature, di cosa provò nel passare in un arco di tempo così corto, da un film all’altro, e quindi da due grandi attori stranieri a due grandi attori italiani. Le chiedo anche di Figli un film militante per un ruolo scomodo che interpretò nel 2010 per Marco Bechis. Risponde volentieri alle mie domande e curiosità “Depardieu era bravissimo e quando Scola mi propose C’eravamo tanto amati e gli dissi ‘ma lo sai che Bertolucci mi ha proposto un film, Novecento , che ti piacerà tanto!?”. Così parliamo di recitazione e del lavoro d’attore, ma è quasi impossibile continuare questa conservazione che sembrerebbe proiettata a svelare e scoprire ricordi ed aneddoti, poiché sono in tanti, troppi, a posare in fotografia con lei. Mi dice un detto in francese che parla della giovinezza o della bellezza che vola via, e voilà, anche lei vola via, portata via a braccetto dal console Antonio Poletti. Sembra la scena di un film, perché la frase “vola via” finisce sul suo girarsi dall’altra parte come se il console, prendendola per il braccio, facesse girare piano, dolcemente e con eleganza, questa dama, come un’inquadratura che svanisce in dissolvenza. Mi arrendo all’idea di non poter parlare di cinema con un’attrice come lei.

L’arrivo costante di portate prelibate, fatte circolare da gentili camerieri tra gli invitati, sembra poter distrarre l’attenzione degli invitati. Ma sono solo attimi, poiché, il piacere più grande che avvolge molti dei presenti, non è quello del palato, ma quello della vista e per certi versi del tatto: ammirare il suo sorriso, scattarle una foto, stringerle o meglio sfiorarle la mano. La Sandrelli resta la pietanza prelibata. Ad inchinarsi alla sua gentilezza e grazia sono il consigliere comunale Giovanni Rapanà, il senatore Basilio Giordano, il sociologo Tony Masi, il giornalista radiofonico Marco Luciani Castiglia, il docente universitario Filippo Salvatore, la storica del cinema Viva Paci, e chiaramente i padroni di casa: il direttore dell’Istituto italiano di cultura, il veterano Angelo Mazzone, ed il giovane console Antonio Paletti, con una promettente carriera di fronte a sé.

Non mi resta che consolarmi approfittando del fatto che la Sandrelli, involontariamente distrae gli invitati, attirandoli a lei ed allontanandoli dall’arrivo di nuove portate, lasciandomi così campo libero per il piacere, almeno quello, del palato. Ma non rinuncio a quello della vista continuando tra una pietanza e l’altra a fotografarla da lontano. A proposito di foto, Pierino Di Tonno, anziano ma sempre vivace fotografo italiano della Petite Italie, le offre in regalo una fotografia scattata a Montreal molti anni fa. Di Tonno ha un archivio sulla rue Saint-Laurent.

Ed è curioso pensare che in uno dei tantissimi (migliaia) di numeri civici della Saint-Laurent, proprio nel cuore della piccola Italia, Di Tonno conservi uno dei più ricchi souvenirs di tutto il Canada: centinaia di foto di attori, politici e cantanti italiani passati da Montreal, dagli anni 60 ad oggi.

Ora che ricordo bene, fu proprio all’apparire di quella foto, che la Sandrelli mi raccontò il proverbio in francese sulla giovinezza che vola via. Ecco che lascio perdere le pietanze e mi faccio un varco e le chiedo : “Ma si ricorda bene del giorno in cui le fecero quella foto?” Lei mi dice di sì, e si ricorda anche l’anno. Questa volta la sua memoria non la tradisce così come lei non tradisce i tanti italiani venuti a salutarla, non mostrandosi mai snob, mai scocciata, mai indifferente. Le prendo un’ultima foto assieme al console che me la porta via, poiché alle sue spalle, dietro il suo volto che si presenta di fronte ai miei occhi, c’è il suo volto proiettato su un grande schermo. In un solo scatto prendo la Sandrelli come la vedo sullo schermo di una TV o come la vedo dal vivo e nel reale con i miei occhi e con quello della mia macchina fotografica. v

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During the event, guests exchanged ideas and best practices, and discussed common concerns for the upcoming fiscal year in light of the turbulent economy. The evening also provided the opportunity to renew acquaintances and network to form new partnerships for the short and long term.

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Will Planning Who will get your home, investments and other assets when you die? Who will look after your estate? What will happen to your family cottage? Who will look after your children and any money you leave for them? How can you help your beneficiaries save on taxes?

These are all important questions that you can deal with by making sure you have a Will that is current, well-planned and carefully drafted.

Having an up-to-date Will is a vital component of an effective tax and estate plan.

If you don’t have a Will, things will likely not happen exactly as you would have hoped or intended. For example: • Your estate would be distributed only to specified family members according to provincial laws, even though you may have wanted to leave something to other relatives, special friends or charities.

• The court will decide who administers your estate, even if you had someone else in mind to make sure your wishes would be followed.

• An inheritance intended for a minor beneficiary would be held by a public trustee or guardian, who would control how and when funds would be paid out. And once the beneficiary reaches the age of majority (which will depend on which province or territory the beneficiary lives in), all the money would have to be transferred to the beneficiary, regardless of the amount or the beneficiary’s financial knowledge or abilities.

• Without specialized planning for a beneficiary with special needs, he or she may become ineligible for social assistance benefits until his or her inheritance is depleted.

• Your spouse and/or children would not have the benefits that could have been available to them through the use of certain planning strategies.

To borrow a message from a certain song “you’ve worked hard for your money” so it makes sense for you to make sure that you treat it right . That includes making a Will to set out your specific wishes about important matters such as how your estate is to be distributed and who will administer it. A Will also gives you the opportunity to plan

www.panoramitalia.com effectively for your family and other beneficiaries, taking into account your specific concerns and wishes as well as their particular needs and circumstances.

One of the most valuable and effective estate planning tools is the use of “testamentary trusts” to provide for beneficiaries. A testamentary trust is a trust arrangement that is established on death and involves trustees (that you appoint) holding assets for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries. For example, instead of having your children’s shares of your estate paid to them directly, you could direct in your will that each child’s inheritance should be held in a separate testamentary trust for his or her benefit. In doing so, you would give your children valuable additional benefits, such as: • The opportunity to benefit from potentially significant tax savings: Income earned on an inheritance held in a testamentary trust can be taxed in the trust, instead of being added to your child’s other income and taxed to the child personally. Because testamentary trusts are taxed at graduated tax rates, similar to individuals, this can allow more income to be taxed at lower rates, resulting in lower taxes overall. And these tax savings can be realized each and every year, for the duration of the trust.

• Preservation and protection of their inheritance: Because the inheritance is held in trust, the trustees control the assets in the trust and all payments out of the trust, subject to your directions in your Will when you create the trust. This can help to preserve the assets in the trust for the benefit of your beneficiaries and can also help to protect the beneficiary’s inheritance from possible family property claims or claims by creditors or others.

A Will may well be one of the most important documents you will ever sign, so it’s important to have yours prepared by a lawyer or notary who specializes in Will, estate and tax planning.

You should also be sure to review your Will regularly to make sure it reflects your current wishes, particularly if your circumstances or the circumstances of any of your beneficiaries have changed. This would include significant events such as marriage, divorce, separation, birth of a child or grandchild, or the death of an intended beneficiary.

Remember: with a Will, it’s your way!

By the way, remember also to make sure to keep your beneficiary designations for your life insurance, TFSAs and retirement plans up-to-date as well!

The information in this article is provided solely for informational and educational purposes and is not intended to provide individual financial, investment, tax, estate, legal or accounting advice. Professional advice should be obtained prior to acting on the basis of this information.

Peter Pomponio is a Vice-President of Assante Capital Management Ltd (Member CIPF).

He is the owner of the Ville St-Laurent Branch and practices as a Senior Fully Licensed Representative and Financial Planner from the Ville St-Laurent Office. He can be reached at (514)832-5100, or by email at ppomponio@assante.com. v

Si vous possédez un actif net de 500 000 $ et plus, vous avez besoin d’une gestion financière exceptionnelle. C’est ce que vous offre Peter Pomponio. Sous sa direction, une équipe d’experts en planification financière sera à votre service : avocat, fiscaliste, conseiller en assurance et plus encore. Peter Pomponio a su s’entourer de gestionnaires responsables et transparents qui sauront valoriser vos avoirs pour les générations à venir. Faites appel à une équipe d’experts et à son leader pour la gestion de votre patrimoine.

Debout de gauche à droite : DANIEL CONTI, CFA, Conseiller en placements, Financière Unie FAY ZAVOS, Adjointe exécutive de Peter Pomponio THIRI JENNE, BFA, B.Sc., Administratrice du service, Financière Unie MARTIN CLOUTIER, Avocat, M. Fisc., TEP VPR, Planification du patrimoine, Financière Unie

BRENT STEELE, BAA, CA, CFP Comptable, VPR, Planification du patrimoine, Financière Unie Assis : SONIA CONTI, B.A., Directrice, relations avec les conseillers PETER POMPONIO, CFP, RFP, C.Adm. PL.Fin. Planificateur financier, Représentant sénior en plein exercice, Vice-président

Payé en partie par Financière Unie (FU)

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www.panoramitalia.com

PA S Q U A L E A RT U S O & ASSOCIÉS

Pasquale Artuso Avvocato di Fiducia Consolato Generale d’Italia Caroline Francoeur Avvocatessa

Valérie Carrier Avvocatessa Elena Milioto Avvocatessa Julie Therrien Avvocatessa Steven Campese Avvocato

Le nozze d’argento dello studio legale

25 anni

Pasquale Artuso e Associati Cari lettori,

PA S Q U A L E A RT U S O & ASSOCIÉS

Anch’io sono “uno di noi”. rrivai a Montreal nel lontano 20 Marzo 1975 all’étà di 19 anni. Senza la conoscenza delle lingue inglese o francese, decisi di stabilirmi in Canada dopo aver incontrato la bella molisana che diventò mia moglie l’anno seguente.

Senza arte nè parte decisi di rimboccarmi le maniche per poter esaudire il mio sogno di diventare avvocato. Dopo una Laurea in lingue moderne all’Università Concordia, dopo tanti sacrifici di lavoro e studi, con casa da pagare e figli da campare, fui ammesso alla facoltà di giurisprudenza dell’Università di Montreal.

Non fù facile ma nel lontano 3 Dicembre 1985 il sogno si realizzò ottenendo il permesso d’esercitare la professione d’avvocato.

A

e-mail: montreal.canada@inca.it

indirizzi INCA: Montreal 1549 rue Jarry est Montréal, Québec H2E 1A7 Tél.: 514-721-7373 Fax: 514-721-0765

Quebec City 1297, rue de la Jonquière Québec, Québec G1N 3X2 Tél: 1.877.721.4622 (INCA)

RDP 8710, boul. Gouin est Montréal, Québec H1E 1C3 Tél.: 514-494-2953 Fax: 514-494-9698

Laval 110, boul. Bellerose est Laval, Québec H7K 1S7 Tél: 450-667-7834

Pierre Fugère Avvocato - diritto criminale e penale Joseph W. Allen Avvocato dal 1976 diritto dell’immigrazione

Festeggia i suoi 25 anni Complexe Le Baron 6020, rue Jean-Talon Est, bureau 630 Montréal (Québec) Canada H1S 3B1 T.: 514.259.7090 F.: 514.256.6907 artmars@securenet.net

Lo studio legale Pasquale Artuso e Associati in occasione della celebrazione del venticinquennale della sua fondazione, ringrazia la sua gentile, costante e fedele clientela che ha permesso di festeggiare queste “nozze d’argento” della professione apprezzando, ci si augura, in particolar modo, le competenze, la disponibiltà dell’”équipe” legale all’ascolto delle varie problematiche poste, nonche, le capacità dimostrate nella risoluzione delle stesse e che hanno contraddistinto, in questo ultimo quarto di secolo lo studio legale Pasquale Artuso e Associati.

L’avvocato Pasquale Artuso unito ai suoi colleghi di studio, sono grati alla clientela per la fiducia sin qui dimostrata. Arrivati al traguardo delle “nozze d’oro” della professione, lo studio cercherà di offrire servizi sempre più sofisticati e mirati alle esigenze dei clienti, cercando di essere una “boutique legale” atta a soddisfare ogni loro esigenza, anche minima.

Pertanto, confermando la scelta vincente operata sino ad oggi, lo studio Artuso rinnoverà la preziosa collaborazione con tutti i corrispondenti localizzati nelle varie regioni d’Italia, coordinati dallo Studio Fallerini, ampliando in questo modo, ancora di più le offerte di servizi professionali: successione testamentaria, donazioni, compravendita e locazioni d’immobili, diritto di famiglia, costituzione di società all’estero (Italia), etc…

Ringraziando ancora, sinceramente, la gentile clientela, ci è gradita l’occasione di salutare voi tutti unitamente ai lettori di “Panoram Italia” per averci offerto questa grande opportunità professionale, dicendo arriverderci tutti insieme alle... ”nozze d’oro” e un grande augurio per le Sante Feste. v

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Caisse Populaire Canadienne Italienne Cassa Popolare Canadese Italiana

Business

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www.panoramitalia.com The happiest man in the world... La vita è bella... La vie est belle 56

Last October, during the inauguration of his latest p r o j e c t " C h a l l e n g e r W e s t " , R o c c o D i Z a z z o, surrounded by family, friends, employees, subcontractors, and politicians was beaming with pride and satisfaction.

"

hallenger West", the final phase of the Nouveau Saint-Laurent residential construction project, began

by Rocco Di Zazzo in 1993, will be built on land which was formerly part of the Challenger Golf Course, hence the name. The project will consist of approximately 1,400 housing units from upscale luxury single family homes to six-story condo buildings. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! This latest chapter in Rocco Di Zazzo's life probably seems to be a million miles away from Rocca D'Aventro, Caserta where he was born. As confident a man as he is, I wonder if, in his wildest dreams, he ever believed he would achieve so much.

Born in 1939, emigrated in 1958, like most immigrants of the day, he worked very hard to establish himself. In 1962, he started his little landscaping company which would one day become RODIMAX, a respected developer-contractor of many prestigious projects in the greater Montreal area.

If we, as a community, can learn anything from this very motivated, passionate septuagenarian, it’s that everything begins with a dream, and if you must dream than you might as well dream big because the bigger you dream the more motivated and dedicated you will be.

We, at Panoram Italia, wish Rocco and his two sons Guido and Alessandro and the entire family continued success and happiness.

And, of course, many, many more golf games for Rocco to enjoy! For further information please refer to www.rodimax.com v

C

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WWW.RODIMAX.COM

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Ottawa News & Events

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Plaque at Piazza Dante to commemorate five interned Ottawa-Italians

by Amanda Fulginiti

hen Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King declared war on Mussolini on June 10, 1940, 619 Italian-Canadians were quickly rounded up by RCMP officers and sent to camps around Canada. The rights of 606 Italian men and 13 women were suspended on that day, often to perform hard labour. While it may seem like fiction, since by world standards Canada is a country that respects and protects its citizens’ human A sketch of a memorial wall to be erected at the Piazza Dante opposite rights, that day will forever St. Anthony’s Church on Booth Street of the five Italian-Canadians from Ottawa who were interned during the Second World War at Camp Petawawa. mark a real and dark chapter in Canadian history.

In May 2009, a private member’s bill tabled by Montreal MP Massimo Pacetti asked “to recognize the injustice done to persons of Italian origin”. The bill is finally being considered by the Senate. The Canadian Government’s action caused unjustified hardships among the Italian families; even after these supposed “enemy aliens” were released, they were still treated with suspicion. No official apology was ever made in the House of Commons, although in 1990, former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney acknowledged the injustice to Italian-Canadians in a luncheon speech. Since then, the Conservative Government established the Community Historical Recognition Program in 2008 to address and educate on Italian-Canadian history by setting aside $5 million. The program awarded $81,875 to Ottawa’s Italian-Canadian Community Centre for a plaque and time capsule at Piazza Dante, a park opposite St. Anthony’s Church on Booth Street.

The plaque will pay tribute to five Ottawa men who were sent to Camp Petawawa (located in the Ottawa Valley): Giuseppe Costantini, Gino Tiezzi, Carlo Scarabelli, Fred Pantalone, and Dr. Vittorio Sabetta. Signor Tiezzi served the longest, about three years in total. The monument as a whole, however, will be a symbol for all those who were touched by the internment events. The granite wall, which measures about 11-metres long and about two-meters high, is expected to be erected before Italian Week in June 2011. v

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Associazione Marchigiani ALMA 2010 Bursary Recipients O

n Saturday, October 30th, 2010 ALMA Canada celebrated its 34th Annual Gala at Centre de Receptions Sorrento in Lasalle. During the course of the evening bursaries were awarded to students who had successfully met all the necessary criteria and were selected by a distinguished panel of judges comprised of Professor Filippo Salvatore, Maitre Anna Colarusso and Professor Antonietta Sassi. A total of 8 bursaries were handed out - 4 at the collegiate level and 4 at the university level. Recipients of the bursaries are the following: Collegiate - Corina D’Alesio-Worth (O’Sullivan College - 1st year Paralegal program) Vanessa Marie Paliotti (Dawson College - 1st year Social Science program) Joseph Ciampini (Marianopolis College - 1st year Pure & Applied Science program) Sara Pagani (Dawson College - 1st year Interior Design program) Univerisity - Romina Amanda Perrotti (McGill University - 3 rd year Bachelor of Science specializing in Kinesiology) Michael J. Clogg (McGill University - 2nd year Bachelor of Education specializing in English & History) Julia D’Alesio-Worth (Concordia University - 2nd year Bachelor of Commerce specializing in Accounting) Vincent Amabili-Rivet (Université de Québec à Montréal) 3rd year Bachelor in Political Science specializing in international relations).

Seated front row from left to right: Teresa Di Palma Melchior (Centre Funeraire Côte-des-Neiges), Senatrice Marisa Feretti-Barth, Anna Perrotti (VP & Bursary Coordinator ALMA Canada), Second Row: Left to right: Tony Ruvo (Centre de Reception Sorrento), Julia D’Alesio-Worth, S ara Pagani, Vanessa Marie Paliotti, Crystel Bujold (Collins-Clarke Funeral Home), Domenico D’Alesio (Contractant DPE), Prof. Filippo Salvatore, Third Row: left to right: Vincent Amabili-RIvet, Corina D’Alesio-Worth, Bridget Fetterly (Kane & Fetterly), Michel J. Clogg, Romina Amanda Perrotti, Joseph Ciampini, Maria Biondi (Caisse Populaire Canadienne Italienne), Camillo D’Alesio (President ALMA Canada) v

Insieme VI: Orgoglioso di essere italiano n Sunday, October 10th, Thanksgiving Day weekend, 1,300 partygoers flocked to Moomba Supperclub in Laval for Insieme VI, Quebec’s premiere Italian pride party.

Since 2007, the boys at Grand Entertainment have been bringing young Italian Canadians together to celebrate in style. “The first one we did was right after the World Cup win in 2006. That party was so successful that we decided to bring it back a year later as the first ‘Insieme.’ There’s nothing like it anywhere. That’s why people always pack the place; they’re tired of association parties,” explains DJ Stevie V (Steve Vecera), Insieme’s and Moomba’s resident DJ. At this past October’s event, Panoram Italia made sure to be on hand to snap a few pictures and to dance a few tarantelle. It was loads of fun and we can’t wait for the next one!

O

Visit our page for more pictures: www.facebook.com/panoramitalia ❖

www.panoramitalia.com VII edizione della ‘Settimana Pugliese’ Il Gala pugliese onnora le personalità 2010 a Federazione guidata dal Cav. Rocco Mattiace ha celebrato la VII edizione della ‘Settimana Pugliese’ e la III edizione della ‘Serata di Gala pugliese’ tra premiazioni, gastronomia e la musica di Johnny e Christina Capobianco.

Ogni anno i pugliesi - una delle comunità più numerose e dinamiche tra gli italo-canadesi in città - rinnovano l’appuntamento con la tradizione celebrando la storia, gli usi, i costumi e la cucina della loro terra d’origine. La Federazione Regione Puglia, ha voluto omaggiare tutti i corregionali che si sono distinti con iniziative volte e preservare e tramandare la cultura della regione d’origine.

Come migliori pugliesi dell’anno, a livello di Federazione, quest’anno sono stati scelti Giuseppe Tedeschi, tesoriere della Federazione Regione Puglia e presidente dell’associazione Peschici, e Franco Ancora, presidente dell’associazione Brindisi. Fieri di questo riconoscimento, sia Tedeschi che Ancora hanno ribadito con convinzione la volontà di fare del loro meglio perché anche “le nuove generazioni si sentano orgogliose di appartenere ad una terra ricca di storia, sapori e tradizioni come la Puglia”. Per onorare il loro impegno, tutti i premiati sono stati omaggiati con una targa-ricordo pervenuta direttamente dal presidente della Regione Puglia, Nicky Vendola.

Presenti al gala, tra gli altri, anche Franco Bellomo, consultore della regione Puglia, Giovanni Rapanà, consigliere Cgie e consigliere municipale RDP/PAT, e Andrea Gianvenuti in rappresentanza del Console generale Giulio Picheca, emozionato ma soddisfatto per la sua prima ‘uscita’ ufficiale ad un evento comunitario. v

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Associazione Usconium I

l 23 ottobre scorso, circa 200 persone si sono riunite al buffet Costa del Mare, per participare alla festa annuale dell’associazione guglionesana del Québec “Usconium”.

Giovanna Giordano, presidente del COMITES ha consegnato un attestato di riconoscimento al signor Nicola Di Paolo, presidente, e alla signora Lucia Salvatore, vice-presidente, per l’entusiasmo con cui promuovono l’orgoglio e le fierezza delle tradizioni guglionesane. La giornalista e cantante lirica Sonia Benedetto, di origine guglionesana, ha divertito il pubblico interpretando diverse arie del repertorio classico italiano.

Le foto della pertecipazione dell’associazione Usconium al Ferragosto di Trois-Rivières erano esposte su una bacheca per l’occasione. La signora Palmorino, 75 anni, residente di Trois-Rivière e di origine guglionesana di terza generazione, sposata con un québécois, ha presentato il suo volume: Une belle “ragazza”.

Anche Rita Amabile-Rivet, scrittrice di origine marchigiana ha presentato il suo libro: “In mio figlio vivrai per sempre” che racconta la storia di suo padre, immigrato a Montreal nella prima metà del 1900.

L’associazione Usconium ringraziare tutti coloro che hanno partecipato e contribuito al successo di questa festa. v

Aluminium Ramp-Tec A

luminium Ramp - Tec inc and Portes et fenetres Langelier celebrated the grand inauguration of their renovated building on June 18th 2010. Two very special guests, Mauro and Stefano from Carlo’s bakery from the TV show “Cake Boss”, were along their side to celebrate with a wonderful and memorable cake.

The Palmitano family would like to thank everyone who participated in making this a unforgettable and successful event. v

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26th Governors’ Ball of the ItalianCanadian Community Foundation Magnificenza: $300,000 raised! he Italian-Canadian Community Foundation held its 26th Governors’ Ball Saturday, October 23, at the Sheraton-Laval. The annual event, which was organized under the presidency of Mr. Tony Loffreda, Executive Vice-President of RBC-Banque Royale and the honorary presidency of Dr. Peter Guerra, head of the electrophysiology department of the Montréal Heart Institute, raised $300,000 for the Foundation. A portion of the proceeds are destined for the Montréal Heart Institute.

Under the theme ‘Magnificenza’ (Magnificence), this year’s Ball celebrated the wealth of the Medici tradition as guests and governors reaffirmed their commitment to promote the Italian language, heritage and culture through the financing of projects of social interest. The more than 700 guests in attendance danced the night away to the tunes of Three’s Company and Vincenzo Thoma following an impressive opening performance by the Société de Musique de Chambre de Montréal. On this most prestigious occasion, the FCCI welcomed 15 new members including: 11 Governors, 2 Successors and 2 Friends of the Foundation. v

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Premio Venezia 2010 Prix de reconnaissance des collabora tions Québec - Italie a Chambre de commerce italienne au Canada et son commanditaire Investissement Québec étaient heureux d’annoncer le 3 novembre dernier les lauréats et les gagnants de l’édition 2010 du Premio Venezia qui souligne depuis 8 ans les collaborations entre le Québec et l’Italie dans divers secteurs d’activités commerciales: Collaboration industrielle, Collaboration commerciale, Collaboration institutionnelle, Collaboration scientifique et Collaboration en développement durable.

La cérémonie de remise des prix a eu lieu à l’hôtel Marriott Château Champlain, en présence de nombreux invités du monde des affaires et du milieu académique sous la présidence d’honneur de Monsieur Jacques Daoust, président et chef de la direction d’Investissement Québec. M. Daoust s’est dit ravi de la grande qualité des collaborations qu’entretient le Québec avec l’Italie qui figure parmi les cinq principaux marchés de la Belle Province. Le président de la Chambre de commerce italienne au Canada, M. Albert de Luca, a pour sa part souligné la complémentarité toujours croissante entre les nombreux acteurs commerciaux des deux côtés de l’Atlantique et la continuité avec laquelle les organes de promotion abordent les collaborations Québec-Italie.

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Félicitations aux Lauréats du Premio Venezia 2010 968 D epuis 1

• • • • • •

Bruni Glass Packaging Inc. De Marque IDS North America Ltd Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, INRS-Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications Faculté de Médecine Dentaire de l’Université de Montréal Le Centre de recherche Interdisciplinaire sur les Technologies Émergeantes de l’Université de Montréal - La Cité v

50° Anniversario di matrimonio rancesco e Vittoria Nudo hanno festeggiato il loro 50° Anniversario di Matrimonio il 23 ottobre 2010 con i loro figli Manuela, David e Maria e hanno ricevuto parenti e amici al Buffet Renaissance. Un ringraziamento speciale a tutti coloro che hanno partecipato alla serata. v

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Congratulations on your engagement!

Mazel Tov and Auguri!

Jarred Knecht & Christina Arciero yd and Cindy Knecht, and Alex and Donna Arciero are thrilled to announce the engagement of their children Jarred and Christina. Excited siblings are brothers Brandon, Rob and Alessandro. Proud grandparents are Ruth and Eli Miller, Sara Knecht, Francesca and Giuseppe Diamanti, and Iolanda Arciero.

Many excited aunts, uncles and cousins. Sadly missed and lovingly remembered are the late Sam Knecht and Giovanni Arciero.

A summer 2012 wedding is planned. v

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Babies

I Neonati dell’anno Les bébés de l’année

of the

year 2010-2011 Deadline January 7 th

Reserve your space in our February / March 2011 issue.

Please send the baby’s picture, his/her name and parents’ names with the child’s date of birth, as well as a minimum $30.00 contribution.

To contribute visit www.panoramitalia.com and click ‘Support us’ or mail your contribution by cheque to our address.

Prenotate il posto nell’edizione di febbraio / marzo 2011.

Si prega d’inviare la foto con il nome del bambino, i nomi dei genitori e la data di nascita, con un contributo minimo di 30,00 $.

Réservez votre place dans l’édition de février / mars 2011.

S’il vous plaît envoyer l’image de l’enfant, son nom, les noms des parents et la date de naissance, ainsi qu’une contribution minimale de 30,00$.

Per il pagamento visitare il sito www.panoramitalia.com e cliccare su «Contribuite» o mandare l’assegno al nostro indirizzo.

info@panoramitalia.com Deadline for submission: January 7 th, 2011

info@panoramitalia.com Scadenza per l’invio della foto: 7 gennaio 2011

Pour contribuer visitez www.panoramitalia.com et cliquez sur « Contribuez » ou postez votre contribution par cheque à notre adresse. info@panoramitalia.com Date limite: le 7 janvier 2011

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P u b l i r e Sheldon portage - advertorial Meet Can Call Me Meet(You Sheldon Giovanni) Kagan (You Can Call Me For over 30 years, Italians have Giovanni) Kagan been flocking to his bridal show for all For theirover wedding-planning needs 30 years, Italians have been flocking to his bridal show for all their wedding-planning needs

By Luigi Perrotta

F

By Luigi Perrotta

orty-six years ago, when Sheldon Kagan started his career as a DJ, he was so proficient at playing Italian wedding staples such as tarantellas, waltzes, polkas, and tangos, many of his guests assumed he was Italian. “When requesting songs, they’d approach me and speak to me in Italian,” recalls Kagan. “At one point, I started telling my guests, ‘My name is Sheldon, but feel free to call me Giovanni.’”

Although Kagan’s roots don’t stem from the old country, no one knows more about planning the perfect Italian wedding than he. Since 1980, Kagan has been staging Le Salon de la Mariée, the longestrunning annual bridal show in Quebec, the 31st edition of which is taking place on January 29 and 30, 2011 at Palais des congrès de Montréal. Over the years, thousands of engaged couples from every background have attended the exhibition, with members of the Italian community comprising the biggest group. Catering to so many members of the community has made him an expert in the art of the Italian wedding.

F

“Italians tend to have large weddings and after all these years, they still look forward to coming to the Salon,” says Kagan.

When it comes to planning for weddings, honeymoons, and future homes, Le Salon de la Mariée provides engaged couples with unmatched convenience. Under one roof, future brides and grooms can find every type of wedding-related supplier, including photographers, videographers, DJs, musicians, and everything in between.

“The great thing about Le Salon de la Mariée is that it gives visitors the opportunity to compare and contrast different prices, styles, and personalities in one exhibition hall,” says Kagan. “That way, brides and grooms can get an immediate sense of

www.panoramitalia.com which suppliers such as limousines or florists meet their wedding needs. It eliminates the inconvenience of having to drive to different suppliers all over the city.”

As popular as Le Salon de la Mariée has been, it isn’t the only exhibition that Kagan organizes.

Through his event planning company Sheldon Kagan International, Kagan also stages Salon des Boomers Plus, a yearly exhibition catering to the 45+ generation, Salon Affaires de Montréal, a B2B trade show, and Salon de la Famille, a brand new consumer exhibition showcasing virtually every product and service of interest to moms, dads, and their kids.

Le Salon de la Famille, the inaugural edition of which is taking place on April 30 and May 1, 2011 at Palais des congrès de Montréal, will feature a unique talent competition called KidzIdol. All Montreal-area children who can sing, dance, or play music are encouraged to enter the competition by visiting www.lesalondelafamille.com. Winners will be invited to perform at the show.

Kagan thinks that members of Montreal’s Italian community will embrace Le Salon de la Famille just as they have Le Salon de la Mariée. “We all know that family is important to the Italian community,” he says. “At Le Salon de la Famille, Italian parents will find many great products and services to better their lifestyles and that of their children.”

In the meantime, Kagan is once again looking forward to receiving a large contingent of Italian visi-

“

“

Italians tend have large weddings Italians tend to to have large weddings beenyears, very they happystillcoming andand afterthey’ve all these look to the years forward to Salon comingalltothese the Salon

”

“

tors to the 2011 edition of Le Salon de la Mariée.

He wants everyone to know that although the name tag on his lapel will say Sheldon, you can still call him Giovanni. v

For more information on Sheldon Kagan International exhibitions and other entertainment services, visit these websites: For more information on Sheldon Kagan International exhibitions and other entertainment services, visit these websites:

www.sheldonkagan.com | www.lesalondelamariee.com | www.lesalondelafamille.com www.sheldonkagan.com | www.lesalondelamariee.com | www.lesalondelafamille.com www.salondesbabyboomersplus.com || www.salonaffairesdemontreal.com www.salondesbabyboomersplus.com

SHELDON KAGAN INTERNATIONAL

presents

January 29 & 30, 2011 Palais des congrès de Montréal

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Félicitations aux Nouveaux Mariés Congratulations to the Newlyweds Auguri agli Sposi Novelli

2009-2010

Panoram italia declines any responsibility for omissions or errors.

Lory & Dino Paduano October 3rd, 2009

Jessica Iafigliola & Giovanni Evangelista July 17th, 2010

Olga Musacchio & Nicola Pandolfo September 18th, 2010

Catherine Ferraro & Chrystopher Kevin May 26th, 2010

Cristina Ballerini & Pasquale Lo Bianco December 5th, 2009

Stéphanie Boisvert & Raphaël Guerra September 19th, 2009

Anna Giacobbe & Salvatore Pallotta October 11th, 2009

Anna Caringella & Luigi Jr. Piccoli July 10th, 2010

Karen Baquiran & Tony Montaleone June 9th, 2010

Nadia Salvadore & Ralph Davoli May 8th, 2010

Tara Sloan & Domenic De Lisi May 8th, 2010

Melissa Ippolito & Gabriele Milioto June 19th, 2010

Sylvie Vincent et Yves Morin 28 août 2010

Evelyne Massa & Nick Bakish July 10th, 2010

Nadia Sciortino & Piero Perna July 25th, 2009

Sabrina Gabrielli & Oliver Mallich September 18th, 2009

Stephanie Marchi & Fabio Gaudio July 3rd, 2010

Amanda Livornetti & Jonathan Vernucci June 5th, 2010

MONTREAL'S TOP PARTY DANCE BAND Owner Antonia Monzione-Iermieri

Come celebrate NEW-YEARS EVE 2010 with REMIX Orch. at PLAZA ANTIQUE MTL. WE WILL TAKE YOU TO ANOTHER LEVEL

Call Biagio Farina For Band Info, and Tickets

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Quality Sound with the Finest

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Looking for seamstress

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Anita Rinaldi & Vito Nardi August 7th, 2010

Daniela Colafabio & Joe D'Abramo July 10th, 2010

Sabrina Guerrera & Adriano Colafabio October 2nd, 2010

Lauren Saroukhan & Dave Sanchez September 1st, 2010

Olivia Sardelli & Steven Conte September 4th, 2010

Ivana Di Menna & Vincenzo Teoli 8 maggio 2010

Valerie Drouin & David Segreti September 11th, 2010

Angela Vincelli & Domenic Brizzi August 22nd, 2009

Sandra Turchetta & Paolo Palermo September 4th, 2010

Giovanna Mazzariello e Antonio Ida 9 ottobre 2010

Tonia Nardi & Hugo Lapointe October 16th, 2010

Vanessa Rose Bruni & Alexander Pertsov October 11th, 2009

Laura De Ciccio & Danny Bruni September 18th, 2010

Teresa Broccolini & Danny Fortino September 4th, 2010

Josie Turturici & Nazz Angelini May 22th, 2010

Lorena DiZazzo & David Angelini June 26th, 2010

Fabiana Ciacciarelli & Adrian Riccio June 12th, 2010

Tiziana Tamborello & Danny Gouin May 29th, 2010

Melanie Iarocci & David Guarnieri July 3rd, 2010

Stephanie & Giovanni Tedeschi October 2nd, 2010

Carmelina Ippolito & Giovanni Zampini July 3rd, 2010

Nadia & Mike Pipicello September 4th, 2010

Adriana Giannini & Nicholas Longo June 5th, 2010

Nancy Beros & Frank Martinello September 18th, 2010

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Wedding Wit

By Loretta Di Vita

Italian weddings can be big. The bigger and fatter, the better, it would seem. Though each one is driven by a budget of its own, Italian weddings, even when modest, are lavish. As wedding season looms, bridesand grooms-to-be are planning what might well be the biggest bash they’ll ever throw in their lifetime: their wedding party. And just as overloaded love birds scratch off another item from their to-do lists, questions of etiquette invariably arise. Wedding etiquette, you say?

Although a fundamental consideration, it often gets lost in the labyrinth of wedding planning. o, how do the future Mister and Misses handle it all - choosing the perfect centerpiece and making sure they greet, pamper and thank their guests according to best form? The key is to build an awareness about wedding do’s and don’ts. While manner missteps can occur at any wedding, regardless of cultural bent, the Italian wedding - by function of characteristic cultural glee and wonderful extravagance - warrants a protocol of its own. Let’s visit some guidelines.

Most Italian wedding receptions call for dressy duds, but don’t confuse guests with ambiguous dress codes like “black tie optional”. Excuse my philosophical meanderings on this one, but isn’t every action optional until it is demanded? If you’re going to specify - it’s either black tie or not. On the topic of dress, many women wonder if it is acceptable to wear black. Increasingly, noire is seen as a chic color choice for evening receptions - just don’t wear it in a way that suggests mourning (not unless you’re particularly unsupportive of the wedding celebrant’s choice of mate, that is.) At the other end of the color spectrum, the female guest who chooses to swath herself in white is breaking a long-held etiquette rule - Dare she make that white tulle, a catfight is bound to ensue.

S

Où les bouquets sont presque aussi beaux que la mariée Where the bouquets are almost as beautiful as the bride

6285, RUE JARRY EST / ST-LÉONARD

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When attending an Italian wedding, be prepared for the genteel ritual of the receiving line. Just like Italians are masters at long goodbyes, they’re also slow when saying hello.

Don’t be surprised to wait up to a half hour for the dubious honour of shaking the three-year-old ring bearer’s hand.

Traditionally, all members of the wedding party line up to greet guests, but it is acceptable to speed things along and have a condensed line comprised only of the bride and groom.

Toasts are usually made just before dinner, but they can occur whenever inspiration strikes. Respect the KISS rule: Keep it Short and Sweet, especially before meals - long-winded speeches (no matter how well-intentioned) can test the tolerance of the most patient stomach. Also, toastmasters would be wise to avoid don’t-go-there topics, such as best-forgotten details of the bachelor party, stories of unrequited love, or mention of any ex’s indiscretions.

The tapping of plates with cutlery to encourage the blissful couple to lock lips is one cacophonous custom that distinguishes Italian weddings from the rest. Remember though, not every couple feels comfortable flaunting its groove to a tongue-wagging audience. Show some restraint. We’ve all seen the over-zealous guest, who, like a bull in a china shop, ends up smashing a gold-rimmed plate, or two. Wait for a front-line member of the wedding party to initiate this noisy tradition, before partaking in it.

Apparently, there are no limits to the confetti-fazed imagination of gli sposi, when it comes to choosing party entertainment. We’ve watched belly dancers, magicians, sword swallowers and, surely, somewhere, someone has enlisted trapeze artists to keep their guests amused. If you must, bring on the dancing bears after guests’ appetites have been assuaged.

Yep, by cultural predisposition, Italians like to party hearty, but courtly conversation becomes an impossible feat when the thump-thump of the bass is reverberating in one’s throat and it’s impossible to hear the person in the next seat. Keep the music muted until after dinner, when the dance floor sizzles and your favorite Zio breaks into the Twist.

Some couples enjoy the nuptial custom where the groom removes the bride’s garter in the privacy of a packed-to-maximum-capacity banquet hall; but many a blushing bride has turned crimson red from the antics of their novice hubby gnawing his way to the frilly, elasticized band.

Have fun with this tradition, but don’t forget: your in-laws are watching.

Learning the “ins” and “outs” of wedding etiquette is less daunting than mastering the steps to your opening dance. Take responsibility and seek information from etiquette experts to sharpen your wedding wit, hoping that if you do make a mistake, there won’t be a second chance to do it better. v

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Maria Teresa Femia & Orazio John Salvatore September 12th, 2010

Marie JosĂŠe & Patrizio Spacone June 26th, 2010

Laura Giove & Anthony Da Silva September 25th, 2010

Kim Chiasson & Adam Stanhope October 9th, 2010

Martha Giannopoulos & Michael Forget July 3rd, 2010

Stephanie Germano et Leandro Palmieri 16 octobre 2010

Geneviève Chevalier & Rossano Campopiano August 29th, 2009

Alexandra Monti & Adriano Battisi May 22nd, 2010

Jennyfer Flores & Davide Malatesta September 25th, 2010

Jennifer Demers & Saverio Folino May 20th, 2010

Melissa Colarossi & Simon Geyik July 24th, 2010

Ida Di Lello & Mauro Piccioni July 10th, 2010

Claudia & Angelo Muro August 28th, 2010

Julia D'Addio & Anthony Delli Colli August 14th, 2010

Carmelisa Baratta & Franco Zappia May, 22nd, 2010

Vanessa Martucci & Marcello Maira February 6th, 2010

Stacey Stivaletti & Bernardo Sarno September 5th, 2010

Connie Monteleone & Charles Meunier September 18th, 2010

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ituated in the heart of Florence, Piazza Santa Croce is one of the most frequented squares of Europe. Upon first glance, passers-by wouldn’t be hard-pressed to notice its statueless, fountainless, and rather bare state. A conclusion might even be drawn as to its unworthiness towards the magnificent Basilica di Santa Croce (where all illustrious Italians are buried) it gives way to. However, what few tourists may be aware of is that the Piazza is actually the cradle of one of the most brutally aggressive sports ever created: Calcio Fiorentino.

Officially conceived in 16th Century Italy, il giuoco del calcio fiorentino is a sport so harsh in nature, that it makes today’s rugby look delicate in comparison. Similarly, the object of the game is to score goals by throwing, kicking or placing a ball into the opposing team’s goal, which spans the whole width of the field. The trouble is getting there. In order to make your way from one side of the pitch to the other, you must withstand a barrage of tackles, punches and elbows from opposing team members, all with the intention of incapacitating you enough to be sidelined - the more players are injured, the easier it is to score. It was originally a game reserved for wealthy aristocrats; believe it or not, even former Popes were well-known to take part in the action. Following a two century hiatus, calcio was

S

Il giuoco del calcio fiorentino

By Adam Zara

Think Ultimate Fighting is violent? Try a s p o r t t h a t c o m b i n e s r u g b y, s o c c e r, boxing, wrestling and head-butting.

Don’t let the Renaissance backdrop and clothing fool you; this isn’t a traditional parade you’re attending.

revived in 1930 and to this day, a three-match battle is disputed every June.

The tournament comprises four 27-man teams, dressed in traditional attire, representing four of Florence’s ancient districts: i Rossi, i Verdi, i Bianchi, and gli Azzurri. Within 50 minutes of play, there are no time-outs or substitutions. The tougher your team is, the better it fares. For the occasion, Piazza Santa Croce is turned into a 50 by 100m sandy field surrounded by stands filled with hundreds of rabid fans.

There are eight officials on the pitch to essentially prevent the match from turning into a riot. They also enforce a couple of rules: no boots to the head or sucker-punches.

Everything else is pretty much fair game. Head-butting, choking and throwing sand in opponents eyes are actually all valid means of gaining ground towards scoring a caccia (goal).

Needless to say, only the toughest of the tough partake in this test of nerves and guts. More often than not, the most skilled ball-carriers are actual rugby players, and the ones giving and taking blows to the head are actual amateur boxers and wrestlers. Assuming that paying to watch what really boils down to a slightly controlled 54-man brawl is something you’re into (who wouldn’t be really?), a trip to Florence in June is just the ticket. v

A Long-Distance Love Affair Cross-Country Skier Embraces Italian Culture

By Chiara Folini

It was a sunny October day when Phil Shaw greeted me in Italian at his home in Rosemère. He was dressed in his crosscountry skiing attire and was eager to try on his brand new Rossignol roller-ski boots supplied by one of his sponsors. Phil’s fervour for cross-country skiing began at a young age and has only grown stronger over the years. At his first competitive race, Phil’s determination and enthusiasm kept him skiing well passed the finish line. is passion for cross-country skiing brought him “home” to Italy for the first time in January 2004.When Phil participated in the 70 km Marcialonga, a famous long distance crosscountry race in the region of Trentino, it was a life-altering experience for him. Besides the race itself, he immediately fell in love with the Italian language and culture. Phil recounts his first visit to Italy like a first date. “The scenery was breathtaking and the view of the majestic Dolomites was pristine,” exclaims Phil. His discovery of Northern Italy’s landscape built a desire to return to Italy to compete every year. “I would like to influence others to visit Italy by sharing my stories of its beauty,” he says.

His zeal lies at the heart of the Italian culture, from the food to the women. In 2007, the romantic rhythm and sensual sounds of the Italian language won over Phil. He started studying Italian by reading the Corriere newspaper and listening to CFMB radio, thus beginning his passionate quest to learn the language. His love is contagious as he talks excitedly about learning the language and how it nurtured and flourished his spiritual connection to Italy.

H

He will be an eight-time participant at the 2011 Marcialonga ski race, Phil is proudly wearing the Panoram Italia logo on his jersey. He will be racing and finishing amongst European elites, a great achievement for a Canadian independent racer. When asked if he needs to follow a strict diet, he confesses that he lets himself indulge in an Italian espresso once in awhile. “Phil has a joie de vivre, the talent and the dedication to the sport that is palpable,” shares his friend Marc Gagnon who is joining him at this year’s Marcialonga race.

With a record of winning numerous races, he has also received a Guinness World Record for in-line-skating across Canada in 72 days. He attributes much of his success in sports to his upbringing and to his parents’ infinite support.Along with his competiveness, Phil has participated in various fundraising events acting as a “Phil”- anthropist. For every kilometre he partakes in, he donates 10 cents to the Alzheimer Society

of Suroît, a cause that touches him personally. He also serves as an ambassador for many fundraising causes like the Arthritis Society of Canada.

Phil created glisse-roule.com in 1998, a site catering to all cross-country skiing lovers alike and offers lessons to young sport athletes. He introduces them to the thrill of the sport, the physiological benefits and to the discoveries of nature. He proudly asserts that he will keep cross-country skiing forever.

Phil has fostered an appreciation for the Italian culture and feels deeply connected to its roots. “My mom’s family name Legare sounds Italian so I always wanted to believe that a part of me was Italian,” says Phil about being enamoured with Italian culture. He admires Italian’s light-hearted attitude, specifically their ease and their ability to communicate in an animated manner. The Italian way of life has permeated his every day and he is grateful for it. v

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Making headway: The fascinating world of art and speed

By Piero Facchin

Make headway - verb, 1. Obtain advantages, gain ground, pull ahead. 2. Progress toward a goal. f we were to judge upon the success of Arturo Rotondo, the above definition would certainly be a fitting one. As early as the age of 4, Arturo was already doodling and expressing himself through drawing. At 9 years old he moved on to painting and has never looked back.

His academic background includes Mauro Rotondo & Andretti courses at Dawson College in Creative Arts.

Due to his love of cartoons and comic books, he went on to Concordia University in Cartoon Animation but was soon disillusioned with the program because of the use of computers. In his words, “I didn’t like the feel of computers.

The human hand can express things in a way that computers just can’t. And this bothered mevery much!”

One can almost say that Arturo is a true “classical” artist but when we see how he mixes his painting with the vibrant exuberance of auto racing, we can understand why this

I

is truly special. It was a teacher of his who enticed him to “break out of the box” back in 2004 and combine his talent and his passion for motorsports in his paintings to express what is now a distinctive signature that makes any form of Arturo’s creativity quite unique and instantly recognizable.

The challenge for Arturo, and for any artist for that matter, is to try and capture the electrifying and bone-penetrating feeling of speed and sound through painting. So how can something involving speed and movement versus something static, such as a painting, become a vibrant expression that embodies the feeling of what racing is all about? Arturo Rotondo has managed to give us a glimpse of this through the many streaks and blotches that are found throughout his art.

His first major canvas, “Magic”, dedicated to racing legend, Ayrton Senna for his 41st and final victory, effectively conveys this. From then onwards, Arturo has refined his craft, applying it to many different racing scenes. The legends of F1 such as Gilles Villeneuve and Mario Andretti as well as many others are among his subjects.

As a natural evolution, racing canvasses led to drivers wanting to have a piece of Arturo’s talent on their own helmets. This is where things took an important turn for Arturo and his brother, Mauro, who decided to direct their energies towards marketing their product in a very exclusive niche: helmet design. In 2005, their company ARTROTONDO was created.

They’ve since obtained very exciting contracts with not only drivers but prestigious helmet suppliers such as Schuberth, whose helmets are valued at $25 000 a piece. They’ve also worked on drivers helmets for team McLaren.

Just recently, Arturo and Mauro were invited to Abu Dhabi to take part in a special promotions event leading up to their local Grand Prix. They were among a very select group of twelve artists from around the world, and the only ones representing the Americas, invited to expose and exhibit their unique creations at the Yasalam Gallery for an event called “The Art of Racing.” Arturo demonstrated, in situ, his genius and had selected a helmet design composed of all the winners of grand prix from this year in the Formula One championship. When asked about what distinguishes Art’s design from others, he replies “my helmet artwork always comprises an aspect of hand drawn and hand painted elements which can be found on the helmet. This is what I like to call my signature and it gives a certain originality to the piece.”

There is much thought and hard work that goes into making an original creation whether it be a canvas or a helmet design for the Rotondo brothers. Arturo’s passion for art is an instinctive one whereas the passion for Formula One and auto-racing comes from this duo’s dad who’s is always been a passionate follower of F1. He would be very proud of the headway that his son’s are making.

View all of Art’s work at: www.artrotondo.com v

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