Panoram Italia Montreal_Vol7_No1

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FEB/MARCH 2012• VOL.7• NO.1

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BIMESTRIAL

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BIMESTRALE

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PUBLISHER AND EDITOR Tony Zara EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Filippo Salvatore MANAGING EDITOR MONTREAL Gabriel Riel-Salvatore MANAGING EDITOR TORONTO Viviana Laperchia DEPUTY EDITOR Adam Zara

HAIR STYLIST & MAKE-UP Nazzareno Salvi - Estetica Emmanuelle Blanchard DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING TORONTO Earl Weiner ADVERTISING - SALES Frank Crisafi Enzo Tirelli COVER PHOTO Farhi Yavuz www.yavuzphoto.ca

Me Pasquale Artuso Sonia Benedetto Laura Casella Alessia Sara Domanico Anna Ferrari Claudia Ficca Anna Foschi Ciampolini

CONTRIBUTORS Joey Franco Amanda Fulginiti Rocco Lettieri Sabrina Marandola Joyce Mariani Giulia Pascazi Romina Perrotti

Editorial

BIMESTRIEL

WEB MANAGER Anthony Zara ART DIRECTOR Gabriel Riel-Salvatore Manon Massé GRAPHIC DESIGN Manon Massé David Ferreira PROOFREADING Marisa Pellegrino Geneviève Bibeau

Giovanni Princigalli Alex Sabatino Nick Sabetti Gemma Screnci Anna M Zampieri Pan

Art and Culture

Comments and opinions ................ 11 Publisher’s Note ............................... 12 Renewal strategies of the opposition in Ottawa ........................ 13

Cover story Top Dog ....................................... 14-15

Life & People Pierre Petrucci: Between saints and goddesses .. 16-17 Ho fatto il mio coraggio .................. 18 La Serenata ........................................ 19 Raising Cultural Awareness with an Italian twist .................................. 20

Food and Travel Chocolate Desserts for Two ...... 22-23 Wine: Wine Served the Right Way! . 24 Entrevue avec la Chef Annie Féolde Pinchiorri ................. 25 Wine: Il Canton Ticino ............. 26-27 Promotion: European Flavors .. 28-29

Travel Indulge your Taste Buds in the Bel Paese................................. 32-33 Tasting Trieste ............................ 34-35 Cleveland’s Italian Community . 36-37

Lifestyle

Il Carnevale italiano e le sue tradizioni ........................... 42-43 The Viareggio Carnival ................... 44 Il Carnevale di Venezia .................... 45 Passionate Eye: Actor-director John Turturro ................................... 46 Brachetti joue au cinéma! ............... 47 Music: Panoram Italia’s Picks ......... 48 Rossini gourmet ................................ 49

Advice Advertorial: Centre Dentaire Joanne Lussier Inc. ......................... 50 Advertorial: Casa Vogue: 40 Years of Luxury Furniture.......... 51 Pasquale Artuso & Associés: Comment protéger votre patrimoine? ............................. 52

Babies Passing it on ...................................... 54 Breastfeeding Made Easy ................ 55 Advertorial: Moi Bébé Couture ..... 56 Babies of the year ...................... 57-63

Community & Events Events ........................................... 64-67

Sports

Living Italian Style ..................... 38-39 Winter Fashion: Snowbird Style.. 40-41

The Impact’s Entry into MLS Puts Montreal on the Map ................. 68-69

We look forward to hearing from you!

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Comments from our readers

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S u b s c r i b e t o o u r e - n e w s le t t e r o n p a n o r a m it a l i a . c o m a n d b e s u re t o c h e c k o u r Fa c e b o o k a n d Tw i tt e r p a ge s re g u l a r ly f o r w e e k l y r e s t a u r a n t g i v e a wa y s a n d m u c h m o r e !

To the editors of Panoram Italia. The implementation of this magazine is just what the Italian community needed.

The magazine touches many aspects of our Italian culture.

Every time I receive your newsletters and Panoram Italia magazines, it’s like a sugar rush. It’s like a child waiting with anticipation for its Christmas presents. Keep up the good work.

Maria D’Ambrosio, Montreal We are avid readers of the Panoram Italia Montreal magazine and website. Over the last few years, your magazine has become a staple in our family’s home (our father will always bring home a copy when available). We especially enjoy the Italian cooking recipes (inspired us to make some greats meals!) and fashion articles. As young Canadians with Italian heritage, we appreciate the magazine’s focus on the Italian culture while highlighting the activities of the Italian-Canadian communities in Montreal and Toronto.

Pamela and Amanda Massi, Montreal Votre revue est attrayante et intéressante. Je déplore le déséquilibre linguistique en faveur de l’anglais.

J’aimerais y voir encore plus d’italien!

Robert Bissonnette, Montréal

I teach Italian and I find it a great additional resource for my own pleasure reading as well as for my students. Many Thanks.

Nicolina Mendes Just wanted to say how much I enjoy receiving Panoram Italia. My grandparents immigrated to Canada in the early 1900’s. My paternal grandparents were from Calabria; and my maternal grandparents from Sicily. I have traveled to Italy several times and, on one trip, explored the region of Calabria where my Nana was born in the late 1980’s. I have also done quite a bit of genealogical research. I love being a Canadian but I cherish and honour my Italian heritage. I was raised as part of a large Italian family and value their traditions very much. Your magazine is very well-done. Congratulations.

Sincerely, Marianne Perry, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Just yesterday, while I was sitting in a waiting room, I picked up your magazine Panoram Italia. Let me tell you I was very surprised to finally read an interesting, informative, creative, unique and delightful “rivista Italiana.” Needless to say that I want to sign up for a subscription. My compliments to the publisher, editor and writers. Looking forward to the next edition.

Gilda Pellegrini, Woodbridge Dear Tony & Staff, congratulations on another amazing issue. I could and should express my admiration in superlatives but they would not be enough. Suffice it to say that you make me proud of my heritage and you do it so eloquently with gusto and sensibility. Buon anno nuovo colmo di salute e felicità.

Joe Ragonese

Buon San Valentino!

12

Ed i t o r i a l

Dear Reader,

Thank you for making Panoram Italia magazine a part of your life. Allowing us into your home is an honour and privilege. The responsibility of maintaining and promoting the Italian culture and language in Canada is one we take on with pride and passion. Exploring and showcasing the many facets of our identity in an elegant, informative and hopefully humourous fashion is our goal. n the first issue of every year, we have made it a tradition to showcase the ‘Babies of the (previous) Year.’ It’s a perfect occasion for parents, grandparents, uncles or aunts to show off a picture of their newest family members. Our children are the most precious resource we possess. They represent the future of our community. What better way to tell the world?

On this edition’s cover, Dominique Firetto and his world champion Siberian Huskies will please all who have a soft spot for man’s best friend. The story of this young recent Canadian immigrant of Sicilian descent is sure to inspire. Flipping through our pages, you will discover sculptor Pierre Petrucci, whose family contributed a great deal to Canada’s religious landscape; a short dossier on the origins of the Italian Carnival in cities like Viareggio, Ivrea and Venice; a special interview with Italian performer Arturo Brachetti, the world’s fastest transformist according the Guinness Book of World Records; a look at what’s hot on the Italian culinary scene with renowned 3 star Michelin Tuscan Chef Annie Féolde Pinchiori; some special Saint-Valentine’s recipes; and much more.

Subscribe or confirm your free promotional subscription to WIN a FIAT 500 or a TRIP TO ITALY!

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If you value our product, your support is vital. Subscribing if you haven’t already done so is one way. Confirming the free promotional subscription you have been receiving is another. You may also give a gift subscription to family or friends. By doing so, you are automatically entered into a draw to win a fantastic trip to Italy or a 2012 Fiat 500! Please refer to page 21 for further details. If you own or operate a business which could benefit from our massive distribution please take out an ad.

Lastly, to touch base with us between issues, I invite you to sign up for our weekly e-newsletter online, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We feature great stories, blog posts, recipes, interesting discussions as well as our ever popular weekly local restaurant gift certificate giveaways.

Buona Lettura, Tony Zara

Ed i t o r i a l

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Renewal strategies of the opposition in Ottawa

By Filippo Salvatore

2012 is election year in the USA, France and possibly Italy, where a snap election could occur if Mario Monti’s ‘appointed’ government is defeated in a confidence vote.

Germans will go to the polls in 2013. In Canada, Stephen Harper’s Conservatives enjoy a solid majority government status which will last until 2015. ast May 2, national elections reduced the federal Liberals progressive and environmentally conscious federalist force in Québec is no easy task. to third party status. The real surprise was the unexpect- But this remains the main challenge for both the NDP and the federal Liberals. Interim ed surge in support for the New Democratic Party in PLC leader Bob Rae has openly recognized that having Mr. Mulcair as head of the offiQuébec, where they replaced the Bloc Québécois as the main cial opposition in Ottawa will make life harder for the liberals in Québec. political force in the province. The NDP became the official opposition in Ottawa.

This leads us to consider the chances for a possible renewal and come-back of the Nearly one year later, Jack Layton’s death and the election of a large number of federal Liberals. Their convention last January can be taken as a first step in the diffiyoung and inexperienced MPs have hampered the NDP’s effectiveness in Ottawa’s cult task of rebuilding. Over 3,000 delegates, many of them under 30, gathered to disHouse of Commons. Interim leader Nycole Turmel tries her best, but she does not cuss policies and elect a new President. Ontario businessman Mike Crawley narrowly have the stature of a credible national leader. The situation is bound to change next defeated veteran MP and former minister Sheila Copps. It remains to be seen whether March, when a leadership convention will take place and this is truly a sign of renewal. At the end of the convenfluently bilingual former Québec Liberal minister and The Conservatives are trying to make a big fuss tion the mood was buoyant and was resumed by interim veteran Outremont MP Thomas Mulcair is in the pole leader Bob Rae in his speech. He presented the PLC as a position to be chosen as the new party leader. In many out of Mr. Mulcair’s dual citizenship, Canadian historic Canadian institution since Confederation. The ways, he perfectly fits the portrait required of a national and French, like they did for Stéphane Dion. setback suffered at the last election, he explained, is temleader. Mr. Mulcair’s main obstacle, however, lies in the If this is really a battle of flags, what should we porary and will be followed by a comeback and a new fact that he is perceived as the Québec candidate within a Liberal hegemony. “We don’t have to become something party whose support was historically and still remains make of PM Harper’s love for the Union Jack we’re not.” Intellectually and ideologically he reasserted based in Ontario and in the Western Provinces. The and the British Monarchy? Does that make him the centrist philosophy of the PLC, between the Conservatives are trying to make a big fuss out of Mr. less Canadian? What about our love for the Conservatives to the right and the NDP to the left. This is Mulcair’s dual citizenship, Canadian and French, like also a stand taken by former leaders, Stéphane Dion and they did for Stéphane Dion. If this is really a battle of tricolore as Italian-Canadians?

Michael Ignatieff which was soundly defeated in the last flags, what should we make of PM Harper’s love for the three elections. Only time will tell whether the Liberals Union Jack and the British Monarchy? Does that make him less Canadian? What have made enough changes in their policies to rise again. Will Bob Rae run for the perabout our love for the tricolore as Italian-Canadians? manent position of party leader? The new executive will decide that. He will not be the Mr. Mulcair’s main rival Brian Topp received the endorsement of some of the only candidate for the job. Westmount MP Marc Garneau has already said he intends party’s key figures, like Ed Broadbent, Roy Romanow and Lorne Calvert, strategically, to run. the NDP is better off in choosing Mr. Mulcair as its national leader. He can solidify the A recent poll showed high approval ratings for Bob Rae, and support for the party support in Québec. The Bloc Québécois is in dire straits, but traditional nation- federal Liberals on the rise at 25%, a four-point increase since last December. Prime alism is dormant and can surge again. The arrival on the scene of the CAQ (Coalition Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservatives received 35%, Nycole Turmel’s NDP had Avenir Québec) as a center-right political force and a serious contender to win the next 28%, while the Bloc Québécois and Green Party earned 6% and 4% respectively. provincial elections means that the threat of an impending third referendum will be A leadership convention will provide a further boost to the PLC. The unanswered put on the back burner. Nonetheless, Québec’s ‘traditional’ demands of more autono- question is this. Is it better for the NDP and the PLC to go their own way, or should my will still be put forward and defended by François Legault’s CAQ. they begin discussing a possible merger? By the end of the present legislature the pubThomas Mulcair would be in a better position and have more credibility than lic agenda in Canada will be much more on the conservative side. Is this really what Mr. Topp when the time will come to rebut resurging nationalist discourse. Life for a Canada wants and needs?

L

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Cover Story

Avoir du chien

By Sabrina Marandola

Tout le monde sait que le chien est le meilleur ami de l’homme. Mais pour Dominique Firetto, ces bêtes à quatre pattes sont bien plus que ça.

Ses chiens sont sa passion, sa fierté, sa vie. Cet Italo-Montréalais voue un attachement tout particulier aux huskys sibériens. À un point tel qu’il est devenu éleveur professionnel et parcourt le monde avec ses champions pour participer à des concours de beauté canins.

iretto wonders if his deeply-entrenched Italian roots have anything to do with his Siberian Husky love affair.

“Husky dogs live in groups. Just like Italians, they love family life, and are very sociable dogs,” says the 32-yearold. And Firetto and his huskies are taking the dog show world by storm. With victories in 32 countries around the world, Firetto and his dogs have won 14 Canadian championships, 3 European championships, and 2 world championships in the “Junior” category.

“I am the only breeder to produce three European champions,” he says. But his successful career emerged from nothing more than being a persistent little boy growing up in Lyon, France and having a Sicilian grandmother who just could not say no to her dear nipotino.

“When I was a kid, I was very asthmatic. I could not be in contact with animals at all - so of course that made me want a pet even more,” Firetto recalls. His parents made sure he was never near animals, so a 5-year-old Firetto would try to persuade his grandparents to give in. “Every weekend, I went to my grandparents’ house, and my Nonna and I would go to il mercato together. I would see the live chickens, and I would pull a fit - in the middle of the market. I wanted a chicken to play with,” he says laughing.

And he was good at pulling on Nonna’s heart strings.

Every week, Firetto’s grandmother would buy him a chicken.

“We would take the chicken home, and I would play with it in my grandparent’s condo in downtown Lyon! We would keep it in the storage locker, and I would play with it all weekend.” By his next visit a week later, his grandparents would tell him the chicken flew away – of course we all know what really happened to the bird – and they would head off to the market to buy a new one.

iretto si domanda se le sue profonde radici italiane abbiano a che vedere con l’affetto per il suo Husky siberiano. “Gli Husky vivono in gruppo. Proprio come gli italiani, amano la vita di famiglia e sono cani molto socievoli” dice il trentaduenne.

Firetto e i suoi Husky stanno travolgendo il mondo delle mostre canine. Vincitori in 32 paesi in tutto il globo, Firetto e i suoi cani hanno vinto 14 campionati canadesi, 3 campionati europei e 2 campionati mondiali nella categoria “Junior”.

“Sono l’unico allevatore ad aver formato tre campioni europei” dice. Ma il merito della sua brillante carriera è da attribuirsi al fatto di essere stato un ragazzino ostinato, cresciuto a Lione, in Francia, con una nonna siciliana che non sapeva proprio dire di no al suo caro nipotino.

“Quando ero piccolo, ero gravemente asmatico.

Non potevo entrare affatto in contatto con gli animali – ovviamente questo mi faceva desiderare ancora di più averne uno” ricorda Firetto. I suoi genitori si assicuravano che non fosse mai vicino agli animali, così il piccolo Firetto di 5 anni cercava di persuadere i nonni affinché cedessero. “Ogni fine settimana, andavo a casa dei miei nonni e io e mia nonna andavamo al mercato insieme. Vedevo i polli vivi e piantavo una scenata – in mezzo al mercato! Volevo un pollo per giocarci” dice ridendo.

E sapeva bene come prendere sua nonna. Ogni settimana, la nonna di Firetto gli comprava un pollo.

“Portavamo il pollo a casa e ci giocavo nell’appartamento dei miei nonni nel centro di Lione! Lo tenevamo nel ripostiglio e ci giocavo tutto il weekend”. Alla sua visita il fine settimana successivo, i nonni gli dicevano che il

iretto s’interroge à savoir si ses racines italiennes ont un rapport avec l’histoire d’amour qu’il cultive pour les huskys sibériens. «Les chiens huskys vivent en groupe.

Comme les Italiens, ils adorent la vie de famille et sont très sociables de nature», affirme le jeune homme de 32 ans.

Firetto et ses chiens ont pris d’assaut le monde des concours canins. Avec des victoires recensées dans 32 pays à travers le globe, Firetto et ses chiens ont remporté 14 championnats canadiens, 3 championnats européens, et 2 championnats mondiaux dans la catégorie « Jeune ». « Je suis l’unique éleveur à avoir produit trois champions d’Europe », révèle-t-il. Or, ses brillants succès tiennent beaucoup à sa persévérance de jeunesse lorsqu’il vivait à Lyon, en France, et au grand cœur de sa nonna (grand-mère) d’origine sicilienne, qui ne pouvait simplement rien refuser à son cher nipotino (petit-fils).

«Quand j’étais petit, je souffrais d’asthme. Je ne pouvais pas entrer en contact avec des animaux. Bien sûr, ça m’a donné encore plus envie d’avoir un animal de compagnie, » se rappelle Firetto. Ses parents l’empêchaient toujours d’approcher les animaux. Alors vers 5 ans, Firetto a tenté de persuader ses grands-parents de capituler. « Je passais chaque week-end chez ma grandmère, qui m’amenait toujours au marché avec elle. Dès que je voyais les poulets, j’explosais en larmes en plein cœur du mercato! Je voulais une poule pour jouer », explique-t-il en riant.

Il savait exactement comment amadouer sa grandmère et, chaque semaine, elle finissait par lui acheter un chapon. « Nous ramenions le poulet à la maison et je jouais avec lui dans l’appartement de mes grands-parents, situé en plein cœur de Lyon! Nous le mettions dans le casier d’entreposage du condo et je m’amusais avec lui tout le week-end. » La semaine suivante, sa grand-mère l’avertissait que malheureusement la poule s’était envolée... et ils se dirigeaient aussitôt ensemble au marché pour s’en procurer une autre.

Ces fins de semaine passées en compagnie de ses poulets signifiaient, bien sûr, une visite à l’hôpital les jours suivants, pour traiter ses problèmes respiratoires. Les choses changèrent toutefois lorsqu’à l’âge de 12 ans, les parents de Firetto s’achetèrent une maison, avec une grande cour arrière, en banlieue de Lyon. Sa nonna réussit à convaincre la mère de Dominique, qui adorait elle aussi les animaux, qu’il était maintenant possible pour son fils d’avoir des animaux de compagnie. « Ma nonna m’a donné mon premier chien », ajoute Firetto. « C’était un petit bâtard que j’avais nommé King. » À l’approche de l’adolescence, ses allergies se sont estompées et, à 14 ans, il a pris la meilleure décision de sa vie. « J’avais reçu une Vespa pour mon quatorzième anniversaire, mais je l’ai retournée, et avec l’argent, je me suis acheté mon premier husky. » Un chien de pure race avec qui Firetto a décidé de tenter sa chance dans un concours canin. Dès lors, il a su que c’était ce qu’il voulait faire, et tous ses proches pouvaient sentir à quel point ça le passionnait. C’est la mère de Dominique qui acquittait les frais d’inscription des concours et conduisait son fils, encore trop jeune pour conduire, à travers le pays avec son chien pour participer aux épreuves de beauté.

Après avoir visité 32 pays, Firetto admet qu’il éprouve toujours une sensation spéciale lorsqu’il participe à une compétition en Italie. « Bien que je sois né et aie été élevé en France, j’ai toujours été imprégné par la culture italienne », explique-t-il. « J’ai passé tellement de temps avec mes grands-parents et, depuis l’âge de 6 ans, j’ai passé tous mes étés dans leur maison en Sicile. Je me suis toujours senti d’abord Italien et ensuite Français. »

Continued on page 17, column 1

Continua a pagina 17, colonna 2

Suite à la page 17, colonne 3

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Top Dog

We all know “dog is man’s best friend.” But for Dominique Firetto, the furry four-legged creatures are much more than that. Dogs are his passion, his pride and his profession. The Italo-Montrealer has a particular attachment to Siberian Huskies.

So much so, that he is a professional breeder, and travels with his dogs around the world to participate in dog shows.

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Cane campione

Tutti sappiamo che “il cane è il miglior amico dell’uomo”. Ma per Dominique Firetto, queste soffici creature a quattro zampe sono molto di più. I cani sono la sua passione, il suo orgoglio e la sua professione. L’italo-montrealese è particolarmente legato agli Husky siberiani. Tanto da essere un allevatore professionista e viaggiare con i suoi ‘amici’ in tutto il mondo per partecipare alle mostre canine.

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Cover Story His weekends playing with the chicken would mean the following days were spent in hospital, receiving treatment for his severe respiratory problems. But things changed when Firetto was 12 years old. His parents bought a house in the suburbs of Lyon with a big backyard. So Nonna convinced Firetto’s mom, who was a big animal lover too, that he could have pets now.

“My Nonna is the one who bought me my first dog,” Firetto says. “It was a mutt, and I named him King.”

As adolescence approached, his allergies were less severe, and when Firetto turned 14, he made the best transaction of his life. “I got a Vespa for my 14th birthday, but I returned it, and with that money, I bought myself a Husky.” It was a pure breed, and Firetto decided to bring it to a dog show. From then on, he knew this was what he wanted to do and everyone around him could see the light in his eyes. Not even old enough to drive, Firetto’s mother would pay for dog show registration fees, and drive her son and his dog around the country to take part in shows.

He’s now been to 32 countries, but Firetto says it’s always a special treat to compete in Italy.

“Even though I was born and raised in France, I grew up immersed in Italian culture,” he says.

“I spent so much time with my grandparents, and since I was 6 months old, I spent summers at my grandparents’ house in Sicily. I always felt Italian before I ever felt French.”

He competed in Foggia, Rome, Frosinone and most special to him, his father’s native city of Palermo. “It was in 2005, and yet I still remember arriving in Sicily – all the sights and smells of Italy.

I had my dogs in a cage, and my relatives were waiting for me and waving.” Out of 800 competitors, he took the top title: Best in Show.

“It’s always a great pride to be the son of an Italian immigrant family and to win a title in Italy,” he says, adding that Italians are among the top breeders in the world. “In anything that requires an extreme attention to details and aesthetics, Italians always come out on top. So in industries like fashion, food, and animal breeding – industries that require perfectionism – Italians often do very well.”

Firetto’s Italian pride followed him to Canada four years ago, when he moved to Montreal. “Given my love of Huskies, I always dreamt of coming to Canada.

I grew up reading Jack London, and dreaming about the snow, and the Canadian winters.” He settled here and, with his Italian roots still running so deep, he named his Siberian Husky breeding company after the emblem of Sicily: Trinacria. “It’s very symbolic for me,” Firetto says. “The Trinacria has three angles, just like the shape of the island of Sicily. But for me it also represents my three identities: Italian, French and Canadian.”

Firetto lives with his two Huskies, Lily and Châtaigne, in his Montreal apartment. But once a week he goes north of the city to Mirabel, where his six other Huskies live. He grooms them, plays with them and trains them to prep them for upcoming shows.

When Firetto is not with his Huskies, he’s busy managing a restaurant in Anjou and working towards becoming a dog show judge. Firetto says Huskies are extremely sociable and make great pets, but suggests people do their homework first. “Always buy a dog from a registered breeder because that way you know exactly what you’re getting, and you will know if your dog is well-tempered.” Firetto also adds that since dogs are pack animals, it’s actually much easier to have two dogs than to care for just one.

Now that his dogs have become champions, he considers them like his ambassadors. “What I’ve learned through my dogs, and through this whole experience, is that in spite of the health issues I had, and the challenges that come with being bi-cultural or an immigrant, you always have to keep pushing ahead, even if you live on the other side of the world,” he says.

“Just like my dogs, I am loyal to who I am. And no matter what type of work I do, or the country I have chosen to live in, I will never forget my family, nor my roots, because I am proud to be Italian!”

For more info: www.trinacria-husky.com

pollo era volato via – certo, tutti sappiamo cosa è successo in realtà al volatile – e se ne andavano al mercato a comprarne uno nuovo.

Giocare durante il weekend con il pollo significava che i giorni successivi li avrebbe trascorsi in ospedale, sotto cura per gravi problemi respiratori. Ma le cose cambiarono quando Firetto aveva 12 anni. I suoi genitori comprarono una casa nella periferia di Lione con un grande giardino.

Quindi la nonna convinse la mamma di Firetto, anche lei grande amante degli animali, che ora avrebbe potuto avere un animale domestico. “È mia nonna quella che mi ha comprato il primo cane” dice Firetto. “Era un bastardino e l’ho chiamato King”.

All’avvicinarsi dell’adolescenza, le sue allergie si affievolirono e quando Firetto compì 14 anni, fece il miglior baratto della sua vita. “Ho ricevuto una Vespa per il 14esimo compleanno, ma l’ho restituita e con quei soldi mi sono comprato un Husky.” Era di razza pura e Firetto decise di portarlo a una mostra canina. Da quel momento, sapeva che quello era ciò che avrebbe voluto fare e tutti intorno a lui potevano vedere i suoi occhi brillare. Non essendo grande abbastanza da poter guidare, la mamma di Firetto pagava la quota di registrazione alle gare e portava suo figlio e il cane in giro per il paese per partecipare agli show.

Fino ad oggi è stato in 32 paesi, ma Firetto dice che gareggiare in Italia è sempre qualcosa di speciale.

“Nonostante sia nato e cresciuto in Francia, ero immerso nella cultura italiana”commenta. “Ho trascorso moltissimo tempo con i miei nonni e fin da quando avevo 6 mesi, trascorrevo l’estate a casa dei miei nonni in Sicilia. Mi sono sempre sentito italiano prima ancora di sentirmi francese”.

Ha gareggiato a Foggia, a Roma, a Frosinone e, luogo a lui molto caro, a Palermo, città natale di suo padre. “Era il 2005 e ricordo ancora quando sono arrivato in Sicilia – tutti i paesaggi e i profumi dell’Italia. Avevo i miei cani in una gabbia e i miei parenti mi aspettavano salutandomi con la mano”. Su 800 gareggianti, si è guadagnato la qualifica più alta: il migliore della mostra. “È sempre un grande orgoglio essere figlio di una famiglia di immigrati italiani e vincere un titolo in Italia” dice e aggiunge che gli italiani sono tra i migliori allevatori al mondo. “In tutto ciò che richiede un’estrema attenzione ai dettagli e all’estetica, gli italiani arrivano sempre primi.

Così in industrie quali la moda, la gastronomia, e l’allevamento di animali – industrie che richiedono perfezione – gli italiani sono spesso molto bravi”.

L’orgoglio italiano di Firetto lo ha seguito fino in Canada quando quattro anni fa si è trasferito a Montreal.

“Visto il mio amore per gli Husky, ho sempre sognato di venire in Canada. Sono cresciuto leggendo Jack London e sognando la neve e gli inverni canadesi”. Stabilitosi qui e con radici italiane ancora solide, ha chiamato la sua azienda di allevamento di Husky siberiani come l’emblema della Sicilia: Trinacria. “È per me molto simbolico” dice Firetto.

“La Trinacria ha tre angoli, proprio come la forma dell’isola della Sicilia. Ma per me rappresenta anche le mie tre identità: italiana, francese e canadese”.

Firetto vive con i suoi due Husky, Lily e Châtaigne, nel suo appartamento a Montreal. Ma una volta a settimana va a nord, nella città di Mirabel dove vivono i suoi altri sei Husky.

Gli fa la toeletta, gioca con loro e li addestra a prepararsi per le prossime competizioni. Quando Firetto non è con i suoi Husky, è impegnato a gestire un ristorante in Anjou e a lavorare per diventare giudice di competizioni canine. Firetto sostiene che gli Husky siano estremamente socievoli e dei grandi animali da compagnia, ma consiglia che le persone facciano prima il loro dovere. “Comprate sempre un cane da un allevatore qualificato perché in quel modo saprete esattamente cosa state per prendere e saprete se il vostro cane ha un buon temperamento”. Firetto aggiunge anche che visto che i cani sono animali da branco, è addirittura più semplice avere due cani che prendersi cura solo di uno.

Adesso che i suoi cani sono diventati campioni, Firetto li considerà come i suoi propri ambasciatori. “Ciò che ho imparato con i miei cani e attraverso tutta questa esperienza, è che nonostante i problemi di salute che avevo e gli ostacoli dell’essere biculturale o immigrato, devi sempre andare avanti, pure se vivi dall’altra parte del mondo,” dice. “Come i mei cani, rimango fedele e me stesso. E non importa il mestiere che faccio, o il paese dove ho scelto di vivere, non mi scordero mai della mia famiglia ne delle mie radici, perché sono orgoglioso di essere italiano”.

Per maggiori informazioni: www.trinacria-husky.com Traduzione Viviana Lapercchia

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Il a concouru à Foggia, à Rome, à Frosinone et à Palerme, la ville d’origine de son père, souvenir qui revêt pour lui une place toute particulière. « C’était en 2005, mais je me souviens encore très bien de mon arrivée en Sicile – des paysages et des odeurs de l’Italie. Mes chiens étaient en cage et mes parents m’attendaient en m’envoyant la main. » Parmi 800 participants, il a décroché le premier prix, c’est-àdire celui décerné au meilleur chien de tout l’événement. « C’est toujours un honneur de remporter un titre en Italie pour quelqu’un issu d’une famille immigrante italienne », révèle-t-il, ajoutant que les Italiens sont parmi les meilleurs éleveurs au monde. « Les Italiens sont toujours les meilleurs dans tout ce qui nécessite une extrême attention au détail et au style. C’est pourquoi ils excellent dans les domaines de la mode, de la gastronomie et de l’élevage animalier – des industries qui requièrent une forte dose de perfectionnisme. » Cette fierté d’être Italien, Firetto l’a conservée avec lui en venant s’établir au Canada il y quatre ans. « J’ai grandi en lisant Jack London; je rêvais de la neige et des hivers canadiens. » Il s’est établi ici, et ses racines italiennes, toujours bien vivantes, lui ont inspiré le nom de sa compagnie d’élevage de huskys sibériens : Trinacria, l’emblème de la Sicile. « C’est très symbolique pour moi », affirme Firetto. « La Trinacria compte trois côtés, tout comme la forme de l’île de la Sicile.

Mais, pour moi, elle représente aussi ma triple identité : italienne, française et canadienne. » Firetto vit dans son appartement de Montréal avec ses deux huskys, Lily et Châtaigne. Mais, une fois par semaine, il voyage au nord de la ville, à Mirabel, où demeurent ses six autres chiens. Il les toilette, joue avec eux et les entraîne aux concours. Quand il ne s’occupe pas de ses huskys, Dominique gère un restaurant à Anjou et travaille pour devenir juge de concours canins. « Les huskys sont extrêmement sociables et font de très bons animaux de compagnie», explique-t-il. Toutefois, il recommande de toujours se les procurer d’éleveurs enregistrés, car c’est l’unique façon de s’assurer de leur lignée et de leur tempérament. Il ajoute aussi que, puisque les chiens sont des animaux de meute, il est plus facile d’avoir deux chiens plutôt qu’un seul.

Maintenant que ses chiens sont devenus des champions, Firetto les considère comme ses propres ambassadeurs. « Mon expérience avec mes chiens m’a appris que, malgré mes faiblesses physiques liées à mon asthme et le défi que comporte le fait d’avoir deux cultures ou d’être immigrant, on doit toujours chercher à se dépasser, même si l’on vit à l’autre bout du monde», affirme-t-il. « Mais, comme mes chiens, je reste fidèle à moi-même. Et peu importe le métier que je fais ou le pays que j’ai choisi, je n’oublierai jamais ma famille ni mes racines, car je suis fier d’être Italien!»

Pour plus d’information : www.trinacria-husky.com Traduction Gabriel Riel-Salvatore

Pierre Petrucci 16

Li fe &People

Between saints and goddesses

By Adam Zara

Photo: Vincenzo D’Alto

nless one of his eight grandchildren makes an unlikely announcement, Pierre (Pietro) Petrucci will be the last in a line of five generations of craftsmen and U sculptors with origins in Lucca, Tuscany. His two daughters shied away from the chisel long ago.

It’s from his Town of Mount Royal home that the jovial Italian-Canadian recounts the story of his life, gushing with pride and a certain sense of urgency; he wants to make sure his family’s story is told before it’s too late.

A history of Tuscan craftsmanship Early 20th century Montreal was a fertile breeding ground for a pocket of Tuscan craftsmen vying to quench Quebec’s demand for religious art. Pierre’s father Amato, uncle Nicolas and nonno Paolo founded Atelier Petrucci Frères Limited in 1908 after arriving to Montreal following stays in Marseilles, New York City, and Boston by way of Lucca. By then, fellow Tuscans T. Carli Limited had been firmly established since 1867, and a little later on, renowned Tuscan-Canadian artist Guido Nincheri - of Madonna della Difesa Church and Chateau Dufresne fame - would forge his own path within Canada’s religious scenery.

To initially set themselves apart from the competition, the Petruccis opted to reproduce scaled statues of profane classics (David, Venus, etc.) instead of Catholic figures. But trouble came early at the shop as their nude males and bare-breasted goddesses quickly repaid them with pornography charges courtesy of the Montreal Police Department. Their lawyers would eventually have the foolish allegations dismissed and their family name cleared of any wrongdoing.

As the old adage goes: ‘any publicity is good publicity’; with all the attention brought to Atelier Petrucci Frères Limited from the case, orders for half-draped and undraped goddesses flooded in - business was very good. Within a year of opening, the shop had swollen to over 45 employees. They would soon after begin producing religious art, which in 1923 enabled them to buy out their main competitor T. Carli Limited, thus turning into T. Carli-Petrucci Limited, owned and operated by uncle Nicolas. Pierre’s father Amato would eventually sell his shares and in 1926 open a separate shop named Petrucci & Carli with Appolo Carli.

90-year-old Pierre Petrucci has a story to tell.

It’s an important story; one that fits into Montreal’s historical puzzle like Mile End smoked meat and bagels. Yet, the mention of his family is now unfortunately a mere footnote in the account of Catholic Quebec’s one-time prominence. In its heyday, Petrucci & Carli was the largest producer of religious art in Canada. The interiors of Catholic Churches throughout the country would not have nearly been as striking if not for their special Tuscan touch.

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entailed placing a mould on the deceased’s face for fifteen minutes and then carefully removing it in order to sculpt the head’s likeness out of plaster or wax. Throughout his career, Pierre was called to produce several such masks including those of French Canadian politicians Henri Bourassa and Paul Sauvé, painter Clarence Gagnon, journalist Olivar Asselin and most notably the recently sanctified Frère André.

A young Pierre would come into the picture in the 1930’s as he studied at Montreal’s Beaux Arts Academy by day while helping with orders at the shop by night. He’d graduate in 1941 and become part owner in 1950 upon the accidental death of his father Amato.

The production process Petrucci’s shop could produce a whole array of religious artifacts, from altars and tabernacles, to statues, Stations of the Cross, and Christmas crèches. All marble products originated from a quarry in Pietrasanta, Tuscany, where hired artisans would sculpt their orders and ship them to Montreal. “It made much more sense to have the marble sculpted in Italy and then shipped here if you consider the cost of shipping a huge block of unworked marble versus that of a finished product,” he says.

Petrucci & Carli’s craftsmen were charged with assembling the marble pieces from Italy, as well as sculpting and molding anything commissioned in either artificial stone or ‘stuccola’ – a name given to Petrucci’s special blend of plaster. Parishes that couldn’t afford pricey marble would opt for ‘scagliola’ - coloured and finely polished cement, finished off with streaks made from horsehair to give the final product the impression of marble.

Body of work For over a half-century, the Petruccis produced religious art for Catholic churches and missions around the world. “There must be at least one of our works in over three quarters of the churches in Canada. We shipped to all four corners of the globe: the US, Uganda, Japan, Haiti - there isn’t a single church in Haiti that we didn’t provide for,” he proudly boasts. Some of their most impressive works include a 22-foot, 6-ton bronze statue of Jesus set 108 feet atop the roof of the Sacré-Coeur convent in Rosemère, and six 18-foot bronze Jesus’ commissioned for six American cemeteries. A perfect example of Petrucci craftsmanship can be found within Nativité de la Sainte Vierge d’Hochelaga church in Montreal’s Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district (complete with Casavant organ and Nincheri stained glass windows). The detailing around the arcades, altar, and Station of the Cross is truly stunning.

Before the advent of computer technology, a customary practice was to immortalize a historical figure’s exact facial features following death - in case a portrait or statue would be commissioned - by creating what is commonly known as a ‘death mask’. This

A change of tide In the 1960’s, the Quiet Revolution brought with it the secularization of Québecois society, and consequentially, the demise of Pierre Petrucci’s saintly sales. Until then, the Catholic Church in Quebec had held control over health care and education. In 1965, the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) was brought to a close by Pope Paul VI, calling for the diminished presence of icons of saints in churches, among other modernizing amendments.

Though these changes in doctrine afforded Petrucci & Carli with the opportunity to renovate over 60 churches to conform to new conventions - notably rotating altars 180 degrees so that a priest could face his parish during mass - once all work was complete, sales dwindled. Pierre and his partner Louis Carli would eventually close-up shop in 1972.

********* In 1881, author Mark Twain famously said of Montreal: “This is the first time I have ever visited a city where you can’t throw a stone without breaking a church window.” The city’s Christian heritage was and still is a defining aspect of everyday life.

Setting religious views aside, if only from an architectural standpoint, what would Montreal be without its rich religious patrimony? What would the city’s core look like without its vast convents, old schools, and beautiful church spires poking out of its skyline? Consequently, what would churches in Canada look like without the Petrucci family’s special Tuscan touch? If the Casavant family gave us world-class pipe organs and Guido Nincheri left us with some of Canada’s most striking stained glass windows and murals, Pierre Petrucci and his forefathers can certainly claim an equal share of notoriety for their contribution to beautifying Canada’s religious landscape.

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“Ho fatto il mio coraggio” 18

Li fe &People

Giovanni Princigalli

Rosa Scarpato è nata a Sorrento ed è giunta a Montreal nel 1959 per sposarsi con Giuseppe Scarpato.

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a mia famiglia – ricorda Rosa - non era né ricca e né povera, anzi era più povera che ricca, perché non avendo terra di proprietà, lavoravamo a mezzadria per la terra di un padrone”. Rosa trascorse un’infanzia felice in una casa di campagna alle porte di Sorrento, che già all’epoca doveva apparire ad un visitatore straniero come un mondo piccolo, magico e accarezzato dai raggi di un sole mediterraneo che assieme agli schiamazzi, le corse dei bambini, i profumi di salse, minestre e pesce, correvano come ruscelli, tra i vicoli della cittadina sino agli oliveti fuori città.

Rosa e Giuseppe avevano rispettivamente 7 e 10 anni, quando frequentarono assieme il catechismo. Ma una volta presa la comunione in una chiesa di campagna, si persero di vista. Con il passare del tempo si fecero giovanotti. Giuseppe, come tanti altri suoi coetanei e paesani, decise di cercar fortuna in Canada, nella primavera del 1959. Rosa di Giuseppe, se n’era quasi dimenticato. Nella sua memoria restava viva solo l’immagine di una ragazzino gentile, simpatico e vivace, niente di più. Non poteva certo immaginare che Giuseppe, invece, aveva portato via con sé oltre l’oceano, un amore forte quanto segreto.

Era l’estate del 1964 e Giuseppe decise di prendersi tre mesi di vacanza dal lavoro in pizzeria che aveva aperto assieme al fratello, a Montreal nell’attuale Rue Saint Antoine (di fronte alla sede del giornale La Presse). Ritornò a Sorrento a luglio.

I primi di settembre, poco prima di rientrare in Canada, decise di andare a trovare una sua vecchia conoscenza, il cugino di Rosa, che era uno dei pochi braccianti della zona ad avere una zappa meccanica, ed era stato chiamato più volte dalla famiglia di Giuseppe a lavorare con loro.

In verità la visita di Giuseppe, non era per rivedere un vecchio compagno di lavoro, ma piuttosto per chiedere notizie su Rosa. Così, in una mite giornata di settembre, Giuseppe, con la scusa di visitare il suo amico, rese invece visita a Rosa che aveva allora 23 anni e stava raccogliendo le olive con partenti ed amici.

Rosa fu sorpresa e lusingata. La presenza di Giuseppe risvegliò qualcosa in lei.

Il ricordo di Giuseppe ragazzino nella parrocchia si tinse di tenerezza. Rosa era una ragazza romantica, serena e timida. Quel giovane paesano ormai italo-canadese

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evocava in lei le chiavi della gioia ma anche di un futuro incerto, perché incerta era l’idea e l’immagine che una ragazza di paese poteva avere in quegli anni del Canada.

Giuseppe era innamorato e deciso a sposare quella ragazza che era rimasta al paese, che ricordava come un luogo calmo e solare, stretto tra gli ulivi ed il mare. Rosa, lui, la ricordava proprio così: con il profumo ed i colori della sua terra lontana.

Allora Giuseppe ne parlò ai propri genitori che erano amici dei genitori di Rosa, che a tal proposito ricorda: “Ero innamorata, ma non lo conoscevo, o meglio, non così bene. Avevamo fatto il catechismo assieme e la sua famiglia conosceva bene la mia”. Il problema di Rosa però non era certo la voglia di innamorarsi e di essere felice, ma piuttosto di come essere sicura che Giuseppe fosse l’uomo giusto. Ma il ricordo che aveva di lui ragazzino, le sue parole di giovane uomo ormai cresciuto e responsabile, e la buona reputazione di cui godevano i genitori di Giuseppe, la aiutarono e come dice lei stessa “Ho fatto il mio coraggio”.

All’epoca, dopo un viaggio così lungo e costoso, non era così semplice dire :“Mi son sbagliata, qui non mi piace il clima, tu neanche, e me ne torno a casa mia”. Non era certo come fare una passeggiata, per tastare il terreno, far conoscenza, e piano piano decidersi di sposarsi o no.

Rosa dice “Avrei voluto che lui ritornasse a Sorrento per sposarmi e da qui ripartire assieme per il Canada. Ma non è stato possibile. Così lui mi fece tutte le carte per raggiungerlo a Montreal e sono partita da sola nel 1965. Non vorrei ricordarmelo, ma fu dura lasciare i miei genitori. Anche perché fu la prima volta che vidi mio padre piangere, ma fu anche l’ultima, perché un anno dopo morì.

All’altare mi accompagnò il fratello di mio marito. Non ho più passato un Natale con i miei genitori. No, non sono bei ricordi. Se potessi, non lo rifarei. Ricordo però che il primo giorno che arrivai a Montreal, trovai una tavola imbandita. Ed a dire il vero, tutta quell’abbondanza in Italia non c’era. Il giorno dopo andai a lavorare in pizzeria. All’epoca le case erano riscaldate ad olio. Insomma quello che ricordo dei miei primi giorni qua, era la puzza d’olio e di peperoni. Io ero abituata a Sorrento, al mare, alla campagna, al sole, all’aria aperta. Per fortuna mio marito era bravo e buono. Mi voleva davvero bene.

Ha saputo farmi felice. Abbiamo avuto dei bambini a cui abbiamo dato un’istruzione ed un futuro che in Italia se lo potevano solo sognare. Non ci ho più pensato a Sorrento e alla mia famiglia, perché quando perdi i genitori, la tua nuova famiglia è il luogo dove vivi. Ma in verità, sì, dopo tanti anni trascorsi a Montreal, ci penso ancora. Ed ora la vigilia di Natale, preparo la cena a base di pesce, proprio come una volta, proprio come si faceva a Sorrento.”

La Serenata

Li fe &People

19

By Gemma Screnci

They say Italians are romantics at heart.

The language, the food, the culture, we express our passion for life through our lifestyle and traditions. Before night clubs, Internet and cell phones defined the dating scene we know today, back in the Old Country, our parents and grandparents had a more personal way to express their feelings. Through music and lyrics, one of the most beautiful displays of romanticism was the “Serenata”, which conquered many hearts.

y father tells me that when he was a young man, he and his friends orchestrated countless serenades in their village in Calabria. Their group included my uncle Benito as the accordion player, their friend Rocco on the guitar, and my dad and the rest of their friends would sing. Boy bands had nothing on them. Their serenades were usually performed to declare a romantic interest in someone. On a nice evening, the person who wanted to declare his intensions would head to the young woman’s house along with his friends. They would set up in front of her abode and the suitor would start to praise his belle by performing songs filled with admiring compliments and metaphors, accompanied by the sounds of instrumental melodies playing in the background. One of their favourite songs was sung in Calabrese and went something like this: “O facci di mendurla mundata, ringraziu a Dio ca ti creao tanta pulita”.

Essentially, the admirer was letting the woman know that she was beautiful and thanked God for making her as such. Not bad for improvised poetry. Even though the young lady wasn’t allowed to go outside and her parents were usually around to supervise the scene, she would look through her window and if the feelings were mutual on her part, that serenade would ignite the start of a courtship.

Serenades were also used to apologize for wrong doings. It reminds me of the song Chitarra Vagabonda by Romeo Livieri, which illustrates the type of message that could have been conveyed: “Una chitarra suona nella notte, cantando va dicendo amore amore -la porta non si apre del balcone- un cuore sta morendo per una donna... Stringilo forte a te con una scusa, vado con la chitarra e chiedo scusa”.

Such a public display of regret demonstrated sincerity.

Less frequently, which is a good thing, my dad explained that some serenades were “dispettose” (spiteful). Occasionally, a man who found his ego bruised after being rejected by the object of his affections would go back to her house and would sing something less than glorious like: “Faccia brutta e muso di mimia, rassomigli ad un babbao. Dimmi, chi ti ha mandato l’ambasciata? Non ti pensare che passo qua per

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te, ce n’ho altre cento meglio di te!”. Wounded hearts made for some pretty intense feelings and harsh words!

My father admitted that some of his favourite serenades were the more social ones. During the Fall and winter seasons, the group would go around the village to sing to their neighbours. It might sound odd at first but he explained that, during that period, every household had prepared wine, cured meats and dried fruit in preparation for the colder days. In his words: “Noi sapevamo chi aveva appena ammazzato il maiale”, which means they knew which homes had prepared some good stockpiles, and those were the houses they headed to. By singing respectful greetings such as: “Caro compare mio, compare mio bello, ti vengo a salutare”, to the neighbours they knew well, the paesani would let them in, set the table and they would feast until the early hours of the morning. It wasn’t uncommon for them to visit two or three houses in one same night, eating, drinking a bit of wine and singing to their hosts who gracefully invited them in for a while. In post war times, when people were trying to rebuild their lives, those gatherings were priceless and whatever little they had, they gladly shared with others.

Times certainly have changed and the serenade might have lost their place in our modern society, but it remains a part of our heritage and has served a purpose in contributing to the romantic reputation Italians have deservingly earned.

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Li fe &People

R A I S I N G C U LT U R A L A W A R E N E S S

with an Italian Twist

By Alex Sabatino

As a new chapter in my career began this past Fall, I found myself teaching at an all-girls high school in prominently French-speaking Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. This was a big change for me, having grown up in a multi-cultural environment and accustomed to teaching in the English school board sector of Montreal. Despite this cultural change, I was ready for the challenge and prepared to instill my values within the classroom. I was hoping to introduce my Italian heritage and culture to a group of francophone students that are for the most part not overly accustomed to other cultures.

ollege St. Maurice is a unique school in many different ways, primarily, it is one of the few French high schools in the province to promote bilingualism, i.e. the college offers 4 levels of English from Secondary 1 through 5. With the college’s mission at heart, I decided to encourage student education in English while introducing the students to the multiple languages, cultures and traditions which have helped shape Quebec into the multi-cultural haven it is today. To help accomplish my ultimate goal, I implemented a teaching curriculum in the English and Language Arts program for Secondary 4 and 5 students, to help promote language and cultural diversity in the classroom. This initiative was supported by my colleagues who shared my enthusiasm and provided excellent advice on developing relevant projects and lesson plans.

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Being of Italian origin, trilingual and educated in a multi-cultural environment, I felt confident to teach these students about cultural awareness; a sensitive issue they may not have been educated in.

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I approached ‘la directrice des services pédagogiques’, Mme. Hélène Leblanc about the possibility of creating a lesson plan for Secondary 4 students describing the diversity that exists throughout la Belle Province, with emphasis on the Italian culture. For the Secondary 5 students, I had envisaged a more historical approach, looking at the contributions of various ethnic backgrounds towards the Quebecois culture. Once again, strong emphasis would be placed on my Italian background as I would be able to provide many examples from my culture. The school’s administration was supportive at the notion of introducing students to the cultural influences on Quebec society, as it would create ‘cultural awareness’ in school. And I looked forward to learning more about my Italian identity in my home province of Quebec.

For example, my grandparents are great story tellers and inspiration was drawn from their stories. They would explain their hardships encountered when leaving their motherland of Italy and starting a new life in this foreign land of Canada. They also spoke about the happy moments, their family, careers and their struggles to maintain their Italian culture and identity. Furthermore, my parents elaborated on my grandparents’ stories and provided further education on the history of Italians in Quebec.

When the students were introduced to this study, they were immediately receptive, eager to learn more about the various cultures in Quebec. The study was presented to the Secondary 4 Language Arts class as a ‘celebration’ of cultures and we looked at the cultural traits (food, religion, festivals, music, etc...) of many ethnic backgrounds, including, the Greeks, Portuguese, Lebanese and Haitians. This study also included the Italian culture. Students were keen to learn more about the delicious Italian dishes, the romantic Italian song and dance, fashion, architecture and so much more. We watched video clips and reviewed pictures of the ‘Semaine Italienne’ which takes place every year in Montreal to promote cars, fashion, sports, religion, and festivals in the Italian community.

The Secondary 5 class focused on 20th century immigration in Quebec and we explored the influence of ethnicity on the Quebecois society. As an example, the Irish culture’s influence was examined in Quebecois society. From their contributions to agriculture to St. Patrick’s Day, all was explored! The last chapter focused on the Italians settling in Canada. Remembering my grandparents’ stories, this unit gave students a historical perspective of Italian immigration in the 20th century. Furthermore, the students learned about settlement patterns, housing, employment opportunities, and the preservation of the Italian language and culture. This provided the students with an enriching learning experience, one which has hopefully instilled a desire to work hard to accomplish hopes and dreams. I can take some comfort knowing the message has been delivered, as my student Frédérique Forget put it “A learning experience that I can take with me for the rest of my life.”

Reflecting back, perhaps the most rewarding part of this experience was learning as much about the Italian culture (and others) as my students. For me, teaching is a wonderful opportunity to educate others while continuing to learn. Thanks to this project and my students’ participation, I now have a better understanding and appreciation of culture and diversity in Quebec, especially my own Italian culture.

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Chocolate Desserts for Two Food & Wine

22

Recipes and Photography by Claudia Ficca See more recipes at www.panoramitalia.com

Instead of buying a box of chocolates for your honey bunny, why not make something sweet for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day. Here are four chocolate recipes designed to serve two.

Chocolate and 2. Dark Raspberry Brownie Tart BISCOTTO DI CIOCCOLATA SCURA E LAMPONI Ingredients

1.

Espresso Chocolate Mousse MOUSSE DI CIOCCOLATA SCURA AL CAFFÈ Ingredients 1 cup bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped 3 tbsp water 2 tbsp of espresso or your favourite liqueur, or just water 4 large eggs, at room temperature, separated Pinch of salt

1/2 cup dark chocolate 70%, chopped 2 tbsp butter 1/4 cup brown sugar 2 tbsp 35% cream 1 large egg 2 tbsp all-purpose flour 1/2 cup raspberries

Directions Preheat oven at 300°F. Place the chocolate, butter, sugar and cream in a medium saucepan over low heat and stir until melted and smooth. Place the eggs and flour in a bowl and whisk until well combined. Whisk in the chocolate mixture until combined. Pour into lightly greased round cake tins lined with non-stick baking paper and top with the raspberries. Bake for 35 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer.

Directions Combine the chocolate, water and espresso in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Heat until the chocolate is almost completely melted, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir until the mixture is smooth.

Set aside and let cool.

In a clean, dry bowl place egg whites and a pinch of salt and whip on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. They should be thick and smooth.

Stir the egg yolks into the cooled chocolate mixture. Add half of the whipped egg whites to the chocolate and fold gently. Fold in the remaining egg whites with a spatula just until there are no white streaks left.

Portion the mixture into 2 serving dishes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. Serve with freshly whipped cream.

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

Food & Wine

23

Cookie Sandwich 3. Nutella PANINO DI BISCOTTI ALLA NUTELLA Ingredients 1 cup Nutella + 1/2 cup for spreading 1 egg 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup hazelnuts toasted and chopped

Directions Preheat to 350°F With a spatula combine sugar, Nutella, egg, and flour.

Place the dough between two piece of parchment paper (cut the paper the size of your baking sheet).

Roll out the dough over the paper to about 1/4” thick. Remove and discard the top piece of parchment paper and place the rest on a baking sheet. With a heart-shaped cookie cutter press into the dough leaving about 1 cm between each cookie. Remove the excess dough between the cookies. Bake until the edges look done and the middle is just starting to look finished (about 5-8min). Allow to cool on cookie sheet.

Spread Nutella on the inside of a cookie and top with another cookie. Press the edges of the cookie sandwich in the chopped hazelnut.

4.

Chocolate Chunk Cookie with Vanilla Ice Cream and Salted Caramel BISCOTTO CON PEZZI DI CIOCCOLATA CON GELATO ALLA VANIGLIA E CREMA AL CARAMELLO SALATO

Ingredients Salted Caramel Sauce 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup brown sugar 1 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup water 1 egg 1/2 cup salted butter 2 tsp vanilla extract 3/4 cup 35% cream 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp cornstarch 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup dark chocolate, cut or broken into chunks Directions Preheat oven to 350°F. Cream butter and both sugars until smooth. Add egg and vanilla and blend in. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix until just blended. Fold in chunks of chocolate.

Butter a small skillet and press in about 1 inch of cookie dough to cover the base of the pan (wrap the remaining cookie dough in plastic wrap and keep in the freezer for fresh baked cookies anytime).

Place the skillet on a baking sheet before placing in the oven. Bake until just golden brown around the edges, between 15-20 minutes. While the cookie is cooling make the caramel sauce.

In a heavy saucepan over low heat, combine sugar and water. Cook until sugar is dissolved. Add the butter, let it come to a boil and cook until it reaches a golden caramel color. Remove from heat and add cream, whisk to combine and put back on stove on low heat. Let it cook on low for about 25 minutes until it reaches a creamy consistency.

To serve: Top the cookie with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

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Wine

Wine 24

Food & Wine

served the right way!

Allegrini Valpolicella doc 2010

Allegrini - Veneto Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata $15.95 (SAQ# 11208747) ★★ (84/100)

Inviting, fresh and fruity bouquet of red berries offering attractive accents of raspberry and sweet red peppercorns.

Soft and enjoyable Valpolicella with a smooth and vibrant ending.

La Massa Toscana igt 2009

Fattoria La Massa Tuscany - Vino a Indicazione Geografica Tipica $26.55 (SAQ# 10517759) ★★★★ (90/100) Keep until 2019

Classy and inviting notes of suave blackberries intertwine with soft smoky vanilla accents. Smooth and silky body with well integrated tannins ending on a fresh fruity finish recalling blueberries.

Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva docg 2006 Antinori Tuscany Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita $28.95 (SAQ# 11421281) ★★★★ (90/100) Keep until 2016 Clean, harmonious bouquet of red berries, violets and sweet spices. Charming, mouth filling medium to full body Chianti Classico ending on a lovely smoky finish.

Pomino Bianco Pomino doc 2009 Frescobaldi Tuscany Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata $18.00 (SAQ# 65086) ★★ (84/100) Fragrant nose with camomile, jasmin and citrus aromas. Fresh and vibrant mouth.

By Gabriel Riel-Salvatore

An unfortunate reality about drinking wine at home is that it’s all too often consumed at the wrong temperature.

When too cold, white wine tends to lose all expression as its bouquet and flavours get neutralized. When too warm, red wine releases more alcohol which brings out its acidity and its flavours also tend to fall flat.

ine specialists often stress that red wine should always leave a nice feeling of freshness on the palate.

Served relatively cool, at the right temperature (around 15-16 degrees Celsius), a red wine’s bouquet and flavours take a whole new stance; it becomes easier to taste and appreciate. It’s important not to go overboard however, as an exaggeratedly chilled service temperature hardens the tannins of red wine, making them raspy and astringent. This is especially true for powerful, structured red wines.

White wine should be served cooler, but not ice-cold (around 8 degrees Celsius).

W

In the event that your wine gets too cold, here are two solutions: 1. Let your bottle slowly reach its preferred temperature by letting it breathe on the counter for up to an hour

2. Serve the wine and warm it with the palm of your hand by holding the glass from the top of the stem as you would hold a glass of whiskey

If your bottle is too warm, here are a few tips on how to reach an ideal temperature: 1. The classic method is to drop your bottle in an ice bucket filled to the top. It takes about 10 minutes for red wines to reach the required temperature, while whites will take 15 minutes 2. Place your white wine in the fridge for about two hours and reds for about one hour

3. The most drastic method would be to simply place your bottle in the freezer.

Around 10 minutes for red wines and 20 minutes for whites

Simpleet chic:

Food & Wine

25

Entrevue avec Annie Féolde Pinchiorri, la « diva de la cuisine toscane »

Par Gabriel Riel-Salvatore

La «diva de la cuisine toscane», Annie Féolde, copropriétaire avec son mari, Giorgio Pinchiorri, du mythique restaurant trois étoiles Michelin Enoteca Pinchiorri de Florence, était récemment de passage à Montréal pour promouvoir l’événement épicurien Grands Chefs Relais & Châteaux, qui aura lieu en avril prochain au profit de l’Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ).

Niçoise d’origine, Annie signe une cuisine de produits, alléchante et réjouissante comme son Italie d’adoption. Afin d’en savoir un peu plus sur les tendances de la haute gastronomie italienne, Panoram Italia s’est entretenu avec cette cuisinière moderne, parvenue au sommet de la profession avec une recette simplissime: «le meilleur, tout bonnement».

Panoram Italia: Vous percevez-vous comme une ambassadrice de la cuisine italienne ou simplement comme un chef français vivant en Italie?

Annie Féolde: Il n’est pas du tout question que je me sente comme un chef français.

Je me sens tout à fait ambassadrice de la cuisine italienne en Italie et surtout à l’étranger. Je défends beaucoup les valeurs italiennes.

PI: Croyez-vous que les chefs italiens surpasseront les chefs français lorsqu’ils commenceront à puiser pleinement dans leur incroyable terroir?

AF: Je pense que ce n’est pas la peine de toujours faire des comparaisons pour savoir qui est le premier de la classe. Je pense qu’il vaut mieux se concentrer sur la qualité et sur l’identité italienne. On a tellement de bons produits en Italie et de bonnes recettes que, vraiment, on peut puiser là-dedans pendant des années.

PI: Qu’est-ce qui différencie la haute cuisine italienne de la cuisine italienne traditionnelle?

AF: Il y a eu une belle évolution ces trente dernières années, parce qu’il s’est opéré un virage vers la qualité, ce qui n’était pas si évident que ça auparavant. Avant, la cuisine était surtout basée sur la tradition. Heureusement, les cuisiniers se sont mis à rechercher la qualité dans tout, à la fois dans la façon de cuisiner et aussi de recevoir les gens. Ça a généré une vraie petite révolution, et j’en suis ravie. Nous sommes à un très bon niveau en Italie.

PI: Croyez-vous que le métissage des cultures soit un élément important pour l’évolution de la cuisine italienne?

AF: Non, je n’aime pas le métissage en cuisine.

PI: Vous êtes une puriste? Vous n’intégrez jamais d’éléments français dans votre cuisine?

AF: Non, pour la simple et bonne raison que nous avons suffisamment de bons produits en Italie et de bons services pour être agréables à notre clientèle. Pas besoin de puiser ailleurs. La France et l’Italie ont deux cultures extrêmement riches, qui ont des racines très profondes. Le défi des chefs actuellement est de puiser dans ces traditions et de les faire évoluer en les adaptant pour en faire de la cuisine contemporaine.

Finalement, la cuisine italienne n’en a tout simplement pas besoin. Elle doit rester authentique et s’en tenir à l’exceptionnelle qualité de ses produits et de ses recettes.

PI: Quelles sont, à votre avis, les tendances actuelles dans la cuisine italienne?

AF: À part la recherche de la qualité, on ne peut pas dire qu’il y ait d’autres tendances actuellement.

PI: Que signifie la qualité pour vous au juste ? Une recherche d’ingrédients précis, un retour au terroir?

AF: Oui, le terroir est très riche en Italie pour qu’on puisse faire voir des choses qui sont un peu oubliées. C’est vrai la cuisine italienne a été un peu délaissée pour une cuisine plus simple et plus facile pour les touristes. Beaucoup de restaurateurs se sont tranquillisés et ont commencé à faire une cuisine plus rapide. Et ça, c’est très négatif, car ça donne une mauvaise image des possibilités et des valeurs de l’industrie gastronomique italienne.

PI: Quelle place occupent les femmes dans la restauration en Italie?

AF: Eh bien, je dois vous dire simplement que l’Italie est le seul pays à avoir trois femmes détentrices de trois étoiles Michelin. C’est un record absolu! D’ailleurs, il n’y en a que cinq en tout. Trois en Italie, une en Espagne et une en France. C’est la preuve que la femme a sa place dans la cuisine italienne.

PI: Que pensez-vous des résultats du dernier Guide Michelin, qui a décerné quatre nouvelles mentions deux étoiles à des établissements du sud de l'Italie?

Vit-on une renaissance ou une émergence de la haute cuisine en Italie méridionale?

AF: C’est très encourageant et révélateur quant à la qualité du terroir de ces régions et de leurs produits. C’est la meilleure preuve qu’il y a une forte évolution dans le domaine de la gastronomie en Italie. Ces chefs travaillent eux aussi beaucoup avec leurs produits locaux. C’est un signe supérieur de l’imagination, de la créativité et de la bonne santé de la cuisine italienne.

PI : À quoi doit-on s’attendre selon vous lorsqu’on mange dans un trois étoiles ou qu’on visite votre restaurant?

AF: La qualité, la recherche et le plaisir du restaurateur d’accueillir les invités de la meilleure façon possible. La découverte aussi. L’élément de surprise, mais aussi la recherche de nouveaux produits.

PI : Vous participerez le 12 avril 2012 à l’événement épicurien Grands Chefs Relais & Châteaux, qui aura lieu au profit de l’Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ). Une grande partie des bénéfices de la soirée sera versée à quatre ou cinq étoiles montantes de la restauration ou de l’hôtellerie. Accordez-vous une importance particulière à la formation de la relève?

AF: C’est un devoir pour moi d’encourager la relève, et je le fais toujours volontiers.

PI: Est-ce plus difficile d’ouvrir un restaurant français en Italie ou un restaurant italien en France?

AF: La réponse est simple : il n’y a pas de restaurants français en Italie. Il n’y pas de marché pour ça. Ce n’est pas ce que les gens recherchent. Par contre, il est vrai qu’il existe de très bons restaurants italiens en France.

Infos: ithq.qc.ca/fr/fondation

www.enotecapinchiorri.com

26

Food & Wine

Nel Canton Ticino vince il Merlot Rocco Lettieri

Un rosso di pregio che per la sua versatilità non passa inosservato. Maturato in barrique e affinato a lungo in bottiglia compete alla pari con vini francesi e italiani. Mille ettari di vigneto, 150 produttori e 4.000 viticoltori per una realtà vitivinicola che dagli anni ‘80 è in costante crescita qualitativa.

Castelgrande, comune di Bellinzona

a storia della vitienologia ticinese comincia da lontano, dai discendenti dei Galli celto-liguri, poi dei Romani longobardi, favorevoli alla coltivazione della vite, sino ai Drusi che, invece, ne impedirono, principalmente per motivi etico-religiosi, la coltivazione. Furono ancora i Longobardi a favorire la viticoltura stabilendo dei codici di comportamento che volevano sulla tavola, assieme al cibo e all’acqua, anche il vino.

Furono in particolare i monaci a salvaguardare la produzione suggerendo nuove pratiche di coltivazione e di vinificazione. In Ticino, infatti, la maggior parte dei terreni appartenevano alla Chiesa e, mentre in pianura si coltivavano cereali e frutta, nelle zone collinari si prediligeva il vigneto.

Nella seconda metà dell’Ottocento la vitivinicoltura svizzera venne colpita quasi a morte dal diffondersi della fillossera e di altre malattie causate da parassiti, come oidio e peronospora. Fu il momento della rivincita vitivinicola ticinese. Sotto la direzione del Vivaio Cantonale di Guido Fedrigo s’impiantarono barbatelle innestate su legno selvatico e furono introdotte nuove varietà rosse, dal syrah al douce noir, dal grand noir de la Calmette al carignane. Nel 1902 venne, invece, istituita la Cattedra ambulante di agricoltura affidata ad Alderige Fantuzzi che, come primo compito, si prefisse di elencare tutte le cultivar di vite esistenti in Ticino allo scopo di fissarne gli aspetti ampelografici. Così, nel 1905 fu in grado di affermare che tra i vitigni uno spiccava per personalità: era il merlot, una varietà di qualità superiore, resistente alle malattie, al marciume, di precoce maturazione e di produzione abbondante. Nasce così il Merlot del Ticino che nel 2006 ha festeggiato in grande stile un secolo di storia.

L

Lo spartiacque Monteceneri Oggi la coltivazione della vite è presente in tutti i Cantoni. La differenza sostanziale è da ricercarsi nello spartiacque Monteceneri che separa Sopraceneri, a Nord, e Sottoceneri, a Sud, due realtà diverse per tipo di terreni, tipologia di clima e microclima, venti e correnti fredde che, quasi sempre, portano anche grandine. Inoltre la vitivinicoltura gode di un clima da considerarsi temperato per l’apporto della massa d’acqua dei due laghi.

Negli anni Settanta e Ottanta, sotto la spinta di alcuni avveduti produttori locali (Gialdi, Tamborini, Zanini, poi Bally, Monti, Brivio, Delea, Chiericati, ecc...) e con il contributo di hobbysti enofili di cultura tedesca (Klausener, Stuky, Zündel, Kaufmann, Hostettler, Huber, Pfister, ecc.), il Ticino ha vissuto momenti di interesse notevole per un rilancio capillare di tutto il comparto vitivinicolo. È fuori di dubbio che a farla da padrone sia stata la qualità a cui si sono legati questi pionieri con produzioni limitate già in pianta, con selezioni clonali, con metodologie e tecniche di vinificazione completamente innovative. Alla fine degli anni Ottanta i vinificatori cantonali hanno avuto un notevole slancio verso produzioni di ottimo livello. La diversificazione delle uve e la loro elaborazione attraverso procedure di vinificazioni in bianco e in rosato, a volte anche spumantizzando il bianco, l’elevazione e la maturazione in barrique, i lunghi affinamenti in bottiglia, hanno

Castello Luigi

Barbatelle di merlot

portato il vino ticinese a competere con vini esteri dichiaratamente più conosciuti e famosi.

Vince il merlot Oggi la vitivinicoltura ticinese si estende in tutti e otto i distretti su quasi 1.000 ettari dislocati in 176 comuni viticoli.

La parte del leone spetta al Mendrisiotto, con un’area vitata di 350 ettari pari al 36 per cento di tutta la produzione. I maggiori comuni viticoli risultano essere: Castel San Pietro, Stabio, Chiasso, Novazzano, Bellinzona, Coldrerio, Morbio Inferiore, Gudo, Gordola, Camorino, Malvaglia. Il vitigno più diffuso è il merlot che occupa oltre l’80 per cento della superficie vitata; segue il gamaret (Gamay x Reichensteiner), poi l’americana rossa, utilizzata quasi esclusivamente per la produzione di grappa, pinot nero, cabernet franc e sauvignon. Tra le varietà a buccia bianca si coltivano chardonnay, chasselas, semillon, sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio e pinot bianco.

Comune di Bellinzona, Canton Ticino

L a G u id a V e r o n e ll i 2 0 1 2 Così, oggi, anche i vini del Ticino sono riusciti ad imporsi all’attenzione dei consumatori e anche a quella dei degustatori delle varie Guide. La Guida ai Vini di Veronelli, edizione 2012, ultima uscita e presentata alla stampa il 24 Ottobre scorso a Barolo, dedica quindici pagine ai vini del Ticino con 45 produttori segnalati. Le famose “tre stelle blu”, massimo riconoscimento in guida, sono 22 a conferma delle ottime annate vendemmiali succedutesi in questi ultimi anni. Tra questi anche un vino con il “SOLE” alla cantina Tenuta Bally & V. T. Kopp von der Crone e il loro Rosso del Ticino Riserva Ernesto per gli sforzi profusi nella ricerca della vitivinicoltura.

Info: www.veronelli.com

28

European Flavors

Food & Wine

The Mediterranean diet is a healthy eating style thanks to its mix of wholesome foods and a wealth of quality products used to create exceptional cuisine. One of the predominant characteristics of the Mediterranean diet is that it is composed predominantly of fresh, natural, unprocessed foods, such as raw fruits and vegetables of the highest quality.

he European Flavors / Saveurs d’Europe campaign seeks to present the various benefits of eating healthy and quality fresh produce, as found in the traditional Mediterranean diet, which is highly regarded as being effective for maintaining a healthy body. The aim is to promote the extraordinary flavors, benefits and characteristics of both fresh and processed European fruits and vegetables, produced according to Italian styles and traditions, and inspired by simple yet healthy cuisine. The delicious products of the European Flavors / Saveurs d’Europe campaign are Italian grown KIWIFRUIT, PEARS, CITRUS, and PLUMS.

T

European Flavors Spotlight: Sweet and Juicy Italian Kiwi Over the past ten years, the kiwifruit (or simply “kiwi”) has evolved from being a foreign tropical fruit to becoming a household staple. The most commonly consumed variety is the Hayward kiwi, which is characterized by fibrous and “fuzzy” brown skin and bright green flesh with tiny black edible seeds. The fruit has a soft texture and a sweet but unique flavor. In Italy, the Hayward kiwis grow in the Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Lazio, and Basilicata regions, and are available to us Canadians from October to May. In terms of vitamins, Italian kiwis are a rich source of vitamins C and A, potassium, dietary fibers and antioxidants.

When selecting kiwis for consumption, hold them between your thumb and forefinger and gently apply pressure; those that have the sweetest taste will yield gently to pressure. If they do not yield when you gently apply pressure, they are not yet ready to be consumed, and should be left to ripen for a few days at room temperature. Placing the fruits in a paper bag with an apple, banana or pear will help to speed their ripening process.

Surprising Kiwi Facts: • Italy is now the leading producer of kiwi in the world • Kiwis are packed with twice as much vitamin C as oranges, and almost as much potassium as bananas.

• Eating 2-3 kiwis each day can significantly improve your cardiovascular health because it helps in reducing the amount of fats in your blood.

• It is actually recommended to eat a kiwi with the peel on: the brown skin of the kiwi is extremely high in nutrients and fibers, and has been known to help clean the digestive track. The “fuzz” can be rubbed off before eating.

European Flavors / Saveurs D’Europe Available at: IGA, IGA Extra, Metro, Metro Plus, Jardin Mobile, Les Marchés Tradition, Super C, Marché Bonichoix, and Le Végétarien.

Kiwi-Pops Ingredients 3-4 hard kiwis 2 cups chocolate chips 1 1/2 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions: Slice off the ends of the kiwis and peel them carefully with a knife. Slice each kiwi into 1/2 inch wide slices.

Insert a lollipop stick (or similar) into each slice and lay the slices on a parchment-lined tray.

Set a medium glass bowl over a pot of simmering water (but not letting the water touch the bottom of the bowl). Put the chocolate chips and oil in the bowl and stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

Dip the kiwi-pops into the melted chocolate, tapping gently to let the excess chocolate drip off.

Place them back on the parchment tray and put the tray in the refrigerator for an hour or two to set.

Discover the benefits of a healthy Meditarranean style diet.

Fresh fruits and vegeables from Europe in your diet can help you feel better and look great!

Agri-Mondo is a Canadian major importer of the finest European fresh fruits, such as Italian Kiwis, Plums, Pears, and Citrus. Agri-Mondo carries the highest quality produce,and imports only top European labels.

Discover the benefits of a healthy Meditarranean style diet.

Fresh fruits and vegeables from Europe in your diet can help you feel better and look great!

Each of our bakeries offer an array of mouth-watering goodies. Whether you’re craving a sweet dessert or looking for a healthy on-the-go meal, Dolci Più will satisfy all your cravings!

Let the professional pastry chefs at Dolci Più create the cake of your dreams or choose from one of our exclusive designs.

Dolci Più Saint-Laurent: 849 Décarie, Ville St.Laurent 514.855.8922

Dolci Più Lachine: 2560 boul. St. Joseph, Lachine 514.639.5438

info@dolcipiu.com www.dolcipiu.ca

Indulge your taste buds in the Bel Paese Tra vel

32

By Laura Casella

They say you can't truly understand a country’s culture without trying its gastronomy. Certainly many of us have been to Italy and have eaten the freshest pasta, the most delicious pizza, and the best gelato. But here's an idea for your next Italian adventure that will take your culinary senses to a whole new level.

erhaps you have already heard of Slow Food which is making waves around the world. It is an international organization committed to preserving local food traditions and eating products that are authentic and natural. The Slow Food philosophy believes that what we eat should not only taste good, but it should be clean and friendly to the environment. In a time where a lot of what we consume is based on convenience, it allows the consumer to develop an appreciation of food in its purest form.

In Italy, there are over 1,300 producers including farmers, butchers, and cheese makers that follow Slow Food principles. They have deep roots in the territory and only the best eateries, including traditional taverns and wineries, propose that their products be prepared using only locally-produced and natural ingredients - a true guarantee of quality and taste.

If you're a food connoisseur, or just someone looking to get healthy, a Slow Food journey in Italy could be interesting to you. Here are three itineraries available in either Venice, Sicily, or Tuscany, each of them opening the door to a unique gastronomical experience.

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Town of Bassano del Grappa, Veneto and purple artichoke of Sant'Erasmo

Culinary delight in Venice This 7-night Venetian week begins after landing in Venice’s Marco Polo airport. After a bit of rest, you will enjoy your first Slow Food welcome dinner in Treviso. The next day, a guided tour will take you to some of Venice’s breathtaking landmarks including Piazza San Marco and its Basilica, and the Rialto Bridge. After a morning of sightseeing, you will head to the island of Sant'Erasmo to a local vegetable farm. There, you will be given a tour and a brief presentation of the purple artichoke of Sant'Erasmo, an ancient local variety of artichoke with a unique flavour that has been cultivated for centuries in the Venetian

Lagoon. Your night will be capped off with a Slow Food dinner reserved for you at the Osteria la Mascareta, renowned for its great selection of wines and its oyster bar. In the days to follow, you will travel to Padova and Verona for more culinary treats and some sightseeing, including visits to markets where fresh produce is sold. In Lake Garda, near Verona, you will sample traditional wine, grappa, and olive oil, and in the enchanting town of Bassano del Grappa, capital of the famous Italian distillate, you will take a memorable tour of the Grappa Museum and enjoy lunch at a local trattoria.

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A pleasure food ride through Sicily This 8-night, 15-meal Slow Food itinerary will take you to Palermo, Syracuse, and Taormina. You will land in Rome and transfer by air to Palermo. The tasty excursions begin in the heart of the “Borgo Vecchio” (old Palermo) with a Slow Food dinner at the family owned Trattoria Piccolo Napoli, and later on, a visit to Pasticceria Maria Grammatico in Erice. There you will try some typical local delights such as almond pastries filled with candied lemon, cannoli, and their famous “brutti ma buoni” (ugly but tasty) biscuits. After Palermo, the next stop is Syracuse for a traditional Slow Food lunch at the Trattoria Cucina e Vino where you will indulge in different wines and sample local dishes from the land and sea. Moving along to Taormina, you will enjoy a wine tasting at the Azienda del San Michele before heading back to Palermo for a final Slow Food lunch at the Trattoria Primavera. Once back in Rome, enjoy a day of leisure in the Eternal City before coming back home.

Town of Syracuse, Sicily and cannolis

Gastronomical adventure in Tuscany

Town of San Gimignano, Tuscany Chianti Classico bottles and Certaldo onions

Your 7-night stay in Tuscany begins in Florence, where you will enjoy a Slow Food welcome dinner prepared using local produce. The next day, take pleasure in a few hours of exploring this magnificent, quaint city during a walking tour. You will visit Santa Croce Basilica, the Duomo, and stop at Perché no!, one of Florence’s oldest ice cream parlours, offering an excellent selection of over 50 flavours since 1939. In the days to follow, you will visit a family-run farmhouse in the small medieval town of San Gimignano for a delicious lunch prepared using traditional, local produce such as the Certaldo onion and San Gimignano extra virgin olive oil. In Montepulciano, known world-wide for its Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wine, you will take a tour of Enoteca Contucci’s vineyard and sample some of the top wines of the area. Finally in Montalcino, famous for its Brunello di Montalcino wine, enjoy a guided tour of one of the best local wine producer’s vineyards.

No matter which one of these three itineraries you choose, be assured your experience will be authentic and delicious. After all, isn’t that what being Italian is all about? Enjoying time with loved ones surrounded by the best food and wine. Just be sure to come with an empty stomach.

All these Slow Food itineraries are available with Transat Holidays. Everything from flights, hotels, car rentals, and restaurant/excursion reservations are included. Visit www.transatholidays.com for more details and let the culinary journey begin.

Tasting Trieste: A Transcultural Affair 34

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Piazza dell'Unità

By Amanda Fulginiti

Thinking where to go next when heading to the boot? Italy beyond the obvious? Well, tucked away in the north-eastern tip of Italy, Trieste melds the traditions of Italy and Slovenia, at whose borders it lies, combining elements of German, Slavic, Balkan, and Italian culture. Capital of the autonomous region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the city was a great trading port during the 19th century. hanks to its unusual history and flow of peoples, it boasts a mix of Mediterranean and continental European architectural and artistic styles, making its unique culture well worth a day or two’s visit. Interesting to note that the region of FriuliVenezia Giulia, particularly Trieste, is officially quadrilingual: Italian, Slovene, Ladin

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and German. Signs are often only Italian in Trieste, as the city itself is generally Italian speaking and the local dialect (a form of the Venetian language) is called Triestino.

Thus, language is not a barrier here for any traveller. Here is a brief introductory guide to making the most of a trip in Trieste, with suggestions for sightseeing, eating, and taking in the panoramic scenery of the Adriatic, which laps at the edges of the city limits.

First on the list should be the striking Piazza dell’Unità. The remarkable Renaissance facades that make up three sides of this central square are worth seeing in their own right, but look west for one of Trieste’s most beautiful sights; the fourth side of the square drops off directly into the sparkling Adriatic sea. Within the Trieste city limits, check out the Museo Revoltella, a collection of avant-garde and Nineteenth-century art (some say the finest in the country) donated in 1869 by Baron Pasquale Revoltella, a great patron of the arts.

The Roman theatre is another must-see. Echoing an era when Trieste was known as the Roman Tergeste, it dates back to the protohistoric period, was enclosed by walls built in 33-32 BC on Emperor Octavius’s orders. The Roman Theatre lies at the foot of the San Giusto hill and faces the sea. The spectacular San Giusto cathedral is worth

Tra vel taking a gander at since a walk on the Castle’s ramparts and bastions gives a complete panorama of the city of Trieste, its hills and the sea. Also highly recommended is the Castello di Miramare and its huge gardens. Built for the Habsburgs, Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian and his wife, Charlotte of Belgium, a mere 150 years ago, this is a pretty new castle by Italian standards. A stunning white construction perched on top of the Adriatic, boasts an enormous English garden filled with exotic plants and trees.

Looking to visit sites outside the Trieste harbour? The nearby town of Duino, accessible by a thirty-minute bus ride, is also home to the Medieval Duino Castle, which overlooks the Gulf of Trieste. Even the most amateur of photographers will be able to capture some of the most professional of shots. Or try the commune of Sgonico, located 12 km northwest of Trieste, home to the Gigantic Grotto (Grotta Gigante), the world's largest tourist cave since 1997 according to the Guinness Book of Records - it’s big enough to house St. Peter's Basilica! If you are interested in natural history, you may want to check out the Museum of Speleology nearby. If you are truly looking for a taste of something else, it should be noted that the city of Venice is only an hour away and so is the Slovene capital of Ljubljana. During the summer months, there are daily ferries to Piran/Pirano (Slovenia) and Porec/Parenzo, Rovinj/Rovigno and Pula/Pola in Croatia.

Miramare castello

Che si mangia?

Trieste’s cuisine combines the best of Italian, Slavic, and Austrian tradition. The restaurants have a variety of foods, including gnocchi, stuffed with goods as diverse as hams and plums, steamy, creamy risottos, sardines, and traditional Trieste Caldaia, or boiled pork. Trieste’s pastry shops also tend to sell variations on famed Austria’s desserts, including strucolo pomi, which is a uniquely Italian take on strudel, and chiffeletti cookies, made with flour, eggs, and potatoes. Especially recommended is the James Joyce Café, located on the canal, near the statue of James Joyce himself, and is a flower-guarded café with a fine choice of seafood. As for drinks, check out local wines, including Terrano, Rosso, Malvasia, and Vitovska Garganja, or try the standard Trieste cocktail – Frambua – made with framboise, mint, and tamarind. The best places to drink are undoubtedly around Piazza dell’Unità.

As the Trieste born poet and novelist Umberto Saba once wrote of his fair city: “Trieste has an unsociable grace... she does not like to show off, although she conquers her visitor at first sight.” So breathe in her transcultural richness and wander through her 2000-year-old history because it truly is a city worth tasting.

Grotta gigante

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Cleveland’s Italian Community 36

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By Joyce Mariani / Cleveland, Ohio

Like a giant that awakens from a deep slumber, Cleveland’s Italian community is in the midst of a vibrant cultural rebirth, a “risorgimento culturale,” born from a desire to fully embrace the great mosaic of Italy’s rich cultural heritage.

hio has one of the largest populations of Italian Americans, numbering approximately 800,000, a majority of which are concentrated in the Northeast in the Greater Cleveland area and the nearby cities of Youngstown, Akron and Canton. As with many major US cities, Cleveland’s Little Italy harkens back to the second part of the 19th century with the first Italian immigrants settling in 1885. By 1911, it was estimated that 96% of the inhabitants were Italian. Today, over one hundred and twenty years later, it is still home to many families with multi-generational ties and is a thriving area of residential growth and redevelopment.

The vibrancy of Cleveland’s Little Italy is found in beautifully appointed shops, small art galleries and Italian restaurants reflecting the various regions of Italy - the centerpiece being Holy Rosary Church founded in 1892. Cleveland’s Little Italy thrice annual Art Walk showcases the works of local and nationally known artists and craftsmen. The Columbus Day Parade, with its colourful floats, bands and costumes, ignites the city as does the annual Feast of the Assumption, a four day extravaganza with delicious Italian delicacies, culminated by a religious procession through the streets.

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In recent years, Cleveland has become a national food mecca with outstanding Italian chefs such as Dante Boccuzzi , Peppe Pilumeli, Paul Minnillo, Michael Annandono and Valerio Iorio. Their talents have focused on bringing the authentic cuisine of Italy to the general public and avoiding the stereotype that often passes as Italian cuisine.

Newer organizations such as the NOIA Foundation for Italian American businessmen, the Cleveland Italian Film Festival and the Italian Cultural Garden Foundation have more recently contributed to the rebirth in this Italian American community.

Joining the trend found in other major US cities, there has been a revival focusing on Italian contemporary arts with the creation in 2006 of Cleveland’s Italian Film Festival, the first of its kind to exclusively showcase award winning Italian films. In 2008, Cleveland was host to Italy’s international rock superstar Adelmo Fornaciari, better known as Zucchero. He made a return, sold out appearance at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum on October 23 of 2011, making him the first Italian singer to appear at the shrine of Rock & Roll.

Feast of the Assumption in Little Italy, Cleveland, Ohio

Tra vel Numerous and longstanding Italian organizations also reflect the origin of Italian immigrants from various regions of Italy. Their well-attended social events attract not only Italian Americans but the general public who delight in feasting at their annual dinners and bocce tournaments.

As a matter of fact, one of the fastest growing social events in Cleveland is the Italian game of bocce which has exploded in popularity with state of the art bocce courts built in various parts of the city that host large tournaments.

Old newspaper articles from the 1930’s reveal Cleveland’s Italian Cultural Garden -Cleveland’s cultural monument to Italy- as the hub of cultural activities in Cleveland. Today it has come full circle as a public space for cultural events such as the popular “Opera in the Italian Garden” revived in 2008 by the newly formed Italian Cultural Garden Foundation. This free, popular activity resembles the concerts in New York’s Central Park where people picnic and enjoy live outdoor performances. This year, 1,150 people enjoyed offerings from Italian operas performed by Opera Per Tutti as they picnicked around the majestic Renaissance fountain in the garden which was modeled after the fountain in the Villa Medici in Rome.

The Italian Cultural Garden is in the midst of a $750,000 restoration made possible by the generosity of the Italian community. Dedicated in 1930 “as a symbol of the contribution of Italian culture to American democracy,” it honours the great cultural figures of Italy’s past in the Arts & Science such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Marconi, Verdi, Petrarca and Giotto. Its creation was originally spearheaded by Clevelander Philip Garbo from Cefalù, Sicily. A new bronze statue of Dante Alighieri, Italy’s Sommo Poeta, will be dedicated in the Spring of 2012, thus completing the original plans of

annual Cleveland Bocce Cup

1930 for this bucolic Renaissance space. Sculpted by Sandro Bonaiuto whose artwork is featured in the Vatican Collections, it will not only be a major piece of public art in Cleveland but in the country.

The city of Vicenza shares an interesting connection to Cleveland’s Italian community. In 2011, Achille Variati, Mayor of Vicenza, and his delegation of city officials were guests of Mayor Frank G. Jackson of Cleveland and the Consulate of Italy in Detroit. This connection began in 1932 when the city of Vicenza sent a large boulder carved from the side Monte Grappa to the Italian Cultural Garden as a war memorial honouring Italian-American soldiers from Ohio who fought on Monte Grappa during World War One. The Italian language newspaper, La Gazzetta Italiana, founded in 1992 by Paul Sciria and two Italian radio stations, highlighting the latest music from Italy, play a key role in keeping alive the Italian heritage and identity in Cleveland. From the vibrancy of its Little Italy to its newly formed cultural entities, Cleveland’s Italian American community is thus embracing the grand cultural heritage of Italy with great gusto and enthusiasm!

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Lifestyle

Sabrina Misquita

JJ Levy Nickname: Sab Occupation: Assistant fashion designer Age: 25 Generation: Second Dad from: Mumbai, India Mom from: Termoli, Campobasso, Molise Speaks: English, French & Italian Raised in: LaSalle Clothes: Coat - Bedo; jeans - Bebe; boots - Nine West; faux-fur headband Le Chateau; gloves Dynamite; scarf - Suzy Shier Make up: Sephora (bare minerals) Boutique: Zara & Simons Designer: Roberto Cavalli Fashion idol: Rachel Bilson Passion: Dance Goal in life: To become a head fashion designer in ladies wear Thing about you that would surprise most people: I'm actually a good cook!

Pet peeve: Slow drivers in the left lane Favourite dish: Nonna's homemade spinach & ricotta manicotti

Restaurant: La Cantina Should World Nutella Day (Feb 5) be a national holiday? Yes! Best caffè in Montreal: Pekarna at the AMC Favourite aperitivo: Bailey's caramel Best nightclub in Montreal: Electric Avenue (long live the oldies) Flavour of gelato: Nocciola Italian saying or quote: “Ma, che sta’ fa’?”

You know you are Italian when or if: You eat Sunday dinner at 2:00pm Last time you went to Italy: 2005 Favourite Italian city: Roma Michelangelo or DaVinci: DaVinci

Photos: Vincenzo D’Alto Make-up: Emmanuelle Blanchard Special thanks to Café Voro

Bennett or Sinatra: Sinatra Best Italian district in Montreal: Saint-Leonard What you like most about Panoram: The intriguing insight on Italian culture & places to visit, and that it's bigger in size than other magazines Best memory growing up Italian-Canadian: Sleeping over at nonna's house & coming back 5lbs heavier Italian soccer team: Juventus Sexiest Italian: Leo DiCaprio Favourite thing about being Italian: We have the best food, hands down Plans for Valentine’s Day: Most likely a nice quiet dinner at home

Nickname: Jbird Occupation: Lift truck driver/future movie director Age: 22 Generation: Third Nonni on dad’s side from: Casablanca, Morocco Nonni on mom’s side from: Larino, Campobasso, Molise Speaks: English & French Raised in: Saint-Leonard Clothes: Jeans - Malicious Manor; belt - Diesel; orange "wife beater" - H&M; knit sweater - Gsus Sindustries Boutique: Zara Fashion idol: Johnny Depp Passion: Making music, cinematography Goal in life: Make the craziest, goriest horrour movie Thing about you that would surprise most people: I'm diabetic Restaurant: Il Piatto Pieno Favourite dish: Gnocchi with rosé sauce Best caffè in Montreal: Milano’s cold coffees and caffè lattes

Should World Nutella Day (Feb 5) be a national holiday?

Ha! As long as it's a payed day off I'm down!

Favourite vino: Apothic Red Best nightclub in Montreal: Velvet You know you are Italian when or if: When you have nightmares about wooden spoons Michelangelo or DaVinci: Michelangelo Musical preference: The heavy stuff - my band Posing On Purpose Bennett or Sinatra: Sinatra, but only during the holidays please

Best Italian district in Montreal: Little Italy How long have you been reading Panoram?

About 4 years What you like most about Panoram: Knowing that I will see someone I know somewhere in the magazine Best memory growing up Italian-Canadian: Going to my nonna’s house after elementary school and playing cards Most common name in your family: John (over 6) Favourite thing about being Italian: Being able to laugh at how other Italians speak Plans for Valentine’s Day: Can't spoil it!

See all past profiles @ www.panoramitalia.com and watch the making of on

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Marco Mancini

Alessandra Salvatore Nickname: Ally, Alessa Occupation: Senior Administrative Coordinator in Store Planning at Aldo Group Age: 26 Generation: Third Nonni on dad’s side from: Montecilfone & Guglionesi, Campobasso Nonni on mom’s side from: Palermo, Sicily & Gubbio, Perugia Speaks: Italian, English & French Raised in: RDP Clothes: Boots - Aldo; pants - Bedo; sweater BGBG; scarf - Mexx Make up: More of a natural kind of girl Boutique: Bedo & Style Exchange Designer: Chanel Passion: Cooking & event planning Goal in life: Enjoy life, be successful and eventually start a family Thing about you that would surprise most people: I’m a klutz!

Restaurant: Gallo Nero & Tomo Sushi Favourite dish: Melanzane alla parmigiana Best caffè in Montreal: Ciociaro

Spaghetti o penne: Mom’s homemade spaghetti Favourite aperitivo or vino: I’m a lush when it comes to Asti Spumante Italian saying or quote: “Chi va piano, va sano e lontano” Last time you went to Italy: It has been way too long... 16 years!

Musical preference: Dance, lounge, soft rock Best Italian song: Adesso tu - Eros Ramazzotti Sexiest Italian: From the age of 13 Alessandro Nesta How long have you been reading Panoram? Since the very beginning

Best way to feel Italian in Montreal: Taking a walk in Little Italy and stop to have a caffè or gelato Flavour of gelato: Nocciola What you like most about Panoram: The amazing stories and how it keeps us informed on our Italian culture Best memory growing up Italian-Canadian: Getting together with the family in nonna’s basement for Sunday lunch Most common name in your family: Maria (3) & Filippo (4) Plans for Valentine’s Day: Having a special dinner with my fiancé

Nickname: Marcuccio Occupation: Geographic Analyst for Nokia Age: 25 Generation: Second Dad from: Pontelandolfo, Benevento, Campania Mom from: Cairo, Egypt Speaks: English, French, Italian, a little Arabic Raised in: Laval Clothes: Pants and Jacket Mexx; hoodie - Vans; t-shirt - Jack & Jones; shoes - Hummel Boutique: Off the Hook Passion: Flying Goal in life: To become an airline pilot Restaurant: Bottega Pizzeria Favourite dish: My smoked salmon farfalle Should World Nutella Day (Feb 5) be a national holiday? They should give us that entire week off Best nightclub in Montreal: Velvet Speakeasy Sexiest Italian: Monica Bellucci - she was sculpted by the gods

Last time you went to Italy: Summer 2007 Describe your ideal night out in Montreal: Dinner at Bottega followed by drinks at Vice & Versa, and Velvet afterwards.

Of course, the night should end with a customary 3 a.m. poutine at La Banquise You know you are Italian when or if: Your nonno had a fig tree, and he covered all his furniture with impenetrable plastic Favourite Italian city: Siena Musical preference: LCD Soundsystem, M83, The National, Foo Fighters, Bon Iver Italian soccer team: Napoli

Want to be our next Living Italian Style model? Send your profile with 2 pictures to info@panoramitalia and join us on Facebook.

Pour paticiper, envoyez-nous votre profil incluant 2 photos à info@panoramitalia.com et joignez-vous à notre page Facebook.

Best way to feel Italian in Montreal: Go to Milano’s, sit outside in the summer, have a panino, cannolo and an espresso and listen to people argue What you like most about Panoram: The sexy format as well as the highly informative content Best memory growing up Italian-Canadian: Baking pizza with my nonna as a child Most common name in your family: Giuseppe (about 8) Plans for Valentine’s Day: As I am currently single, none. Ladies, feel free to give me a call

Lifestyle

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Sn wbird

By Alessia Sara Domanico

Pack the hottest trends for your trip down south

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esort, also known as Cruise season is dedicated to those of us travelling between mid-January through May. Fabrics are lighter, more colourful, with plenty of patterns and great beachwear options. Fashion designers usually base their collections on a theme, subject or place. For 2012, Michael Kors chose scubadivers, Dior looked to flapper girls and BCBG Max Azria was all about Seventies Boho-chic.

If you’re heading out of town for a 7-day vacay make sure you don’t make the mistake of just packing for the beach. Even though it’s hot out, style shouldn’t be sacrificed. Bring camisoles, blouses, two to three jersey or cotton-blend knee-length dresses, lounge pants, high-waisted shorts and several summery shawls and scarves to wear around your neck, over your shoulders, draped around your waist, or if wide enough, as a chic halter top. (Pack a few, they weigh next to nothing and will do wonders to change up your wardrobe from day to day.)

For the evening, we love DKNY’s red dresses - perfect for Valentines, Gucci ‘s glam gold and tan ensembles seem destined for a night out in Cuba and the much anticipated second line from reality TV stylist Rachel Zoe is chock full of long flowing romantic dresses that are begging for a stroll on the sand. In the way of handbags, swing packs are chic and simple, transitioning from the airport to the seaside. Footwear tip: leave the flip flops, take sandals with pretty jewels and rhinestones that can work for day or night, espadrilles with ties to wrap around tanned calves and a pair of sneakers for a morning jog.

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Carolina Herrera

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Carolina Herrera

Rachel Zoe Giuseppe Zanotti

Burberry Womenswear

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Style Gucci

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Louis Vuitton Dior

Givenchy

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Il Carnevale italiano

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& Cu l tu re

Anna Ferrari

e le sue tradizioni

Un giorno, si dice, un maiale che stava per essere portato al macello scrisse il proprio testamento.

Non è uno scherzo: a dare la sorprendente notizia è una fonte di tutto rispetto, san Gerolamo, uno dei Padri della Chiesa; e il testamento, intitolato Testamentum porcelli, si è conservato fino a noi. È uno scritto latino del III o IV secolo d.C., di carattere satirico, usato come testo di esercitazione per gli studenti di quei tempi lontani.

Sappiamo anche il nome del maiale morituro: si chiamava Grunnio Corocotta (dal latino grunnio, ‘grugnisco’, e corocotta, nome di una belva africana) ed era una delle vittime del Carnevale.

Carnival Scene, The Minuet (1727-1804). Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo

l Carnevale e la carne del maiale sacrificato hanno tra loro uno stretto legame: il nome del periodo più sfrenato dell’anno deriva infatti da carne e levare, perché con la fine del Carnevale e l’inizio della Quaresima nel calendario cristiano comincia la proibizione di mangiare carne; e quindi, fin dai tempi più remoti, nel periodo precedente la Quaresima ossia in Carnevale, usava abbandonarsi a lauti banchetti dei quali i maiali erano, per l’appunto, i primi a fare le spese.

Il Carnevale comincia in una data che oscilla tra l’Epifania (6 gennaio) e la Candelora (2 febbraio); solitamente lo si fa iniziare in Italia il 17 gennaio, festa di sant’Antonio Abate. Da quel giorno comincia un periodo di festa e di licenza, nel quale le gerarchie tradizionali sono stravolte e le normali regole sociali sono sospese. Periodi festivi simili, che segnano l’inizio di un ciclo agrario annuale o stagionale e sono caratterizzati da riti di purificazione e di propiziazione, si trovano, con nomi diversi, presso tutti i popoli e in tutte le epoche; il più diretto precedente del Carnevale cristiano è costituito dai Saturnali romani, feste religiose di origine agreste che si celebravano ogni anno in onore del dio Saturno. L’inizio delle cerimonie era segnato da un sacrificio solenne al dio presso il suo tempio, a Roma, nel corso del quale gli veniva offerta una scrofa e si consumava un banchetto sacro. Nelle case private si sacrificava al dio un porcellino (come si vede il povero maiale citato all’inizio aveva buone ragioni di preoccuparsi e fare testamento...) e usava scambiarsi piccoli doni, cibo, candele di cera, statuette di pasta o di argilla; ci si invitava reciprocamente a pranzo e si preparavano per gli ospiti regalini da portar via. In parte queste antichissime tradizioni sono conservate nelle nostre festività natalizie; ma alcuni aspetti dei Saturnali romani, come la passione per le burle, la sfrenatezza e il divertimento, il capovolgimento dei ruoli sociali, la licenza e la libertà trovano corrispondenza più propriamente nel Carnevale.

Il Carnevale ha il suo re, talvolta impersonato da un essere umano in carne ed ossa (chiamato con nomi diversi: re di Carnevale, Episcopello, ecc.), talvolta incarnato invece in un fantoccio che viene bruciato con appositi riti l’ultima sera di Carnevale, o ancora identificato in un animale selvatico, come l’orso o il caprone (nelle Alpi Orientali si svolge in questo contesto la caccia al Salvanèl, incarnazione della vita selvaggia).

Solitamente il re Carnevale scende a battaglia con la Quaresima, impersonata da una vecchia o da un

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personaggio maschile tanto magro, triste e austero quanto Carnevale appare panciuto e giulivo; manco a dirlo, è sempre Carnevale ad avere la peggio, lasciando il posto all’ascetismo della Quaresima che impone le sue regole ferree, privazioni e digiuno.

Quanto più la Quaresima sarà dura, tanto più il Carnevale appare godereccio. Non si contano le specialità gastronomiche che vengono preparate per questo periodo, tra le quali spiccano dei deliziosi dolcetti di pastella fritta e zuccherata, noti con nomi diversi da regione a regione: zeppole, chiacchiere, bugie, con o senza ripieni di creme e marmellate...

Nell’ambito delle feste carnevalesche, poi, un ruolo importante spetta alle maschere, ingrediente essenziale dell’alterità, del doppio e del rovesciamento dei ruoli tipico del periodo festivo. Forse incarnazione di figure infernali o di antichi demoni mai completamente cancellati neppure nell’universo cristiano, le maschere italiane hanno una lunga storia, anche letteraria, che le vede protagoniste di molto teatro (dalla Commedia dell’arte ai testi di Carlo Goldoni, per non citare che le forme più note) e le pone in primo piano in uno dei Carnevali ancora oggi più sentiti e popolari in Italia, quello di Venezia: qui le calli e i campielli si animano di misteriose e affascinanti figure in costume col viso mascherato per rendersi irriconoscibili. Ogni città ha la sua maschera tipica: Arlecchino di Venezia, con la sua maschera nera e il suo abito a losanghe multicolori, Pulcinella di Napoli, col volto metà bianco e metà nero e un pigiama candido, Balanzone di Bologna, elegantemente vestito, Zanni, con tunica e calzoni bicolori, le inquietanti e antichissime figure dei mamutones e degli issocadores della Sardegna; e poi Rugantino, Pantalone, Stenterello, Gianduia... È soprattutto Venezia che fa rivivere la tradizione delle maschere tradizionali italiane, grazie a una storia letteraria che non ha mai lasciato spegnere il loro ricordo.

Tra i festeggiamenti italiani del Carnevale, oltre a quello di Venezia sono molto popolari il Carnevale di Viareggio, in Toscana, per il quale si allestisce una grande sfilata di carri allegorici, ispirati spesso a eventi politici recenti (per realizzare i carri, con i loro personaggi caricaturali e i loro addobbi di cartapesta, gli abitanti della cittadina lavorano per tutto l’anno); quello di Sanremo, in cui a sfilare in corteo sono carri meravigliosamente addobbati dei profumatissimi fiori della Riviera Ligure; e quello di Ivrea, in Piemonte, che culmina nella famosa battaglia delle arance: uno scontro spesso violento tra persone a piedi e altre montate sui carri, a base di lanci di arance, che lasciano addosso alle malcapitate vittime e sulle strade le succose tracce dei frutti usati come proiettili.

Follia? Può darsi. Semel in anno licet insanire, dicevano i Romani: una volta all’anno è consentito essere un pò pazzi. Una volta sola, però...

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Città di Ivrea, battaglia delle arance

Pulcinella, 1650 Venezia

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The Viareggio Carnival: A rts

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An Italian tradition rooted in civil protest

By Anna Foschi Ciampolini

Italians don’t like taxes, but then, who does?

The recent upheaval and public demonstrations against the Monti government’s attempt to introduce new levies just confirm it. However, back in the XIX century, taking it to the streets was not a safe way to express dissent. In 1873, in Viareggio, a coastal town in northern Tuscany, a group of wealthy middle-class men decided to organize a parade of floats adorned with flowers, but many local citizens who attended the parade, tired of the ever increasing taxation imposed on them, decided to put on masks as a sign of protest and refusal and to protect their identity from the often brutal police repression. y 1883, the annual parade had become a very popular and spectacular event, with competitions and prizes to the best floats. Today, the Viareggio Carnival is one of the most renowned Carnival celebrations in both Italy and Europe, thanks to the unrivalled large size and the creativity and artistry of its paper-pulp floats and masks depicting caricatures of popular people such as politicians, actors and sport heroes.

It takes place every year after Lent, between January and February, over a two-kilometre seawall track called La Passeggiata; moreover, a range of collateral events linked to the Carnival brightens up the town for an entire month. The floats and masked groups, dancing and prancing to the tunes of music bands coming from all around the world, the lively majorettes and cheerleaders led by Burlamacco, the Carnival mascot, repeat their walk five times in one month for more than two hours in front of an enormous crowd of Carnival fans coming from all over Italy and Europe.

The Carnival showcases the town’s districts: each quarter in Viareggio has its own celebration and its own brand of comicality in their chosen cart themes. Local people rehearse for months in preparation for the series of events.

The allegoric carts and masks are often the work of renowned artists, starting with the clownish character of Burlamacco itself, created in 1931 by painter Umberto Bonetti as a concentrate of some of the most popular Italian masks of the Commedia dell’Arte. It has a patchwork suit reminiscent of Arlecchino, a large pompon borrowed from Pierrot, its hat is similar to the Roman mask Rugantino’s and the cloak comes from Dr. Balanzone, the Bolognese mask. In the course of the years, artists like Lorenzo Viani, Sergio Staino, Nobel Prize Dario Fo and famous cartoonist Jean-Michel Folon designed or contributed the creation of the floats, whose biting satire mercilessly ridicule the powerful and the rich and famous.

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POSTER RETROSPECTIVE

1968

2001

Since Roman times, satire, ridicule and laughter at the expense of emperors, governments and dictators has been one of the manifestations of dissent that Italians love the most. It is not, especially in the case of the Viareggio Carnival, a subtle, tongue in cheek type of humour. Rather it is a blatant, irreverent, borderline vulgar lampooning with an irresistible comic energy, a liberating collective empowerment against the slings and arrows that ordinary citizens feel are being aimed at them by the powers that be: the rising price of gas, the newly re-introduced property tax on the primary residence and all the other indignities that Italians attribute to the government. If you can’t fight ‘em, at least you can laugh at ‘em.

In the past, the Genoese seamen could choose between two types of work contract before boarding the ship, that is, to take a higher pay but with no right of “mugugno” (complaints) or a lower pay with freedom of “mugugno”. Even among the thrifty Genoese, the latter was the preferred choice. As for the Tuscans, they are - among the Italians - the only ones who could put together a show like this Carnival. The Maledetti Toscani who take pride in their dry wit and their contempt of the powerful: “Dal modo di guardare dei toscani, si direbbe che non sono mai testimoni soltanto: ma giudici. Ti guardano non per guardarti, come fanno gli altri italiani, ma per giudicarti: e quanto pesi, quanto costi, e che vali, e che pensi, e che vuoi.” like Malaparte wrote. My Tuscan countrymen who “...san coglierne il ridicolo, e sanno riderne, di quel risolino toscano magro e verde, che i toscani si rigirano fra i denti come un fuscello.”

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2011

di Venezia A rts

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Il Carnevale Anna M Zampieri Pan

Si dice Carnevale e si pensa a Venezia. Non perchè quello di Venezia sia l'unico carnevale celebrato al mondo, ma certamente per la sua tradizione antica, per lo stile irripetibile, per la suggestione che la storica città lagunare universalmente esercita.

u chi la ama e su chi la snobba. Su chi la conosce e su chi vorrebbe potervi entrare, respirandone anche per una sola volta la magia. Perchè Venezia appartiene al mondo! Undici secoli di Serenissima Repubblica Veneta non sono facilmente cancellabili, con i tesori e gli esempi di apertura, cultura e democrazia cui poter tuttora attingere. Si dice Carnevale e si immagina dunque quello di Venezia, anche se gli schermi televisivi ci propongono in contemporanea le grandiose coloratissime danzanti immagini del carnevale di Rio. Ma come e quando è nata questa manifestazione? Il Carnevale ha tradizioni antichissime, che si rifanno ai culti ancestrali presenti in quasi tutte le società, culti intesi a celebrare il passaggio dalla stagione del sonno invernale a quella del risveglio della natura, la primavera. Rivitalizzando anche l'uomo, con il suo ruolo e il suo lavoro nella comunità. Un opportuno riferimento va ai Saturnalia latini, o ai culti dionisiaci il cui motto era Semel in anno licet insanire: per una sola volta all'anno lasciamoci impazzire, lasciateci essere assolutamente liberi, senza freni e senza regole... Era il contentino che i potenti del tempo concedevano al popolo... ma guai a trasgredire sul serio! una maschera sul volto, una finzione provvisoria, e l'immediato rientro nella quotidiana realtà.

Il carnevale di Venezia - in corso quest'anno dal 4 al 21 febbraio sul tema La vita è teatro, tutti in maschera! - ha radici antichissime, risalenti ad oltre nove secoli fa. Un documento del 1094 - era doge Vitale Folier - fa riferimento ai divertimenti popolari precedenti la Quaresima. Si ha poi notizia di un altro documento ufficiale con il quale il Senato della Repubblica, nel 1296, proclamava festivo l'ultimo giorno di Quaresima.

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E si sa anche che l'ultimo storico carnevale di Venezia ebbe luogo nel lontano 1797, alla vigilia della caduta della Repubblica per mano di Napoleone. Dalla fine dell'indipendenza della Serenissima, e per circa due secoli, di Carnevale non se ne parlò più; almeno fino al 1967 quando nella città lagunare ebbero luogo alcune sfilate di maschere. L'antica tradizione carnevalesca venne definitivamente ripresa negli anni Ottanta, con il coinvolgimento di enti pubblici e privati, rivitalizzando e aggiornando la festa veneziana più famosa al mondo.

L'eco degli eventi di quei giorni si diffuse ovunque e - per quanto riguarda Vancouver, la città di frontiera sulla costa del Pacifico canadese - un gruppo di italiani, volontari anziani e giovani, vi organizzò alcune famose feste di carnevale. Se ne ricordano due in particolare, quella del 1985 a West Vancouver, nella bella sede della scuola cattolica di St. Antony, e la successiva straordinaria manifestazione pubblica al BC Place, nel cuore della famosa Expo 86 che fece conoscere Vancouver nel mondo. In una locandina diffusa dalla direzione artistica del Carnevale di Venezia 2012 si legge tra l'altro: "Il Carnevale dei nostri giorni è un magnifico happening che coinvolge grossi sponsor, le reti televisive, le Fondazioni culturali e che richiama folle di curiosi da tutto il mondo con migliaia di maschere in festa e con una pacifica e sgargiante occupazione della Laguna. Tra le calli della meravigliosa città, per una decina di giorni, si svolge una continua rappresentazione di teatrale allegria e giocosità, tutti in maschera a celebrare il fascino di un mondo fatto di balli, scherzi, galà esclusivi e romantici incontri". E allora, buon Carnevale!

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A rts

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Passionate Eye: Actor-director John Turturro revisits Naples’ rich musical heritage

By Joey Franco

Mysterious, decadent, and always beautiful; Naples lies within a volcanic region whose volatility is reflected in the fiery, passionate attitude of its people. In his latest film Passione, Un’Avventura Musicale (2010), Italian-American actor and director John Turturro pays tribute to Napoli’s long musical heritage in a lavish display of music and dance set in some of the city’s most compelling sites. assione’s greatest strength undeniably lies in the way it manages to capture the raw energy stemming from this unique city tucked at the foothills of Mount Vesuvius.

In a poetic and theatrical musical with a modern twist, Turturro revisits Naples’ many cultural influences without hesitating to reinterpret Neapolitan classics or to mix Italian folk music with Arabic or reggae rhythms. A series of dance scenes, sometimes recalling frenzied pizzicas mixed with contemporary urban choreographies accompany the music that plays the lead role in the film. But most importantly, Passione pays homage to the Neapolitan dialect, central element of the soundtrack’s 23 songs, using a slew of both known and lesser known singers that join Turturro on his musical adventure; from Massimo Ranieri who brings one of Toto’s greatest songs; Malafemmina- to life, to a talented vocalist simply known as Raiz or Pietra Montecorvino, Naples’ own Anna Magnani (Mamma Roma), made famous with her song Sud (1984). Montecorvino performs three songs in the film; Comme Facete Mammeta, Nun Te Scurdà, and Dove Sta Zazà with her unmistakable mysterious, sensual and raspy voice that truly embody the city she hails from.

It was Franceso Rosi, the great Neapolitan director who introduced Turturro to the world of Neapolitan Music. “After spending five years together working on La Tregua, adapted from Primo Levi’s classic memoir, he suggested I explore Eduardo de Filippo’s Questi Fantasmi. He thought I had the right sensibility for it,” recalls Turturro, who has always had a passion for song and dance, and makes no secret of it.

“I am a music lover who grew up in a non-stop musical household. I like all kinds of music, and spent many a day in my basement, conducting an imaginary orchestra, or gyrating to the sounds of James Brown,” states the Italian-American actor/director.

“I really wanted to be a great dancer, like Fred Astaire, so I’ve danced in every movie I could get away with.” Passione is no exception, as he could not help but to get in front of the camera and act as a tour guide on this adventure singing and dancing in Fiorello’s rendition of Renato Corosone’s Caravan Petrol!

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Turturro also draws certain parallels between Naples and his home city. “Napoli is one of those places where after fresh air, food, and shelter, music is an essential ingredient for the survival of the people. It reminds me of New York, especially in the 70’s, but more crushed, like a great pesto,” adding “there are places that do something to you, deep down in your unconscious, in your soul. Naples is that for me, as it has been for so many other people in the arts; poets, writers, painters, musicians throughout the ages. I don’t know why, but I fell in love with the place. The landscape, the poverty, the pain, the sea, the volcano, the coffee, the danger, the beauty, the dirt, the driving, the mystery, the sensuality, the food, the craziness, the irony and the people, most of all, the people. Its power is big, a melting pot of sound and images.”

After having acted in over 70 films with some of the greatest living filmmakers from Martin Scorsese, to Spike Lee, to the Coen Brothers- Turturro wanted to get behind the camera. Part of the official selection of the Toronto and Venice International Film Festivals 2010 Passione is an Italy-USA coproduction. Prior to Passione, Turtutto has directed three other films; Mac, which won the Camera d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, Illuminata in 1997, and Romance & Cigarettes, in 2005. His southern Italian background is what probably led him to tell a riveting tale of music on the streets of Naples. With the help of journalist Federico Vaccalabre, cinematographer Marco Pontecorvo, and editor Simona Paggi, Turturro has let the music of the city come alive, directly through the people who inhabit its walls and streets. Thanks to colourful imagery, passionate ballads, and fervent performances from a talented cast, Turturro succeeds in turning his documentary into a vibrant visual fresco depicting Naples’ multilayered character, but most importantly, in confirming he can be considered an accomplished writer and director.

For more info: www.passionefilm.com

Brachetti joue au cinéma!

A rts

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Par Gabriel Riel-Salvatore

Arturo Brachetti de retour sur les planches cet été pour les 30 ans de Juste pour rire.

À 54 ans, il en paraît vingt de moins. Le livre des records Guinness le considère comme le transformiste le plus rapide au monde. Arturo Brachetti, l’homme qui se change plus vite que son ombre, a su révolutionner un art souvent perçu comme strictement technique pour devenir un des comiques les plus acclamés au monde. Nous avons tenté de savoir où ce magicien des apparences, éternel adolescent ouvertement atteint du syndrome de Peter Pan, cache son élixir de jouvence alors qu’il s’apprête à parcourir le Québec tout l’été dans le cadre des 30 ans du festival Juste pour rire. e grandes retrouvailles en perspective pour Brachetti et Juste pour rire, 10 ans après le succès monstre de son premier one man show au Québec: «L’homme aux mille visages», dirigé par Serge Denoncourt. Brachetti nous conviera cette année dans l’univers du cinéma avec un vibrant hommage au septième art: «Arturo Brachetti fait son cinéma». Une œuvre épatante transposant sur scène cent ans de pellicule, condensés en 90 minutes, où défilent littéralement l’un après l’autre 80 personnages de tout acabit, allant de Cruella à Superman, de Fellini à Scarlett O’Hara, de Charlie Chaplin à King Kong. Une formule réglée au quart de tour, éprouvée ces dernières années en Europe.

Arturo Brachetti adore le cinéma, un thème riche en sources d’inspiration pour un homme qui compte plus de 350 costumes. La mise en scène occupe toutefois une place centrale dans ses spectacles, sans quoi, malgré ses prouesses techniques et ses costumes extravagants, ses performances finiraient rapidement par essouffler le public. Car l’humoriste à la célèbre houppette aime aussi raconter des histoires. «Ceux qui me copient, copient essentiellement mes costumes. Leur prestation se limite en général à quelques minutes, alors que moi je performe pendant plus d’une heure...», affirme Brachetti, pour qui le sens de la dramaturgie prime sur la transformation. Ses racines italiennes en sont pour quelque chose, révèle-t-il, nous confirmant avoir été profondément influencé, petit, par le mouvement de la commedia dell’arte.

Plus que la peur de se répéter dans ses spectacles, c’est celle de vieillir qui assaille davantage Brachetti; il nous confie vouloir continuer à faire son métier tant que son corps le suivra. À le voir se transformer sur scène à la vitesse de l’éclair, on ne peut que se demander combien il compte de frères jumeaux ou encore si Dieu en personne ne l’a pas pourvu du don d’ubiquité. «Il y a une clause sur le clonage dans mon contrat», répond en riant Brachetti lorsqu’on tente de savoir s’il a déjà rêvé d’être cloné. Mais, derrière le rideau se cachent des obligations auxquelles Brachetti ne déroge pas d’un poil: un régime draconien et une hygiène de vie quasi monacale. « Quand on fait le métier que je fais, on ne remplace pas sa garde-robe facilement. Surtout lorsque la valeur de la plupart de ses vêtements s’élève à quelques milliers de dollars.»

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C’est à Turin, où il est né le 13 o c tobre 1957, que Brachetti apprend avec un curé illusionniste ses premiers rudiments de prestidigitation. À 15 ans, il invente son premier numéro de transformisme et à 20 ans il est déjà la vedette du Paradis Latin de Paris. Depuis, il a participé à un nombre incalculable de spectacles de variétés et d’émissions de télévision, s’illustrant de l’Allemagne à la GrandeBretagne, en passant par l’Italie et la France.

Douze personnes vouées au silence absolu accompagnent désormais Brachetti sur scène durant ses spectacles. Ce ne sont pas nécessairement les costumes ni son attirail impressionnant qui lui posent le plus de problèmes. Certains numéros sont même étonnamment simples selon ses dires. « C’est lorsque vient le moment de jouer des scènes que ça devient le plus difficile. » Un trac que compense largement l’amour que porte le public à cet assoiffé d’attention.

C’est grâce à sa passion que Brachetti a su se hisser au sommet de son art. Une ferveur qui l’habite depuis son plus jeune âge lorsque, timide, il tentait d’attirer l’attention de ses camarades de classe en se déguisant pour exécuter des tours. C’est probablement ce qui le pousse souvent à agir comme s’il comptait toujours quatorze ans. « J’ai un frère plus jeune à la maison, qui ne me ressemble pas du tout d’ailleurs et qui s’occupe de tout l’aspect administratif de ma carrière, de toutes les choses tristes de la vie. » Cela laisse à Brachetti tout le temps de vaquer aux choses sérieuses. «Je fais tout très vite dans la vie. Je conduis vite. Je mange vite. Etc. Mais, je dois avouer que le matin j’aime prendre mon temps pour m’habiller. » Laissons-le donc prendre son temps en attendant qu’il vienne nous décoiffer la houppe cet été.

Info: brachettiquebec.com

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Musica Italiana: Panoram Italia’s Picks

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Anna Tatangelo

Album: “Progetto B” (2011) - Genre: Pop-Rock Although Anna Tatangelo’s career was solely built on pop music, her fifth studio album “Progetto B” includes thirteen new songs with Anna taking on different genres. “Bastardo”, a rock ballad and the album’s first single, came in ninth position at the 2011 Sanremo Festival; “Lo scrigno di cristallo”, a rather emotional song about motherhood, features her baby Andrea’s first sounds; and “Sensi” brings a dance twist to the album. Aside from the usual collaboration with her husband Gigi D’Alessio, on “Progetto B,” Tatangelo also features none other than Mario Biondi who co-wrote their duet “L’Aria che respiro” and “Se”, and Renato Zero who wrote “Anna” dedicating these words to her: “Sono felice di sapere che sei ... Anna!”

Tiziano Ferro Album: “L’Amore è una cosa semplice” (2011) - Genre: Pop Singer-songwriter and producer from Latina (Rome), Tiziano Ferro’s career kicked-off in 2001 with the single “Xdono”. His debut album “Rosso Relativo” was released in more than forty countries and with over one million copies sold worldwide, his second album, “111” (2003), reached the number1 spot across Europe and Latin America. By then, he had become an international star. “L’amore è una cosa semplice” (Love is something simple) is Tiziano’s seventh studio album. Only three weeks after its release, “La differenza tra me e te”, the album’s first single, was certified gold. “Karma”, his duet with world-renowned artist John Legend, is without a doubt the highlight of this album.

Simona Molinari Album: “Tua” (2011) - Genre: Jazz-Swing With one of the most refined voices in Italian music, Simona Molinari takes her music to a different level on her latest release, “Tua”. Produced by Carlo Avarello, the album features the outstanding collaboration of pianist-composer Peter Cincotti on three songs: “In cerca di te”, “Lettera” and “I’ll be watching you”.

The album’s single “Forse”, was launched at the “Teatro di Verona” during the 2011 Wind Music Awards. Dany Diaz (one of Hong Kong’s most sought-after trumpeters), Dado Moroni “Povera piccola Italia”, Fabrizio Bosco and La Mosca Jazz Band also appear on this latest release. Simona sings about love, Italy, freedom, music, about her fans in particular and opens up more about herself.

By Sonia Benedetto

Marco Mengoni

Album: “Solo 2.0” (2011) - Genre: Pop-Rock After winning Italy’s “X-Factor” in 2009 and finishing third at the 2010 Sanremo Festival with the single “Credimi Ancora”, Marco Mengoni’s musical career has seen nothing but success. In addition to receiving the “Man of the Year” award from the TRL Awards, Marco also won “Best Italian Act” and “Best European Act” at the MTV Europe Music Awards. “Solo 2.0” reveals a more mature Mengoni, vocally and musically - an artist in every aspect. This concept album is completed by visual content entitled “Comic 2.0”, with images bringing visual narration to the recorded content. Featuring the singles “Solo” and “Tanto il resto cambia”, his latest release also includes two English songs: “Searching” (Il volatore) and “Tonight”.

Patty Pravo Album: “Nella Terra Dei Pinguini” (2011) - Genre: Pop-Rock With a career spanning over four decades, Patty Pravo shows no signs of slowing down. Her first single “Ragazzo Triste” (a cover of Sonny and Cher’s “But you’re mine”) was released in 1966.

Nicoletta Strambelli (aka Patty Pravo) is still famous today for her 1968 worldwide hit “La Bambola”. Produced by M° Diego Calvetti, “Nella terra dei pinguini” (11 songs) is also available in a deluxe edition containing three bonus tracks: “Dream”, “Il vento e le rose” (her duet with Morgan – one of the judges on Italy’s X-Factor) as well as her own rendition of “Mille lire al mese”, a tribute to Italy’s unification.

Mario Biondi and The unexpected glimpses Album: Due (2011) - Genre: Jazz-Soul Singer-composer from Catania (Sicily), Mario Biondi grew up in a musical family but discovered his own passion while singing in his church choir. His debut album “Handful of Soul” (2006) was declared platinum less than three months after its release. “Yes You” (2010) was certified gold on two occasions.

Even though he draws his influences from American artists like Barry White and Isaac Hayes, Mario has certainly proved to be unique by showing off his own soulful touch in every song. “Due” features twenty Italian and international emerging artists performing with Biondi. With thirteen original songs and seven covers, the energy on this album is created by its diversity, ranging from soul-jazz to R&B, lounge, bossa nova and Brazilian vibes. Mario’s main goal behind this innovative project was to give these hidden talents a chance to be heard.

A rts

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49

Rossini gourmet

Tra Musica E Fornelli Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868) noto compositore italiano, nacque a Pesaro nel 1792. Visse in Italia fino al 1855 poi si trasferì a Parigi, dove morì nel 1868. Nell’ arco degli anni che corrono fra la stesura, a 14 anni, della sua prima opera - Demetrio e Polibio - a quello della sua ultima - Guglielmo Tell - scritta a 37 anni, Rossini affermava di aver “conosciuto i più famosi chefs del continente”.

Non si è mai saputo esattamente perché il maestro pesarese, geniale, brillante e molto spiritoso, a soli 37 anni e al top della fama e della popolarità, decise che ne aveva avuto abbastanza di comporre opere teatrali e si ritirò a vita privata limitandosi a scrivere due opere sacre (lo Stabat Mater e la Petite messe solennelle), delle cantate e dei piccoli pezzi per piano per puro divertimento, raccolti sotto il titolo di Peccati di vecchiaia, con intestazioni surreali, come «Gli antipasti», in cui i singoli brani si chiamano «Ravanelli», «Acciughe», «Burro»... olti dei suoi biografi si sono scervellati, tentando di trovare le più “variegate” spiegazioni del suo ritiro: l’insofferenza verso i capricci dei cantanti, il non voler adeguare la sua arte alla nuova corrente del romanticismo, vari acciacchi. Si racconta che il maestro non riuscisse più a portare a termine le sue opere, perché l’ispirazione era annebbiata da ossessioni culinarie: mentre stava scrivendo a Bologna l’ultima parte dello Stabat Mater ricevette la visita di alcuni amici. «Che fai?» E lui, fregandosi la fronte: «Sto cercando motivi, ma non mi vengono in mente che pasticci, tartufi e cose simili!».

La sua vita è stata sempre a cavallo tra l’aneddotica e la verità. Si racconta che già da bambino la sua gioia era di fare il chierichetto per poter bere il vino avanzato al prete durante la messa! Prima di diventare famoso, e quindi ricco, era spesso a corto di denaro in quanto non era stato capace di resistere alla tentazione di un buon ristorante o di una ottima bottiglia di vino. Pazzo per il cibo? Di sicuro Gioachino

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Giulia Pascazi

Rossini amava definirsi «Pianista di terza classe, ma primo gastronomo dell’universo».

Nel 1816, dopo i fischi ricevuti a Roma alla prima rappresentazione del Barbiere di Siviglia al Teatro Argentina, comunicando l’accaduto al suo amore, la cantante Isabella Angelica Colbran, precisava: «Ma ciò che m’interessa ben altrimenti che la musica, cara Angelica, è la scoperta di una nuova insalata della quale mi affretto a inviarti la ricetta...».

Rossini era un gastronomo dai molti gusti. Apprezzava la cucina originaria delle sue native Marche, la cucina italiana, quella francese e quella internazionale. Da ciascuna, egli traeva ciò che conveniva al suo gusto cosmopolita: si faceva portare le olive da Ascoli, il panettone da Milano, vari tipi di stracchino dalla Lombardia, gli zamponi da Modena, la mortadella e i tortellini da Bologna, il prosciutto da Siviglia, i formaggi piccanti o fermentati dall’Inghilterra, la crema di nocciole da Marsiglia, ed infine le sardine royal, che gli amici facevano a gara per mandargli. Pescando qua e là fra le numerose lettere del compositore, notoriamente dotato di una non comune vena umoristica, si legge : “Dopo il non far nulla io non conosco occupazione per me più deliziosa del mangiare, mangiare come si deve, intendiamoci. L’appetito è per lo stomaco ciò che l’amore è per il cuore. Lo stomaco è il maestro di cappella che governa ed aziona la grande orchestra delle passioni. Lo stomaco vuoto rappresenta il fagotto o il piccolo flauto in cui brontola il malcontento o guaisce l’invidia; al contrario lo stomaco pieno è il triangolo del piacere oppure i cembali della gioia. Quanto all’amore, lo considero la prima donna per eccellenza, la diva che canta nel cervello cavatine di cui l’orecchio s’inebria ed il cuore viene rapito. Mangiare e amare, cantare e digerire: questi sono in verità i quattro atti di questa opera buffa che si chiama vita e che svanisce come la schiuma d’una bottiglia di champagne”…

I giovani artisti dell’Atelier Lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal rappresenteranno un percorso “degustativo” della vita del grande compositore in rapporto alla sua vera passione: la gastronomia! Grazie alla ricerca della regista e sceneggiatrice Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière, andata in Italia espressamente per recuperare le ricette scritte da Rossini, avremo la possibilità di assaporare varie arie tratte dalle opere serie e buffe abbinate a pietanze, come i “Maccheroni alla Rossini”, il “Profitterol d’Almaviva”, le “Omelettes del Barbiere”, l“Aria del Sorbetto”, sognando le abitudini del tempo in cui la gente mangiava a teatro e poteva uscire per approfittare di un sorbetto aiutando la digestione. In scena al Monument National il 10,13,15 e 17 Marzo 2012 alle ore 19:30, assisteremo alla grande sfida scenografica, costumistica, interpretativa che ragazzi dell’Atelier sapranno magistralmente affrontare.

Info: operademontreal.com

... “Chi la lascia fuggire senza averne goduto è un pazzo!” (Rossini)

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Ad v e r t o r i a l

You thought oral cancer was just an older man’s disease? Not always.

Oral cancer is rising in women, young people and non-smokers.

Testing is now painless. Early detection saves lives.

Tips on how to detect and prevent oral cancer

By Dr. Joanne Lussier - Centre Dentaire Joanne Lussier Inc.

Dr. Joanne Lussier ORAL CANCER kills one person every hour of every day. It’s a cancer on the rise, with a new form of the disease afflicting women more than ever before. The good news is that a new simple test enables you to seize it before it’s too late. It’s a test everyone needs to demand from dentists; one cannot afford to miss out on it.

Oral cancer is one of the easiest cancers to spot, diagnose and treat. Yet more than 60% of them are discovered too late. This deadly cancer starts with a sore or growth in the mouth, which does not go away. With early diagnosis, the chance of a cure is an outstanding 80 to 90%. Yet one out of four people diagnosed with oral cancer will die because it has not been diagnosed and treated on time.

The typical oral cancer patient used to be a smoker or heavy drinker and twice as likely to be a man (Ex: Michael Douglas was diagnosed with stage 4 oral cancer last year). The majority of new cases are caused by the human papilloma virus or HPV, the same virus responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancers diagnosed in women.

It’s very important for teenagers and adults to be aware that the entire paradigm around oral cancer has completely changed. Your dentist was trained in the past to turn on the radar for oral cancer as soon as you would mention you were a smoker or a daily alcohol user. Unfortunately too many dentists have not necessarily changed their radar alarm. Oral cancer is on the rise with non smokers, non drinkers, and young people. Women are now at greater disposal because the number one cause of new oral cancer is HPV - a sexually transmitted disease. Now 50% of sexually active patients are at risk of developing oral cancer via HPV infection, and the main way of transmission is oral sex.

Some statistics in the United States show that only 15% of the population have had proper oral examination. People have to start to demand

screening tests and the dental community has to get ahead of this to evaluate and detect the first signs of oral cancer. We need to detect earlier before it’s too late and the disease spreads into large lesions. The good news is that we now have new technology to detect first signs of oral cancer, but patients have to demand oral cancer screening to their dentist every year, or change to a clinic that offers this specific examination. Dentists are on the first line of defence when it comes to oral cancer detection. Patients and doctors should understand what these lesions are, what to look for. They look very similar to the everyday white and red spots people can get in their mouth. It’s our duty as dentists to know what to look for, and to educate the general population.

Four warning signs or symptoms for oral cancer: • White or red patches in your mouth or a mouth sore that will not heal could be a cancer sore. Red surrounding, a bit of white texture in the middle, typically this will heal within seven to ten days. If still present after 14 days, the alarm should go off - get it checked.

• A sore throat or ear pain could be caused by a viral infection or a cold, which is very common. Your alarm should go off when symptoms persist more than 14 days and your ear pain is only on one side.

• Lump in the neck, very common of a HPV cancer. It’s a metastasis of the tumour from its original sites to a lymph node in the neck.

• Changes in your voice quality or hoarseness.

If it persists over six to eight days get it checked. There is a chance that tumours could be on or around the vocal cords, irritating those cords and affecting the voice.

So oral cancer is an easy cancer to spot and diagnose. Yet, why is one out of four patients is dying from it? It’s all about early discovery. It’s about unhealthy cells, tissues being detected as soon as they get dysfunctional. That is where the newest technology in dental offices comes into play for a painless and effective diagnosis.

ORAL CANCER screening test Ground breaking new technology First your dentist should do a routine visual examination of all the soft tissues of the mouth and the neck, under a regular white light. He/she should be looking for any white, red or dark spots in the mouth.

This takes only one minute.

Next is the VELSCOPE examination. This is a new technology that gives a visual of abnormal tissues under a special blue light. It highlights cells that have just changed from healthy to unhealthy called dysplastic cells.

Cervical cancer was the leading and first cause of death amongst women until the emergence of the Pap smear test and it’s now in 14th place. By using VELSCOPE testing and proper oral examination, we have an opportunity to reproduce similar results with oral cancer. Our office is truly prepared and equipped to offer early detection.

Oral cancer prevention tips: • Demand an annual visual and, if available, the VELSCOPE screening tests • Limit alcohol (on daily basis) and tobacco use • Limit exposure to UV radiation to your lips • Practice safe sex, otherwise the spread of HPV will rise and consequently so will oral cancer After following this overview of oral cancer, our policy screening test in our office is recommended for everyone aged 16 years old and older at every dental cleaning - so twice a year - or once per year at the very least.

Are you in need of dental work or a second opinion? Then make the switch to Dr Lussier's state-of-the-the art clinic in RDP. They'll give you an honest diagnosis based on your real needs. Their office offers a full range of dental services and a qualified staff devoted to your oral and general health.

Centre Dentaire Joanne Lussier Inc. 7272 Maurice-Duplessis Blvd, Montreal, QC

(Very easily accessible off Highway 25)

Tel: (514) 494-2321

CasaVogue

Ad v e r t o r i a l

By Amanda Fulginiti

alogero Territo began by manufacturing furniture, but it was not long before he and his wife, C Francesca, found their niche in the furniture sales business. In time, their three sons joined the team respectively: Jack and Davide, who both obtained bachelor degrees in commerce from Concordia University, and Riccardo, who obtained a degree in Civil Engineering at McGill University. All three brothers and parents work as a team; never making a decision without the other.

As Jack emphasizes: “We are all working for the same common goal: always making sure we’re in the avantgarde of furnishings and maintaining our image and reputation to the community we owe so much to.”

What separates them from their competitors is that they still import a variety of brands from Italy: leather and fabric living rooms from Natuzzi, dining rooms from Calligaris and ALF, and bedrooms from Tomasella. Both Jack and Riccardo agree that aside from providing an excellent standard of quality, the Italian product offers that urban, modern feel that encompasses our lives and homes.

“Living the Italian way is a solution we present to our client base,” Riccardo says.

Casa Vogue also carries Canadian and American brands, which provide more transitional solutions to one’s décor and uphold a strong tradition in solid wood furniture creation. Brands such as American Drew, Micheal Amini, Bermex and Durham will impress the consumer with superb carpentry and great style.

As Riccardo aptly notes, “furniture is art”- something which becomes evident upon entering their store.

All pieces are unique and stand out like works of art on display in a museum - only at much more affordable prices. While the store is primarily modern and contemporary, they do have a gallery of classical furniture which is still very popular. The gallery concept they offer to their clients is what allows one to begin to visualize what their

homes could potentially look like. “We try to offer a complete solution,” Jack says. “We are always reinventing our image,” Riccardo points out, but always to suit their customers’ needs. The selection they provide is clearly en pointe when it comes to fashion.

“We love fashion. When there is a show either in North Carolina or Milan we follow the fashion,” Riccardo says excitedly.

Even Jack agrees that they are always looking for the next hot item to feature in their collection and always excited to find its place in someone’s new home.

Customer service is stressed above anything else and clients should expect to be well received in terms of hospitality - almost as if they were entering the Territo home. “Service is crucial. We are very hands on. There is a lot of team work which gives us the opportunity to teach and to learn,” Riccardo says. Casa Vogue begins by asking their clients how they envision turning their house into a home. “Follow your heart. Begin with something that attracts you and we will then guide you. We will discuss everything we select together and make sure that it reflects you and your space. We really listen to our client and their needs in terms of settings and budget,” Riccardo says. Regardless of price, the team is there to support and to find solutions to their home décor needs. “It’s a whole process. It’s not just about the products, it’s about asking what’s your space, what colours and styles do you like. We help coordinate the whole room. So it’s kind of like you have a personal decorator and not just a sales person,” Jack emphasizes.

It is much more than just furniture for the Territo family, it is all about creating a home and a lifestyle tailored to each customer that walks in their door. “We have a passion for our business. It’s been in our family for many years, it is part of our own culture and our own lives,” Jack stresses. It is this type of passion that has made the Territo family committed to their business for so many years and why they have continued to thrive in our community. You present your home, they will provide the service, and you can be sure the results will be en vogue.

8260 Boulevard Saint-Michel Montreal, QC H1Z 3E2 (514) 722-5828 www.casavogue.ca

The Territo family with part of the staff at CasaVogue

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40 Years of Luxury Furniture As they kick off the New Year with their 40th anniversary, Maison de meubles Casa Vogue has one specific resolution: to thank their customers, particularly the Italian community.

Since 1972, the Territo family has made it their mission to provide the best brand furniture to their customers all across Quebec. Their delivery crews skilfully perform deliveries all across the greater Montreal area including the West Island, Laval, and the South Shore, even catering to a growing clientele base in Ottawa and its surroundings.

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Advice

Après tant de sacrifices, vous avez accumulé un patrimoine important.

Comment le protéger ?

PA S Q U A L E A RT U S O & ASSOCIÉS

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

Pasquale Artuso Avvocato di Fiducia Consolato Generale d’Italia

Elena Milioto Avvocatessa

Steven Campese Avvocato

Julie Therrien Avvocatessa

Pierre Fugère Avvocato - diritto criminale e penale

Caroline Francoeur Avvocatessa Valérie Carrier Avvocatessa

Joseph W. Allen Avvocato dal 1976 diritto dell’immigrazione

Mathieu Di Lullo Avvocato

Me Pasquale Artuso

Une fiducie est un outil indispensable pour toute personne en affaires ou ayant simplement accumulé un patrimoine d’une certaine envergure.

C’est un moyen de protéger ses actifs et une multitude d’avantages fiscaux s’y rattachent.

Fiducie familiale et de préservation de patrimoine Une fiducie est une entité définie au Code civil du Québec. Elle ne jouit pas de la personnalité juridique mais en possède néanmoins plusieurs des attributs, notamment un patrimoine autonome et distinct de celui des intervenants fiduciaires tels, le constituant, le fiduciaire et les bénéficiaires.

Le rôle du constituant : il se limite à la donation d'un bien (un lingot d'argent) afin de mettre en place la fiducie. Le constituant ne peut être bénéficiaire de la fiducie ou susceptible de le devenir. Habituellement, le constituant est un ami de la famille.

Le rôle des fiduciaires: ils gèrent les biens de la fiducie et déterminent, à leur entière discrétion, l’attribution de revenu ou de capital. Un fiduciaire ne peut agir seul s'il est également bénéficiaire de la fiducie - un second fiduciaire qui n'est pas bénéficiaire de la fiducie est donc nécessaire.

Le rôle des bénéficiaires : ils peuvent recevoir les revenus et le capital de la fiducie. Généralement les bénéficiaires sont : l’entrepreneur, les membres de sa famille (ascendants et descendants), ainsi que de toute autre personne, telle une société, désignés à ce titre dans l'acte de fiducie.

Pourquoi créer une fiducie?

Les raisons pour créer une fiducie sont multiples : • assurer la sécurité d'un bénéficiaire (ex. : épouse, enfants, petits enfants, etc.); • administrer des biens en attendant un événement (ex. : la majorité d'un bénéficiaire mineur); • réduire le fardeau fiscal des héritiers en fractionnant le revenu entre la fiducie et les bénéficiaires; • conserver un contrôle sur les biens transférés à la fiducie (ex. : un chalet, une entreprise).

Dans le cadre d'une société privée, la fiducie peut servir à : • détenir des actions lors d'un gel successoral; • remettre des actions à des bénéficiaires désignés en cas de relève incertaine; • garder des placements confidentiels dans une société.

Elle peut aussi servir à : • conserver le contrôle des biens lorsqu'un entrepreneur ne désire pas confier immédiatement le contrôle de son entreprise à un enfant majeur; • protéger les actifs contre la saisie par les créanciers d'un héritier.

Avant d'envisager la création d'une fiducie, il est important de faire évaluer, par un conseiller juridique ou par tout autre spécialiste, la formule la plus adaptée à votre situation, eu égard à la nature et à l'importance de votre patrimoine et de vos objectifs à moyen et long terme. Les dispositions prises à cet égard peuvent avoir des impacts fiscaux, légaux et financiers importants sur votre patrimoine et sur votre succession.

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54

Passing it on

Babies

By: Sabrina Marandola

It’s February, time for Panoram Italia’s highly-anticipated “Babies of the Year” edition! It’s a chance to display and welcome the cutest, dearest and newest members of our vibrant Italian-Canadian community. These babies are contributing to Montreal’s growing Italian population – which now totals about 300,000. But how will this new generation be raised? Will they understand or speak Italian when they’re older? Will they spend their holidays eating 8-course meals?

Will they know the land their grandparents came from? or expecting parents Sara Germanotta and Marco Evangelista, these questions have crossed their minds and they’re committed to passing on their Italian roots. The couple, both born in Montreal to Italian immigrants, have a four-year-old son Matteo and a second son on the way later this month. “With Matteo, for the first two years, I spoke to him almost exclusively in Italian. It’s part of his identity and I wanted him to know his roots,” Evangelista says.

“Language is the easiest way to identify with a culture, so it's important for my kids to at least be familiar with their Italian heritage.”

Germanotta says she would speak to her son mostly in English, but would throw in some Italian words every once in a while. “English came more naturally to me. But there were always some Italian words sprinkled in here and there. So now when he takes a bath, he says ‘bagnetto’ or shower is a ‘doccia.’ He even calls Fruit Loops cereal ‘Pappagallo cheerios!’”

Now the couple says they’re thinking about immersing Matteo in even more of the Italian language. “We’ve even been talking about sending him to Italian school,” says Germanotta, who is nine months pregnant. “I went when I was a kid and I HATED it. Who wants to get up early on Saturday to go to school? But now I see things through the eyes of a parent and I understand why my mom and dad forced me to go.” The couple says they both plan to speak to their newest arrival in Italian as well. “I want my kids to be exposed to as many languages as possible, as early on as possible,” Germanotta says.

“In Quebec, and Canada, we have the advantage of being able to learn and live in English and French. As Italian Canadians, we can add one more to the mix.”

Besides language, the couple also wants to pass down the traditions that come with being Italian. Germanotta says she tries to stress the most important Italian values with Matteo. “Values like the importance of family, and honouring and respecting the generations that came before us and all they’ve done to make us who we are.” And of course, food cannot be forgotten. “Food is also a pretty important part of our culture! But I think we’ve pretty much accomplished this since his favourite things to eat include tortellini soup, mortadella sandwiches and cannoli.” Evangelista adds sports to the list of traditions he’d like to pass on. “Cheering on the Italian team during the World Cup and celebrating in Little Italy!” he says.

But one thing this couple cannot agree on is a name for the new baby. All they know right now is that they definitely want their second son to have an Italian name. Based on Panoram Italia’s past “Babies of the Year” editions, Germanotta and Evangelista are right on board with most of our readers. They like Italian names, and are giving their children Italian names. Coming out on top for boy names among our readers is Matteo. Tied in second, are the names Anthony and Massimo.

Finally, a very close third is Luca. (Compare this to Quebec’s most popular boy names: William, Thomas and Olivier). For our readers’ baby girls: Sofia is most popular, followed by Emma, then Olivia. (In Quebec, the most popular names are Lea, Emma and Juliette).

“I just love the way Italian names sound,” says Germanotta. “Choosing Matteo’s name was easy, we both liked it from the start. Choosing a name for this next one has been a challenge. We just can’t agree on a name! We’ve narrowed it down to three possibilities. If we can’t decide by the time the baby is born, we’re putting the three names in a hat and having Matteo pick one!”

Evangelista hopes his children’s Italian names, the language they speak at home, and the values they will learn will help his boys understand their background, and hang on to their culture.

“A lot of the generation that came here from Italy is no longer with us and we are speaking less Italian, not maintaining as many of the traditions, and not cooking the same foods,” Evangelista says. “Our generation is becoming more integrated. The advantage to this is we’re creating more of a Canadian culture, but at the expense of our Italian culture. But I also think that’s a natural part of the immigrat ion pro cess,” s ays G er manott a. “ The It a lian community in C anada is pretty well-established and so it’s inevitable that we are becoming more ‘Canadian’ in our values and habits. I don’t think that’s a bad thing, but I also think that there are aspects of the Italian culture that will remain with us despite all this. With my son, I notice that even though he speaks English perfectly, he has definitely picked up the “Montreal Italian” accent which is pretty funny! He’s also very loud and speaks with his hands - that’s got to be genetics!”

F

Breastfeeding Babies

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Made Easy

By Romina Perrotti

It is the biggest moment of your life. Finally, after nine months of experiencing shared feelings of happiness, anticipation and playing catch-up from running around to various doctor appointments, you have finally received your reward. A beautiful newborn baby! Nourishing your newborn may seem as an intuitive process, since it is ‘natural’, however, this procedure should be understood as a learning experience for all new mothers. Breastfeeding can be challenging at first and requires a lot of dedication, time, and most of all, patience! The benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child are great. Babies receive essential nutrients from breast milk that no other formula can duplicate protecting them from various diseases through the transfer of protective properties that prevent colic, allergies and even tooth decay.

Mothers who breastfeed also lose the excess weight put on through pregnancy. Here are some tips that will be your foundation into becoming a pro breast-feeder and will abolish any fear you may have.

1. The latch: By far the most important ‘make it or break it’ factor which determines the fate of breastfeeding. When the latch is not properly anchored both the mother and baby feel discomfort. The nipple and areola should be correctly positioned in the infant’s mouth and oriented behind the child’s hard palate (roof of the mouth).

If the nipple does not bypass the hard palate, friction and pressure will ensue and breastfeeding can be painful for the mother causing raw nipples and skin damage.

Nipple butter is available to treat these abrasions and return you to optimal function. Behind the hard palate is an area called the comfort zone which is the beginning of the soft palate. We can feel this area ourselves by sweeping our tongue along the roof of our mouths in a front to back fashion. The area turns from rough to smooth and it is this glossy area where the nipple and areola should be placed as the sucking motions begin. There is no pain associated when breastfeeding is properly done.

2. Get help early! A lactation consultant will be like your coach in attaining a perfect breastfeeding experience. Various breast feeding clinics are available in Montreal, as well as instituted in major hospitals. With the consultant’s help, breastfeeding will be second nature to you!

3. Burp your baby! After every nursing session, make sure to burp your baby.

Gently pat your baby’s back for longer than 30 seconds. This stimulates your baby to burp and does not allow gas to form and prevents the child from spitting up.

4. Change breastfeeding positions: Don’t always lactate with the cross cradle hold, but switch to sideline and football holds too. This stimulates other areas of the breast to release milk and prevents soreness.

5. Use a breast pump! At the beginning, pregnant women have a lot of milk, it is useful to store and freeze some breast milk, in the event babies have different feeding durations throughout the day. Also, women who are prone to soreness will find this useful as it gives their breasts a chance to recover and repair.

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Fashion Forward Kids Babies Promotion

How MOI Bébé Couture is changing the face of kids’ fashion

By Laura Casella

Couturing children for all their red carpet moments !

When you walk into MOI Bébé Couture, you immediately sense you’re not walking into your ordinary children’s clothing store. Each article is placed meticulously, either folded nicely on shelves or hung along the white walls. The display is chic but the place still feels welcoming which is exactly what its owner, Cindy Palmieri, wanted to achieve. “

hildren are very welcomed here,” says Cindy. “It’s the type of atmosphere that is open and family friendly. People can come in with a double stroller and still move around freely.”

The Laval store, now celebrating its 1st year anniversary, is very brand-oriented. European labels such as Paul & Shark Junior, Monnalisa, Trussardi Junior, Hitch Hiker, Paul Smith Jr. and Miss Grant, just to name a few, pop out as soon as you walk through the doors. If you’re not familiar with these brands just listed, it’s because you can’t find them anywhere else in Canada. In Italy and in Europe, however, they’re what everyone talks about.

“What makes us different from any children’s retail store in Canada,” Cindy says, “is that we bring new brands to market.” Cindy‘s goal when opening this boutique, which caters from newborns to sixteen years of age, was to create a forum where she would carry brands many people in North America have never heard of. She visits the largest international trade show for children twice a year, and that’s where she is brought up to date with all that’s trendy and “in” across Europe at the moment.

If you’re a fashionista mom or design-conscious dad and want your child wearing the “in” fashions from the worldwide stage, then this is where you’ll find it.

Parents appreciate and relish in their child being noticed in a good way, and that is something Cindy can guarantee. “If your daughter is walking down the street with a Monnalisa jacket, she will be complimented. That’s because she stands apart from everyone else,” she adds.

C

The selection is also vast. There is hardly an empty corner in this 3600 square foot boutique. Cindy carries an average of a thousand pieces per brand each season. She does it so that each brand can be showcased and given the just proper attention it deserves.

“Penetrating the Canadian market is a challenging, yet so rewarding accomplishment for both MOI Bébé Couture as well as for the brands,” she admits, adding that “my goal is to put these brands on the map. You could be a follower or a leader and I chose to be a leader in this industry. I want to find what’s new, and be ten steps ahead of the game.”

Although the store is located in Laval, it is certainly not restricted to Laval residents. People come from all over the city to shop here. And her determination has paid off. The first year of business was successful and Cindy is most grateful to her customers who appreciate the attention she gives to hand picking each piece of clothing found in the store.

“Our clientele appreciates the fact that we cater to all brand-conscious parents in providing them with designer fashion at every price point, without ever compromising our much valued personalized service. We take pride in what we do and try to set ourselves apart,” says Cindy. Because, at Moi Bébé Couture every client is a valued client!”

Mission accomplished!.

MOI Bébé Couture April 1 , 2012 2050 boul René-Laennec- Suite 8 Offer valid until Vimont-Laval T. 450-933-7227 cindy@moibebecouture.com th

MOI BEBE COUTURE would like to offer all Panoram Italia's "babies of the Year" a $25 Gift Card to be picked up at MOI Bebe Couture before April 1st, 2012.

Babies

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Babies of the year I Neonati dell’anno Les bébés de l’année

1-Davide Costantino Discepola June 25, 2011 Josie-Laura Masucci & Riccardo Discepola

2-Vanessa Di Criscio January 6, 2011 Christina Del Zingaro & Matthew Di Criscio

3-Joseph Taddeo March 8, 2011 Josie Villella & Mike Taddeo

4-Ariana Pecora April 7, 2011 Mary Meccola & Davide Pecora

5-Massimo Di Maria January 13, 2011 Maria Ruvo & Giovanni Di Maria

6-Alessandro Stasi May 8, 2011 Nadia De Riggi & Gianni Stasi

7-Tristan Barbato April 26, 2011 Maria Gesualdi & Donald Barbato

8-Lucia Bozzo September 13, 2011 Angela Bozzo & Carmine Padula

9-Megan Rose Polifroni May 2, 2011 Silvia Masciotra & Pasquale Polifroni

10-Daniel Peter Carlomusto April 1, 2011 Laura Maiolo & Luigi Carlomusto

11-Olivia Pontrandolfo July 28, 2011 Olga Musacchio & Nicola Pontrandolfo

12-Matteo Franco De Mari August 30, 2011 Tania Spiridigliozzi & Christopher De Mari

13-Isabella Josie Panetta July 22, 2011 Stella Josie Messina & Joseph Panetta

14-Lorenzo Giovanni Natale July 5, 2011 Maria Parraguez & Luigi Natale

15-Emilio Dante Bianchi October 17, 2011 Anna Pietroforte & Ron Bianchi

16-Adriano John Campoli May 16, 2010 Claudia & Andrea Campoli

17-Luca Botros April 4, 2011 Carmelina Sciascia & Robert Botros

18-Maya Nunes July 13, 2011 Nadia Spiridigliozzi & Manuel Nunes

20-Matteo Martini May 16, 2011 Marie-Claire Verdone & Jonathan Martini

21-Michael Giacomo Forlini May 6, 2011 Talia Ciampini & Franco Forlini

22-Sofia Sama March 23, 2011 Veronica Gallo & Charles Sama

23-Raffaele Palmieri October 18, 2011 Stephanie Germano & Leandro Palmieri

26-Alessia Spacone June 30, 2011 Marie Josee & Patrizio Spacone

27-Emilia Andreoli July 4, 2011 Maria Caruana & Michael Andreoli

28-Emma Joanna Senerchia September 1, 2011 Giovanna Vaccaro & Johnny Senerchia

29-Jasmine Belhajja August 16, 2011 Miriam Senerchia & Hicham Belhajja

18-Michael & Anthony D’Aliesio January 24, 2011 Patrizia Del Balso & Benito D’Aliesio

24-Sofia Germano April 1, 2011 Tatiana Restrepo & Anthony Germano

25-Gabriel Julian Siwik December 14, 2010 Patrizia D’Antonio & Robert Siwik

2011 Meilleurs voeux / Tanti auguri / Best wishes

Babies

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30-Domenico Vaccaro July 3, 2011 Linda Gucciardo & Vittorio Vaccaro

36-Eva Marie Bauco August 16, 2011 Julie Garone & Danny Bauco

31-Alessio Colitti June 28, 2011 Francesca Gentile & Gianni Colitti

32-Giuliano Mario Messina August 15, 2011 Teresa Amoruso & Leonardo Messina

37-Davide & Simone Lombardi July 18, 2011 Laura Vernacchia Lombardi & Gianmarco Lombardi

43-Amelia Lalumière February 15, 2011 Lori Palladini & Martin Lalumière

33-Franco Spinelli April 16, 2011 Eliane Attard & Franco Spinelli

34-Isabella Mendolia September 11, 2011 Rosetta Santoro & Antonino Mendolia

35-Jonah Francis Puma January 15, 2011 Mimma Scarola & Frank Puma

38-Ylenia Keira Gouin December 5, 2011 Tiziana Tamborello & Danny Gouin

39-Avril Casale November 6, 2011 Adele Carciero & Steve Casale

40-Maya Migliara February 17, 2011 Mirella Ricci & Mario Migliara

44-Karissa Scali March 16, 2011 Rosie Mirarchi & Domenico Scali

45-Valentina Vardaro February 21, 2011 Annamaria Pannunzio & Nicola Vardaro

46-Dylan Walker Marcogliese August 24, 2011 Kerrie Palmer & Nicola Marcogliese

50-Tessia Riti April 8, 2011 Enza Iacono & Stefano Riti

51-Olivia Plamondon January 5, 2011 Patty Greco & Mathieu Plamondon

41-Leila Madison Gentile November 6, 2011 Leana D’Iorio & Sandro Gentile

42-Michael Joseph Pittarelli April 11, 2011 Adriana Pelosi & Tony Pittarelli

47-Giuliana Macri July 5, 2011 Sabrina Fanelli & Fabrizio Macri

48-Sofia Michaela Kazanas August 5, 2011 Connie Valerio & Chris Kazanas

52-Angelo Rendinella March 9, 2011 Christine Gauthier & Sergio Rendinella

53-Eliana Ferrari January 17, 2011 Linda Tamarazzo & Nino Ferrari

54-Damiano Forlini May 31, 2011 Melissa Rosati & Marco Forlini

55-Joseph Cirrincione April 26, 2011 Tania Di Zazzo & Joe Cirrincione

56-Olivia Gagliano March 30, 2011 Sabrina Cerro & Jerry Gagliano

57-Talya Savo August 28, 2011 Stefania De Rosa & Patrizio Savo

58-Jenna Mannetta April 12, 2011 Laura D’Adamo & Angelo Mannetta

59-Emma Pellegrini January 27, 2011 Alexandra Skrly & Vincenzo Pellegrini

60-Bianca Cotugno August 24, 2011 Antonietta & Carmelo Cotugno

61-Brianna Maria Teresa Gentile March 4, 2011 Leah Di Monte & Anthony Gentile

62-Liam Theis Pietrantonio February 23, 2011 Elaine Quik & Michael Pietrantonio

63-Pasqualina Lea Conte November 21, 2011 Samantha Roberts & Leonardo Conte

49-Thomas & Édouard Rodi June 14, 2011 Mélanie Claudio & Nicolas Rodi

Babies

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64-Luca Fusco December 17, 2011 Lidia Giubilaro & Nick Fusco

65-Emma Rose Racanelli August 16, 2011 Stephanie Passucci & Gianni Racanelli

66-Matteo Carnevale October 2, 2011 Elisa Viola & Francesco Carnevale

67- Adamo Campione February 4, 2011 Catherine Campanile & Tony Campione

68-Valentino Salvatore Alfonso Aliberti August 15, 2011 Heidy Aliberti & Patrizio Aliberti

69-Matteo Antonino Franco August 3, 2011 Diane Montalbano & Felice Franco

70-Chiara Colombo June 19, 2011 Sandra Martello & Alessandro Colombo

71-Giulia Palermo August 10, 2011 Sandra Turchetta & Paolo Palermo

72-Lorenzo Domenic Caruso Galli December 22, 2010 Connie Caruso & Dino Galli

73-Luca Vincenzo Fiengo April 29, 2011 Maria Uccello & Pasquale Fiengo

74-Julian John Arcaro January 9, 2011 Maria Santino & Robert Arcaro

75-Sofia Laurana Carmela Cigana September 2, 2011 Laura Battista & Walter Cigana

76-Mia Antonina D’Angelo August 31, 2011 Vanessa Porrello & George D’Angelo

77-Matteo Notarangelo October 21, 2011 Pamela Nocella & Robert Notarangelo

78-Eva Adriana Tamburrino September 7, 2011 Claudia Polifroni & Claudio Tamburrino

79-Alessandro Sacco November 21, 2011 Reem Elazab & Patrick Sacco

80-Serena Maria Rossi May 3, 2011 Josie Santillo & Robert Rossi

81-Arianna Caterina July 9, 2011 Maria Calandrino & Eric Brosseau

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82-Liana Petrocco January 12, 2011 Concetta & Marcello Petrocco

83-Giulia Campopiano July 29, 2011 Genevieve & Rossano Campopiano

88-Zara & Joey Petriello April 7, 2011 Maria Cammalleri & Benny Petriello

84-Lauren Rose Di Nardo Tott August 8, 2011 Sabrina Di Nardo & Alexander Tott

85-Thomas Giuliano De Vito November 2, 2011 Marilena Di Minni & Nick De Vito

86-Dario Gaetano Di Loreto June 6, 2011 Angela Tummillo & Davide Di Loreto

87-Santino Robert Duchemin April 22, 2011 Kristine Di Loreto & Patrick Duchemin

89-Alexander Loupessis October 6, 2011 Patrizia Arcidiacono & Panagiotis Loupessis

90-Connor Anthony Smith D’Alesio September 28, 2011 Alison Smith & Rian D’Alesio

91-Gabriel Iorio December 1, 2011 Vanessa Tarantini & David Iorio

92-Alexis Sgrignuoli August 31, 2011 Caroline Gauthier & Jesse Sgrignuoli

95-Xander Renda March 14, 2011 Diana Mucciarone & Tony Renda

96-Matteo Guerrera October 16, 2011 Sonia Varrone & Mike Guerrera

97-Victoria Reis Macri January 12, 2011 Veronica Reis & Nicodemo Macri

98-Daniella Gracioppo October 11, 2011 Jessica Mancini & Franco Gracioppo

102-Serafina Arcuri December 18, 2011 Antonella Scalia & Giacinto Arcuri

103-Alexander Cerulli September 5, 2011 Marie-Helene Saad & Michael Cerulli

93-Alyssa Kyla Del Percio March 17, 2011 Dina Pascazio & Virgilio Del Percio

94-Alessio D’Onofrio November 16, 2011 Tanya De Nardis & Biagio D’Onofrio

99-Kennedy Joan Kustra October 1, 2011 Sarah Sisti & Matthew Kustra

100-Sofia Ida Arkolakis December 4, 2011 Sheila Fanzolato & George Arkolakis

104-Ryan Anthony Mucciacciaro June 27, 2011 Elena Ballaro & Robert Mucciacciaro

105-Christina Marinelli September 7, 2011 Maria Marinis & Anthony Marinelli

106-Eva Eleotrivaris February 20, 2011 Adele Gagliardi & Nick Eleotrivaris

107-Giuliano Vincenzo Astrero January 31, 2011 Sophia Pace & Carlo Astrero

108-Sofia Indelicato October 6, 2011 Manuela Passalacqua & Mario Indelicato

109-Jack Mirko Longo September 23, 2011 Katia Panaccione & Pat Longo

110-Nico Trignani September 15, 2011 Stephanie Rizzo & Roberto Trignani

111-Arabella Rose Iozzo February 20, 2011 Sofia Quaresma & Carlo Iozzo

112-Kayla Anna Gabrielli October 28, 2011 Gina Costanzo & Fabio Gabrielli

113-Morgan Nicholas Tristram June 30, 2011 Pamela Pietrantonio & Nicholas Tristram

114-Rocco Francesco October 31, 2011 Rosanna Palermo & Vito Nicolas Mattiace

115-Eva Ciarlo August 24, 2011 Tania Decobellis & Giovanni Ciarlo

101-Sofia & Julia Pietrangelo March 6, 2011 Sarah Longo & Carmine Pietrangelo

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116-Olivia Maria Iaizzo January 12, 2011 Laura Piro & Lino Iaizzo

117-Giulia Barbara Sita-Bottega October 7, 2011 Natalie Bottega & Aurelio Sita

118-Laura Infantino August 8, 2011 Connie & Carmelo Infantino

119-Nicholas Calandriello May 27, 2011 Isabella Ranieri & Michael Calandriello

120-Damiano Tertulliani June 20, 2011 Sabrina Vani & Alexis Tertulliani

121-Joseph Cuffaro January 25, 2011 Finella Rizzuto & Joe Cuffaro

122-Lea Grace Cacciola July 18, 2011 Cynthia Rainone & Bruno Cacciola

123-Yasmine Belatra December 21, 2010 Rita Larotonda & Karim Belatra

124-Gianluca Angelo Cioffi September 19, 2011 Nadia Vizioli & Pietro Paolo Cioffi

125-Massimiliano Moriello November 7, 2011 Rose Mary Cianflone & Felice Moriello

126-Gianluca Trivellizzi May 24, 2011 Melissa Grilli & Marco Trivellizzi

127-Angelica Primiani May 18, 2011 Rosie Rea & Baldo Primiani

128-Justin Anthony Filigno November 17, 2011 Julia Meffe & Marcus Filigno

129-James Fontanella March 16, 2011 Josie Cucuzzella & Eric Fontanella

130-Samantha Rose Furino April 22, 2011 Caroline Glaude & Sly Furino

131-Kayla Nastatos September 21, 2011 Lucia Cartillone & Jerry Nastatos

132-Matthew Bruno Montaleone March 24, 2011 Karen Baquiran Montaleone & Tony Montaleone

133-Matteo Parente October 2, 2011 Gerardina Tummillo & Joseph Parente

134-Amilia Maira June 24, 2011 Carine Asselin & Vincenzo Maira

135-Juliana Sollazzo September 16, 2011 Maria Cinelli & Joey Sollazzo

136-Massimo Di Maulo September 25, 2011 Anna Vetrano & Joe Di Maulo

137-Dario Moretti January 13, 2011 Tina Spinelli & Piero Moretti

138-Adam Carmine Tarsitano September 8, 2011 Claudia Carpanzano & Alex Tarsitano

139-Grace Noelle Fabrizio September 12, 2011 Patricia Ottoni & Paolo Fabrizio

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140-Romeo Riccardo Benedetto September 7, 2011 Ida Nardi & Riccardo Ferraro

141-Brianna La Rocca December 21, 2011 Karla Avelar & Mike La Rocca

142-Massimo Vaccaro July 31, 2011 Nicky Giulietti & Mario Vaccaro

143-Luca Aldo Campanelli August 31, 2011 Alissa Goddard & Aldo Campanelli

144-Nicolas Ermanno La Riccia April 13, 2011 Nancy Ann Paolino & Orazio La Riccia

145-Dante Paul Barbis April 28, 2011 Nadia Iacino & John Barbis

146-Lorenzo Gensale March 1, 2011 Antonina Di Giorgio & Gianni Gensale

147-Eva Christina Quinnett July 31, 2011 Tania Mambro & Jason Quinnett

148-Arianna Palermo October 8, 2011 Tiziana Iannone & Enzo Palermo

149-Isabella Rossi March 3, 2011 Antonella Masella & Roberto Rossi

150-Antonio Carbone March 6, 2011 Anna Maria Guercio & Marcello Carbone

151-Olivia Danielle Colatosti February 8, 2011 Emily Antonucci & Dino Colatosti

152-Lucia Rosalia March 23, 2011 Emanuela Favaro & Luciano Lovallo

153-Rocco Domenico Morabito May 11, 2011 Deborah Chimienti & Giovanni Morabito

154-Joey Borsellino February 26, 2011 Giovanna Salafia & Filippo Borsellino

155-Lucas Galletta-Pelchat August 16, 2011 Martine Pelchat & Marco Galletta

156-Sienna Infantino July 13, 2011 Rosanna Gagliardi & Francesco Infantino

157-Daniella Mezzacappa September 20, 2011 Assunta Piperni & Antonio Mezzacappa

158-Maria Elena Christopoulos March 5, 2011 Cathy Miele & John Christopoulos

159-Eva Camille Giove June 23, 2011 Jennifer Di Fruscia & Vincent Giove

160-Chiara Vittoria September 23, 2011 Anick Brunet & Vittorio Pugliesi

161-Eva Toppetta January 1, 2011 Laura Barile & Patrick Toppetta

162-Tatiana Athina Cianciulli October 20, 2011 Sophia Pirounakis & Paul Cianciulli

163-Myla Lamberti October 21, 2010 Melina La Para & James Lamberti

164-Victoria Del Nigro December 16, 2011 Rita Gulli & Joey Del Nigro

165-Gabriella Gaetano August 11, 2011 Debbie Fischini & Dominic Gaetano

166-Gabrielle Christina Esposito June 6, 2011 Jennifer Conforti & Roberto Esposito

167-Emma Cirillo April 14, 2011 Maria Pietrangelo & Tommaso Cirillo

168-Sofia Lucia Alejos June 15, 2011 Nina Zampini & Guido Alejos

169-Francesco Talarico February 19, 2011 Karen French & James Talarico

170-Alessio Arcuri February 1, 2011 Tania Testani & Giovanni Arcuri

171-Milena Russo August 13, 2011 Josie Maru & Marco Russo

172-Liliana Lecas March 4, 2011 Laura Moneta & Massimo Lecas

173-Massimo Giuseppe Ruscitto April 26, 2011 Sandra Vadacchino & Bruno Ruscitto

174-Mia Angela Ruscitto December 23, 2011 Melanie Missori & Mark Ruscitto

175-Gianluca Luigi Di Santo April 25, 2011 Nadia Cristofaro & Eddy Di Santo

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176-Julia Angela Mastrangelo February 15, 2011 Rosanna Ottoni & Antonio Mastrangelo

177-Brando Carlo Agostino March 28, 2011 Tanya Coladonato & Joe Agostino

178-Olivia Silvana Tatta August 29, 2011 Donata & Andrea Tatta

179-Milano Donato Cinquino May 22, 2011 Melinda D’Adamo & Dino Cinquino

180-Alfonso Liborio Argento July 28, 2011 Carolina Santoianni & Liborio Argento

181-Dalia Abbatiello April 20, 2011 Melissa Fratangelo & Tony Abbatiello

182-Luca Anthony Racanelli May 6, 2011 Maria Mattiace & Angelo Racanelli

183-Erika Valerio Pagano May 22, 2011 Diane Valerio & Matteo Pagano

184-Rosario Picciola April 25, 2011 Ekaterina Burachevsky & Luigi Picciola

185-Gianni Emilio Nikolakakis June 10, 2011 Theresa Calabretta & Robert Nikolakakis

186-Sophia Sartore October 21, 2011 Deanna Iaizzo-Sartore & Jason Sartore

187-Benjamin Salvatore Martella October 16, 2011 Melissa & Michael Martella

188-Chloe Marie Abbruzzese July 16, 2011 Elisa Di Genova & Dino Abbruzzese

189-Arianna Carmela Gattuso June 6, 2011 Leana Camarra & Vincenzo Gattuso

190-Jenna Coretti September 28, 2011 Anne-Marie Sciortino & Mario Coretti

191-Matteo Giove May 20, 2011 Peggy Constant & Vincenzo Giove

192-Sienna Grace Ciambella September 20, 2011 Lillian Lazzarini & Maurizio Ciambella

193-Francesca Rosalina Palucci January 12, 2011 Vanessa Ventura & Anthony Palucci

198Matteo & Siena Di Buono January 2 2011 194-Adriana Perrotta March 3, 2011 Roberta Palermo & Raffaele Perrotta

195-Nevio Ribovitch July 26, 2011 Sara Di Stefano & Jason Ribovitch

196-Luca Marino Antinori February 25, 2011 Fabiola Barone & Mario Antinori

199-James Jeremia Carlacci March 28, 2011 Maria Cifaldi & Mario Carlacci

200-Sofia Maria Fazzari November 26, 2011 Bia Koutroularas & Giuseppe Fazzari

201-Julianna Josephine Bedard March 24, 2011 Margherita Marcone & Benjamin Bedard

201-Tristan Antonio Sementilli July 4, 2011 Melanie Mongeau & Daniel Sementilli

202-Gabriella Crialese January 1, 2011 Kathy Kourlas & Massimo Crialese

203- Isabella Sollecito August 30, 2011 Lisa Testa & Frank Sollecito

197-Tiago Melo Franco March 1, 2011 Melissa Correia Melo & Joey Franco

Kim Huynh & Al Di Buono

Panoram Italia ne peut ĂŞtre tenu responsable des erreurs et des omissions.

Panoram Italia non va tenuto responsabile di eventuali errori ed omissioni.

Panoram Italia declines any responsibility for omissions or errors.

Community & Events

SONIA BENEDETTO

64

S H A R E Y OU R E V EN T S PARTAGEZ VOS ÉV ÉNEMENTS

C O N D IV ID E T E

NEWS & EVENTS

I V OS T R I EV EN T I

“THE KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA PAYS TRIBUTE“

sonia@panoramitalia.com

WINTERLUDE: LA SCUOLA PIERRE ELLIOT TRUDEAU IN CONCERTO

Un momento dello spettacolo con i ragazzi che cantano in italiano.

Nel quadro delle attività della scuola elementare “Pierre Elliot Trudeau”, la Preside della scuola, la Signora Michelle Stein ha organizzato il concerto “Winterlude”. Lo spettacolo, diviso in tre parti, era composto da balli e canti in lingua francese, inglese, italiano, spagnolo e portoghese. Sotto la guida delle due insegnanti, la Signora Bonifaccio e la Signora Mariotti, i giovani talenti protagonisti della quarta, quinta e sesta elementare che studiano l’italiano, hanno cantato “Mambo italiano” e “Ragazzi di oggi”. I presentatori della manifestazione sono stati tre alunni che con le loro battute hanno saputo intrattenere il pubblico con tanta vivacità. Con oltre duecento genitori presenti in platea, lo spettacolo aveva come obbiettivo di far vedere ai genitori come si esprimono i loro ragazzi anche in altre lingue. Tra le personalità presenti, c’era la Signora Roma Medwin (Deputy General EMSB). I costumi, che rappresentavano diverse nazionalità e che spiccavano per la loro autenticità, sono stati disegnati e confezionati dalla Signora Stein che, alla fine dello spettacolo, li ha regalati agli alunni per ringraziarli del loro impegno.

LA MOSTRA “FRATELLI D’ITALIA” A MONTRÉAL

Mr. Tony Loffreda (in the middle -1st row, left side), Mr. Luciano D’Ignazio (in the middle -1st row, right side) together with 7 living kidney donors (and their recipients) who have accepted the award on behalf of all living kidney donors. Josée Ducharme and her father, Mr. Onil Ducharme, Hélène Panneton and her son Benoît Panneton-Fréchette(on picture), Robert Sébastien who gave a kidney through the Canadian Living Donor Paired Exchange registry so his wife Danielle Moreau could receive a kidney. Sylvie Morrissette and her son Philippe Caron, Habib Lamrioui and his brother Nabil, Dr.Christopher Manfredi and his wife Paula Bontà, Mario Coulombe and Johanne Vézina and their recipient, their daughter Natasha Coulombe.

The Kidney Foundation of Canada conferred the “2011 Founder’s Award” to all living Kidney donors. The annual Gala which was held at “Le Windsor Ballrooms” was the closing event for 2011. “Living donation is the ultimate in generosity - it is the gift of life. We thought it was important as part of our 21st annual gala to pay a special tribute for this unique, remarkable gesture that helped save someone’s life.” said Mr. Tony Loffreda, Honorary President of the Founder’s Award Campaign. “This year’s gala shows how essential organ donation is. We decided to honour those who chose to be living kidney donors. Thanks to their selfless act, a life was saved. It was important for us to highlight such an exceptional deed.” said Mr. Luciano D’Ignazio, Chairman of The Founder’s Award Campaign. More than $550,000 was raised to fund The Kidney Foundation’s mission and research activities.

PANORAM ITALIA NEWLYWED CONTEST WINNERS! Congratulations to Melissa Homsany and Luca Iannuzzi for winning Panoram Italia’s newlywed contest on December 12, 2011.

They went home with his and hers Lancaster watches valued at $1500.

PRESENTAZIONE DEL LIBRO: “UMBERTO BRUNI, L’HOMME ET SON ART”

Da sinistra: Pasquale L. Iacobacci (Direttore generale della Casa d’Italia), Alberto Mario DeLogu (Consultore della Sardegna in Canada), il Console d’Italia a Montréal - Dott.Antonio Poletti, Tonino Mulas (Presidente onorario della Federazione delle Associazioni Sarde in Italia) e Michele Mannu (Presidente dell’Associazione Sardi del Québec).

“Garibaldi” 1°Premio: Benedetto Nicolini Benni - Categoria Illustrazione.

Realizzata dalla FASI (Federazione delle Associazioni Sarde in Italia) e dalle ACLI (Associazioni Cristiane Lavoratori Italiani) e curata da Luca Paulesu, si è conclusa a Montréal presso la Casa d’Italia, l’ultima tappa della mostra “Fratelli d’Italia - Il 150° anniversario dell’Unità d’Italia celebrato per immagini” organizzata dall’Associazione Sardi del Québec in collaborazione con l’Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Montréal. Le caricature esposte, hanno reso un divertente omaggio all’unità e all’identità nazionale e ad episodi e figure del Risorgimento. Degni di nota per la loro creatività un centinaio di vignettisti italiani ed internazionali; da Chiappori (Corriere della Sera), a Giuliano (La Repubblica), Origone (Secolo XIX), Staino (L’Unità), Nicolini (Libero), Bruna (Panorama), Ruth Greg (USA), Sulaj (Albania), Kurtu (Germania), Sliva (Rep. Ceca), Ignat (Romania), Horacio Guerrero (Argentina) e tanti altri. Le caricature della mostra sono state scelte da una giuria presieduta dal celebre grafico Gavino Sanna. “Fratelli d’Italia” è il risultato delle opere vincitrici di un concorso d’illustrazione satirica al quale hanno partecipato oltre cinquecento artisti con oltre mille quattrocento opere.

Da Sinistra: Egidio Vincelli (Scultore ed ex allievo di Bruni), Rosette Pipar (Scrittrice), Gian Carlo Biferali, Mirella Saputo, Umberto Bruni, Lino Saputo Sr. e Marcel Broquet (Editore).

Presso lo “Sheraton” di Laval, ha avuto luogo un cocktail per la presentazione del libro; “Umberto Bruni, L’Homme et son art”. Circa centocinquanta persone hanno partecipato a questa occasione in cui si festeggiava anche il novantasettesimo compleanno dell’artista. Un’opera della scrittrice Rosette Pipar, l’idea di rendere omaggio ad Umberto Bruni dedicandogli un libro, è stata lanciata dal mercante d’arte Gian Carlo Biferali e da Egidio Vincelli. Il progetto è stato sponsorizzato da Lino Saputo Sr. Armonia di colori nelle numerose riproduzioni di paesaggi, volti, fiori, testo e immagini, illustrano il volume che si compone di circa duecento pagine e danno un saggio dell’opera del Bruni e della sua genialità. Di origini italiane, Umberto Bruni nasce a Montréal e all’età di tredici anni inizia a dipingere vetrate e murali sotto la guida del Prof.Guido Nincheri. È in seguito egli stesso professore di belle arti presso l’Académie Querbes d’Outremont, l’École des Beaux-Arts de Montréal e a l’UQÀM. Pittore e scultore, ha esposto nel corso degli anni in numerose gallerie d’arte sia a livello nazionale che internazionale. Tra i numerosi riconoscimenti ricevuti, va ricordato « l’Ordre du grand mérite académique et Grand maître académicien ».

Community & Events

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“CIBPA: GALA PER IL 50° ANNIVERSARIO DEL PROGRAMMA DI BORSE DI STUDIO”

Foto di gruppo: Gli studenti e le personalità che erano presenti all’evento.

“La Salle de Bal” del Crown Plaza ha ospitato il “50° Anniversario del Programma di Borse di Studio della CIBPA”. Hanno partecipato all’evento circa quattrocentocin quanta persone. È stata l’occasione sia per celebrare i pionieri di questa lodevole iniziativa che per ringraziare i donatori e sostenitori.

Durante la serata sono state consegnate le borse di studio a studenti dei vari livelli universitari; 2 dottorati Da sinistra: Il presidente della CIBPA – Giovanni Chieffallo, ($4 000), 6 masters ($3 000 ) e il Presidente d’onore del Gala – Mariano A. De Carolis e il presidente del 27 lauree di primo livello-Bachelors Programma di borse di studio – Gian Carlo Biferali. ($2 000). Inoltre, quest’anno si sono aggiunte 15 borse d’eccellenza ($1 000 ciascuna) basate unicamente sul merito accademico. Il compito di scegliere cinquanta candidati sulla base di criteri di merito e bisogno finanziario, era stato assegnato ad un comitato di selezione presieduto dal Sig. Angelo Lepore. Tra i numerosi ospiti d’onore, ricordiamo Me Raphaël Esposito, l’unico dei tre fondatori del programma di borse di studio (insieme ad Antonio Capobianco e Alfredo Gagliardi) ancora in vita. I presentatori della serata sono stati Carole Gagliardi e Marco Luciani Castiglia. Giovanni Chieffallo, Presidente della CIBPA, ha reso un caloroso omaggio al Sig. Mariano De Carolis (Direttore Generale della Caisse Populaire Canadienne Italienne) per il prezioso contributo alla cerimonia in qualità di Presidente d’onore. È stato anche annunciato che il nuovo presidente della campagna di finanziamento per le borse di studio è il Sig. Nick DiTempora mentre il nuovo presidente del Programma di borse di studio è il Sig. Mike Goriani.

LISA GALLINARO Notary & Legal Counsel

Gagné Isabelle Patry Laflamme & Associés

“GALA PUGLIESE 2011”

REAL ESTATE * WILLS * MANDATES

188, rue Montcalm, bureau 300 Gatineau, QC J8Y 3B5 T 819 771-3231 F 819 771-3232 lisa-gallinaro@gipl.qc.ca www.gipl.qc.ca “si parla italiano”

Tony Tomassi Député de LaFontaine Bureau de circonscription 11977, avenue Alexis-Carrel Montréal (QC) H1E 5K7 Tél.: 514 648-1007 / Fax: 514 648-4559 ttomassi@assnat.qc.ca

Le Personalità Pugliesi che sono state onorate e il direttivo della Federazione.

Tra le numerose attività organizzate dalla “Federazione Regione Puglia di Montréal”, ha avuto luogo presso le “Château Classique”, il “Gala Pugliese 2011”. Alla presenza di circa quattrocento invitati, la Federazione ha scelto come Pugliesi dell’anno 2011; Da sinistra: Il Cavaliere Rocco Mattiace (Presidente della Federazione), Il Console Generale Giulio Picheca, Michele Lorusso e Maria Mattiace Michele Lorusso e il Consultore Franco Bellomo.

(Consultrice del Consiglio Generale dei Pugliesi nel Mondo dal mese di ottobre 2011). Inoltre, è stato consegnato un riconoscimento ad un Pugliese di ogni associazione. Tra coloro che si sono distinti vanno ricordati: Marco Longo, Franca Di Pierro, Lucia Brunetti, Pasquale De Palo, Franco Stallone, Giovanni Giancaspro, Giovanni Palermo, Pasquale Poliseno, Giovanni Melino, Nicoletta Di Milo, Cosmo Chimienti, Vito De Cicco, Nino Servidio, Carmela De Palo, Paolo Zaccheo, Rocco Placentino, Luigi Scattone, Franco Schiraldi e Antonio Spano. Era presente per l’occasione a Montréal anche una delegazione della Regione Puglia di cui era presidente Pietro Suavo Bolzis. Il presidente della Federazione Regione Puglia di Montréal Rocco Mattiace si è detto molto soddisfatto del successo della serata e ha sottolineato sia l’impegno del direttivo che quello delle varie associazioni affiliate. Ha ringraziato in modo speciale le autorità presenti e tutti i partecipanti.

Community & Events

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“TOSCANA IN FESTA: SERATA GALA DELL’ALLEGRIA”

Da sinistra: Colin Pierre Luigi Boudreau, il Consigliere Elena Fanucchi, Giancarlo Bertolucci - Presidente del Club Toscano, Yvonne Cerri - Personalità Toscana dell’anno 2011 , Matthew Quadrini, Stephen Cerri e Renzo Orsi - Coordinatore Continentale delle Associazioni del Nord America.

Tra le numerose attività che propone il Club Sociale Toscano, la Serata dell’Allegria, è sicuramente una delle più memorabili, tenutasi nella sala “Costa del Mare”. Scopo precipuo dell’incontro è di mantenere viva la cultura toscana a Montréal. Il gala è anche l’occasione giusta per rivedere vecchi amici e, perché no, fare nuove conoscenze. La serata è trascorsa piacevolmente a tavola, sulla pista da ballo con la musica dell’orchestra Millenium. Tanti i premi di presenza sorteggiati. Nel corso della serata è avvenuta anche la premiazione di Yvonne Cerri che ha vinto il “Giglio d’oro” come toscana dell’anno 2011 per il suo contributo al prestigio della sua terra di origine. Le borse di studio invece, sono state consegnate a Colin Pierre Luigi Boudreau per la sesta elementare e a Stephen Cerri e Matthew Quadrini per il livello collegiale.

“THE LIGHTS OF HOPE GALA”

“ IL BANCHETTO ANNUALE DELL’ASSOCIAZIONE CAMPODIPIETRA”

Da sinistra: Michele Perrota, Maria Michela Scricca, Nancy Delle Donne, Giuseppe Pilla (Presidente dell’associazione), Nadia Ricci (Ospite d’onore), Giuseppe Circelli, Antonietta Paventi, Mario D’Alessandro, Nicola Bruno, Lino Lamenta, Lina D’Attellis, assente: Pierino De Luca.

Si è svolto presso il Buffet “Le Rizz”, il banchetto annuale dell’Associazione Da sinistra: Giuseppe Pilla, la Pittrice Joanne Culturale Campodipietra. Alla presenza Egglefield e Carlo D’Avirro (Vincitore del quadro) di giovani e meno giovani, l’incontro ha visto riuniti sia compaesani che simpatizzanti. L’evento è stato allietato dal DJ Prestige. Nel corso della serata, è stata consegnata una targa ricordo a Nadia Ricci (Vincitrice della gara canora “Superfantastico” nel 2011) che durante la serata si è esibita con due canzoni. Tra canti, musica e balli, anche i bambini si sono sbizzarriti mentre giocavano alla « sedia musicale ». Non poteva mancare l’album di foto antiche e recenti del bel paese molisano. Tra i numerosi premi sorteggiati, c’era il quadro di un vico di Campodipietra; opera dell’artista Joanne Egglefield, che è stato vinto da Carlo D’Avirro. Prima di concludere i festeggiamenti, è stato annunciato che le attività della comunità campopietrese di Montréal sono consultabili sul sito web: www.campodipietra.ca

“LA FESTA ANNUALE DEI CASACALENDESI“

Honorary co-chairs Franco Cristiano and Salvatore Nicastro together with spouses, Daniela and Rosanna, announce the $200,000 raised.

Guests at the Gala.

Da sinistra: Romano Bino - Presidente dell’Associazione Casacalendese, Giuseppe Biello, Mme Jeannette Rioux, Luigi Piperni - Coordinatore del programma di borse di studio, i vincitori Anthony Rainone, Riccardo Caimano, Élise e Marisa Giammaria e l’ex.

Presidente dell’associazione, Pietro Molino.

The 7th annual “Lights of Hope Gala” took place at the “Metropolitain Golf Club”. The goal of this fundraiser was to raise money for the McGill University Health Center’s division of Endocrinology and Metabolism. More than four hundred and seventy guests were welcomed by Honourary co-chairs Franco Cristiano and Salvatore Nicastro along with co-chairs Drs. Natasha Garfield, George Tsoukas and gala Honouree Dr. David Morris with his wife, the Honourable Pepita Capriolo Morris.

After cocktails, the guests gathered in the ballroom to have dinner and danced the night away to the music of Three’s Company Orchestra and Global Entertainment.

Dr. David Morris was honoured for his exceptional contribution to patient care, teaching, community involvement and for his role as a humanitarian. Organizing committee members Brigitte Scheel-Keefe, Daniela Cristiano and Rosanna Nicastro made sure that the evening would turn out to be a real success and the guests and numerous supporters had a great time. Over $200,000 was raised. The funds will be used to improve patient care, teaching and research in diabetes, osteoporosis, thyroid and other hormonal disorders.

Ha avuto luogo presso “Le Rizz”, la “Festa Annuale dell’Associazione Casacalendese” che ha festeggiato l’ottantasettesimo anniversario dalla Da sinistra: Il Sig. Franco Iasenza – Personalità sua fondazione. Oltre ad onorare il Sig. Casacalendese dell’anno 2011 e il Sig.Romano Bino.

Franco Iasenza con il riconoscimento di “Personalità Casacalendese dell’Anno 2011”, sono stati anche premiati con una borsa di studio, quattro giovani di origine casacalendese. È un modo concreto per invogliare le nuove generazioni e di assicurare la continuità delle tradizioni paesane.

L’iniziativa è nata nel lontano 1974 in occasione del 50° anniversario dell’associazione. Da allora, sono state consegnate centoquattordici borse di studio. Durante la serata è stato anche presentato un calendario (6a edizione) dedicato al ricordo di Casacalenda. Le offerte raccolte per il calendario saranno devolute al restauro della chiesa della Difesa di Casacalenda. La serata è stata allietata dal DJ Marini e dal cantante Franco Rinaldiche.

Community & Events

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“PROSSIME ATTIVITÀ DELL’ASSOCIAZIONE GILDONESE” L’associazione Gildonese esiste dal 1965, a scopi non-lucrativi. La sua esistenza è basata sul volontariato con raccolta di fondi per opere di beneficenza. Conserviamo le tradizioni tra i gildonesi della zona di Montréal quasi alla stessa maniera che si faceva nel nostro paese di origine, Gildone nel Molise. La nostra prossima festa sarà quella di San Giuseppe al Buffet Le Rizz con una rappresentazione della Santa Famiglia il 17 marzo 2012. Per ulteriori informazioni, si prega di contattare Joe Di Lillo al 514-494-9849. Un altro evento importante è la raccolta del granturco che si terrà il 2 setembre 2012. Si festeggia la tradizionale festa della ‘Scoffolata’ con musica, e con piatti della gastronomia paesana. Un invito a tutti, paesani, corregionali e simpatizzanti ad essere dei nostri.

Cordiali saluti dal comitato.

IL CLUB RICREATIVO MARCELIN-WILSON E BOCCE L’ACADIE

La festa di Capodanno Presidente Giuseppe Stinziani e la moglie

Il Club Ricreativo Marcelin-Wilson e Bocce L’Acadie è un club italiano di prestigio situato a Cartierville. Inaugurato nel 1992, vanta 450 membri provenienti da Montreal (soprattutto da Ahuntsic-Cartierville), da Laval, da West Island e da Rivière des Prairies. I membri si riuniscono 7 giorni su 7 per condividere storie, giocare a bocce al coperto, a carte, a football, a biliardo, a bingo, per danzare, ecc. Il club organizza diverse feste, escursioni, eventi sociali e gare di bocce con gruppi locali e internazionali. Il 31 dicembre 2011, circa 120 persone hanno presenziato alla festa di Capodanno. Molti membri con le loro famiglie hanno trascorso una piacevole serata e hanno degustato una speciale gastronomia (calamari fritti, gamberi, lasagne, vitello arrosto, gelato ‘spumone’, dessert fatti in casa, ecc.), preparata e servita dai membri del comitato e dai loro coniugi. Il gruppo ha danzato tutta la notte sulle note di vecchi classici italiani e hanno accolto il 2012 con Spumante Asti, panettone, baci e abbracci. Un ringraziamento speciale va al Presidente del club, Giuseppe Stinziani, e a tutti i membri del comitato per il loro tempo, la loro dedizione, il duro lavoro e per aver reso la festa, nonché ogni giorno, un’esperienza gradevole. La fraternanza che gli anziani condividono al club è incommensurabile e li aiuta a sentirsi giovani e in forma. Si accettano volentieri nuovi membri (Maria Marsillo).

Club Ricreativo Marcelin-Wilson 10526 boul. de l’Acadie, Montréal, QC H4N 1L9 (514) 331-4555

CONFÉRENCE ALGHERO: PATRIMOINE CATALAN DE SARDAIGNE À LA CASA D'ITALIA Le 18 janvier dernier, l'Association sarde du Québec et le Cercle culturel catalan du Québec ont présenté la conférence Alghero: patrimoine catalan de Sardaigne à la Casa d'Italia. Cette conférence a été organisée suite à la publication de l'article Alghero, la Barceloneta sarda, dans Panoram Italia le printemps dernier. Cet événement faisant le pont entre les communautés sarde, italienne, catalane et québécoise a permis à une centaine de personnes d'en apprendre davantage sur l'histoire de la Sardaigne, de même que la langue et la culture métissées d'Alghero. Après la conférence donnée par Marc Pomerleau, délégué au tourisme au Cercle culturel catalan et collaborateur à Panoram Italia, les participants ont eu la chance de discuter tout en dégustant un Cannonau di Sardegna, ainsi que d'autres produits sardes et catalans. Un grand merci à la Casa d'Italia, aux commanditaires et aux organisateurs, tout particulièrement à Maria Giovanna Filia de l'Association sarde du Québec, qui a mené à bien ce projet au cours des derniers mois.

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Sports

The Impact’s entry into

Head coach Jesse Marsch

By Nick Sabetti

The days of Claude Robillard, feeble TV streams – or none at all - and the glum tottering landscape of North America’s second division soccer league are history. Say hello to Major League Soccer (MLS) and everything else that comes with it: a 20,000 capacity Saputo Stadium, games in high definition, David Beckham, Thierry Henry and the best soccer North America has to offer. Yet as much as that all sounds too good to be true, it only represents a small speck of the good that will come from the Montreal Impact’s official entry into MLS this spring.

n March 10, the Impact will be making its debut against the Vancouver Whitecaps as the 19th franchise of MLS. This historic event not only represents a whole new chapter for soccer in Montreal, but also for sports in Quebec as a whole. The Saputo family has not only brought the highest level of professional soccer on the continent to the Belle Province, but an opportunity for all our young lovers of the game to become high level professional players on our very own soil. There wasn’t this possibility ten years ago, when Patrice Bernier, arguably Quebec’s best ever soccer player, left the Impact to pursue a top professional career in Europe. His return to the city this December is indicative of how far the team has come.

As much as the Impact is a long term project, success on the field in the short term is vital: failure in the first seasons would not exactly bode well for the club’s image and stature within the city. Toronto FC is a case in point.

Not even coming close to making the playoffs in its first five seasons, Toronto’s fan base, once the envy of many clubs around the MLS, has slowly become a significantly dwindled reality. If results on the field don’t improve soon, it could all get much worse.

O

Patrice Bernier

Vancouver fans may very well undergo the same predicament. While the 2011 season was the Whitecaps’ first, it was also one of the worst ever seasons for any club in MLS. Whether or not things improve in 2012, is something that remains to be seen.

But it isn’t to say that an MLS expansion team – a team in its first season – can’t be immediately successful. Numerous sides have been able to make the playoffs right off the bat. The current Impact coach, Jesse Marsch, was part of the Chicago Fire side that went on to win the MLS Cup in its very first season in 1998.

A native of Racine, Wisconsin, Marsch wasn’t exaggerating when, in his first press conference in Montreal in August, he described himself as having been a ‘winner’ no matter where he went. Marsch played in all of the first 14 seasons of MLS, winning

Sports

MLS puts Montreal on the map three MLS Cups (1996, 1997 and 1998) and four US Open Cups (1996, 1998, 2000 and 2003). He is one of the most decorated players in MLS history.

After his playing career, Marsch became an assistant coach to Bob Bradley with the US National Team, finishing 2nd at the 2009 Confederations Cup and getting to the round of 16 at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

While Marsch’s appointment as head coach is his first, his experience in North American soccer certainly seems to outweigh the fact of being inexperienced behind the bench. Particularly notable and beneficial to the Impact is his experience with expansion teams - Chicago in 1998 and Chivas in 2006.

Much to Marsch’s own credit, he has a solid group of players to work with. From Nelson Rivas (formerly of Inter Milan) and Davy Arnaud to American Under 23 Internationals Zarek Valentin and the especially promising first round draft pick Andrew Wenger, Marsch has put together a strong mix of both experienced and promising young talents. He will also profit from easily being able to adopt more than one formation given the fact that several players on the roster are adept at playing in more than one position.

Of the ten teams in the Eastern Conference, five will qualify to the playoffs.

Finishing ahead of, say, Kansas City, Philadelphia, New York, Houston or Columbus will A rendering of the new Saputo Stadium

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Nelson Rivas modelling the Impact's 2011-2012 jersey

be very difficult. However, the current squad would be capable of potentially challenging for the fifth spot; coming in fourth place would be – realistically - the absolute best case scenario; finishing in the first three spots would be almost inconceivable; arriving in last place would be a disappointment. Of the two teams that reach the final of the playoffs – MLS Cup final – the team which had the best record during the regular season will host the one match final and if it turns out to be Montreal, call it a miracle.

Ultimately, when all is said and done, soccer is the world’s game and that won’t change any time soon. To put things into perspective, when Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby made his short-lived but goal-filled comeback after recovering from his concussion back in November, very few people outside North America took notice, let alone even know who Crosby is. On the other hand, when ex Chelsea forward Nicholas Anelka was close to signing with the Impact in November, sources from China’s CCTV 5 sports network to Italy’s Gazzetta Dello Sport were reporting it.

Considering almost every country has its own soccer league, the fact that MLS is unquestionably within the top 30 in the world, is very significant. With the almost incredible growth of MLS over the last ten years, who knows where the league will be in the next decade or two.

Surely, as far as sports are concerned on a global scale, the Impact’s entry into MLS also puts Montreal on the map.

Nick Sabetti also covers the Montreal Impact for Rogers Sportsnet and Goal.com. Follow Nick on twitter @Nick_Sabetti