Panoram Italia Montreal Aug/Sept 2016

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THE ITALIAN-CANADIAN MAGAZINE MAILED TO HOMES IN THE GREATER MONTREAL AND OTTAWA AREAS

LIVING ITALIAN STYLE

TANGO ALL’ ITALIANA ALL’ ITALIANA

GRANDS LACS

D’ITALIE

DU NORD

COVER: TANGO DANCERS IN BUENOS AIRES AUGUST/ SEPTEMBER 2016 • VOL.11 • NO.4

www.panoramitalia.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

AUGUST/ SEPTEMBER 2016 Vol. 11 NO. 4 EDITORIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Amarcord. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Pomodoro Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Dave Traina of The Damn Truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 A Tribute to Fallen Workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

LIFE & PEOPLE

Samcon: Building Castles in the City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 TG Beco: Cultivating Happy Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Remarco: Like Father Like Son . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 MC Group: Focus On Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Di Fiore: Remembering a Father and a Builder . . . . . . . . . 30

MONTREAL BUILDERS: PART 2 OF 4

41 52

Tango all’Italiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Argentine à saveur italienne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Papa Francesco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 The Italian Origins of Boca Juniors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Recipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Comida all’Italiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

ITALIAN ARGENTINA

LIVING ITALIAN STYLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 FASHION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 DESIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Côme, Majeur et Garde . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Must-see sites in Como and Garda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Lakeside Drinking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Top 10 dishes from the Italian Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 The Shrine of Italian Victories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Voyage inoubliable au lac de Côme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

ITALIAN GREAT LAKES

76

Car Designer Giorgetto Giugiaro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Maria Saracino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

ARTS & CULTURE

Frank Scalia ordinato prete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 La legitima . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

ADVICE

GRADUATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER AND EDITOR Tony Zara

EDITORIAL DEPUTY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Adam Zara MONTREAL MANAGING EDITOR & WEB MANAGER Gabriel Riel-Salvatore BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS Carole Gagliardi EDITORIAL INTERN Vittoria Zorfini

Italy’s Gutsy Performance at EURO 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Bianca Farella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

TRANSLATOR Claudia Buscemi Prestigiacomo Athena Mellor PROOFREADERS Rossana Bruzzone Marie-Hélène L. Papillon Aurélie Ptito

ART DEPARTMENT ART DIRECTION David Ferreira Gabriel Riel-Salvatore

PHOTOGRAPHY Vincenzo D’Alto Fahri Yavuz

GRAPHIC DESIGN David Ferreira

ADVERTISING ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Terry Marziliano Anthony Zara

CONTRIBUTORS Rossana Bruzzone • Paul Salvatori • Loretta Di Vita • Carlotta Morteo Marie-Claude Di Lillo • Fabio Barenbaum • Claudia Buscemi Prestigiacomo Dante Di Iulio • Alessia Sara Domanico • Marco Giovanetti • Alain Raymond Agata De Santis • Nicola Di Narzo • Joey Strizzi • Marisa Iacobucci

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EVENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 SPORTS

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Pal Di Iulio TORONTO MANAGING EDITOR Rita Simonetta

Publications Mail Agreement #40981004

Printed by: 514.337.7870 www.accentimpression.com Montreal, Québec, Canada

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EDITORIAL

Argentina mi amor!

If

you were a young Italian in post-World War giovani nell’Italia del dopoguerra, con la voglia di scappare da un paese distrutII Italy and wanted to escape a wrecked to dalla guerra, senza lavoro, e pieno di istituzioni che non funzionavano: dove country plagued by war, lack of work, and avreste voluto andare? Francia? Belgio? Germania? Argentina? Canada? E dove filled with non-functioning institutions, where vi saresete sentiti più benvenuti e a casa? Certo, Francia, Belgio e Germania erano would you have wanted to go? France? Belgium? più vicine alla patria, ma non tutti volevano avere da fare con le sfide poste dalla Germany? Argentina? Canada? And where would ricostruzione dell'Europa dopo la guerra. you have felt most welcome and at home?

E il Canada? “Non c'è niente”, come si dice abbiano detto con un minimo di Sure, France, Belgium and Germany were closscoraggiamento alcuni dei primi esploratori e pionieri dopo essere sbarcati. Non er to the patria but not everyone wanted to deal with era la parte più fredda de ‘La Merica’? Anche se è stato un italiano (di quando the post-war reconstruction challenges of Europe. l’Italia ancora era solo un'idea), Giovanni Caboto, ad essere sbarcato per primo How about “Ca nada”? “Nothing here,” as some sulle coste occidentali canadesi il 24 giugno del 1497, in realtà era in missione per early explorers and pioneers were reported to have conto dei sovrani inglesi, che avevano finanziato il suo viaggio alla ricerca di un uttered upon landing. And wasn’t it the coldest part passaggio a nord ovest verso la Cina. Che cosa mai avevano avuto gli italiani dal of “l’America”? Although Giovanni Caboto was the first “pre-Italy Italian” to have Canada se non forse il baccalà di Terranova per mezzo delle flotte da pesca porrecorded his landfall on the eastern shores of Canada on June 24, 1497, he claimed toghesi? E tra l’altro, tecnicamente Terranova non ha fatto parte del Canada fino al the territory for the English king who had sponsored his voyage to find the 1949. E i canadesi di origine italiana non furono internati tra il 1940 ed il northwest passage to China. What did Italians ever get from Canada, except, 1943? In più, i potenziali immigranti italiani erano classificati come ‘stranieri maybe, its baccalà from Terranova via the Portuguese fishing fleets? Besides, ostili’ dalle non troppo incoraggianti leggi sull'immigrazione nel Canada Newfoundland was technically not even part of Canada until 1949. And were not dell'immediato dopoguerra.

Canadians of Italian heritage interned from 1940 to 1943? Moreover, would-be L’Argentina d'altro canto sembrava così tanto più familiare e attraente: una Italian immigrants were listed as “enemy aliens” in the not-too-encouraging terra di praterie verdi e argento, piene di grano, gauchos e mandrie di bovini. Non Canadian immigration laws in early post-war Canada. era l’Argentina la Svizzera del sud America? E poi era più facile immigrare là. C’era Argentina, on the other hand, would have sounded so much more familabbondanza di mare e di acque dolci, praterie, foreste e montagne, per non parlare iar and attractive: a land of silver, green pampas filled with grain, gauchos and del cielo azzurro e del clima più mite. beef galore. Was Argentina not the Switzerland of South America? And besides, L’Argentina era nota agli italiani grazie alle imprese, reali o immaginarie, di it was easier to immigrate there. It had plenty of sea, water, plains, forests and uno dei tre eroi del Risorgimento italiano: Giuseppe Garibaldi, l’eroe dei due mountains, not to mention the azure skies and mondi, che assieme alla sua amata Anita ed alle warmer weather. camicie rosse andò a combattere in favore dei Argentina, on the other hand, would movimenti d'indipendenza del sud America.

Argentina was known to Italians through the exploits, real or imagined, of one of the trilogy of Gli argentini parlavano spagnolo, una lingua have sounded so much more familiar Italian Risorgimento heroes: Garibaldi, “l’eroe dei romanza, più facile da comprendere da parte di and attractive: a land of silver, green coloro che avevano abitato in zone d'Italia goverdue mondi,” who along with his beloved Anita and camicie rosse fought for South American indepampas filled with grain, gauchos nate dagli spagnoli Re di Napoli. Non era una pendence movements. scelta difficile per le migliaia che fuggivano la and beef galore.

Argentines spoke Spanish, a Romance lanpovertà del sud e di parte del nord Italia. E poi guage, more easily understood by those living in c'erano già italiani in Argentina, in particolare parts of Italy that had been ruled by the Spanish kings of Naples. It was not too difgenovesi e siciliani, fin dall'inizio del ventesimo secolo. ficult of a choice then for thousands fleeing the poverty of the south and pockets Dev’essere stato, quindi, un “Argentina, mi amor, arrivo”. of the north of Italy. Besides, there were already pockets of Genovesi and Sicilians Ma nonostante le ottime prospettive nel decennio 1945/55, l’economia living in Buenos Aires at the turn of the 20th century. It must have been, therefore, argentina è passata dal boom alle difficoltà. Una situazione che continua ancora “Argentina, mi amor, here I come.” oggi. Durante lo stesso periodo di tempo il Canada, un posto sulla mappa alla And yet, despite all of Argentina’s advantages between 1945 and 1955, it went ricerca di abitanti per poter entrare nella storia, è cresciuto fino a diventare parte from a booming economy to a struggling one, which is still the case today. During del G7 e del G8 delle maggiori potenze industriali. the same time period, Canada, a geography looking for people to make history, Non possiamo di sicuro incolpare gli italiani immigrati in Argentina per la went on to become part of the G7 and G8 group of the most industrialized nations deflazione economica di quel Paese, ma noi, canadesi di origine italiana, vogliamo in the world. e dobbiamo prenderci qualche merito nell’aver contribuito ad aiutare il Canada a We cannot blame the Italians who immigrated to Argentina for the country’s raggiungere il suo ottimo status nel mondo. Visitando città come Toronto e economic deflation but we, Canadians of Italian heritage, want and must take some Montreal si vedono e si sentono immediatamente il contributo ed il gusto italiano credit for our contribution in helping Canada achieve its favourable standing in the nella vita quotidiana. Ma gli italiani hanno fatto sentire la propria presenza e world. Visit urban centres such as Toronto or Montreal and one quickly sees and influenza nelle Provincie Marittime, nell’Ovest ed in British Columbia. E' qualcosa feels the Italian participation and accent in the lifestyle. Italians, however, have also di cui ci occuperemo nelle prossime edizioni. made their presence and influence felt in the Maritimes, the West, and in British Non intendiamo rispondere a tutte queste domande in questo numero Columbia. It’s something that we will explore in future editions. dedicato all'eredità italiana in Argentina, ma Panoram vuole condividere alcune We will not answer all of these questions in this edition focusing on Argentina’s storie di nostri ‘cugini’ argentini che vi aiuteranno a capire perchè taluni dei Italian heritage, but Panoram shares some stories from our Argentine cugini that will nostri zii e cugini che sono immigrati là negli anni '50 sono venuti in Canada negli help you appreciate why some of our uncles and cousins who went there in the 1950s anni ’60 e ’70, e altri ne stanno arrivando. later immigrated to Canada in the ’60s and ’70s, with more arriving.

Una volta ho chiesto a un amico con un nome meritoriamente romano, nato I once asked a friend with a meritorious Roman name who was born in in Argentina da genitori molisani e immigrato in Canada all'inizio degli anni ’60: Argentina to Molisano parents and moved to Canada in the early ’60s: “If Italy were “Se l'Italia giocasse contro il Canada, tu per chi tiferesti?” “A che gioco?” “Hockey facing Canada, for which country would you cheer?” He answered, “Which sport su ghiaccio”. “Canada”, rispose senza esitare. “E se avessero giocato a calcio?”, ho would these teams be playing?” “Ice hockey,” I replied. He then quickly answered, insistito. “Italia”.

“Canada.” I went on, “What if the game were soccer?” He responded, “Italy.”

Ecco un amico che di sicuro sa fare scelte vincenti, anche nel mercato immoHe certainly knew how to pick winners in real estate as well. I never did ask biliare. Ma non gli ho mai chiesto pareri su Italia vs Argentina nel rugby, l’hockey him about Italy versus Argentina in rugby, field hockey or food! I thank my parsu prato o il cibo! Ringrazio i miei genitori per avermi fatto nascere in Italia e poi ents often for having me in Italy and importing me to Canada. It’s summer, so let’s ‘importato’ in Canada. È estate: festeggiamo insieme le nostre radici ed i 150 anni celebrate together our roots and Canada’s 150th anniversary coming up in 2017. del Canada, nel 2017.

I

Salud y prosperidad and buon appetito Pal Di Iulio, Associate Editor, Panoram Italia 12

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Salud y prosperidad e buon appetito Pal Di Iulio, Associate Editor, Panoram Italia

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LIFE & PEOPLE

AMARCORD

The Ultimate Celebration View from a rooftop of Italian Canadians celebrating Italy’s World Cup win in 1982. Hundreds of thousands of Italian fans filled St. Clair Avenue in Toronto in the largest post-war gathering of Italian-Canadians.

Photo courtesy of Roberto Portolese, Columbus Centre of Toronto

The Greatest Culinary Ritual in the Italian Culture

Photo by Antonio Cavaliere

It’s 6 a.m. Labour Day Weekend, 1985. My Canadian friends are at a cottage, soaking in what’s left of the summer sunshine, as I am awoken by the clanging of mason jars being retrieved from the cantina to be carried outdoors to the garage. My father is carefully organizing the space in preparation for the greatest culinary ritual in the Italian culture – the making of the annual tomato sauce – the famous ‘salsa.’ One long weekend per year sacrificed for a year’s worth of culinary delight. As an adult, my sentiment is that I wouldn’t exchange those memories for any lakefront view.

Luciana Longo, author of Si Mangia! Memories, Lessons and Recipes from Italian Immigrant Life, Toronto

Che Salsa Delizioza!

I used to make fun of the Woodbridge Italians making tomato sauce in their garage and washing the tomato equipment in their driveway. Now I’m one of them and I’m passing the tradition on to my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. Che salsa delizioza!

Flaviana DiNardo, Woodbridge

Tomato Time On a trip to Leamington, Ontario, in the 1960s we helped relatives bring in their crop of tomatoes. That was not tomato juice being passed around in the gallon jug.

Nick Travaglini, Toronto

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LIFE & PEOPLE

Pomodoro Seas n The tradition of tomato sauce making

By Diana Vecchiarelli abour Day long weekend means only one thing in the Vecchiarelli tomato sauce extractor that he purchased from a local Italian supermarket in household: the making of sugo. After months of tilling the soil of two Scarborough. I remember him bringing it to Nonna’s house five Labour Day large gardens, nurturing the tomato plants day and night as if they were long weekends ago and seeing the astonishment on my family’s faces. It was like our own children, and praying the rosary, the tomatoes are finally ready. Nonna my father had driven a Ferrari 250 GTO into the garage in exchange for Nonno’s Antonietta’s garage is off limits for the week before the “big day” as tables upon old pickup truck. tables of juicy Roma pomodori take their last opportunity to ripen to their Once the juice is extracted, it is poured into large vats and is seasoned with vibrant, red luster. salt, pepper, and several freshly picked vegetables from Nonna’s garden, which At 6 a.m. sharp, everyone arrives at Nonna’s house. There’s no way of include basil, parsley, and onions. While my sister, my cousins, and myself are avoiding tomato juice on our clothes today, so we make sure to not wear our in charge of stirring the boiling vats of sugo, Nonna is the head of quality Sunday best. Even with the shielding of our aprons in years’ past, we’ve control, ensuring that the ingredients perfectly complement the sauce. She takes accepted that the sauce will always find a way to strike, and that the younger pride in her sauce and treats it like gold. She is most proud that her children and ones will experience it the worst from head to toe. Nonetheless, we are prepared grandchildren continue to take part in the century-long family tradition that for the elements. After eating soppressata, proshe and her husband brought over from their sciutto, and pecorino panini for breakfast (which hometown of Campobasso, Molise. Nonna never Nonna believes will give us “la forza” for the day), forgets to give us each a spoonful of sauce to taste, we top the morning off with shots of espresso and being equally interested in her grandchildren’s At 6 a.m. sharp, everyone we’re ready to go. reviews of the sugo. arrives at Nonna’s house.

The stations are meticulously set up and An hour passes and the sugo has reduced we’re all assigned a dutiful role. Like every year, significantly.

Now that it has thickened, it’s ready There’s no way of avoiding everyone helps out. Fourteen people means fourto be poured into the prized mason jars that are tomato juice on our clothes teen jobs – some taking on more than one. From each topped with a stem of fresh basil. My father washing, boiling, and straining the tomatoes to and uncles take on the responsibility of filling the today, so we make sure to putting them through the machine, there’s a lot to jars and sealing them, with the help of my fivebe done. year-old cousin who eagerly passes them the lids not wear our Sunday best.

The assembly line starts in the garage and and rings. A jar is reserved for tonight’s dinner: ends in the backyard. My mother and aunts boil homemade spaghettini with sugo. How Nonna the tomatoes in large vats over gas burners to managed to make homemade pasta at 4 a.m. this ensure that they slide like butter through the machine. After removing the morning is beyond our belief. It must have been the soppressata panino she ate water, the tomatoes are strained through the electric machine that separates the at dawn. seeds and the juice into their own respectable Festa Juice containers. These After indulging in a delicious dinner complemented with homemade wine, durable 21 litre bins are used twice a year: once for the tomato sauce season in we agree that 12 hours of hard work pays off. Another successful tomato sauce September and the other for wine-making season in October. season is now complete. Roughly 400 jars were made this year. Nonna divides The technology used to extract the juice and separate the seeds has come them, giving each family 100 jars and keeping the remainder for herself and her a long way since my father could remember. As a young boy, he used my late regular Sunday family lunches. The adults help to carry down Nonna’s jars to Nonno Libero’s makeshift hand-cranked machine (which consisted of a strainthe cantina in her basement, carefully placing each on the shelves, as if they er and rotating press handle) to extract the tomato juice. Although it was a long, were placing their most prized trophies on a mantle for all to see. tedious, but acceptable method, Nonno wished to increase his family’s efficienI hope to continue my Nonni’s tradition of tomato sauce making and to cy. He invented his own electronic machine by attaching the hand-cranked one pass it on to future generations because it is an integral part of my heritage. It to a used refrigerator generator, cutting the juicing process time in half. represents what it means to be Italian. The product that comes out of this The machine strained thousands of tomatoes for over 30 sauce seasons day’s hard work is the foundation of our family meals, birthday parties, and before the engine gave out. This was when my father decided to invest in the celebrations. Pomodori Day is my favourite holiday because it symbolizes the O.M.R.A New Line #2 2800 Electric Tomato Machine: a state-of-the-art gift of family and the gift of food, making it the most wonderful time of the year.

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LIFE & PEOPLE

The beat is strong

By Agata De Santis

A

ny good drummer’s story starts with a drum kit presented to him or her at an early age. The same is true for Montreal drummer Dave Traina, with one exception. The drum kit that seven-year-old Traina began playing on did not belong to him. Rather, it was his older brother who saved up his earnings as a dishwasher during the summer months to buy a drum kit. “My brother was the original drummer in the family,” Traina explains.

Traina did what any baby brother would do. At any opportunity available to him, he sat at his brother’s kit and played. “I would get home from school and play drums until my parents closed the lights, which was the signal that they had had enough. Allowing a drum kit in the house, now that takes an enormous amount of patience,” Traina muses.

As he got older and better at his craft, Traina started to play with other musicians and eventually began forming his own bands.

For the past nine years, Traina has been the drummer of Montreal rock band The Damn Truth.

Band members Traina, vocalist and guitarist Lee-La Baum, guitarist Tom Shemer, and bassist David Massé (who left the band earlier this year), met on a gig as hired musicians for a pop singer. The pop singer’s career didn’t amount to much, but the musicians got along smashingly, and soon began to rehearse together.

When The Damn Truth released its first full-length album in 2012, they caught the attention of Montreal’s rock radio station, CHOM FM. “CHOM saw something in us at a time when they were changing format. We were one of the first local bands that they took under their wing. We seemed to represent that change they were looking for… rock music and local talent. The timing was perfect,” Traina explains.

The band released its second full-length album, Devilish Folk, last month.

In June, they released “Heart is Cold,” the first single off the album, along with an accompanying music video, that has already garnered thousands of hits on YouTube and is on regular rotation on CHOM. The launch was followed by a performance at Montreal’s annual Osheaga 16

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Music & Arts Festival, a two-day outdoor music festival that draws tens of thousands of music lovers and some of the biggest names in music today.

Come this fall, the band will be heading out on a national tour, with stops in over twenty Canadian cities.

Devilish Folk marks the first time that the band is signed to a major label (Fineline Records/Warner Music Canada). “It’s exciting because we’ve always done things ourselves. Now we have a bit of muscle this time,” Traina explains. “We approach music as an old school band. We get together to create music in a natural way, not in front of the computer,” he continues. “We’re often referred to as a blend of Led Zeppelin and Janis Joplin.”

The comparison is quite on mark. But talent has something to do with it as well. The band’s music and lyrics are powerful and intense. And the international industry has noticed. Lead vocalist Lee-La Baum, for example, is the lyrical voice of Yves Saint Laurent’s global ad campaign for its new fragrance, Mon Paris.

“It’s really amazing for Lee-La. We’re getting emails and messages from fans all over the world.”

The Damn Truth In 2011, Traina and childhood friend Derek Orsi opened the Freq Shop, a recoding studio in the Mothership rehearsal space in Montreal North’s industrial park. Five years before that, they were recording in a smaller space. “We’ve got something happening here almost everyday,” Traina explains. “Derek and I have a good chemistry. We’re old friends. And so we wear many hats in the studio: technician, creative, admin, psychologist,” he says. “When you’re in a small space with different types of people, and the sessions are long, it can be intense.”

Traina’s obligations with The Damn Truth and the Freq Shop are now a full-time enterprise, and he couldn’t be happier. “I’m really fortunate. This is a blessing, but it’s a lot of work, it’s constant work. But fun work nonetheless. I’m in the studio almost seven days a week, and I love it.”

For a full list of the band’s touring schedule, please visit www.thedamntruth.com.

Devilish Folk is available for sale on your favourite digital music platform.

Photography By Neil Mota

Dave Traina

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LIFE & PEOPLE

From far left: Joe Macinelli of LiUNA Local 506 and Carmen Principato, manager of Local 506

By Danila Di Croce

T

he large wave of Italian immigrants who came to Canada following the Second World War paved the way for a brighter future for all Italians through their sacrifices and hard work. And in some cases, in the course of attempting to make a living for themselves and their families, they also lost their lives. This is what fuelled Marino Toppan to create the Italian Fallen Workers Memorial, a project unveiled April 28 on the grounds of Villa Charities’ Lawrence-Dufferin campus.

Toppan, lead organizer of the memorial, emigrated from Italy in 1955 and worked in construction until the 1960s, when he was approached by Bruno Zanini, then union leader, to join the team as a union organizer. It was through this job that Toppan was exposed to the many Italian fatalities occurring in the workplace. “I was going to a funeral a week,” explains Toppan. “The most common deaths were from those working on the trenches where they put the pipes for the sewers and the water mains. Many were buried alive. Immigrants were given jobs that they weren’t trained for, so they didn’t know how to properly use the material. They came here to work, and they were doing the worst jobs that were thrown at them.” As a result of the numerous deaths, a memorial was designed by Giovanni Fanton, for Italian fallen workers in Vaughan. Although beautiful, the memorial, for which Toppan was a committee member, lacked an essential element: the names of the fallen.

Toppan was motivated to create a new memorial that included names.

“There would be a funeral, people would cry, and then two days later they would forget. That’s why I decided we needed to have a memorial with the names of each individual, so that they would each be remembered.”

It took six long years of research through various methods – advertisements in the media, research of newspaper clippings, and contacting families directly – to obtain the names. While Toppan had done most of the grunt work himself, the research of Paola Breda was integral. Breda, whose family was one of the original donors for the project, was deeply committed from the very beginning. With her technical savviness, many more names were discovered.

The original estimation of 200-300 names was greatly surpassed.

The memorial contains just over 1,000 names of fallen workers, two of which are women. The information is distributed among 11 columns, each representing a decade since the 1900s. The inclusion of additional names is planned for a later date.

The project’s construction was headed by Joe Cordiano, owner of Dominus Construction Group. Cordiano was first approached by Toppan to help raise 18

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funds. However, Cordiano decided to enlist his company to help build the project at no cost. “My father passed away in 1959, due to a construction accident, when I was two years old,” Cordiano explains. “He was only 28 years old.

Helping with the project allowed me to feel connected to my father in some way.

I did it in honour of him and all the others who lost their lives.”

Others involved in the project included Ralph Giannone of Giannone Petricone Associates, the architectural firm who also participated on a pro-bono basis; Villa Charities, who donated land and helped sponsor the project in various ways; and the variety of donors, all of which can be found on the memorial website. Further costs are being covered by community donations. “It’s the largest memorial to fallen workers in Canada, with names and documented evidence,” Breda proudly says. “There are plans to digitize all of the documentation, with the help of COSTI Immigrant Services, and once that’s completed, it’s going to be documented and archived by the Italian studies chair at the University of Toronto, Professore Bancheri. We will also be releasing a commemorative book, entitled, Ontario: Canada’s Land of Sorrow and Triumph, which can be pre-ordered on our website.”

With over 1,000 individuals present at the project’s unveiling, including members of the municipal, provincial and federal governments, it’s clear that Italian fallen workers are now getting their much-deserved recognition and honour. It’s only fitting, according to Toppan, who points out that ItalianCanadians “gave the highest contribution of blood and sweat to build this province than any other ethnic community.”

Cordiano adds, “None of us – my generation, the next, or even future generations – would be successful if it weren’t for them. In my father’s case and the others, they made the ultimate sacrifice in search of a better life for us. We shouldn’t forget them.”

To donate online, please visit www.villacharities.com. Donations can also be dropped off at the Columbus Centre reception, to the attention of “Villa Charities - Memorial.”

To learn more about the memorial, visit www.italianfallenworkersmemorial.com or email info@italianfallenworkersmemorial.com. Videos on this yet-untold story of Canadian history can be viewed on YouTube via the memorial website, and on Facebook by searching Italian Fallen Workers Memorial.

Photography by Tony Pavia

A Tribute to Italian Fallen Workers

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Remarco

Di Fiore Construction

Great Montreal Builders (Part 2 of 4) Panoram Italia profiles some of Montreal’s most notable Italian-Canadian developers.

Written by Loretta N. Di Vita

Photography by Vincenzo D’Alto TG Beco

Samcon

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MC Group

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MONTREAL BUILDERS

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If you’re not eternally optimistic...you’re finished in this business.

Building Castles in the City Sam Scalia & Diana Ferrara Scalia

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amcon, the king-sized, industry-revered urban residential redevelopment company has set up its offices squarely in the city, on the corner of RenéLévesque and Saint-Hubert. Visitors have to ring to get into the premises, and once they’re securely ensconced in the front lobby, outside sounds are still audible through the glass doors – a cacophony of human and mechanical activity.

In short: city life. And city life is what Samcon has built, and is built upon.

Sam Scalia, President, and his wife, Diana Ferrara Scalia, Strategic Advisor, form the successful couple behind the Samcon empire. One day after their return from an Italian holiday, they show no signs of jet lag. There’s something so utterly glamorous about the husband-and-wife team that makes you want to stop and stare. They have lots of stories to tell. Some are of Chianti hilltop views, but the rest are about their business ascent. At the risk of sounding saccharine, the oft-chronicled philanthropists are a gilt-framed picture of happiness. “You’ll lose your shirt,” Scalia recalls the non-believers cautioning. “Not one peer in the ’90s even considered building in the untapped markets where we did – CentreSud, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Le Plateau Mont-Royal and Villeray. They were in the suburbs.” “And they were in development, not redevelopment,” his better half emphasizes. “Now, builders follow him into the city, thinking if Sam’s there, it must be OK. So you get multiple projects that really transform an area.”

Ferrara Scalia’s official role was unofficially handed to her on the couple’s first date in 1985. At the time, she was working as a clinical nutritionist at the Royal Vic. “After a lovely dinner, Sam drove me to an abandoned meat-packing place in the Plateau and asked me, ‘So, what do you think?’ I didn’t know what to say, but when he talked about improving quality of life, being in health care, I TOTALLY got it!”

Thanks to Scalia’s exploratory curiosity – “I love to go places where no one else does” – and his wife’s sage input, Samcon has upped the livability factor of various inner-city neighbourhoods. “Families, some who’ve lived in these areas for two generations, are grateful for the chance to improve their living conditions as well as the possibility to progress from renting to owning,” Scalia says. “I was around construction from a very young age, running on footings that looked to me like race tracks,” he continues. At the budding age of eight, the Scalia tot wrote an elementary school composition, a kiddie manifesto, declaring that he’d one day become a builder like his three uncles and his dad, David Scalia.

His foray into the business began in 1989, when he found a piece of land for $40,000 with a mortgage of $39,000 in the east end where no one wanted to go – near the prison. “My father bought it, and I took an ad in the newspaper and resold it. And then I found another lot which he liked and together we built a sixteen-apartment building on it.”

Not long after that, Scalia, growing antsy within the confines of a weekly salary job, was ready to bust out on his own. “I dreamt that I could do this by 22

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myself. I had to find a name, though. I thought...Sam’s construction, and came up with Samcon,” he says, laughing at its sheer simplicity.

Backed by his father’s fiscal reputation, Scalia’s debut project was the construction of an eightplex.

I asked my father to co-sign for a loan of $60,000. I told him that after selling it, I’d pay him back $110,000.” The deal was sealed after a fatherly clause was entered into the contract: “If the project didn’t go well, he’d take it back and I’d return to my salary job with him.” Needless to say, that didn’t happen.

Ever-smiling Scalia says, “If you’re not eternally optimistic...you’re finished in this business.” Clearly, a positive mindset has contributed to Scalia’s success, but marketing moxie hasn’t hurt either. “I remember as a kid passing this billboard when in the car with my father. It showed a salesman – ‘See Sam for a good deal.’ We’d joke about it; my father teasing me...‘Ha! I’ve already seen Sam and he didn’t give me a good deal.’ That billboard stuck with me. I wanted one of my own.” Evidently, the universe heard his appeal (more precisely, Samcon’s marketing department) and – boom – it delivered.

From 2002 to 2008, Scalia’s comely grin graced a 20’ x 40’ sign facing the heavily-trafficked Metropolitan highway, popularizing (and humanizing) the builder’s brand.

There’s so much to say about the stratospherically successful company with around 4,600 units under its belt. It boasts a hit parade of Montreal area redevelopments or “infills” (industry jargon for new buildings erected between existing ones or replacing obsolete properties). Consider the successful Jarry Park project; an upscale tower in 2000 on Avenue Laurier – the company’s first concrete construction; the famous André Grasset 6-phase concrete condo expanse; the fifteen-storey Le Metropole, and what will surely become an enduring downtown Montreal landmark, by function of size and location-location-location, the twenty-five-storey tower – Le Drummond. Further noteworthy are the many prestigious awards attesting to Samcon’s place in the pantheon of industry powerhouses.

Asking Scalia and his wife to describe their fantasy home, the parents of four youngsters – two boys, two girls, each named after a grandparent – say they already own it. Built by – who else? – the Westmount property is the delightful realization of a wishful sketch by Ferrara Scalia twenty-five years ago, before she and Scalia married. She says that though neither “grew up in stereotypically ornate Italian homes,” they’ve gone with abundant granite and marble (they chuckle), a mosaic foyer floor, and plaster mouldings and columns (they howl), after appreciating such Italianesque elements “in context” while honeymooning in Italy. Their house is surely another crowning achievement in Samcon’s repertoire.

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MONTREAL BUILDERS

Photography by Vincenzo D’Alto

There will always be ups and downs. It takes adaptability.

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Jack Arduini and Tom Socciarelli

Cultivating Happy Relations and Cities “I’m

a vibe person,” says Jack (Giacinto) Arduini, CEO of TG Beco, a real estate development and general construction business. If I get good vibes from the beginning, I’m confident to go ahead.”

That philosophy is shared by co-founder and brother-in-law, Tom Socciarelli.

That’s a good thing, considering they share equal stakes in the company they founded in 1985, along with their late brother-in-law, Benedetto Arduini.

Working with relatives presents its pros and cons. Sometimes family drama spills onto the business floor, and the possibility of boardroom steam bubbling over to the family stage is real. But according to Arduini, 53, a professional civil engineer, and Socciarelli, 59, a civil technician, who both reside on the same street, their association is harmonious on all levels.

They manage a tight-knit crew humming along on the same wavelength.

The partners believe that formal education and training (the company invests $50,000 a year on development and in-house programs) keep them all up to date, and may be “what distinguishes them from competitors.” Arduini is a professional civil engineer and his wife, Sara, with two bachelor’s degrees behind her – one in economics and the other in accounting – is company controller.

Socciarelli’s son, Steven, 29, who has a bachelor’s degree in economics and a PMI certificate, has been working with the company for the last six years in project management. “He came in when we lost Benedetto,” explains Socciarelli.

Arduini’s future son-in-law, Alessandro Arciero, 25, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, has joined the corporate cast as a project manager. “I never pushed my kids into the family business,” says Socciarelli. “Steven came on board out of his own initiative.” Both partners want to highlight the fact that all their kids, even those whom are not in the business, have university degrees.

Socciarelli’s daughter, Lora, has obtained a master’s degree in political science, and Arduini’s daughters, Alessandra and Isabella, are both embarking on legal careers. “We’ve been together for a long time,” says Socciarelli, married to Jack’s sister, Jessie (Giacinta). “It all started with my father-in-law, Americo Arduini, who was established since 1955. My brothers-in-law and I were young, fresh out of school, and ready to follow in his footsteps.”

Undeniably, they paid their dues, facing the inevitable obstacles (or “learning opportunities” as Arduini prefers to think of them) that newbies do.

“It helped that my father had made a good name for himself. I’d call a bank...

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‘Oh, you’re Arduini’s son...’ so it made some things easier. But we still had to prove ourselves.”

The builders did public works from the start, since that’s what the elder Arduini, their indisputable role model (his son calls the able 91-year-old his “hero”) was doing. Their most challenging public projects were the 1999 Centre hospitalier régional De Lanaudière requiring “pouring one million and a half square feet of cement in 7 months”; the Merck Frosst “monster contract with unforgiving delivery dates”; and the $18-million Botanical Garden re-do obtained through “the lowest bid.”

They recall the tender business as a minefield fraught with bureaucratic bias that could explode at any turn. “As Italians, we struggled in the public sector, but the perceptions are untrue. We work hard and we’re honest,” Socciarelli notes.

Make that honest and resilient. Arduini and Socciarelli, like many other entrepreneurial baby boomers, appear to have nine lives when it comes to surviving marketplace bubble bursts. Consider the market meltdowns, bank crashes, eco-political instability, and not to mention the devastating fallout of the 9/11 tragedy. “There will always be ups and downs. It takes adaptability,” points out Socciarelli.

In 2004, they walked away from tender work, turning their focus to residential development, and have never looked back. “Compared to the demands and relentless scrutiny of public works, this is a piece of cake,” Arduini says. The company is now focused on multiple-phase constructions, notably Le Marquise, Cavendish, Innova, and Les Tours Saint-Martin.

The two balance partnerships with foreign investors as adeptly as they do family relations. “We set everything up for our Chinese partners on the YUL condo project,” says Socciarelli, “and cultural orientation was never an issue.” Arduini explains that the secret is “looking for commonalities rather than differences.”

Every builder, regardless of cultural background, loves the thrill of creation. “It feels good to create something, see the result, never mind how big or small,” says Socciarelli. It’s about building a utopia, it would seem. Arduini says he’d love to build a “happy city” characterized by places where people could converge – with piazzas, frothy fountains, roundabouts in lieu of traffic lights, sweet spots of green breaking up asphalt parking lots, and “real bicycle paths.”

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MONTREAL BUILDERS

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I never entertained any other ambition. I saw my father work very hard, but I always loved the idea of freedom between construction projects.

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Remo Barone

Like Father Like Son T

hirty years ago, Remo Barone named his latest construction company REMARCO, combining his name with that of his then-infant son, Marco, in the common manner that business partners do. Call it what you will – the result of foresight, augury, wishful thinking – but today the younger Barone, 31, joins him in his business.

Meeting the unpretentious duo at their equally unpretentious St-Léonard office, it’s apparent that they enjoy a good father-son relationship, as well as a healthy work interface. They’re almost too laidback to be true – especially considering the pressure cooker intensity of the industry they work in. Remo politely warns that he’ll be doodling throughout the interview, not out of disinterest but for relaxation. His pen moves lightly over a notepad, all the while drawing boxes within boxes, blocks upon blocks.

As a teenager, Remo already knew he’d become a builder like his father Luigi – an immigrant to Canada in the ’50s from the teeny Molise village, Cantalupo – who started building in the Chabanel district in 1954. “I never entertained any other ambition. I saw my father work very hard, but I always loved the idea of freedom between construction projects,” the seasoned traveller says.

And since 1976, the near-60-year-old still gets a kick out of the sense of continuity and “permanence” that comes from putting up buildings. “Decades later, I can drive by sites and still see my company’s creations...and meet former customers – sometimes even the children of my father’s customers – who, to this day, express gratitude for their homes. It’s a great feeling...and humbling.”

Marco, a prestigiously-trained Classical-French chef, who’s laboured on his father’s sites during summer school breaks, recently chucked his white apron to take on a “more nine-to-five” job as project manager in his dad's business.

Father and son agree that the company’s pivotal project is the Via Dante condominium-commercial building in Little Italy. Remo, shrugging modestly, calls it his “tribute to the Italian community.” A layered symbol of Italianness, it salutes modern Italian architecture and stands in a neighbourhood bearing the multi-generational footprint of inhabitants and merchants of Italian origin.

Moreover, it’s genealogically meaningful because it mirrors the look of two buildings his late father erected in the ’60s, in Rome’s Mussolini-conceived neighbourhood, EUR. Though Marco wasn’t involved in Via Dante’s construction, he feels it’s modernized the face of the company. He likens the new-glamour of the Italian 26

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modernist reinterpretation to “the apartment buildings seen in Fellini’s cinematic Rome of the ’60s, with its blockiness and windows of varying sizes.”

The building has caught the eye of the Italian community. “Out of 27 units,” – (all of which are sold, incidentally) – “at least 20 have been purchased by customers of Italian background who like the nostalgic vibe of the neighbourhood,” says Remo. “They find it hip to live in the city, especially where their predecessors set roots.”

Dodging the potentially sticky dynamic of a father-son business partnership, the two accept each other’s ethos with remarkable understanding. A pickup-the-phone-to-talk kind of guy, Remo shrugs off millennials’ inclination to communicate through social media rather than voice to voice.

And Marco, who talks circles around his father when the conversation turns to planet considerations – solar energy, recycled water and reclaimed materials – admits admiration for his dad’s progressive thinking and on point design sensibility, particularly his response to a market shift where buyers are looking for pared-back inner city dwellings instead of sprawling suburban homes.

The younger Barone is already nudging his father to freshen up the company’s brand through marketing content that will resonate with young urbanites. “That's something I’ll bring to this business: branding that reaches not only customers, but influencers too. Let’s say it’s a new concept for an old business.”

(Of course, he means “old” in the best possible sense.)

It’s a well known fact that the construction industry is jumpy, but that hardly fazes the Barones. Self-admitted risk-takers, they say that not a single business day goes by without some discussion about when to roll the dice. “My grandfather had no fear,” says Marco. “He came to this country with nothing.

His mentality was: ‘If I lose money, I’ll make more.’” Has the pair fully adopted his fiscal philosophy? Startling each other, they answer the exact same words at the exact same time: “We learned from it!”

Evidently, father and son are on the same page regarding the big stuff, and, as far as dedication goes, they have each other’s backs. “I’m very pro-family business,” says Remo. “I’d love to have all my family working with me.” Will his other sons – Luca, a Manhattan-based neophyte lawyer, and Andrea, a professional hockey referee – eventually join the Remarco enterprise? That remains to be seen. For now, Remo smiles broadly at the thought.

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MONTREAL BUILDERS

If you can’t afford the loss, “don’t touch it. I don’t bet or

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bid on something I know I can’t afford to lose.

John Marcovecchio

Focus on Success In

this age of wired distraction, tweets and skittish attention spans, John Marcovecchio, President of MC Group, may be an anomaly of sorts.

Talking about his continuing career, he repeatedly attributes his accomplishments to “focus-focus-focus”.

According to Marcovecchio, 56, it’s all about risk assessment, setting objectives and stretching your vision. “Don’t think about today; think five years, ten years from now. Focus on what you want to do and take the steps to do it.”

It’s a simple formula – perhaps an understatement – but Marcovecchio appears to be an expert when it comes to success and, like a pro athlete, the effort he expends toward excellence is impalpable to the observer.

Evidently all that focus has served him well. In 1987, he started with Magil as a site engineer. “I was very green, fresh out of school, and ended up working on Les Promenades Cathédrale project. It was very challenging.”

Challenging indeed; but his abilities didn’t go unnoticed: three years later he was promoted to vice president, then executive vice president in ’93, until he bought a piece of the company in ’97, and became president. (“They had no choice,” he quips).

In 2009, he made a strategic move and sold Magil, creating a new company called MC Group. (Magil is now one of five companies under the MC umbrella). “I’m a gambler, but I’m strategic” says the avid poker player. “If you can’t afford the loss, don’t touch it. I don’t bet or bid on something I know I can’t afford to lose.”

And how does the perpetual winner deal with the dirty L word: Losing?

“Not very well!” he cracks. “I make my own luck. But you learn as you go along.

There’ll always be peaks and valleys. The day I think I’m losing, it’s time to stop.

Someone else can have it.”

So where then does all this focus come from? “I had it rough growing up, not because of my parents, but the environment around me. We were all poor, scrambling.” Motivated by primal needs, he says he had to “fight for” what he wanted.

It’s hard to imagine that John Marcovecchio, a strapping six-footer, ever felt intimidated, even for a moment. But he remembers a tense childhood scene with incidents of bias and bullying: “It was tough as an Italian kid.” He recounts how as a child he once rode his brand new bicycle “a little too far,” and met up with a couple of kids who roughed him up. “I want my children to be proud to be Italian, because growing up in my generation, Italians were picked on.”

And to all the bullies out there: Look at him now! Obviously, he’s learned to throw a few corporate punches, earning a name for himself in the construction hall of fame.

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After high school, he became a civil technologist and worked at various construction companies. An accidental role model – a paesano, as it were – saw untapped potential in the young fellow and told him he could double his salary if he were to up his education. So, Marcovecchio enrolled at Concordia University in civil engineering, graduating top of his class – an impressive feat in itself – but more so, given that he was married and a young father while pursuing his degree.

Today, the pulled-together professional looks every inch the corporate leader, wearing a starched white shirt and polished lace-up wingtips. His handshake is tight as a vice; his voice steady and deep. He speaks slowly, gauging how far he can go. If he’s guarded, it doesn’t keep him from maintaining eye contact and zinging one-liners, and appearing to be a people person.

But his “more human” side took time to emerge from its all-business shell. In fact, he can pinpoint the moment he took on a new perspective.

Resorting to the much-maligned cliché: the man had an epiphany. Sadly, in 2002, the then eleven-year-old daughter of his dear friends fell ill, diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia. The odds didn’t look good. Marcovecchio’s latent nurturing instinct kicked in, moving him to help the family cope – both emotionally and practically – until the young girl regained good health.

“Today, she is vital and still thanks me, but I tell her, ‘No, I have to thank you,’” he says, grateful to have experienced personal growth. As a result, he’s become a member of the board for the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada and is co-president of its Volunteer Leadership Program since 2010.

He seems to have found a happy balance between business drive and human feeling. He’s grateful for what he has and derives gratification from seeing the projects he’s been instrumental in getting off the ground – downtown high-rises, the Canadian Space Agency, and his pet project: the Bell Centre. “Because of it, I got to meet people that I had only seen on TV. The relationships I’ve formed are priceless. When I sit there now, watching a spectacle, I look at the structural details and recall the challenges. It’s gratifying to me. And only to me,” he says, meaning he doesn’t need extrinsic reinforcement or praise.

With so much on his plate, you’d think that Marcovecchio would just want to do nothing when relaxing. Turns out, besides poker, thinking is his hobby. “I love intricate jigsaw puzzles and brain teasers,” he says. It’s hard to imagine him ever quitting. “Eventually, I want to reduce my work week to 40 hours, but I don’t want to stop.” With any luck, he’ll follow in Magil’s founder’s footsteps, working until the age of 103.

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MONTREAL BUILDERS

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Take care of your clients, and they will come back!

Remembering a Father and a Builder

Gene, Joanne and Dino Di Iore

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he three siblings that make up Di Fiore Construction were still reeling from the recent loss of their beloved father, Ennio Di Fiore, at the age of 87.

Nevertheless, they put on brave faces when interviewed – eagerly contributing to this tribute to their father, remembering him as a devoted family man and builder.

Gene Di Fiore, president, his sister Joanne, executive administrator, and their brother Dino, vice-president of operations, recounted their family-business history. Their story is a familiar one, like many told in ItalianCanadian circles: the new immigrant from a small Italian village (in this case, Capestrano) arriving in Canada with limited funds and unlimited zeal...falling head over heels in love with the young woman who’d become his wife...making a name for himself. But this is their own story.

Ennio Di Fiore immigrated to Canada in 1949, settling in Wallaceburg, Ontario, where he had an uncle and found work in an ornamental glass factory. He studied welding and took on a second job so that he could send money back to Italy, allowing his mother and his sister, Adua, to join him. In 1953, he moved to Montreal and worked as a sheet metal mechanic at the Dorval airport. Frustrated by penny raises, he decided to build two houses with a close friend, a construction foreman. Though the houses sold like hot cakes, his friend decided he wasn’t entrepreneurially inclined; so Ennio forged ahead solo, building over a dozen houses in New Bordeaux, where he set up his family home. “Our house turned into a model home,” recalled Joanne. “It was always spic and span because customers were always visiting it.”

The siblings then start to talk about their mother, Ada Di Loreto, who played an important role in their father’s success. “She didn’t know about the business, but she did know how to encourage my father who could be reticent,” Gene pointed out. “Mom was a natural-born singer, with a beautiful voice, beautiful blue eyes and blond hair,” reminisced Joanne, seemingly unaware of the striking resemblance she bears to her mother. “My father was shy, but the two always drew people to them. Our mom was his PR.” Ennio studied English and picked up street-French. His kids chuckled over the time he gave a worker instructions beginning in French and turning to his mother tongue midway, oblivious to the fact that the other man – by then cursing him – didn’t understand a word of Italian.

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It took some time for Ennio’s kids to grab hold of the company rungs.

Joanne joined the family business in 2006, after 26 years in the airline industry and opening a gym in 2003 (which she closed one year later to assist her ailing mother who died in 2005). Gene, an aeronautical engineer, was in the Canadian Air Force for 8 and a half years as a CF-18 fighter jet pilot and CF-5 instructor pilot. Nicknamed “Papa Gino,” he was the first Italian-Canadian on the CF-18.

He left the military to help the family business during the ’93 construction slump – his father semi-retired at that point. Dino, the “baby,” was the first to hop on board in ’87, but opened a billiards bar-restaurant with Gene and a friend to ride out the early-nineties lull. When the market picked up in ’98, he and Gene returned to construction. Neither has stopped since. “I remember Dad saying, ‘You have to be better than me,’” Dino said. And, in the spirit of continuous improvement that the elder Di Fiore encouraged, the company has gone on to build about 800 residential units, including the award-winning Residence du Parc Jarry senior residence complex, and the San Lorenzo luxury condoEnnio Di Fiore & Ada Di Loreto minium building in Little Italy (Phase II is on its way). They’ve also undertaken renovation of the Faema building. Despite more complex projects, they revel in their roots: building houses – and gush over a $5 million knock-out they built in Pointe-Claire that looks like the good-boned estates featured in Architectural Digest. “I looked up to my father, admiring the respect he had for customers and the respect he got back. He taught me: ‘Take care of your clients, and they will come back,’” Dino said. “We still benefit from my father’s advice...and his good reputation,” added Gene. “A building inspector once called him ‘the most honest builder in the business.’”

Modesty – and gratitude – obviously run in the family, as the team attributes their continuing success and serenity, in large measure, to parental rolemodelling. “The greatest gift our parents left us stretches beyond this company,” Joanne said. “We’ll always be grateful to them for instilling in us the sense of generosity, compassion, positivity and integrity that we demonstrate every day in our personal and professional lives.”

Asked if they expect their sons (they each have one) to join the family business, they shook their heads in synch. “Often, the thread ends at the third generation,” Gene shrugged. After a moment’s pause, Joanne said: “But, you never know; life is full of surprises.”

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There’s nothing quite like authentic Italian charcuterie that can ignite the taste buds and transport you to Nonna’s house in the Campagna with just one bite. The flavours and aroma are reminiscent of a time when food was simple, fresh and homemade.

The renowned Mastro® brand has been producing and distributing the finest artisanal dry-cured and cooked Italian deli for the past 40 years, and keeping the values of quality and tradition alive. Mastro® products have likely made an appearance at some of your most cherished occasions.

Think, delicious slices of salami on fresh homemade pizza, genoa salami tramezzini for the kids’ lunches and Nonna’s mouth-watering pasta carbonara with diced cubes of pancetta.

As the brand celebrates four decades in the business, they don’t hesitate to divulge the most important secrets to their success – authenticity and quality.

Mastro® brings old-world recipe and tradition to modern-day kitchens. Since their inception in 1976 to the present day, Mastro® prides themselves on the freshest ingredients and top processes in the industry, while staying true to the rich Italian origin of their products.“Our technology and dedication to excellence enables us to create amazing products, all while maintaining the highest food safety standards,” says Adrian Zilli, Vice President of Sales for Mastro®. Mastro® employs the expertise of a “Master Salumiere” from Italy that boasts over 30-years-experience in the world of dry-cured meats.

The Salumiere’s sole responsibility throughout production is to ensure top quality at each phase of the slow aging process, and in the final product.

Mastro® believes that consumers are most satisfied when there is consistency in the product each time they open a new package. As the brand aims to provide a truly Italian culinary experience for consumers, they continue to garner the adoration and loyalty of Italian-Canadians and people from all walks of life, of all ages. “A gentleman came up to me at a trade show and told me that when he first came to Canada he always traded sandwiches at school with the Italian kids that had Mastro® deli meat, because they always had the best sandwiches!” shares Zilli. “He was so passionate about the product and it’s really gratifying to hear that kind of positive feedback.”

The brand believes that a quality cured meat product takes time to produce. Mastro® respects and believes in the process and doesn’t take measures to speed up production. “When creating specialty products, the secret is patience and time,” says Zilli. “It’s all about craftsmanship when we’re developing artisanal products, especially in today’s production landscape where many tend to focus on output as opposed to quality.”

By keeping up with trends in charcuterie, Mastro® manages to produce mouth-watering products for their consumers that cater to a variety of different palates and diets.

100 Commerce Valley Drive West 32

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For the modern day foodie, Mastro’s® Riserva line is a charcuterie experience, with flavoured salamis including smoked paprika, chianti wine and fennel, truffle and roasted garlic.

Each of the dry-cured and specialty cooked products within the brand can be enjoyed by the slice, and boast exceptional flavour when paired with the perfect recipe.

Mastro® holds their products to a gold standard, and it’s no surprise that various products are ranked number one in their segment, including their most popular, Genoa Salami*.

With any business, market strategies and numbers are always important, but product excellence never takes a back seat to business goals for Mastro®. It’s the secret they believe will push them through another successful 40 years of business and consumer satisfaction. “When we put the Mastro® name on a product, we never compromise on the quality for any given reason,” says Zilli.

To maintain leadership in any industry for 40 years is a feat of its own, and Mastro® stays humble to their success and acknowledge that their consumers play a big role in maintaining that success.

The Italian deli giants appreciate their faithful’s as “brand ambassadors,” as they are ultimately the ones who share their satisfaction with the product and recommend it to friends and family.

The masters in authentic charcuterie show no signs of slowing down, and remain committed as ever to delivering the best quality product that they can make. “We still have a lot of room to work and grow,” says Zilli. “The world is getting smaller and charcuterie is gaining appeal beyond the Italian-Canadian community, so we’re always on the lookout to bringing more of the Italian traditions to consumers of all backgrounds.”

Haven’t tried any of Mastro®’s products? With pride and passion poured into each product, the team guarantees you won’t be disappointed.

Good, quality food and family are the epitome of Italian culture, and Mastro® is proud to be part of the traditions that continue bring these two values together. As the brand continues to flourish, the products become a tradition of their own.

To celebrate their 40th anniversary, the Mastro brand has become Title sponsor for this years' Semaine Italienne in Montreal taking place August 5th to 14th. The annual cultural festival honours the beauty and diversity of Italy allowing you to discover its musical culture, art, gastronomy and folk in the world in various parts of the city.

The Mastro® family welcomes everyone to come down to the Street Festival that takes place from August 12th to August 14th (on St. Laurent) to help celebrate 40 successful years. /MD

*Claim based on MarketTrack Service for the Luncheon Meats category, 52 weeks ending March 5, 2016 for the National Branded Genoa segment and GB+DR+MM+GM+WC Channel.

Copyright © 2016, The Nielsen Company.

Markham, ON, L3T 0A1

1-855-SOFINA1

www.sharemastro.com

MTL August/Sept 21-40_Layout 1 2016-08-02 11:25 AM Page 33

Montréal centre-ville Downtown Montreal Montreal centro città

À deux pas de tout

1210 Stanley, Montréal QC

Steps to eveything

ledrummond@samcon.ca

A due passi da tutto

514-397-0098

MTL August/Sept 21-40_Layout 1 2016-08-02 2:34 PM Page 34

ITALIAN ARGENTINA

Photography by Daniele Tomelleri

Centre-ville de Buenos Aires

Tango all’Italiana Par Carlotta Morteo

Nos cousins d’Argentine

«Te

saliò la tanada ! », s’écria Malco. L’expression – compréhensible seulement en Argentine – équivaut à peu près à dire « il y a l’Italien en toi qui ressort ». La tanada, c’est une sorte de bouillonnement intérieur correspondant à de l’impatience, à de l’énervement ou à de l’exaspération qui monte et monte, issu du fin fond de ses origines – c’est-à-dire l’Italien en soi.

J’ai rencontré Isabel et Malco dans une jeep boueuse au milieu d’un désert bolivien. Nous allions partager le quotidien précaire, à base de riz et de ciel étoilé, de ceux qui s’aventurent autour du plus grand désert de sel au monde, le salar d’Uyuni.

Trois jours à traverser des kilomètres inhabités, entre lagunes roses de flamants, geysers et Andes enneigées. On pouvait s’imaginer un moment être de retour à l’époque de la conquête espagnole.

Ce jeune couple d’Argentins – comme de nombreux autres – passe leurs vacances d’été (de décembre à février) sur les traces de Che Guevara, à la découverte d’un continent qu’ils ont longtemps dénigré.

Les Argentins ont toujours été tournés vers le Vieux Continent, d’où ils ont tout importé pour le mettre à leur sauce : un modèle politique, une architecture, une cuisine, un peuple. Le Mexicain Octavio Paz, Nobel de littérature, les décrit ainsi : « Les Argentins sont des Italiens qui parlent espagnol et qui se croient français. » Isabel et Malco, comme 70 % de leurs concitoyens – soit près de 20 millions de personnes – ont des ancêtres italiens. Cela fait de l’Argentine le pays le plus italien du monde après l’Italie. Malco est d’origine italienne et guarani.

Isabel a un grand-père croate et une grand-mère génoise.

L’Argentine était dans l’imaginaire collectif des Européens une terre d’occasions à saisir. Le gouvernement argentin comptait sur l’immigration de 34

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I nostri cugini dell’Argentina saliò la tanada!” disse Malco. L’espressione – comprensibile solo in Argentina – equivale più o meno a dire “tira fuori l’italiano che è in te”. La “tanada” è una sorta di turbamento interiore che corrisponde all’impazienza, al nervosismo o all’esasperazione che sale e risale dal fondo delle proprie origini, vale a dire dall’italiano che è in te.

Ho incontrato Isabel e Malco a bordo di una jeep fangosa nel bel mezzo del deserto boliviano. Stavamo per condividere un quotidiano precario, a base di riso e cielo stellato, tipico di chi si avventura in giro nel più grande deserto di sale del mondo, il Salar di Uyuni.

Tre giorni a attraversare kilometri disabitati, tra i laghi rosa di fenicotteri, geyser e Ande innevate. Per un momento potremmo pensare di essere andati indietro nel tempo, all’epoca della conquista spagnola.

Questa giovane coppia di argentini – come molti altri – trascorre le vacanze estive (tra dicembre e febbraio) sulle tracce di Che Guevara, alla scoperta di un continente da tempo denigrato.

Gli argentini si sono sempre rivolti al vecchio continente, da dove hanno importato quasi tutto adattandolo a modo loro: un modello politico, una architettura, una cucina, un popolo. Il messicano premio nobel per la Letteratura, Octavio Paz, li qualifica così: “Gli argentini sono degli italiani che parlano spagnolo e che si credono francesi.”

Isabel e Malco, come il 70% dei loro concittadini – quasi 20 milioni di persone – hanno ascendenti italiani (sono discendenti italiani o hanno bisnonni italiani). Questo rende l’Argentina il paese più italiano del mondo dopo l’Italia. Malco è un mix tra italiano e indiano guaranì. Isabel

“Te

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ITALIAN ARGENTINA

masse pour peupler les terres désertes de la pampa.

L’expression « riche comme un Argentin » faisait rêver, même si la réalité était bien plus crue.

Fille de commerçants, la grand-mère d’Isabel ne se voyait pas agricultrice, isolée dans une pampa infinie et hantée de gauchos que l’on disait plus machos que ses compatriotes. Elle resta donc à Buenos Aires, la capitale, qui concentre à elle seule la moitié de la population nationale, soit 13 millions d’habitants. Serrée avec une trentaine de Génois dans un conventillo – ces immeubles à deux étages construits autour d’une petite cour centrale et partagés en insalubres pièces de 5 m2 –, la nonna épousa rapidement le nonno croate, qui gagnait un salaire honorable dans l’industrie textile.

La Petite Italie de Buenos Aires s’appelle La Boca. Bien que le quartier soit resté pauvre et malfamé, il est néanmoins devenu un sanctuaire d’attrape-touristes. Plusieurs s’y aventurent afin de visiter le stade de Maradona, la Bombonera, et pour admirer les conventillos et leurs façades colorées typiques des villes de Ligurie.

La Boca est le cœur de l’identité argentine : là, à la croisée des cultures migrantes d’Europe, sont nés le tango et le lunfardo (l’argot argentin) au XIXe siècle, et c’est de là aussi que l’influence italienne a irrigué les habitudes

ha un nonno croato e la nonna genovese.

L’Argentina è stata, nell’immaginario collettivo dell’Europa, una terra di opportunità. Il governo argentino puntava sull’immigrazione di massa per popolare le terre deserte della Pampa.

L’espressione “ricco come un argentino” era il sogno, ma la realtà era molto più cruda. Figlia di commerciante, la nonna di Isabel non si immaginava di diventare contadina, isolata nella pampa infinita infestata da “gauchos” che, si diceva, fossero più “macho” dei suoi compatrioti.

Rimase dunque a Buenos Aires, la capitale che da sola rappresenta la metà della Café à Buenos Aires popolazione nazionale, circa 13 milioni di abitanti. Confinata con una trentina di genovesi in un “conventillo” – questi palazzi a due piani costruiti intorno ad un piccolo cortile centrale e divisi in camere insalubri da 5 metri quadri, la “nonna” si sposò presto con il “nonno” croato che guadagnava un salario rispettoso nell’industria tessile.

La Piccola Italia di Buenos Aires si chiama La Boca. Anche se il quartiere è rimasto povero e malfamato, è anche diventato un santuario per turisti. Tanti vengono qui per visitare lo stadio di Maradona, la “Bombonera”, e per ammirare i “conventillos” e le loro facciate colorate tipiche delle città liguri.

La Boca è il cuore dell’identità argentina: lì, al crocevia di culture migranti d’Europa, sono nati il tango e il “lunfardo” (il gergo argentino) nel

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ITALIAN ARGENTINA culinaires des Argentins dans la première moitié du XXe siècle.

Mais Isabel m’assure, et elle ne sera pas la seule : « Nous sommes, nous, les Argentins, le résultat d’une immigration réussie. Nos origines sont en Europe, notre culture est empreinte de diverses influences, mais nous sommes avant toute autre chose argentins, et fiers de l’être. » Le plus surprenant en Argentine est qu’on se croirait en Italie, à peu de choses près. Les Fiat sont partout dans les rues, surtout les vieux modèles que l’on ne voit plus que chez les collectionneurs. Les Argentins parlent un espagnol chantant, tonique, aux syllabes marquées, à la différence du castillan, plus sibyllin et au « j » guttural.

Pour la plupart des Argentines, la mode est un art de vivre : sensuelles et élégantes, elles ont un caractère bien trempé pour affronter un machisme subtil, mais bien ancré dans les mœurs.

L’Argentin est un bon vivant : manger est un rituel sacré de la sociabilité locale. Le matin, on vous sert avec l’espresso un tout petit croissant rempli de confiture d’abricot. Et si vous ne prenez pas de media-luna, on vous donne quand même un petit gâteau.

Pour le repas du midi, le menu traditionnel se compose d’une milanesa avec des fideos (les spaghettis) ou d’une tranche épaisse de pizza sur laquelle la muzzarella a une belle place. À Pâques, il y a une orgie de pâtes farcies dans les supermarchés et les magasins de pâtes fraîches : ravioli, sorrentinos ou tortellini... deux boîtes pour le prix d’une au pays des rabais.

La crise financière perdure dans les esprits, et l’on ne sait jamais de quoi demain sera fait. Les prix montent et descendent d’un jour à l’autre, alors tout bon Argentin possède une dizaine de cartes de réduction et profite de toute promotion pour faire des réserves.

Au Cuartito, institution de la pizza de Buenos Aires depuis 1934, on peut déguster les meilleures fugazzeta de la ville (une pizza typiquement argentine recouverte d’oignons). Au comptoir, les pizzaioli se crient les commandes en même temps qu’une petite moquerie affectueuse. Sur les murs s’affichent les idoles argentines du soccer et de la boxe.

D’ailleurs, le week-end on partage en famille d’innombrables et immenses pièces de bœuf cuites à la parrilla (sur les braises) en regardant un match de River ou de Boca Junior, les deux équipes rivales de la capitale.

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XIX secolo, ed è anche da qui che l’influenza italiana ha contaminato le abitudini culinarie degli argentini nella prima metà del XX secolo.

Ma Isabel mi assicura, e non è l’unica: “Noi siamo, noi argentini, il risultato di una immigrazione riuscita. Le nostre origini sono in Europa, la nostra cultura è segnata da varie influenze, ma prima di tutto noi siamo argentini e siamo fieri di esserlo.”

La cosa più sorprendente è che l’Argentina è come l’Italia, o quasi. Le Fiat sono ovunque nelle strade, in particolare i vecchi modelli che vedi solo dai collezionisti. Gli argentini parlano uno spagnolo cantato, tonico, con le sillabe marcate, a differenza del castigliano, più sibillino e con la “j” gutturale.

Per la maggior parte delle argentine, la moda è uno stile di vita: sensuale ed elegante, mostrano un carattere forte per rispondere a un certo machismo, comunque ben radicato nella cultura.

L’argentino è un buongustaio : mangiare è un modo locale per socializzare. Al mattino, servono l’espresso con un piccolo cornetto ripieno di marmellata all’albicocca. E se non prendete la “media-luna” vi danno comunque una piccola torta.

Per pranzo, il menu tradizionale prevede una “milanesa” con dei “fideos” (gli spaghetti locali) o un pezzo di pizza molto spessa con sopra “muzzarella” in abbondanza. A Pasqua è un’orgia di pasta ripiena nei supermercati e nei negozi di pasta all’uovo: ravioli, “sorrentinos” o tortellini...due scatole al prezzo di una nel paese dei discount.

La crisi finanziaria è rimasta impressa nella mente, e non si sa mai cosa potrà accadere domani. I prezzi salgono e scendono dal giorno alla notte, e tutti i buoni argentini hanno una decina di carte per gli sconti e approfittano di tutte le offerte per fare provvista.

A Cuartito, istituzione della pizza a Buenos Aires dal 1934, si può gustare la migliore “fugazzeta” della città (una pizza tipicamente argentina ricoperta di cipolle). Al banco, i pizzaioli mentre gridano gli ordini si prendono in giro affettuosamente. Sulle pareti sono appesi gli idoli argentini del calcio e della boxe.

Inoltre, nel fine settimana le famiglie si riuniscono per mangiare le “parrilla”, enormi pezzi di carne di manzo cotta sulla brace e per guardare una partita di River o Boca Junior, le due squadre rivali della capitale.

Quando la cena finalmente finisce, verso le 11 di sera, si passeggia con

Les Argentins ont toujours été « tournés vers le Vieux Continent, d’où ils ont tout importé pour le mettre à leur sauce : un modèle politique, une architecture, une cuisine, un peuple.

«

Quand le dîner se termine enfin, vers 23 h, on se promène, un cornet de gelato à la main, et les hommes continuent de commenter les performances des joueurs argentins jouant à l’international : Camoranesi, Messi, Zanetti, Milito, Cambiasso, Demichelis, Pastore, Lavezzi... un grand nombre de joueurs sont d’origine italienne. Ils jouent en Europe, notamment en Italie, où ils ont pu obtenir la citoyenneté grâce à leurs ancêtres italiens.

D’ailleurs, les sportifs n’ont pas été les seuls à être tentés par l’Europe.

Après la crise financière de 2001, un certain nombre d’Argentins ont repris le chemin de l’immigration en sens inverse, cherchant à se reconstruire une vie en Italie, quitte à devoir apprendre la langue italienne – jamais pratiquée pour un grand nombre d’entre eux – et faire face à une Italie bien différente de celle que leurs ancêtres ont connue. La plupart sont retournés en Argentine.

L’Argentine vit à sa façon ce que l’Italie a vécu il y a 50 ans : un modèle familial en désintégration, une faible natalité, un taux de croyants en baisse, un passé dictatorial proche, une économie en banqueroute, un chômage croissant, une classe politique corrompue, une grande inégalité entre riches et pauvres et une forte immigration étrangère peu qualifiée (les Boliviens en Argentine sont les nouveaux habitants des villas miserias, bidonvilles des périphéries urbaines).

Mais la grande différence entre le Vieux et le Nouveau Monde est peutêtre l’attitude de la plupart des jeunes. Comme Malco et Isabel, ils admettent avec lucidité l’état critique de leur pays, mais restent empreints d’un idéalisme et d’une combativité désarmants. Plutôt que la fatalité, ils ont choisi l’humour Ccomme cheval de bataille, et l’Amérique latine comme terre promise.

“

ITALIAN ARGENTINA

Gli argentini si sono sempre rivolti al vecchio continente, da dove hanno importato quasi tutto adattandolo a modo loro: un modello politico, una architettura, una cucina, un popolo.

“

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gelato in mano e gli uomini continuano a commentare le performance dei giocatori argentini che giocano all’estero: Camoranesi, Messi, Zanetti, Milito, Cambiasso, Demichelis, Pastore, Lavezzi...Molti giocatori sono di origine italiana. Loro giocano in Europa, soprattutto in Italia, dove hanno potuto ottenere la cittadinanza grazie alle loro radici italiane.

Inoltre gli atleti non sono stati gli unici a essere tentati dall’Europa.

Dopo la crisi finanziaria del 2001, molti argentini hanno ripreso la strada dell’immigrazione in senso opposto, cercando di ricostruire le loro vite in Italia, anche se significava dover imparare la lingua italiana – mai praticata da molti di loro – ed affrontare un’Italia molto diversa da quella conosciuta dai loro avi. La maggior parte sono tornati in Argentina.

L’Argentina vive a suo modo ciò che l’Italia ha vissuto cinquant’anni fa: un modello famigliare in decadimento, un basso tasso di natalità, sempre meno credenti, un vicino passato dittatoriale, un’economia in bancarotta, un aumento della disoccupazione, una classe politica corrotta, una forte disuguaglianza tra ricchi e poveri, una forte immigrazione non qualificata (i boliviani in Argentina sono i nuovi abitanti delle «villas miserias», baraccopoli delle periferie urbane).

Ma la grande differenza tra il Vecchio e il Nuovo mondo è forse l’atteggiamento dei giovani. Come Malco e Isabel, loro accettano con lucidità lo stato critico del loro paese, ma sono pervasi da un idealismo e da una combattività disarmante. Piuttosto che la fatalità, hanno scelto come loro cavallo di battaglia l’umorismo e l’America Latina come terra promessa.

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ITALIAN ARGENTINA

Une Argentine à saveur italienne !

Par Marie-Claude Di Lillo

C

ontrairement à la majorité des pays d’Amérique Latine, l’art de vivre argentin demeure fortement imprégné de l’influence européenne. On le voit dans l’omniprésence des traditions culinaires, vinicoles et artistiques qui teintent le pays d’une couleur différente.

Perçue comme la terre promise, l’Argentine était une destination de choix pour beaucoup d’Italiens qui ont choisi d’immigrer suite aux deux grandes guerres mondiales. Aujourd’hui, leurs enfants et petits enfants sont à la fois fiers d’être Argentins et de descendre d’une lignée d’intrépides et ingénieux immigrants.

Panoram Italia a fait la rencontre de trois d’entre eux qui sont de réels exemples de succès dans leur pays.

Le chef Fernando Trocca : cultiver sa passion pour la cuisine italienne Trocca est le chef propriétaire de l’excellent restaurant Sucre à Buenos Aires. Vraie célébrité en Argentine, ce cuisinier de réputation internationale anime aussi plusieurs émissions de télévision.

Il affirme avoir toujours eu un faible pour la cuisine italienne, et en particulier pour l’osso buco : « Ma recette me vient de ma grand-mère Serafina qui elle-même la détenait de sa mère. C’est elle qui m’a littéralement inculqué la passion de la cuisine. Aujourd’hui, cette recette est au menu de mon restaurant », avoue-t-il fièrement.

Trocca nous apprend que ses arrière-grands-parents, originaires du Piémont, arrivèrent par bateau au début du siècle dernier. Le grand-père du chef, Pedro Trocca, devint même un coiffeur très réputé à Buenos Aires. Le commerce qu’il ouvrit en 1948, Peinados Trocca (littéralement : Les coiffures Trocca), est demeuré propriété de la famille durant 70 ans. Une vraie institution en Argentine !

Même si Trocca ne parle pas italien, il a voulu en connaître davantage sur son patrimoine culturel. « Il y a 25 ans, j’ai eu envie d’approfondir mes connaissances en cuisine italienne. Je suis allé travailler à Florence et à Modène, avec le chef Massimo Bottura. Ce fut un grand privilège d’en apprendre les rudiments à ses côtés ».

Depuis, Trocca se plaît à faire des plats de pâtes maison, de risotto et bien sûr d’osso buco, qu’on peut déguster avec plaisir à son restaurant de Buenos Aires. Sa rencontre avec Bottura a été très marquante pour lui. « Ses enseignements étaient pour moi comme un retour aux sources, quelque chose que j’avais en moi et qui voulait s’exprimer », ajoute-t-il.

D’ailleurs, si vous mangez dans son restaurant, vous vous apercevrez que sa spécialité est d’offrir une cuisine locale, qui rend hommage de belle façon à la cuisine argentine et italienne. Le meilleur des deux mondes au menu !

Chef Fernando Trocca

La famille Zuccardi : fleuron de l’industrie vinicole argentine Originaire d’Avellino, les premiers membres de la famille Zuccardi s’établirent en 1870 dans la province de Tucuman, dans le Nord de l’Argentine. Viticulteurs de profession, ils y fondèrent une modeste exploitation.

Ce n’est que 75 ans plus tard qu’un autre membre de la famille, Alberto Zuccardi, immigre lui aussi d’Italie, mais décide de s’établir à Mendoza, où l’industrie vinicole était alors en pleine expansion.

Ingénieur civil passionné pour les systèmes d’irrigation, il importe de Californie dans les années 1950 des équipements avant-gardistes qu’il vend aux viticulteurs locaux. Très vite, ses systèmes s’avérèrent extrêmement performants.

En 1963, ils étaient devenus si populaires qu’Alberto amasse assez d’argent pour s’offrir à son tour son propre vignoble. Son fils, José Alberto Zuccardi, se joint à l’entreprise familiale en 1976 et gère aujourd’hui les vignobles Zuccardi avec ses trois enfants, Sébastian, Miguel et Julia.

L’entreprise compte maintenant quatre vignobles, dont le plus récent, situé dans la vallée d’Uco, est un exemple de modernité, de réussite sociale et d’intégration dans son milieu. Le principal cépage utilisé dans leurs vins rouges est le malbec, raisin national. L’œnologue de la maison, Sébastian, fils aîné de José Alberto, veut créer des vins qui expriment le terroir qui les a créés. Miguel, le plus jeune fils, a lui développé un commerce d’huile d’olive à partir d’olives récoltées sur leur vignoble. Julia, la benjamine, s’occupe du restaurant et des visites touristiques sur le vignoble Santa Julia. Les trois trouvent important de vivre en harmonie avec leur milieu. À travers le temps, la famille Zuccardi a réussi non seulement à se démarquer par la qualité de ses vins, vendus dans plus de 50 pays, mais aussi à garder vivantes 38

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Famille Zuccardi

certaines traditions héritées de leurs ancêtres. Et pour le père, José Luis, c’est ce qu’il y a de plus précieux : « Nous avons à cœur certaines valeurs. Par exemple, les repas pris en famille tous les dimanches sont très importants. Et nous aimons aussi les bonnes choses : la passion pour le bon vin, pour les huiles d’olive, ainsi que l’envie de célébrer la vie à tous les jours. Tout ceci nous vient assurément de nos racines italiennes ! » affirme passionnément José Alberto.

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ITALIAN ARGENTINA

La famille Barbera : promouvoir ses racines italiennes dans les Andes argentines Ouvrir un restaurant italien à Mendoza dans les Andes argentines il y a 66 ans, il fallait le faire ! C’est pourtant ce qu’a accompli et beaucoup plus encore, Maria Theresa Corradini de Barbera, venue d’Italie en 1948 avec sa famille.

C’est avec sa mère Fernanda que Maria Theresa fonde en 1950 La Marchigiana, dans le centre-ville de Mendoza. Très vite, les premiers immigrants italiens y accourent. Le mot se passait que la cuisine des deux femmes faisait honneur à leur pays natal. « J’avais un rêve, accueillir les gens comme à la maison. Notre restaurant deviendrait une destination incontournable où plaisir, bonne chère, bons vins et ambiance agréable seraient notre marque de commerce », raconte Maria Theresa.

En 1968, encouragée par son mari Francesco de Barbera, elle ferme La Marchigiana pour agrandir sa cuisine et sa salle à manger. Naît alors La cantina Da Nonna Fernanda, puis un an plus tard La Vecchia Roma, suivit en 1972 d’un hôtel du même nom administré par la famille.

En 1997, l’équipe de production du film Sept ans au Tibet, alors en tournage dans la région, eu vent de la célèbre cuisinière. C’est ainsi qu’une brochette d’acteurs hollywoodiens débarqua un jour dans son restaurant La Marchigiana, alors réouvert. « Ils étaient tous là : Brad Pitt, sa compagne de l’époque Gwyneth Paltrow, le réalisateur Jean-Jacques Annaud et les autres. Ils étaient si gentils. Jean-Jacques m’a écrit une lettre ensuite pour me consoler de la récente perte de mon fils et Brad Pitt m’a même lu un poème pour souligner son décès », raconte-t-elle, nostalgique.

Les photos de cette visite mémorable et la fameuse lettre d’Annaud sont aujourd’hui accrochés au mur de son restaurant Francesco Barbera, ouvert en 2004 avec sa fille Beatriz en l’honneur de son défunt mari, mort un an plus tôt.

Beatriz et Teresa Barbera

« Ouvrons ensemble un restaurant dans notre maison avec son jardin. Ainsi, la clientèle se sentira accueillie comme des membres de notre famille. Ce sera le bonheur comme dans un film de Fellini ! » a-t-elle dit alors à sa fille Maria Theresa pour la convaincre.

Au fil des années, la nonna a accumulé les honneurs. Elle est devenue aujourd’hui une petite célébrité dans la région. Elle publie des livres de recettes et apparaît fréquemment dans différents médias.

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non ha mai fatto segreto del suo “ Il Papa orgoglio italo-argentino, dichiarando

“

il proprio attaccamento ora all’uno ora all’altro Paese, a seconda del caso.

Orgoglio italo-argentino Claudia Buscemi Prestigiacomo

T

ra il 1870 e il 1930 milioni di italiani partirono per l’Argentina. La storia del primo papa latinoamericano, o meglio dei Bergoglio, ebbe inizio proprio in quel flusso: in Piemonte, a cavallo tra le due Grandi guerre.

In una lettera del 1990 pubblicata dall’Osservatore Romano, parlando dell’emigrazione Papa Bergoglio scrive: “Non potete immaginare quante volte abbia ringraziato la Divina Provvidenza!”

Spiega successivamente che i nonni – Giovanni Angelo Bergoglio (Asti, Piemonte, 1884) e Margherita Rosa Vassallo (Plana Crixia, Liguria, 1884), assieme al figlio Mario (Portacomaro, Asti, 1908) – avevano programmato di salpare da Genova nell’ottobre del 1927, a bordo del piroscafo Principessa Mafalda. Tuttavia, pur avendo acquistato i biglietti, dovettero posticipare la partenza a causa di alcuni ritardi imprevisti. Un evento provvidenziale, considerato che quello fu l’ultimo viaggio del piroscafo che affondò vicino alle coste brasiliane, inabissando centinaia di italiani.

Secondo documenti ricostruiti dal Centro Internazionale di Studi sull’Emigrazione Italiana, i tre sbarcarono a Buenos Aires il 12 febbraio 1929. In un’intervista del giornalista argentino Sergio Rubín al Pontefice, si legge che le ragioni del trasferimento differivano dalle consuete. Infatti, i Bergoglio, che a Torino possedevano una pasticceria piuttosto nota, lasciarono l’Italia non per povertà, ma per il desiderio di ricongiungersi con i fratelli trasferitisi a Paraná (Entre Ríos) nel 1922. Oltre ai familiari e a un lavoro da contabile all’interno della loro fabbrica di pavimentazione, li attendeva un palazzo elegante e moderno (con tanto di ascensore) che con la crisi del 1932 la famiglia dovette vendere, ricominciando da zero. “Credo che questa sia una dimostrazione della forza della razza.” – spiega Papa Francesco a Rubín.

All'oratorio salesiano di sant'Antonio, nel quartiere di Almagro, dove per anni l’intera famiglia si distinse per le numerose attività sociali, Mario Bergoglio conobbe la moglie Regina Sivori, argentina di madre piemontese e di padre ligure. Dall’unione tra Mario e Regina, il 17 dicembre 1936, nel quartiere Flores di Buenos Aires, nacque Jorge Mario (Papa Francesco).

Il Papa non ha mai fatto segreto del suo orgoglio italo-argentino, dichiarando il proprio attaccamento ora all’uno ora all’altro Paese, a seconda del caso. Così, ad esempio, con Rubín, definisce la propria concezione di famiglia “particolarmente italiana”, precisando di essere stato “il più italiano di tutti i fratelli perché allevato dai nonni”, dei quali ha imparato “la lingua dei ricordi”, il piemontese. Ovvero, i ricordi delle partite a basket del padre Mario nel quartiere di Almagro, con la squadra del San Lorenzo, la stessa società della squadra di calcio cattolica (maglietta rosse e blu a strisce verticali) di cui ancor oggi il Papa è grande hincha (tifoso), nata per volere di un prete sale40

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siano per togliere i bambini dalle strade.

È probabile che proprio questo valore legato al concetto di famiglia, al gioco, ai bambini abbia contribuito alla sensazione di pace in sua presenza descritta da molti. Il reverendo Thomas Rosica – CSB, CEO della Fondazione canadese Salt and Light Catholic Media – afferma: “Nel parlargli, ci si trova dinnanzi a una persona profondamente umana, affettuosa, gentile e intelligente che trasmette la gioia del Vangelo...Si sente il desiderio insaziabile di raggiungerlo ed abbracciarlo, ma ancor prima di averne l’opportunità, è lui a farlo...”

Il Vangelo e la determinazione, la grande umiltà, l’esperienza della malattia all’età di 21 anni (l’asportazione di una parte del polmone), assieme a incontri con persone speciali, lo avvicinarono talmente tanto alla Chiesa da convincerlo a 22 anni a scegliere la via del seminario. A sostenerlo in questa scelta furono soprattutto il padre e nonna Rosa, già distintasi a Torino per l’attivismo all’interno dell’Azione Cattolica e per discorsi pubblici, non graditi, contro la politica fascista.

Una carriera brillante la sua che, a partire dal 1969 (anno in cui venne ordinato sacerdote), lo ha visto ricoprire ruoli sempre più importanti all’interno dell’ordine gesuita prima, nel clero argentino e nelle varie congregazioni della Curia successivamente. A partire dal 1973, per esempio, divenne il gesuita di maggior livello durante gli anni durissimi della dittatura militare.

Una vita dunque segnata dall’impegno sociale e dal desiderio di seguire la strada di Cristo, anche quando i suoi disegni risultavano incomprensibili agli occhi della gente; una via segnata dalla semplicità e dalla voglia di condividere, in società e ancor prima in famiglia, dove i racconti che vedono i suoi come protagonisti ci offrono quadri di unione e consuetudine. L’etica del lavoro: un padre che lo incoraggiò a trovarsi un lavoretto estivo a tredici anni. L’arte: i sabati ad ascoltare l’opera assieme ai fratelli ed alla mamma, che ne spiegava i passaggi. Il gioco: le partite a briscola e la passione per il basket o, da buon argentino, il calcio. Infine, il cibo: le istruzioni della madre che, avendo avuto una paresi, predisponeva gli ingredienti sul tavolo e indicava ai ragazzi come cucinarli.

Sarà anche per questo che il 13 marzo 2013 ha consegnato alla storia questo papa insolito, magnetico e carismatico. Un papa severo ma brioso, accolto dalla comunità ecclesiastica in modo diverso, come spiega il reverendo Rosica: “Un rivoluzionario sfrontato e coraggioso mandato a dare uno scossone alla routine,” per alcuni; o “lì per provocare un grosso naufragio,” per altri. “Ma, in realtà, – continua – quella inaugurata da Papa Francesco è una rivoluzione di tenerezza...una rivoluzione di normalità.”

Photo credit: Reuters

Papa Francesco

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ITALIAN ARGENTINA Photography Daniele Tomelleri

Mural, La Boca neighbourhood, Buenos Aires

Los Xeneizes (The Genovesi)

The Italian origins of Boca Juniors

By Dante Di Iulio

E

stablished on the bank of the Rio de Plata, Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is an absolute gem of a city. While the land of the “Good Air” itself is lavish, it is made up of unique neighbourhoods each carrying their own local landmarks. Amongst them, the district of La Boca certainly draws the most attention for its community, its soul, and most importantly, its soccer team.

At the turn of the 20th century, Buenos Aires was a city of less than a million inhabitants. Arriving en masse, between 1870 and 1920, the vast majority of them were Italian, with a significant amount hailing from Genoa. From one port city to another, it was only natural for the Genovesi to settle along the waterfront. The word “Boca” actually evokes similarities to an area in Genoa called Boccadasse, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful districts in the city of Columbus.

Italian immigrants living in La Boca tried to maintain their customs and social practices. The recently arrived gathered, danced and united in cantinas and shared dishes like polenta and fugazza, which are now recognizable dishes of the national cuisine.

La Boca also played a fundamental part in the creation of the Argentine slang, Lunfardo, which borrows many words from the Genovese dialect and Italian.

It is in this working class neighbourhood, on April 3, 1905, that five young Genovesi: Esteban Baglietto, Alfredo Scarpatti, Santiago Sana, and brothers Juan and Teodoro Farenga, went on to start the most popular Latin American club in the world. Having received football lessons from Patrick “Paddy” McCarthy, an Irish footballer that taught football techniques to immigrants’ children, the young Italian boys desperately wanted a club to call their own.

After several hours of discussion, they were forced to reconvene their project in the Plaza Solís, now recognized as the birthplace of Club Atlético Boca Juniors.

Boca fans are now affectionately known as los Xeneizes, or the Genovesi.

“

Although the streets and houses of the La Boca neighbourhood, especially Caminito, are plastered with vibrant blues and yellows, similar to certain neighbourhoods in Genoa, the team’s colours are actually based on the Swedish flag. The story goes that its founding members decided to adopt the colours of the next ship to sail into the port. The whims of fate dragged in a ship from Sweden, hence the blue and gold jerseys. Today, every store and restaurant has some sort of paraphernalia relating to the Azul y Oro. As the most popular club in Argentina, Boca enjoys the nickname la mitad mas uno (half plus one), despite their fanbase only consisting of 40 per cent of the population. Their stadium, La Bombonera (the chocolate box), is situated in the centre of La Boca district and is continually listed as one of the best stadiums in the world. Any visitor will tell you that the experience of watching a Boca Juniors match will force you to reconsider your concept of sporting passion.

Tireless and effervescent cheering throughout the game and the electric and palpitating atmosphere definitely sweeten the home advantage of playing inside the chocolate box. The love for Boca goes beyond the Sunday match day especially with chants like “even death can’t separate us, I will cheer you on from heaven.” With a passion and love this devout, it is no wonder the club has recently opened a Boca Juniors cemetery.

Although it’s been over 110 years since the foundation of Boca Juniors, the link between Genoa and Boca remains strong. In 2015, Boca Juniors translated the historical section of their official website into the Genovese dialect, as a tribute to their Ligurian roots. Even in Italy, the rivalry between Genoa CFC and Sampdoria intensifies in relation to Boca, with each team claiming better friendships. For one of the most prestigious clubs in the world to feature Xeneizes on the collar of every jersey would make any Genovese inflate their chest and hold their head high. It is this unusual pride and fierce loyalty that helped develop Boca Juniors into the pride of Argentina and Genoa.

Any visitor will tell you that the experience of watching a Boca Juniors match will force you to reconsider your concept of sporting passion.

“

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Ribeye with Mango Salsa, Grilled Asparagus and Roasted Potatoes Add a bit of Latin flare to your next social gathering with this Argentine-inspired recipe.

It’s time to fire up the grill for the starring dish: ribeye, the ultimate cut of meat.

Ribeye con salsa di mango, asparagi grigliati e patate arrostite Date un’atmosfera latina al vostro prossimo social party con questa ricetta d’ispirazione argentina. È tempo quindi di accendere il forno per il piatto protagonista: il ribeye, un taglio di carne molto pregiato.

(Serves 4-5 / per 4-5 persone)

Mango salsa / Salsa di mango Ingredients / Ingredienti

• 2 mangos, diced / 2 manghi tagliati a dadini • 2 limes (juiced) / 2 lime spremuti • ¼ cup chopped cilantro / ¼ cup di coriandolo tritato • Half of a red onion, chopped / Mezza cipolla rossa tritata • Salt and pepper to taste / Sale e pepe quanto basta Instructions / Istruzioni

In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients. Place in serving bowl.

Mettete insieme tutti gli ingredienti in un’ampia terrina. Servite in una ciotola.

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ITALIAN ARGENTINA

Recipe prepared by Fabio Barenbaum, the chef/owner at Sky Ranch restaurant in Toronto.

Ricetta preparata da Fabio Barenbaum, chef e proprietario del ristorante Sky Ranch a Toronto.

Grilled asparagus / Asparagi grigliati Ingredients / Ingredienti

• 1 bunch of asparagus / 1 mazzo di asparagi • 2 tbsp olive oil / 1 cucchiaio di olio d’oliva • Salt and pepper to taste / Sale e pepe quanto basta • Zest of one lemon / La scorza di un limone Instructions / Istruzioni

Blanch asparagus in salted water for four minutes. Then season with olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon zest. Finish off on the grill.

Sbollentate gli asparagi in acqua salata per quattro minuti. Aromatizzate con olio d’oliva, sale, pepe e succo di limone. Completate la cottura facendo grigliare.

Roasted potatoes / Patate arrostite Ingredients / Ingredienti

• 4 medium-sized potatoes, quartered / 4 patate di media grandezza, tagliate in quattro parti • 2 tbsp olive oil / 2 cucchiai di olio d’oliva • 2 tsp white wine vinegar / 2 cucchiaini di aceto di vino bianco • 2 garlic cloves / 2 spicchi d’aglio • 2 tbsp paprika / 2 cucchiai di paprika • 2 sprigs of rosemary / 2 rametti di rosmarino • Salt and black pepper to taste / sale e pepe quanto basta Instructions / Istruzioni

Preheat oven to 350F. Blanch potatoes in boiling water for eight minutes. Let cool. Combine potatoes and the rest of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Then transfer potatoes to a baking sheet and roast for 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Preriscaldate il forno a 350F. Sbollentate le patate in acqua bollente per 8 minuti. Lasciate raffreddare. Mettete le patate e il resto degli ingredienti in un’ampia terrina. Trasferite le patate in una teglia e arrostite per 12 minuti o fino a che diventano dorate.

Ribeye Ingredients / Ingredienti

• 4 eight-ounce ribeye steaks or rib steaks (they are the same cut of meat, how ever, the ribeye steak is boneless while the rib steak includes the rib bone) / 4 ribeye steak o rib steak di 8 ounce (sono lo stesso taglio di carne, ma la ribeye steak è disossata mentre la rib steak comprende l’osso) • Salt and black pepper to taste / Sale e pepe nero quanto basta Instructions / Istruzioni

Season steaks with salt and pepper. Place on preheated grill in a diagonal position for two minutes. Then rotate 45 degrees for an additional two minutes.

Flip steak over and repeat process for a total of three minutes (this will ensure a medium-rare steak). This grilling technique creates crosshatch marks (or searing marks) that elevates the look of the steak. Serve with roasted potatoes, grilled asparagus and the mango salsa.

Aromatizzate le bistecche con sale e pepe. Mettete sul grill preriscaldato in una posizione diagonale per due minuti. Poi ruotate di 45 gradi per altri 2 minuti.

Capovolgete la bistecca e ripetete il procedimento per un totale di tre minuti (questo assicurerà una cottura media). Questa tecnica crea delle linee incrociate che migliorano l’aspetto della bistecca. Servite con patate arrostite, asparagi grigliati e salsa di mango.

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ITALIAN ARGENTINA

Photography Daniele Tomelleri

Classic Argentine pizza at El Cuartito pizzeria, Buenos Aires

Comida all’Italiana Eating like an Italian in Buenos Aires

By Dante Di Iulio

A

rgentines, like Italians, are known for their love of food. Wine is always flowing and all social gatherings are commonly centred around the table. Argentine cuisine is so deeply inspired by its Italian counterpart that it could almost be described as an offshoot. There are, of course, many excellent regional dishes to be found, but day-to-day eating is dominated by a definite Italian flavour. Here’s an overview.

Pizza Visitors expecting typically Italian pizza will be surprised by the fare on offer in Argentina. Although pizza is heavily influenced by Italian tradition, Argentines have made it their own. Argentine pie is usually made with a high-rising dough, often features very little sauce, and is enjoyed with or without cheese. As everywhere in the world, it makes a great late-night snack, but if you are looking for something a little different, try a fugazzeta, a typical Argentine pizza covered with onions.

Best Bets: Siamo nel Forno - Costa Rica 5886, Palermo Hollywood Albamonte - Av. Corrientes 6735, Chacarita La Mezzetta - Av. Álvarez Thomas 1321, Chacarita 44

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Pasta Passionate about their Italian heritage, Argentines love their pasta. Locally called fideos, you’ll find pasta on most menus in the country. The majority of restaurants serve fresh pasta, or they offer a hybrid of fresh and dry, mainly using De Cecco or Rummo. Their stuffed pasta (ravioli, gnocchi, agnolotti, cannelloni) is excellent as a result of the freshness of the dough, the high-quality cheese, and the beef or pork stuffing. Although it’s usually served with tomato sauce, creamy variations featuring bacon and mushrooms are also delicious.

Best Bets: La Pecora Nera - Ayacucho 1785, Recoleta L’Adesso - Bulnes 1248, Palermo La Locanda - José León Pagano 2697, Recoleta Milanesa Another staple in Argentina, the Milanesa (breaded veal cutlet) is often assumed by locals to be an original Argentine creation, although it definitely draws its inspiration from the cotoletta alla Milanese. This common Argentine lunchtime meat (chicken, beef or pork), which is flattened, breaded and deep fried, may seem a bit heavy for a midday bite, but it’s

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ITALIAN ARGENTINA

.ca

GRIFFINTOWN

ENSEMBLE, BÂTISSONS L‘AVENIR!

Le Richardson 2016 rue Richardson

20 UNITÉS EN PRÉVENTE Près du canal Lachine et du Marché Atwater Pavillon des ventes sur place

MILE-EX

Métro Charlevoix

Le 6900 Outremont 815, ave Beaumont

22 unités en prévente Près de l’ave du Parc et chemin Rockland Pavillon des ventes sur place

not. While the traditional Napolitana has tomato sauce or tomatoes, and ham and cheese, there are myriad Milanesa variations: a la suiza (white sauce), a caballo (egg on top), or in a panino for an on-the-go snack.

HOCHELAGA

Métro Acadie

2393, rue Cadillac

Occupation été 2017 8 unités disponibles

Best Bets: Don Ignacio - Rivadavia 3439, Almagro Hermann - Santa Fe 3902, Palermo El Club De La Milanesa - Azcuenaga 1898, Recoleta

Pavillon des ventes sur place Métro Cadillac PLATEAU MONT-ROYAL

Gelato (Helado) Argentines can compete with their Italian ancestors when it comes to gelato.

Helado, similar to gelato, is served at a warmer temperature, has a denser, silkier texture, and in contrast to regular ice cream, is usually made with whole milk instead of cream. The local ice cream is all natural, high quality, and rarely contains any artificial flavours or preservatives. While the flavours are bountiful, no helado is complete without some dulce de leche, the sweetest and most heavenly of all the ice cream flavours. Surprisingly, most heladerias in Buenos Aires deliver the delcious treat right to your door. Just call up, choose your flavours, and the delivery driver will motor over with the ice cream carefully nestled in his climate-controlled bike.

Le Cadillac

Le Resther 4895, rue Berri

Occupation 2017 12 unités disponibles Métro Laurier

Best Bets: Freddo – multiple locations (the Baskin Robbins of Buenos Aires) Ferruccio Soppelsa – multiple locations (Mendoza, Argentina) Nonna Bianca – Estados Unidos 425, San Telmo.

Cocktails In Argentina, Malbec is king, but there is one drink that is a perfect ItalianArgentinian hybrid: Fernet and Coca Cola. The famous Amaro, with a black licorice flavour, gained popularity in the late ’80s, and since then has become the perfect accompaniment to Coke – the national drink. Great before, during and after dinner, it’s not a party without Fernet y coca.

John M. Faratro Président

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LIVING ITALIAN STYLE

Go to panoramitalia.com and click on “Living Italian Style” to submit your profile!

Nicolo Messina Nickname: Nick (Sicilianu Di Montreal) Occupation: Sales Advisor at Des Sources Chrysler / Fiat Age: 35 Generation: Second Mom & Dad from: Cattolica Eraclea, Agrigento, Sicily Raised in: St. Leonard Speaks: English, French, Italian & Sicilian dialect Who do you speak Italian to?

Mostly my family and to myself when I get angry.

Passion: Italian food, cooking, wine, automobiles.

Goal in life: Possibly own or co-own a dealership.

Your best dish: My…Grilled Octopus with 3 mushroom risotto!

Your favourite ItalianCanadian expression: “Ma please, Ma piffavuri” (in Sicilian) Main difference between first generation and second/third: The first generation saved their money, the second generation spends it, the third generation we’re working on it.

Who is your role model?

My mother 46

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Most important family value: My wife and two daughters, and passing on Italian traditions.

What does Panoram Italia represent to you? Keeping our Italian culture and Italian “way of life” alive for generations to come.

Best memory growing up Italian-Canadian: Going downstairs to Nonno’s garden and stealing his biggest cucumber and getting yelled at after eating it because he was going to use that one for “la simenta” (the seeds for next year’s crop).

The huge family parties and Sunday gatherings at Nonna and Nonno’s eating pasta al forno and drinking Pisa with Nonno’s wine.

Alissa Ammendolea Nickname: Ali Occupation: Pharmacy and Lab Technician at Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal Age: 22 Generation: Third Dad from: Ardore, Reggio Calabria Mom from: Granby, Quebec Raised in: St. Michel and then RDP Speaks: English, French & Italian Who do you speak Italian to?

Mostly to my grandparents and my older relatives.

Passion: I volunteer at retirement homes because I love seeing how happy it makes the residents.

Goal in life: To study the health field further and live a heathy happy life with my family and friends.

What is your typical lunch?

Lately, anything with polenta.

I’m in love with polenta and its simplicity to not only be easy to make but go well with just about anything. I usually like my polenta seasoned with hot peppers.

Your favourite ItalianCanadian expression: “Fa bene e scordate, fa male e pensace.” (Fa' bene e dimen-

tica, fa' male e ricordati.)

Who is your role model?

My parents What does Panoram represent to you? I love this magazine! It keeps our community together; it features up to date and old school articles about the Italian culture.

Best memory growing up Italian: My family used to live with my grandparents so we saw each other every day. I would always help my Nonno with the garden, help my Nonna cook, run groceries with her, and listen to my Nonno’s stories about when he first came here. I loved living with them. I am happy to say that I still have them both and I see them often.

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Photography by Daniele Tomelleri

Makeup by Jennifer Low

Location: Tablier Rouge

Vanessa Caruso

Anthony Pacella Occupation: Student at John Molson School of Business & Founder of StrikeOut Cancer Age: 20 Generation: Second Dad from: Fallo, Chieti, Abruzzo Mom from: Atripalda, Avellino, Campania Raised in: Montreal Speaks: English, French & Italian Passion: Fundraising through StrikeOut Cancer. This fundraiser supports cancer research, in particular lung cancer. StrikeOut Cancer raises awareness towards this type of cancer and helps support the individuals as well as the families who are affected by this illness.

Goal in life: Since my mother’s passing, I am trying to live in her footsteps and in her legacy by developing StrikeOut Cancer into a non-profit organization. I hope to show others that anyone can make a difference in society no matter how young you may be.

What’s your typical lunch?

A prosciutto panino Your best dish: My dad’s spaghetti carbonara

Best Italian neighhourhood: Little Italy Your favourite ItalianCanadian expression: “Meglio solo che male accompagnato.”

Main difference between first generation and second/third: The main difference is authenticity.

Who is your role model?

My beloved mother and father Most important family value: Live every day as if it would be your last.

What does Panoram Italia represent to you? It represents the unique Italian community that we have in Montreal.

Best memory growing up Italian-Canadian: Attending every Italian festival with my family.

LIVING ITALIAN STYLE

Occupation: Manager & Marketing Administrative Assistant Age: 27 Generation: Third Dad from: Buenos Aires, Argentina Mom from: Ahuntsic Raised in: East End and Laval Speaks: English, French, Italian & Spanish Who do you speak Italian to?

Gli nonni first off and anybody else who speaks the language.

Passion: Representing Arbonne, cooking, and of course, eating (I’m a big foodie and have a restaurant bucket list that keeps getting longer).

Goal in life: To live a lifestyle by design and inspire others to do the same.

What’s your typical lunch?

Once a week, religiously, I’ll have my Boucherie Mimmo’s chicken or veal cutlet sandwich with a side of olives.

Main difference between first generation and second/third: They live/lived within their means (what credit cards?).

Who is your role model?

My mother, my nonna and Oprah Winfrey

Your favourite Italian-Canadian expression: “Chissu è!”

Most important family value: Stick together when times are rough and never turn your back on your family. Always respect one another and stand up for each other.

What does Panoram Italia represent to you? It’s about Italian culture at its classiest. I love the way each article, each testimonial, and each feature goes deep into the heritage of that specific subject.

Best memory growing up Italian-Canadian: Getting stuffed off the antipasti (homemade soppressata, prosciutto, cheese, olives, giardiniera and bread) at every holiday gathering and drinking Nonno’s wine with 7Up! PANORAMITALIA.COM

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FASHION

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The best of pre-fall trends

By Alessia Sara Domanico

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lot of different trends have been whipping around the runways this year. As we hit the pre-fall collections of the major design houses, we find that there isn’t any clear consensus on which one to follow. This gives you carte blanche to try out a number of looks this season, mixing summer and pre-fall for any genre, whether it be the vintage-lover or the tech savant.

Warm hues are of course a must this time of year with the chocolate browns, candy apple reds and pumpkin oranges. Hungry yet? Layer on a burnt rust coat à la Diane von Furstenberg, throw your notebooks into a Michael Kors satchel, and slip your feet into some soft leather kicks such as the ballerinas, loafers, ankle boots or moccasins proposed by Tod’s, Hogan, Browns, Geox and Gucci – these brands are going for embellished shoe-bling in their men’s and women’s collections, as well as the safer, classic styles.

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For the retro fan, look to Marni, Tory Burch and Coach for inspired prints to pair with lambswool-lined leather jackets. While denim may have been big in previous fall seasons, we haven’t seen much of it lately other than the classic trouser. In fact, there has been more white, cream and beige than one would expect from the maisons of Max Mara and Ralph Lauren as well as Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s Elizabeth and James label. This can be construed as a nod towards a cooler and more sophisticated style – one where we don’t get spaghetti sauce all over ourselves after a lunch at Nonna’s.

The bi-annual Pitti Uomo men’s trade show in Florence, Italy, proposed cheeky suits for the gents and more demure looks for dressing down.

Back to School is especially exciting for the kiddies; we fell in love with Dolce & Gabbana’s mini-grown up ties, blazers, suits, and polka dot lunchboxes. Backpacks are also seeing a trendy revolution with Italy’s favourite brand (not Invicta), Eastpak, proposing both mature and playful models.

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1. Pitti Uomo trade show 2. Dolce & Gabbana 3. Banana Republic 4. Browns 5. Browns 6. Michael Kors 7. Eastpak 8. Eden Park 9. Coach 10. Diane von Furstenberg 11. Marni 12. Elizabeth and James

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DESIGN

Flou

Behind Closed Doors Wardrobe and storage solutions from Italian trendsetters

By Alessia Sara Domanico

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ith space at a premium in Italy, Italian craftsmen are getting ever more ingenious with how to make the most of space. As fall descends upon us, you may be moving into a new place, heading off to school, or marrying off your last kid and looking to reclaim your space.

Whatever the case, before you start looking at the usual suspects, here are some of the premium exports we’ve spotted coming from Italy’s top furniture brands.

Flou: luxe wardrobes Known as one of the country’s most innovative design houses, Flou’s latest range of 16 cm wardrobes incorporate precious materials and an intelligent rationale when it comes to the design of the interior compartments. There is also a wealth of selection when it comes to doors and handles in order to

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customize your own style to match the personality of your bedroom. The Epoque line uses sharp relief wood-effect carvings that embellish the surface of the wardrobe doors for a simple, yet elegant finish. The Vogue line goes further with leather-covered doors that intermix with beveled mirror inserts framed with leather trim, and aptly-named Condotti handles finish the look off perfectly with their ribbon style fashioned out of metal and leather. The wardrobe interiors are just as swoon-worthy with their precise cuts, LED lighting and ordering of spaces – it might make organizing a joy rather than a chore…

Misuraemme: slick shelf spaces If you are looking to update your family room, then take a gander at what Misuraemme are doing. Never before has shelving been this sexy. For books,

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DESIGN

Misuraemme CrossingTeka

photo frames and art objects, the Crossing Teka system from the brand creates a visual composition with alternating shelving, hanging units with soft-closing flap doors, and 3D glass doors that keep storage solutions looking light and transparent, while also providing stability. The internally-fitted LED lights make the set-up look enviably high-tech. For TV and sound system solutions, the Urban System comes in either freestanding or wallmounted compositions with the option of different elements such as coloured metal boxes, fitted drawers, TV panels, and glass sliding doors. The storage boxes can be ordered as either push or handle opening.

Rimadesio: supreme minimalism For a bit of both trendy freestanding shelves and super clean and simple wardrobes, Rimadesio has it all. Their Eileen living area storage solutions use more future-forward alloy and aluminum and a mix of tempered, laminated and reflective glass together with wood for solid and attractive pieces that would look good no matter the colour of your walls or whether you have hardwood, carpet or tile. We fancied the Opus Stele bookcase, which uses an extruded profile with tempered glass and lacquered glass finishings. Optional accessories such as drawer units and back panels (both with glass fronts) and aluminum flap doors mean that you can make an otherwise bare canvas your very own.

Flou

Flou

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Kitchens made in Italy with love! fellinidesigns.com PANORAMITALIA.COM

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ITALIAN GREAT LAKES

Photography by Giorgio Majno - Fondo Ambiente Italiano

Villa del Balbianello, Lac de Côme

Escapades aux lacs de Côme, Majeur et de Garde Fuga tra gli splendenti laghi del nord Italia Par Alessia Sara Domanico

Nature tranquille, villages enchanteurs, haute gastronomie et plaisirs garantis : les grands lacs de l’Italie du Nord offrent un peu de tout pour tous les âges.

Le lac de Côme La vie semble se dérouler au ralenti dans les villages paisibles des environs du lac de Côme, et leurs résidants s’en accommodent très bien. « Entre le moment où j’ouvre les volets le matin et où j’aperçois le lac dans toute sa splendeur, mon café à la main, et celui où le soleil s’éteint au-delà des montagnes, je me pince régulièrement pour me rappeler à quel point je suis chanceuse d’habiter ici », avoue Gemma Aurelius, propriétaire de la boutique My Lake Como, spécialisée dans l’organisation de mariages.

Quatre heures sont nécessaires pour passer d’une rive à l’autre en traversier en comptant les différents arrêts le long du parcours. Parmi les destinations les plus populaires figurent Tremezzo, Menaggio, Bellagio et Varenna. La capitale homonyme de la région se situe à l’extrémité sud-ouest du lac, et bien que moins pittoresque que ses voisines, Côme n’en demeure pas moins le centre économique régional. La ville possède un cœur historique médiéval et une jolie promenade en bord de lac foisonnant de boutiques, de cafés et de restaurants.

Un trajet de 10 minutes en téléphérique jusqu’au sommet de la colline de Brunate vous transporte à l’entrée de sentiers de randonnée en forêt qui mènent au magnifique village de Bellagio.

Bellagio est l’emblème même du lac de Côme avec ses jardins exotiques, ses villas colorées et ses routes pavées et sinueuses qui traversent ses quartiers résidentiels et ses murailles de pierre. La vue sur le lac s’améliore à mesure qu’on 52

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Natura tranquilla, paesini come cittadelle di panpepato, vino da sorseggiare, cibo prelibato, e brividi garantiti: i grandi laghi di Como, Maggiore e Garda dell'Italia settentrionale offrono di tutto per ogni età.

Lago di Como La vita trascorre lentamente negli assonnati comuni del lago di Como, un ritmo con il quale la gente del posto convive benissimo. “Da quando apro le finestre la mattina, con il caffè in mano, e appare il meraviglioso lago, a quando il sole tramonta davanti a me dietro le montagne, ogni volta devo darmi un pizzicotto per ricordarmi quanto siamo fortunati a poter chiamare questo posto casa nostra,” racconta tutto d’un fiato Gemma Aurelius, proprietaria di My Lake Como Wedding, una boutique e attività di wedding planning.

Ci vogliono quattro ore per attraversare il lago da una sponda all’altra con il traghetto tramite diversi percorsi e fermate lungo la strada. Le mete più conosciute sono Tremezzo, Menaggio, Bellagio e Varenna. Anche se meno suggestiva delle altre città circondanti, Como, l’omonima capitale situata sulla punta sud-occidentale del lago, è il centro economico della zona. Possiede un piccolo borgo medievale e un lungolago con negozi, cafè e ristoranti. Con 10 minuti in funivia si arriva in cima della collina di Brunate da dove si possono imboccare sentieri boscosi che arrivano fino a Bellagio.

Composto da giardini esotici, ville colorate, serpeggianti stradine acciottolate che portano verso centri abitati e mura di pietra, Bellagio è davvero il simbolo del lago di Como. Più in alto si va e più bella è la vista. Il tutto culmina al Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, che senza dubbio è il gioiello della città

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ITALIAN GREAT LAKES

Le lac Majeur À l’ouest de Côme se trouve le lac Majeur, le deuxième en importance au pays.

Nourri par le Tessin (Ticino en italien), rivière qui coule jusqu’à Milan, le lac s’étend en partie sur le territoire du Piémont et de la Lombardie alors que sa portion nord se déploie en Suisse.

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Bellagio est l’emblème même du lac de Côme avec ses jardins exotiques, ses villas colorées et ses routes pavées et sinueuses qui traversent ses quartiers résidentiels et ses murailles de pierre.

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con un ristorante stellato-Michelin e tutto il fascino del vecchio continente.

Un altro posto di notevole pregio è la Villa del Balbianello, residenza rinascimentale e museo in riva al lago. La proprietà viene spesso usata per riprese cinematografiche. La riconoscerete in diversi film fra i quali James Bond: Casino Royale e Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Il luogo è anche noto come posto ideale per celebrare matrimoni: “Il lago di Como ha qualunque cosa si possa desiderare per realizzare il matrimonio da sogno: paesaggi mozzafiato, un’atmosfera tipicamente romantica, cibo e vino incredibili, un clima accogliente e alcune ville e alberghi veramente stupendi,” aggiunge Gemma Aurelius.

Lago Maggiore A ovest di Como si trova il lago Maggiore, il secondo d’Italia per importanza.

Alimentato dal fiume Ticino che arriva fino a Milano, è diviso tra le regioni Piemonte e Lombardia, con una parte settentrionale che si estende in Svizzera.

Stresa è la più grande città del lago Maggiore ed è un ottimo punto di

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Composto da giardini esotici, ville colorate, serpeggianti stradine acciottolate che portano verso centri abitati e mura di pietra, Bellagio è davvero il simbolo del lago di Como.

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monte jusqu’au Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, le joyau incontesté de la ville, qui abrite un restaurant étoilé Michelin serti dans un décor évoquant la Belle Époque.

La villa del Balbianello est une autre icône des environs. Cette résidence de style Renaissance compte un musée et est souvent l’hôte de scènes de tournage.

Elle a notamment servi de toile de fond au film de James Bond Casino Royale et à celui de La guerre des étoiles : Épisode II – L’Attaque des clones. « L’endroit est aussi une destination idéale pour célébrer des mariages étant donné ses vues imprenables, son caractère naturellement romantique et un menu et une carte des vins hors pair – sans compter le climat agréable et la splendeur de la villa et de son hôtel », ajoute Gemma Aurelius.

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ITALIAN GREAT LAKES Stresa est la plus grande ville des environs et constitue un camp de base parfait à partir duquel explorer les différentes îles du lac, faire des randonnées en forêt en profitant de vues panoramiques ou visiter les jardins botaniques, églises et marchés locaux. Non loin de Stresa se trouvent les îles Borromées, un groupe de trois îles pittoresques – l’Isola Bella, l’Isola Madre et l’Isola dei Pescatori – et de deux îlots – l’Isolino San Giovanni et l’Isolino della Malghera.

Le Palazzo Borromeo de style baroque situé sur l’Isola Bella est un incontournable. La propriété compte 10 jardins étagés qui abritent même un paon albinos. Les premiers étages sont ouverts au public et comprennent des chambres d’hôtes, des bureaux et un hall d’entrée. La Sala di Napoleone est ainsi nommée parce que l’empereur Napoléon y séjourna en 1797 avec sa femme Joséphine.

D’autres jolies villes comme Verbania et Cannobio valent aussi le détour, de même qu’au sud-est du lac le fameux site religieux de Santa Caterina del Sasso, juché sur un pic rocheux. La construction de ce complexe date du XIIIe siècle. Il compte une église, célèbre pour ses fresques, et un monastère reconnu pour sa cour intérieure.

partenza per esplorare le attrazioni delle isole vicine, o imboccare sentieri boscosi con viste panoramiche sul lago e visitare i giardini botanici, le chiese e i negozi della zona. Dalla parte opposta a Stresa vi sono le Isole Borromee, un gruppo composto di tre isole caratteristiche: l’Isola Bella, l’Isola Madre e l’Isola dei Pescatori, e due isolotti: Isolino San Giovanni e Isolino Malgera.

Da non perdere il palazzo barocco Borromeo sull’isola Bella. La tenuta si estende con oltre 10 livelli di giardini terrazzati con l’eccentrico pavone albino che si mette in mostra. Il primo piano è aperto al pubblico e comprende camere, studi e le sale da ricevimento. La sala Napoleone è così chiamata per via dell’Imperatore che soggiornò qui insieme alla moglie Josephine nel 1797.

Altre città carine da vedere sul lago Maggiore sono Verbania e Cannobio, mentre a sud-est del lago si trova il sito religioso più famoso: Santa Caterina del Sasso. La costruzione del monastero e della chiesa ha avuto inizio nel XIII secolo. L’insieme si trova su una scogliera rocciosa che si affaccia sul lago ed è famoso per i suoi affreschi e cortili interni.

Le lac de Garde Le plus grand et le plus pur des lacs d’Italie est entouré des régions du Trentin-Haut-Adige, de la Lombardie et de la Vénétie, offrant ainsi un bassin d’activités sans pareil aux touristes. Le lac de Garde est l’une des plus importantes zones vertes au pays grâce à ses innombrables jardins, à ses forêts luxuriantes de pins et de cyprès et à ses magnifiques plantations de citronniers.

La région propose une foule d’activités, qui vont de la baignade à la planche à voile sur la Riva del Garda (croyez-le ou non, la capitale européenne de ce sport), en passant par la recherche d’émotions fortes au parc d’attractions Gardaland ou de détente dans un des nombreux spas de la ville de Sirmione, reconnue pour ses sources thermales.

Parmi les principaux points d’intérêt des environs on compte le Palazzo Ducale et le Palazzo Te à Mantoue, le jardin botanique de la Fondazione André Heller à Gardone Riviera, les ruines d’une villa romaine à Desenzano del Garda, avec ses mosaïques millénaires reproduisant des scènes de chasse et de courses de chariots, et le parc archéologique Rocca di Manerba à Valtenesi. Ce dernier site, qui apparaît sur la liste du patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO, contient les murailles d’un château médiéval, une réserve naturelle, des champs d’orchidées, de nombreux sentiers et parmi les plus belles plages du lac.

Lago di Garda Il lago d’Italia più grande e pulito è circondato da tre regioni distinte: Trentino Alto Adige, Lombardia e Veneto, cogliendo il meglio delle tre regioni in un trionfo turistico. Garda è una delle aree più verdi d’Italia con un’abbondanza di giardini e foreste piene di pini, cipressi, ulivi e limoni.

Il primo lago d’Italia è anche il più ricco in termini di attività, con una miriade di cose da fare come il nuotare; praticare il windsurf su Riva del Garda – capitale europea del windsurf, che ci crediate o no; visitare il parco divertimenti Gardaland; o rilassarsi in una spa nella città di Sirmione, conosciuta per le sue sorgenti calde naturali.

Le principali attrazioni includono il Palazzo Ducale e il Palazzo Te in Mantua; il Giardino Botanico Fondazione André Heller in Gardone Riviera; le rovine della Villa Romana a Desenzano del Garda di oltre 2,000 anni fa con mosaici sopravvissuti al tempo raffiguranti scene di caccia, pesca e passeggiate sul carro; il Parco Archeologico di Manerba in Valtenesi. Quest’ultimo è patrimonio UNESCO e ospita i ruderi delle mura di un castello medievale, una riserva naturale, prati di orchidee e sentieri per camminare. Vanta inoltre alcune delle migliori spiagge del lago.

FATTI DIVERTENTI

Le lac de Côme Vous pouvez vous délecter de sushis dans une grotte au luxueux hôtel CastaDiva à Blevio, l’ancienne demeure de la soprano Giuditta Pasta.

Lago di Como Cenare a base di sushi in una grotta nell’hotel di lusso Casta Diva a Blevio, ex residenza della cantante lirica Giuditta Pasta.

George Clooney, Sylvester Stallone, Donatella Versace, Madonna et sir Richard Branson comptent parmi les célébrités qui possèdent une propriété dans les environs.

Tra le celebrità che hanno casa qui ci sono George Clooney, Sylvester Stallone, Donatella Versace, Madonna e Sir Richard Branson.

La production de soie fait partie intégrante de l’histoire de Côme depuis plus de 500 ans.

Villa Sucota est le lieu tout indiqué pour vous procurer des soieries de grande qualité.

Le lac Majeur Le lac figure dans le roman L’Adieu aux armes d’Ernest Hemingway.

Le Festival international du film de Locarno attire des réalisateurs du monde entier.

Le lac de Garde L’eau des Terme di Catullo à Sirmione est utilisée pour des traitements thérapeutiques grâce à sa forte teneur en minéraux et à sa température pouvant atteindre 70 °C.

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La produzione della seta è stata parte dalla storia di Como da oltre 500 anni. Villa Sucota è il miglior posto per iniziare la caccia alla seta.

Lago Maggiore In primo piano nel romanzo di Ernest Hemingway Addio alle Armi.

L’annuale Film festival di Locarno attira nella città del versante svizzero, registi da tutto il globo.

Nel 1985 il principe Carlo e la principessa Diana sono rimasti a Palazzo Borromeo.

Lago di Garda L’acqua delle Terme di Catullo a Sirmione è usata per i trattamenti di benessere, perché è ricca di minerali e ha una temperatura naturale di 70 ° C quando lascia la roccia.

C’est ici que Benitto Mussolini a instauré les quartiers généraux de sa République de Salo.

Benito Mussolini scelse questa come sede del suo nuovo governo e creò la Repubblica Sociale Italiana, conosciuta anche come Repubblica di Salò.

Le lac compte en certains endroits près de 350 mètres de profondeur.

La profondità massima del lago è di circa 350 metri.

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Gargnano, Lac de Garde Photography by Samantha Palmieri

Le prince Charles et feu la princesse Diana ont séjourné au Palazzo Borromeo en 1985.

Photography courtesy of www.gardalombardia.com

EN SAVOIR PLUS

Villa Carlotta, Lac de Côme

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ITALIAN GREAT LAKES

Photography courtesy of www.gardalombardia.com

Limone sul Garda, Lake Garda

Must-see sites around Lakes Como and Garda Delve deeper into these lake regions with our top picks

By Alessia Sara Domanico Como The perfect lakeside capital to stroll through as you shop for silks and souvenirs.

Cool your heels at a charming little café in one of the main piazzas (Cavour, Alessandro Volta or San Fedele) and watch the crowds go by. Light a candle in the Duomo with its mix of Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance and Baroque styles. Bask in the loveliness of the surrounding villas such as the Neoclassical Villa Olmo, which often holds exhibitions, and finish off with a stroll along the lakeshore.

Photography courtesy of www.gardalombardia.com

Tremezzo You will feel as though you’ve taken a step back into the 17th century when you visit this sought after area. The grand Villa Carlotta, which was a wedding gift to a Prussian princess in 1847, boasts botanical gardens including olive and citrus groves. The villa is open to visitors and features artwork by the likes of Antonio Canova and Francesco Hayez. After you’ve toured the villa, head to the waterfront where plenty of restaurants await at Cadenabbia. Try La Cucina della Marianna for a romantic setting with consistently superb food or something sweet at Bar Victoria.

Limone sul Garda One of Lake Garda’s most popular destinations, this area is known for its famous lemon cultivations, but most likely takes its name from the Latin limes referring to its surrounding boundaries. With plenty of charming little churches and watersports to dabble in, you can definitely make lemonade here!

Sirmione, Lake Garda

Malcesine Picturesque Garda at its best, this seaside village has tiny cobblestoned streets that are the marvel of many a tourist, while the neighbouring hills hide the charming everyday life of the locals. The best beach is located south of the town centre, tucked away in the Val di Sogno.

built at the city’s entrance complete with a moat and footbridge; the 146 steps up to the top are well worth it for the bird’s eye view of the surrounds. La Rucola is one of the town’s most elegant eateries, while La Fiasca is a more traditional trattoria.

Sirmione Absolutely stunning in every way, this is Garda’s most visited village that is famous for its natural hot springs. Make sure to check out the historic Grotte di Catullo, which are the remains of a Roman villa and the Rocca Scaligera castle

Spa and thermal baths of Garda Famous since Roman times, the thermal baths are great for relaxing, socializing and curing all of your aches and ails. Here are a few top spots to check out: Parco Termale Del Garda, Terme di Sirmione and Spa Termale Aquaria.

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ITALIAN GREAT LAKES

Photography by Merighi

Lake Iseo

Lakeside Drinking An overview of the Valpolicella and Franciacorta wine regions

By Marco Giovanetti

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he beautiful lakeside towns around Lake Garda have been charming visitors for centuries. Even the ancient Romans considered the region a luxury summer destination where they could taste some of the best wines of the Empire. Today the areas alongside Lake Garda and Lake Iseo, located midway between Como and Garda, are home to two of Italy’s most important wine appellations: the famous Valpolicella, renowned for its luscious Amarone, and the Franciacorta, a posh countryside venue acclaimed for its upscale sparkling wines.

Part of a string of fresh water reservoirs interspersed between the Prealpine foothills, straddling the border with Switzerland, Garda is Italy’s largest lake.

Located between the regions of Lombardy and Veneto, its northern tip also ventures into parts of Trentino-Alto Adige. Just off Milan to the west, it is bound to the east by the cities of Verona and Venice. The areas bordering the lake’s impressive shoreline benefit from its seaside influences, creating microclimates remarkably suited for wine-making.

Lake Garda is especially celebrated for its Bardolino and Valpolicella wines, which are produced in the Veneto region near Verona. While both are made using the same local grape varieties (Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara), Bardolino wines are generally lighter. Grown on the classic zones of Bardolino, Affi, Cavaion Veronese, Costermano, Garda and Lazise, Bardolino was one of the first wines from Veneto to obtain a DOC certification in 1968. Bardolino 56

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can also be found in the Chiaretto variety, a very nice rosé, which has recently been experiencing an increase in popularity. Since 1987, it is also marketed as Bardolino Novello, a light, fruity wine, similar in style to Beaujolais nouveau.

The name Valpolicella literally means “the valley of many cellars.”

Bordered to the west by the Bardolino territory, this hilly landscape extends east of the Adige River. Its classic medium-bodied, soft fruity reds are some of Italy’s most famous and coveted wines. More muscular and full-bodied, the wines of Amarone della Valpolicella are probably the most well known of the region.

Made following the appassimento method, using sun-dried grapes aged in barrique, Amarone wines are deep-coloured and display rich and complex flavours often recalling liquorice, vanilla, tobacco and fig. They can be enjoyed young, but will age for up to 20 years. Recioto is a sweet dessert version.

South of Bardolino, straddling the border with Lombardy and Veneto, stands the wine region of Lugana, prized for its lively, textured, fruity whites.

Fairly unknown to the North American public, these wines are a wonderful complement to antipasti and fish. The proximity of the region to Lake Garda ensures a mild climate ideal for growing vines of Trebbiano di Lugana, also known as Trebbiano di Soave. Like in most other parts of Bardolino and Valpolicella, the many wineries of the region offer wine tastings, especially during the sunny months with events such as the “Cantine Aperte” and “Italia in Rosa” festivals.

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The charming Franciacorta wine region is a perfect jumping point for visiting Verona, Mantua and Venice.

Photography by Maurizio Rovati

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ITALIAN GREAT LAKES

An hour away east of Milan sits the charming Lake Iseo with its crystalline waters protected by wooded mountains and ancient medieval hamlets. Formerly a rural escape for Milanese aristocrats and industrialists, its shores now host one of Italy’s youngest and most promising wine regions.

Franciacorta is home to what many wine connoisseurs are calling Italy’s best sparkling wine.

Like Champagne, Franciacorta refers to both the geographical region and the wine itself, which was given DOCG status – the highest level of Italian wine classification – in 1995. Though it is produced using the méthode champenoise and almost with the exact same grape varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc) Franciacorta is distinctly Italian and a proud expression of the region’s unique terroir.

The charming Franciacorta wine region is a perfect jumping point for visiting Verona, Mantua and Venice. Just down the road is Brescia, with a Roman temple built by Emperor Vespasian. A short bus or car ride can take you to Lake Iseo and the Camonica Valley, whose rock carvings date back as far as 8,000 years. You can even spend a day skiing in the Dolomites and return in time for an après-ski glass of Franciacorta.

The autumn months are busy with wine tasting events; the Consorzio per la Tutela del Franciacorta holds a weekend wine tasting event every September, giving participants a chance to find out more about the wines and the land of the region.

Puegnago del Garda

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ITALIAN GREAT LAKES

10 Dishes not to be Missed from the Great Northern Lakes 1. El sisam If you find yourself in the Garda area and are a little peckish, we have the ideal antipasto for you: el sisam. Made from small lakefish like bleak, agone, whitefish, tench or trout; the fish are floured, fried, preserved in a sweet and sour pickle and served cold. The perfect antipasto to enjoy while sitting by the lake.

2. Bigoli con le aole (Spaghetti with bleak fish) Bleak, known as ‘aole’ in dialect, is a typical freshwater fish widely used in traditional dishes of this area. Bigoli con le aole is a classic starter from Lake Garda, where there is an abundance of aole or bleak. After being transferred to brine, the bleak are then cleaned and cooked with garlic. They are later added to the bigoli – a type of locally made extruded spaghetti – to create a tasty and simple starter plate.

3. Risotto con la tinca Risotto is a traditional Italian dish, perfect in the winter months but also enjoyed throughout the summer. Risotto con la tinca (tench) is a typical and traditional dish from the Lake Garda area. The starter is flavoured with this special fish that assumes a strong flavour since it swims near the seabed.

4. Coregone ai ferri Whitefish is a valuable lakefish with barely any bones; it is not fatty but flavoursome and easy to digest. After being seasoned with salt and enriched on the inside with chopped herbs, it is grilled and served with a drizzle of olive oil, but no lemon! The bitterness of the citrus fruit would cover the natural flavour of the dish.

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Photography by Albert Ceolan – archivio Consorzio Turistico Piana Rotaliana Königsberg

Carne Salada

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5. La carne salada Unmissable on menus in the Upper Garda area, this is a specialty dish of lean beef; a very flavoursome meat, served raw, thinly sliced, or heated on the plate. It is a low-fat and gluten-free option, perfect for those who want to eat healthily without sacrificing flavour. Carne salada is an expression of how meat was preserved in the past. Without refrigerators, they used the method of salting so the meat would keep longer and to destroy the bacteria contained in the food. Carne salada is ideally served thinly sliced with a dash of extra-virgin olive oil and Parmesan shavings.

6. Missoltini (misultit) Agone, typical of Lake Como, has always been considered a traditional dish, despite belonging to the so-called “poor kitchen”.

It was, in fact, a dish cooked predominantly by fishermen and peasantry, while today it is considered a delicious option on menus. After removing the insides, the Missoltini is salted every 12 hours for two days before being dried in the open air. It is served with polenta – another classic dish of the “poor kitchen” – that has a more delicate flavour to accompany the stronger flavour of the Missoltini.

7. La sbrisolona The word “sbrisolona” is a dialect term referring to the very crumbly dough of this tart, made with almonds, cornflour and butter. Originating in Mantova in the 16th century, it is now a traditional dish served throughout the north. A simple, crispy and gluttonous breakfast, often served with a splash of grappa.

tortelli di zucca

8. Miascia Like so many dishes in the north of Italy, Miascia derives from the “poor kitchen”. It is made with ‘pan poss’, stale bread to which dried fruit like figs, raisins, walnuts and hazelnuts are added.

9. Tortelli di zucca (Pumpkin ravioli) Tortelli di zucca has a rustic flavour and originates from the Renaissance period. It was once eaten only on Christmas Eve, but is now considered a traditional dish to enjoy year-round. This dish from Mantua and surrounding areas is known for its unique flavour of pumpkin and amaretti biscuits and is perfectly matched with Mantuan mustard, a fundamental ingredient for tortelli and an ideal accompaniment to this fantastic stuffed pasta.

10. La grappa Grappa: a renowned elixir that is best enjoyed in company at the end of a meal. It is a spirit made from marc (the skin of grapes) of exclusively Italian origin, from which comes a colourless spirit with an intense flavour and high alcohol content. You must also try grappa that has been flavoured with herbs like rue, gentian, juniper, and sweet woodruff.

miascia

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Bird’s eye view of the Vittoriale

The Shrine of Italian Victories Poet Gabriele D’Annunzio’s legacy on Lake Garda

By Vittoria Zorfini mongst the many wonders of the “Bel Paese” you can’t miss the Vittoriale degli italiani (The shrine of Italian victories), a complex of buildings, amphitheatre, majestic gardens, and war relics celebrating the heroic deeds of the Italians during the First World War and the genius of 19th century Italian poet, novelist, dramatist, journalist, military hero and political leader Gabriele D’Annunzio. Set on the banks of Lake Garda, this incredible residence was designed by architect Giancarlo Maroni in memory of the “inimitable life” of this unique Italian historical figure of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Vittoriale estate, built between 1921 and 1938, is today open to the public, receiving around 180,000 yearly visitors. But let’s take a step back. On February 1, 1921, D’Annunzio rented this country estate – belonging to the German Henry Thode – for 600,000 lire per month, thinking that he would stay there just until he had finished one of his poetry works, “il Notturno.” But you could say that it became his everlasting home. Even today, in fact, the Vittoriale – donated to the Italian people by the poet on December 22, 1923 – depicts the incredible enterprises of D’Annunzio and transforms his life into a tangible memory.

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The monumental entrance The personality of the poet is present in every corner of the Vittoriale. At the entrance between two arches, suspended in a metaphysical and evocative atmosphere, D’Annunzio’s engraved inscription dominates the scene: “I have what I have given” (“Io ho quello che ho donato”). From here it is already evident that right from the very beginning the poet wanted to create something great to leave to Italians.

The Prioria D’Annunzio made this residence into a real-life museum of his “inimitable life.”

The curtains and the stained glass create a real sense of gloominess in the rooms. Another particular element is the quantity of objects kept inside. We’re talking about 10,000 furnishings, works of art, relics and 33,000 books, all of which remind us of Gabriele d’Annunzio’s heroic life. On the internal and external walls of the building, one can also find many famous quotes from the celebrated author.

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ITALIAN GREAT LAKES The amphitheatre Amongst the main features of the park is the amphitheatre. “A marble basin under the stars,” explains the poet who chose the spot where he wanted to build the theatre himself. A scenic point in the park from which you can see Garda Island, Mount Baldo, the Sirmio promontory, and the evocative Rocca di Manerba (Manerba rock) – the place where Goethe seemed to recognize Dante’s profile.

The military ship Puglia You may expect to find everything in the park, except a ship... This is a ram torpedo boat known as Puglia, dismantled and rebuilt here to remember the sacrifices and the martyrs who fought to preserve Dalmatia’s Italian identity. Inside the vessel, a permanent exhibition is set up to explain the great engineering feat that took the ship from Tirreno to Vittoriale.

The Laghetto delle Danze From the military ship Puglia just follow the Pazza and Savia streams to reach the Laghetto delle Danze (“Pond of the Dances”), taking the shape of a violin in honour of Gasparo da Salò, inventor of the instrument. Just like in every part of the Vittoriale, here you can discover another of the poet’s great passions: music.

D’Annunzio “wanted to create a place where the flowing harmony and rolling waters would suggest the free movements of dance performers.”

The lemon groves This is a part of the garden inundated with flowers, magnolias and embellished by statues, bronzes and memorabilia from the First World War. But this part of the Vittoriale is actually most distinguished for its spectacular view of the lake and for the lemon groves adorned with antique statues. Orchards surround this enchanting corner of the Vittoriale.

The Schifamondo (Escape from the World) Designed by the architect Giancarlo Maroni, the building was initially meant to

be the new home of the poet-hero, but D’Annunzio never saw its completion.

The main room is unique for its interior, designed as if it were an ocean liner with round windows and wooden upholstery. It contains the War Museum, dedicated to Gabriele D’Annunzio’s military experience and the Auditorium that hosts the airplane, Ansaldo, which the poet used in 1918 to fly over the city throwing leaflets that read (in part): People of Vienna!

Get to know Italians. We are flying over Vienna; we could launch tons of bombs at you. We launch nothing but a salute at our ‘tre colori’ Italy: the three colours of liberty. […]

People of Vienna!

You have a reputation for your intelligence. But why are you wearing the Prussian uniform? By now you will see that the whole world has turned against you.

Do you want the war to continue? Let it continue and it is your suicide. What do you hope for? A decisive victory promised to you by Prussian generals? Their decisive victory is like Ukrainian bread; you die waiting for it.

People of Vienna, think of your homes. Wake up! Long live freedom! Long live Italy! Long live the Triple Alliance!

Today the Schifamondo houses the “D’Annunzio Eroe” museum.

The heroes’ mausoleum Today the Schifamondo houses the “D’Annunzio Eroe” mausoleum, which is situated on the top of the highest hill of the domain. The mausoleum contains d’Annunzio’s tomb and the urns of his wartime companions who took part in the conquest of Fiume, in former Dalmatia, now known as Rijeka, the principal seaport and the third-largest city in Croatia. Built by the architect Giancarlo Maroni after the death of the poet-hero, it is made up of three marble circles that respectively represent the victories of the Humble, the Artisans, and the Heroes and Fiume Legionaries, particularly Guido Keller, Giuseppe Piffer, Ernesto Cabruna and the very same Giancarlo Maroni.

Photography by Marco Beck Peccoz

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Lancia Stratos, triple Championne du monde des rallyes, accompagnée ici de deux rivales, l’Alpine Renault A110 et la Ford Escort RS 1600

Un voyage inoubliable dans le temps autour du Lac de Côme Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este marie la beauté de la nature au génie technique Texte et photos par Alain Raymond

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acances. Paysages spectaculaires. Routes panoramiques. Voitures remarquables. Est-il possible de marier ces ingrédients en un tout assorti de repas gastronomiques et de superbes vins? Oui, répond ce voyageur fervent d’automobile et épris de l’Italie. Destination : le nord de l’Italie.

Les merveilles naturelles du Lac de Côme En partance de Milan, vous programmez le GPS pour éviter les autoroutes ennuyeuses et les péages exorbitants et vous vous dirigez vers Côme et la région de la Lombardie. La route qui se faufile entre lac et montagnes et traverse des villages au charme ancien saura ravir l’amateur de conduite automobile. Certes, le chemin rétrécit parfois et les nombreux carrefours giratoires mettent à l’épreuve vos talents de conducteur. Mais c’est précisément ce qui en fait le charme.

La splendeur du Lac de Côme sur votre droite vous coupera le souffle alors que vous roulez vers le nord sur la route SS340 entrecoupée de villages comme

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Moltrasio, Ossuccio qui fait face à la célèbre île Comacina, jusqu’à Onceta, puis vers le sud sur la SS36, toujours en longeant le lac en direction de Varenna et Lecco. Profitez d’un arrêt pour vous attabler face au lac et aux majestueux glaciers et déguster un bon repas. Si vous réussissez à vous arracher à ce lieu divin, vous pourrez reprendre la route qui vous ramène à Côme.

Et pourquoi Côme? Parce qu’en ce mois de mai, vous avez l’occasion unique d’assister à l’annuel Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, l’un des plus prestigieux concours d’élégance automobile de la planète. Cet évènement annuel qui se tient à Cernobio se déroule sur deux jours, le samedi sur invitation à Villa d’Este et, le lendemain, à Villa Erba, ouvert au public. Que vous assistiez à l’un ou à l’autre, le résultat est le même : de fabuleuses voitures historiques et les plus récents concepts créés par des designers de renommée mondiale, dans un cadre qui dépasse largement ce que Hollywood pourrait imaginer.

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Du passé à l’avenir Si Villa d’Este rend tous les ans un vibrant hommage au passé, le Concorso se démarque aussi par la présentation d’un nombre restreint de concepts et de prototypes qui laissent présager l’avenir. Alpine, Aston Martin, Bugatti, Pininfarina, Alfa Romeo et Mazda nous ont servi des études futuristes rivalisant d’originalité, de beauté et de haute technologie. Le Prix du design Concorso d’Eleganza fut remis à l’Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Spider Superleggera, créée sur base d’Alfa Romeo 8C par le studio de design italien Touring. Habillée d’une sculpturale robe bleu Méditerranée et s’inspirant de l’historique Disco Volante de 1952, cette œuvre de Touring se joint au Coupé du même nom dévoilé par Touring Superleggera en 2013.

Pour clore ce fabuleux week-end, l’évènement se déplace dimanche à Villa Erba, à quelques kilomètres de là. Le Trofeo BMW Group Italia a été décerné par référendum public à la Lamborghini Miura SV 1971, tandis qu’une moto Grindlay-Peerless Model 100 1929 a remporté le Concorso di Motociclette réservé aux motocyclettes classiques.

Outre le Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, l’Italie regorge d’évènements qui rendent hommage à l’automobile. Milan, Arese, Turin, Modène, Brescia, Monza et la Sicile ne sont que quelques-unes des dizaines de destinations qui permettent d’apprendre et d’apprécier l’abondante histoire de l’automobile, une histoire qui s’inscrit dans la riche et très variée culture de Bella Italia.

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Décernée par le public, la Coppa d’Oro récompense la beauté intemporelle de la Lancia Astura Série II 1933, carrossée par Castagna

Que vous assistiez à l’évènement à Villa d’Este ou à Villa Erba, le résultat est le même : de fabuleuses voitures historiques et les plus récents concepts créés par des designers de renommée mondiale.

“

« Retour vers le futur – Le voyage se poursuit » Tel est le thème de cette 87e édition du Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, commanditée par BMW Group Classic, et qui regroupe 56 voitures historiques d’exception, allant de l’imposante Delage 4 ½ Litre Salamanca 1920 à la redoutable Lancia Stratos 1975, conçue par Bertone. Les voitures invitées qui viennent de tous les coins de la planète, depuis la Thaïlande jusqu’aux États-Unis, en passant par la Nouvelle-Zélande et l’Europe, sont soigneusement disposées sur les parterres impeccables de Villa d’Este, construite en 1568 comme résidence d’été du cardinal Tolomeo Gallio. Ce site privilégié et ses 25 acres de jardins qui furent pendant des siècles un lieu de prédilection des têtes couronnées et de l’aristocratie forment aujourd’hui un complexe hôtelier fréquenté par les riches et célèbres de ce monde.

C’est en 1929 que s’est tenu le premier Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, en plein cœur de l’âge d’or de l’automobile d’élite. Ressuscité dans les années 1990, le Concorso compte parmi les trois plus importants rendezvous mondiaux, les deux autres étant le Pebble Beach Concours d’élégance de Californie et le Amelia Island Concours d’élégance en Floride. À l’instar d’un authentique Concours, des experts internationaux sont chargés de juger les 56 voitures invitées, réparties en catégories soigneusement définies. Les juges évaluent l’excellence du design, l’authenticité, l’état de préservation et « l’esprit de noblesse » afin de décerner à la voiture la plus méritante le best of show, le très convoité Trofeo BMW Group.

Cette année, le Trofeo a été remis à la Maserati A6 GCS 1954 de la Collection Destriero de Monaco, une splendide italienne dévoilée au Salon de Paris de 1954 et inscrite en mai 1955 à la redoutable épreuve des Mille Miglia. Cette Maserati d’anthologie, construite en quatre exemplaires, est propulsée par un 6 cylindres de 2 litres développant 190 chevaux.

Outre les juges, le public se prononce aussi à Villa d’Este en choisissant celle qui recevra la Coppa d’Oro. Le traditionnel trophée du Concorso est revenu cette année à Antonius Meijer des Pays-Bas pour sa magnifique Lancia Astura Série II 1933, habillée par le légendaire carrossier Castagna.

C’était la deuxième visite de l’Astura à Villa d’Este, la première ayant eu lieu 81 ans plus tôt, en 1935, ce qui témoigne éloquemment de la beauté intemporelle de cette extraordinaire Lancia.

La remarquable Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Spider Superleggera par Touring remporte le Prix du design Concorso d’Eleganza

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ARTS & CULTURE

of the Century

By Sal Difalco

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erhaps it should come as no surprise that Italy’s most famous automobile designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro – named Car Designer of the Century in 1999, and synonymous with such icons as Ferrari, De Tomaso, Maserati, and even DeLorean – took at stab at designing a better pasta. He had already dabbled successfully designing everything from motorcycles and cameras to office furniture and even firearms, so designing pasta, another exercise in structure, seemed right in his wheelhouse.

As he half-jokingly explained during an interview with Panoram Italia in Toronto this past May – where he was in town for a “Colloquia” staged by Italy Inspires Canada, which showcased Italian science, art and technology – it took more time to design the pasta than to design a car. To demonstrate, the vibrant 77-year-old pulled out a thick tome profiling his work, including some of the most dazzling vehicles ever manufactured, and flipped to a section featuring his pasta design, entitled “Marille,” complete with detailed text and sketches. “Engineering drawings for pasta!” he quipped, pointing out that his novel design allowed the pasta to remain al dente even if overcooked.

When asked what engendered his passion for cars and design, Giugiaro explains that growing up in Piemonte, with its FIAT automobile factory in Torino, it was impossible not to be influenced by cars and car culture.

Moreover, born into a family of artists, Giugiaro inherited a creative bent that ultimately went beyond painting or sculpting. “My father told me,” he says, “that in addition to artistic training, I also needed a technical background, and needed to learn to work in three dimensions – artistic but also technically sound. So I took an interest in engineering.”

While Giugiaro acknowledges the raw force of creativity in painting and sculpture, for instance – and has even on occasion beautifully put his own brushstrokes to canvas – he was drawn to designing products outside of traditional art but still imbued with the creative spirit. Creativity matters, he agrees, but he emphasizes a sharp contrast between art and design. “Design has an artistic component,” he says, “but it must be practical. It is not, and should never be confused with, art.” Not that design is somehow inferior to art. “We can sketch,” Giugiaro says, “and we can represent, not necessarily art, but we can do something functional that is also beautiful. But optics 64

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aside, the car has to work.” With a smile, he concedes that although just about anything can be identified as art these days, for design to be successful, to “work,” it fundamentally has to be useful.

When asked about the ubiquity and pre-eminence of design in a 21st century where everything from cinema seats to cup-holders evidence a designer’s influence, Giugiaro laughs. “A famous architect I know,” he states, “said he doesn’t want to hear that word ‘design’ anymore. Like art, the word has been worn thin.” But semantics aside, advances in design, he asserts, represent advances in human evolution, stemming from a desire to improve functionality and at the same time beautify. Married to technology, design is always moving forward, adapting, changing, improving. “Tutto diventa vecchio,” as he succinctly summarizes it.

Simply put, Giugiaro believes that design makes life better. “We humans are always improving and adapting,” he says. “We can accomplish extraordinary things with creativity, continuing to adjust until aesthetics, pragmatics, and economics come into balance. And it’s often a question of what client and creator can compromise in terms of technology, economics, and existing laws. At the same time, we are also faced with adapting to design.” He holds up his smartphone as an example. “I can’t go anywhere now without everybody being able to reach me.”

Just as we can create and design powerful and beautiful products, Giugiaro warns that “we can also become imprisoned by technology, inventing our own prisons, practical but also confining.” As he sees it, the key to avoid being prisoners of our own designs is maintaining balance with our lives, and allowing these technologies to help and not impede our progress.

Asked which of his creations ranks as his Mona Lisa – surely the De Tomaso Mangusta, or, at the very least, the Ferrari 250 Berlinetta – Giugiaro gives a deferential wave and says he doesn’t keep a single photograph of his cars around his house. “I have always given importance to the project,” he insists, “to the work itself. The process, the creativity, was and is paramount to me, not the car or the final product.”

That said, one can’t help but wonder if Giugiaro has his pasta blueprints hanging anywhere in his house, or a canister of the actual pasta, ready for consumption, gracing his kitchen.

Giorgetto Giugiaro, car designer

Car Designer

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ARTS & CULTURE

Maria Saracino Capturing life’s moments in clay

“

Most of my work is happy and upbeat. It’s really everyday people that inspire me.

“ Maria Saracino with Feeding the Pigeons

By Agata De Santis

O

ttawa-born Maria Saracino spends her days staring at small faces. That is, the faces of her unique polymer clay figurines that look so human you almost want to touch them to see if they’ll move.

The artistry behind those faces is undeniable. If art were a barometer, Saracino’s creations would fall somewhere between fine art sculpture and figurine doll.

Her clay of choice is a fairly new invention. Introduced in the 1980s, the oil-based PVC plastic polymer clay doesn’t dry out, which allows artists like Saracino the flexibility to work on a detailed sculpture for days on end. It’s the same plastic used to make the pipes under our kitchen sink – the end result is somewhat more beautiful.

Before her foray into figurative sculpturing, Saracino worked as a graphic designer for an ad agency. “It was a very old school agency,” she muses. “I worked with pen and paper.”

But after 18 years in the field, Saracino was burnt out. Things were changing in the industry and in the agency itself. This was the time to try something different – clay sculptures. Soon she was working on small projects and winning awards. Next came the exhibits.

In 2003, Saracino was part of a year-long exhibit called Presenza: A New Look at Italian-Canadian Heritage at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau.

Three of her pieces were on display at the special exhibit. It was an important stepping stone for Saracino. “It’s not an easy way to make a living. When you are in the art industry, it’s like selling yourself every day,” Saracino comments.

Today, her work is represented by three galleries: Orange Art Gallery in Ottawa, Ontario; Gallery on Gore in Perth, Ontario; and Rimawi Art Gallery in Rosemère, Quebec. Her work is often on exhibit and she teaches sculpturing workshops. Saracino also works on commissioned works. “I get asked to work on all types of pieces for retirements, special birthdays, a grandfather that wants to commission a piece of him and his grandkids, a piece that will be on the wedding cake,” Saracino explains. “It’s a lot nicer than a bobble-head. It’s a whimsical yet realistic characterized sculpture.”

Saracino has often been commissioned to create figurines of La Befana, the

legendary old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on the night of the Epiphany. “In Italy, no one can find this type of Befana figurine,” Saracino adds.

Over the years she has created about 40 Befana figurines that can now be found in homes and the occasional exhibit in Canada, the U.S., Italy, and even as far as Australia.

Miniature Christmas figurines, including the nativity crèche, were part of Saracino’s early undertakings.

Saracino’s talents run in the family. Her father was a sculptor in Italy, specializing in marble and stone funeral monuments, vases, and oil and water containers. “But there wasn’t much of a demand for his work in Canada. Dad’s generation was in survival mode. So when he came to Canada, he took a job in construction, in tiling,” she explains.

A few months ago, Saracino’s latest collection of sculptures was featured in a solo exhibition at the Orange Art Gallery in Ottawa. Entitled Moments in Time, the collection featured pieces inspired by life’s everyday candid moments. “Some of my favourite happy memories are not found in a photo album, they are mental snapshots of a particular moment. The image comes with a feeling, a reaction, and a story. It’s those candid ‘moments in time’ that inspired my new collection,” Saracino explains in a recent blog post. “Most of my work is happy and upbeat. It’s really everyday people that inspire me,” she continues. “The Vintner, the wine maker, comes up quite a bit in my work,” she explains.

Saracino’s inspirations might even come from a conversation with a complete stranger. A recent piece called “The Selfie” features an elderly couple attempting to take a selfie with their mobile phone. That project was inspired by a discussion Saracino had with a young adult on the difficulty older people have with new technology – a chat that started when the young adult teased Saracino about her “ancient” flip phone.

From October 21-23, Saracino will showcase at the Dimensions sculptural exhibit, which takes place in the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa.

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ADVICE

Francesco John Scalia ordinato sacerdote Padre Nicola Di Narzo

Il

Photography by Tim Snow © Église catholique àMontréal

24 giugno scorso, festa patronale dei canadesi francesi, la piccola Italia era colma di gente con un sole splendente e un calore romano più forte del solito. I ristoranti ed i bar erano pieni e c’era un senso di libertà che avvolgeva tutti, in un weekend che sarebbe stato più lungo del solito. In questa atmosfera di festeggiamenti accadeva qualcosa di molto importante per le comunità italiane di Montreal e per la nostra Chiesa Cattolica. In questa occasione Nostra Signora della Difesa, si era adornata per un giorno che sarebbe diventato indimenticabile nella vita di un giovane italo-canadese…Cioè l’ordinazione sacerdotale di Francesco John Scalia.

Vi ricorderete sicuramente di lui per la sua intervista nel magazine insieme ad altri due seminaristi come lui, che hanno poi intrapreso strade diverse.

Francesco invece, con perseveranza e desiderio profondo di Dio, è giunto alla meta. Nato a Montreal nel 1978, figlio unico di un padre italiano, Corrado Scalia, venuto dall’Italia nel 1963, più precisamente da Cattolica Eraclea in provincia di Agrigento, e di mamma canadese, Mary Elizabeth Bickford, Francesco ha sentito la chiamata al sacerdozio all’età di 13 anni e mezzo. È cresciuto nelle scuole cattoliche a Toronto dove ha scoperto il desiderio più profondo di Dio e del servizio per il suo Regno durante un ritiro predicato dai Padri Redentoristi.

Ebbene, ci sono voluti anni prima di poter giungere alla realizzazione del suo sogno. Prima ha dovuto terminare gli studi pre-universitari; è quindi entrato in seminario dove ha ottenuto un diploma in Filosofia, un altro in teologia ed una specializzazione in teologia pratica (Praxeologia: chiamata qui teologia pastorale).

Questi studi sono avvenuti in un clima ben particolare, quello della vita fraterna e della formazione continua durante tutti gli anni del suo percorso. Scandito da periodi di tirocinio e di inserimento nell’ambito delle parrocchie.

Father Francesco John Scalia

Il tempo di formazione vuole essere un tempo in cui diamo ai nostri futuri sacerdoti gli strumenti necessari affinché possano essere preparati umanamente, intellettualmente e affinchè siano pronti ad essere autonomi, ed oserei anche aggiungere, equilibrati. Il lungo percorso permette anche di aiutare ciascuno a lavorare su se stesso correggendo i propri difetti e anche ad imparare a sviluppare i propri talenti. Ognuno intraprende questo percorso che dura, più o meno, sette anni. Durante questo periodo il seminarista dovrà vivere il rito di ammissione, rito durante il quale il vescovo lo accoglie ufficialmente come chierico, dovrà poi ricevere il lettorato (ministero che dà la possibilità di fare le letture), riceverà poi l’accolitato (ministero che lo abilita al servizio più specifico dell’altare e la possibilità di dare la comunione) e finalmente verrà ordinato diacono transitorio (lo chiamiamo così per distinguerlo dagli uomini sposati che possono essere ordinati diaconi permanenti). È dunque dopo questi sette anni di sacrifici, di gioie e sofferenze, ma soprattutto di perseveranza che Francesco è finalmente stato ordinato sacerdote il 24 giugno scorso. Numerosi erano i fedeli ed i sacerdoti presenti a quest’evento in cui, con l’imposizione delle mani di Sua Eccelenza Christian Lépine, Arcivescovo di Montreal, il nostro caro Francesco è stato ordinato. Un giorno memorabile per lui e per le comunità italiane, specie quella di Nostra Signora della Difesa. “Quale tempesta di emozioni in questo fine settimana! Un fine settimana stupendo, colmo di grazie e benedizioni… Cioè proprio colmo della grazia e dell’amore di Dio. Mi sento veramente benedetto e così piccolo dinanzi a tutto quello con cui il Signore mi ha colmato nell’occasione della mia ordinazione sacerdotale di venerdì scorso.” Scrive Francesco ancora commosso e continua, sulla sua pagina Facebook, i ringraziamenti a tutti i presenti, alle varie congregazioni, organizzazioni ed ai numerosi sacerdoti e laici.

Vedere la gioia e l’emozione di Francesco, mi fa venire in mente la mia ordinazione e ricordo bene quello che avevo detto in quel giorno. Tra i numerosi ringraziamenti, avevo aggiunto un pensiero che mi abitava da molto.

L’ordinazione sacerdotale può essere concepita come una meta, come un punto di arrivo, ma deve anche e soprattutto essere vista come un punto di partenza per un’avventura straordinaria… Quella di essere oramai sacerdote a nome di Cristo ed abilitato a dare i sacramenti per il suo popolo. La vera meta è una a questo punto... e, carissimo Francesco, ti auguro di poterla raggiungere; magari, auguriamoci di poterci arrivare insieme: lo sai bene, che ormai dobbiamo diventare santi. Dio ci venga in aiuto.

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ADVICE

La Legittima Pasquale Artuso

S

econdo l’articolo 703 del Codice civile del Québec, ognuno di noi può, per testamento, lasciare i propri beni a chiunque.

Per i beni situati in Italia è tutto un altro discorso. In virtù dell’articolo 542 del Codice civile italiano, il 75% del patrimonio è riservato al coniuge e ai figli.

Ancora una volta la legittima crea dei problemi ai nostri connazionali proprietari d’immobili in Italia.

Ermenegilda e Severino emigrano nel lontano 1956, ed hanno due figli: Nicola e Nicoletta. Severino decede nel 1999 e Ermenegilda, rimasta sola, decide di abitare con la figlia Nicoletta. Quest’ultima si prende cura della mamma come si faceva ai vecchi tempi.

Nicola, invece, la visita in modo sporadico.

Ermenegilda si reca da un notaio per dettare le sue ultime volontà istituendo eredi i due figli Nicola e Nicoletta, specificando che quest’ultima sarebbe stata anche esecutrice testamentaria.

A titolo particolare, lascia a Nicoletta una casetta con annessi terreni boschivi in Italia, precisamente nella suggestiva zona delle "Cinque Terre" in Liguria, in funzione di ricompensa per l’assistenza (vitto, alloggio, cure mediche, etc.) prestatale dalla cara figlia.

Ermenegilda decede il 31 dicembre 2012.

Nicoletta disbriga tutte le pratiche successoriali, sia qui in Canada che in Italia, affidando l’incarico, per quanto concerne la casetta in Liguria, a dei professionisti competenti in materia, nella fattispecie: un ingegnere per la dichiarazione di successione ed un notaio per la registrazione del testamento.

Nel frattempo viene a mancare da questo mondo terreno Nicola, che ha tre figli, i quali, secondo la normativa italiana in materia di tutela della legittima, subentrano nei diritti successoriali del padre ai sensi dell’istituto giuridico della rappresentazione, rivendicando la metà del patrimonio della loro defunta nonna Ermenegilda.

Che cosa avverrà o potrebbe avvenire in tale disputa legale tra la signora Nicoletta ed i tre suoi nipoti (i figli di Nicola)? La prima ipotesi è quella della prevalenza della legislazione quebecchese, che permette una “discriminazione” in materia di diritti successoriali tra fratelli e/o sorelle privilegiando uno (nella nostra fattispecie l’esecutrice testamentaria e legataria) e sfavorendo l’altro; mentre la seconda ipotesi è quella della predominanza della giurisdizione italiana, che favorisce i legittimari per rappresentazione (i tre figli di Nicola) mediante la c.d. azione di riduzione

disciplinata dagli artt. 553 – 564 del cod.civ.ital. (conguaglio di quote).

Morale; siate chiari nelle vostre ultime volontà: specificate i beni con la valutazione venale per eventuali conguagli, gli importi lasciati in eredità e, soprattutto, consultate un avvocato/notaio specializzato anche in diritto italiano.

Lo studio legale Pasquale Artuso e soci si avvale della collaborazione di corrispondenti in tutte le regioni d’Italia, coordinati dallo Studio Fallerini.

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

T.: 514.259.7090

Julie Therrien Avvocatessa

Natasha Scarano Avvocatessa

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Pierre Fugère Avvocato - diritto criminale e penale

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GRADUATES

Congratulations to all our graduates!

Auguri ai nostri laureati e diplomati!

Giuseppe Lombardi Université de Montréal Doctor of Medicine 2016

Dr. Bianca Ragusa Trinity School of Medicine Medical Doctor 2016

Eric Carelli McGill University Doctor of Medicine 2016

Marissa Morgan-Cavallaro McGill University Doctor of Medicine 2016

Dr. Jennifer Lyne Palermo McGill University Faculty of Medicine 2016

Steven Cerri Massachusetts Institute of Technology Masters of Engineering 2016

Sabrina Cesare Concordia University Master of Science 2016

Emmanuella Tedone McGill University Master of Education Educational Psychology 2016

Dr. Alexandra Greco Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College Chiropractic Medicine 2016

David D'Arcangelo Concordia University Master of Civil Engineering 2016

Deandra D'Arcangelo Concordia University Bachelor of Industrial Engineering 2016

Tina Veronica Imbriglio University of Connecticut Advanced Education in General Dentistry 2016

Sara Irene Imbriglio Concordia University Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering 2015

Fabrizio Roberto Mancuso McGill University LAW B.C.L. / LL.B. 2016

Louis Cerone Concordia University Bachelor of Electrical Engineering 2015

Vanessa Angelone Concordia University Bachelor of Science Biochemistry 2016

Natasha Sandra Ingold McGill University Bachelor of Education 2016

Vincenzo Mariano McGill University Bachelor of Arts History & Classics 2016

Melissa Bernardi McGill University Bachelor of Commerce Marketing 2016

Steven Spadotto Concordia University Bachelor of Computer Science 2016

Giovanna Arcuri Concordia University Bachelor of Fine Arts 2016

Massimo Cannucci Concordia University Bachelor of Arts 2016

Steve Malizia Hautes Études Commerciales Bachelor of Business Administration 2016

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Tiffany Jadia Gabriel-Bellantoni Université de Montréal Doctorat en médecine vétérinaire 2016

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GRADUATES

Amanda D'Angelo Concordia University Bachelor of Civil Engineering 2016

Elena Cesare John Molson School of Business Bachelor of Commerce 2016

Shannen Marie Ciricillo McGill University Bachelor of Arts - Psychology 2016

Laura Pietrantonio University of Ottawa Bachelor of Civil Law 2016

Francis Brunetti John Molson School of Business Bachelor of Commerce Marketing 2016

Alexia Cinquanta McGill University Bachelor of Education 2016

Julia D'Alesio-Worth Concordia University CPA, CMA 2016

Michael Falcone Concordia University Bachelor of Fine Arts 2016

Adriana Bruno McGill University Bachelor of Education 2016

Tatiana Alina Eva Coriandoli UQAM Career Development 2016

Matteo Vincelli McGill University Bachelor of Science Physiology 2016

Joey Pichirallo Concordia University Bachelor of Electrical Engineering 2016

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GRADUATES

Amanda Tartamella McGill University Bachelor of Education Kindergarten & Elementary 2016

Matthew John Miceli Concordia University Bachelor of Arts Political Science 2016

Salvatore Lee-Giulione Concordia University Bachelor of Civil Engineering 2016

Neil Stone Martinek Concordia University Bachelor of Arts Communication Studies 2016

Alyssia Pazzano Concordia University Bachelor of Arts & Leisure Sciences 2016

Anthony Giacomo De Marco ETS Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering 2015

Cristina Diana Rubeo Concordia University Bachelor of Arts Human Relations 2016

Clementina Gentile John Molson School of Business Finance & Supply Chain Operations Management 2016

Antonietta Ilana Campellone McGill University Bachelor of Arts 2016

David De Faveri John Molson School of Business Finance & Supply Chain Operations Management 2016

Davide Campellone McGill University Bachelor of Civil Engineering 2016

Kristina Esposto McGill University Bachelor of Education 2016

Geraldo Parrella John Molson School of Business Bachelor of Commerce 2016

Angelo Parrella Concordia University Bachelor of Arts - Sociology 2016

Cynthia Cianciusi Concordia University Bachelor of Arts Communication Studies 2016

Margaret Francesca Corbo McGill University Bachelor of Arts - Psychology 2016

Alessia Bracci-Field McGill University Bachelor of Science with Honors 2016

Christina Marcone Dawson College Pure and Applied Science 2016

Nicolas La Rocca Marianopolis College Commerce 2016

Brendan Scartozzi John Abbott College Commerce Honor Roll 2016

Cynthia Maltraversa Dawson College Lab Tech / Analytical Chemistry 2016

Anthony Porporino Loyola High School 2016

Florence Gagliardi-Desrosiers Villa Maria High School 2016

Ashley Argentino Villa Maria High School 2016

Adam Pirro Loyola High School 2016

Andrea Bonanno Villa Maria High School 2016

Eric Carriero Lakeside Academy 2016

Mariel De Marco Collège Regina Assumpta 2016

Rosanna Ferraro Villa Maria High School With Honours 2016

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Alex Mangano LCCHS 2016

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GRADUATES

Anthony Daoud Loyola High School 2016

Ricardo Arena Jean XXIII High School 2016

Marina Pichirallo Royal West Academy High School 2016

Tristan Mancuso Loyola High School 2016

Jonathan Ferraro Laval Senior Academy 2016

Dario Urzillo Laurier MacDonald High School 2016

Sandro Paolo Mulé Laurier Macdonald High School 2016

Alexandre Florio Collège Letendre Academic Excellence Award 2016

Amanda Lauren Cicero Villa Maria High School 2016

Dante Raso Loyola High School 2016

Melissa Gioia Laurier Macdonald High School International Baccalaureate Program 2016

Loredana Sophia Sciotto Terry Fox Elementary School 2016

*Certaines conditions s’appliquent, Visiter www.lexim.ca pour plus d’info.

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EVENTS

Des Gens et des Événements People and Events Vous connaissez des gens d’exception ou des événements qui méritent d’être connus ?

Carole Gagliardi

carole.gagliardi@panoramitalia.com

Une famille à la fibre artistique!

Photo Credit © Concordia University Suspensus © 2015 Andréanne Abbondanza-Bergeron

Andréanne Abbondanza-Bergeron

Andréanne, Lucien et Francesca Abbondanza-Bergeron sont des artistes dans l’âme. Bien que leurs parcours n’aient pas été rectilignes, leurs parents, tous deux docteurs en psychologie, les ont accompagnés dans leur désir de se réaliser dans le milieu des arts.

Andréanne Abbondanza-Bergeron est sculptrice et artiste d'installation. À 31 ans, elle vient de remporter la Bourse Armand Bombardier assortie d’une somme substantielle et la chance d’exposer à la Galerie Yvonne Bombardier à Valcourt.

Son travail dit-elle est influencé par l’architecture qu’elle a étudié à l’université. « J’ai longtemps hésité entre des études en art, en architecture ou en économie. Je suis à la fois entrepreneure et artiste, loin de moi l’idée romantique de l’artiste qui crée et attend d’être découvert. Il faut s’avoir s’organiser, se promouvoir. » Andréanne a été récipiendaire de la bourse CIBPA en 2008, a complété une maîtrise en éducation et termine actuellement une maîtrise en sculpture MFA à l’université Concordia. Elle enseigne la sculpture au Cégep Vanier. « L’enseignement » dit-elle « est une prolongation de mon métier. Il me permet de partager et d’échanger. » Andréanne créée des installations de très grandes dimensions s’inspirant d’éléments architecturaux. « L’espace me dicte ma création. Avant de concevoir, j’étudie longuement l’espace, je prends des notes, je cherche à ressentir l’espace et comprendre ce que les gens pourront ressentir et comment leur faire prendre conscience de l’espace qui les entoure. Mes œuvres déstabilisent parfois, mais elles mettent l’accent sur le sens de la présence dans un lieu physique. » Sa création Suspensus, actuellement exposée à la Galerie de l’université Concordia, est une oeuvre imposante et gracieuse qui semble flotter dans l’espace.

Andréanne exposera aussi à la Galerie #1 de la Maison de la Culture Frontenac du 8 septembre au 9 octobre 2016 et au Centre Culturel Yvonne L. Bombardier du 22 janvier au 15 avril 2017. www.abbonanzabergeron.com 72

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Lucien Abbondanza-Bergeron

Lucien Abbondanza-Bergeron est un comédien de 28 ans. « Au primaire, une éducatrice a décidé de me faire participer au spectacle de Noël.

Ce fut un coup de foudre immédiat. Dès ce jour, j’ai voulu être acteur. » Lucien a participé à toutes les productions de l’école et a poursuivi ses études au collège Lionel Groulx, option Théâtre. « Le théâtre c’est ma passion, mais je sais que pour vivre de ce métier il faut toucher à tout et cette diversité est formidable. » En plus d’incarner le populaire Max, un personnage du jeu Code Max, il participe aux productions d’été du Fringe Festival et se prépare pour la comédie En cas de pluie aucun remboursement qui sera présentée à l’automne au Théâtre Jean Duceppe. Lucien travaille beaucoup sa voix, un atout exceptionnel qui le distingue aisément et qui lui permet de faire du doublage, de la surimpression vocale et de prêter sa voix à des jeux vidéo pour Ubisoft. Tout comme Andréanne, Lucien sait qu’il doit être proactif pour développer sa carrière. « Pour travailler, il faut développer un réseau et être présent et même parfois, courtiser ceux que l’on admire! » Francesca Abbondanza Bergeron a 24 ans et cultive un intérêt pour le Septième Art. Bachelière en Art, option Cinéma à l’université Concordia, elle a aussi étudié à l’université de Californie où elle s’est spécialisée en production cinématographique.

Elle travaille en animation et a remporté un prix au Francesca Abbondanza-Bergeron YoungCuts Film Festival dont le mandat est de reconnaître les jeunes cinéastes les plus talentueux de Montréal. Son court métrage Mugged/Tassé mettait en vedette son frère Lucien Abbondanza-Bergeron. Très active sur YouTube, Francesca a produit plus de 200 vidéos. Elle se spécialise dans les VLOG-vidéos voyages et diffuse ses opinions sur des sujets d’intérêt public. Francesca est aussi musicienne et chanteuse à ses heures. « La plupart de mes vidéos sont loufoques, pensées pour amuser et attirer l’attention sur des événements, des sujets qui marquent nos vies. De nombreux vidéastes utilisent leur plateforme pour créer des levées de fonds et des mouvements sociaux. Je souhaite éventuellement intégrer cet aspect à mes productions. J’adore voyager, je compte visiter le monde et raconter mes expériences. » Francesca a quitté Montréal le 31 juillet pour le Japon dans le cadre d’un programme du gouvernement japonais qui lui a permettra de séjourner au pays du Soleil-Levant le temps d’une année d’enseignement où elle compte bien continuer à produire ses vidéos et raconter ses expériences.

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EVENTS

La Semaine italienne est de retour!

En 1993, le Congrès national des Italo-Canadiens du Québec a imaginé une semaine de festivités visant à célébrer la culture italo-canadienne et à tisser des liens avec toutes les communautés. En 2016, La Settimana Italiana poursuit sa mission et est devenue une activité estivale incontournable.

Cette année, c’est Mastro San Daniele qui remplace Loto-Québec comme principal commanditaire. « L’édition 2016 présente de nouveaux talents d’ici et en provenance d’Italie. C’est une année prolifique. Il a été difficile d’arrêter nos choix », raconte la directrice générale Josie Verrillo. La programmation sera riche et diversifiée et la région des Marches sera à l’honneur comme région vedette.

Marco Calliari, porte-parole de la Semaine italienne, sera en spectacle avec le groupe Fabrizio Pozzi e Laboratorio qu’il parraine. Des prestations du chanteur Paul Carniello et Paluna sont aussi au programme.

Du cinéma italien sera présenté au Musée McCord et au Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal, et le Musée Stuart présentera une exposition racontant l’histoire de citoyens britanniques d’origine italienne que l’Angleterre a emprisonnés au Canada.

Le Musée Dufresne Nincheri offrira un tour guidé du musée et des églises où sont répertoriées les œuvres de l’artiste Guido Nincheri.

La traditionnelle soirée d’opéra présentera La Tosca de Puccini que dirigera le maestro Gianluca Martininghi venu expressément à Montréal pour l’occasion.

Cette année, le défilé de mode du samedi soir s’est associé à Vittorio Camaiani, styliste réputé de prêt-à-couture de la région des Marches.

Afin de présenter l’important patrimoine culturel de la région des

Marches, une Quintana, un tournoi équestre de la cité médiévale d’Ascoli Piceno, sera organisée dans les rues de la Petite Italie.

Des dégustations de cafés, de vins, de pâtes et d’autres produits importés d’Italie seront également offertes à la Place gourmande Saveurs d’Italie et dans différents kiosques.

Rendez-vous du 5 au 14 août. www.semaineitalienne.ca

Salvatore Cimmino nommé président de la Cibpa Le nouveau président de l’Association des Gens d’Affaires et Professionnels italo-canadiens du Québec a utilisé Facebook pour lancer son premier message public dans lequel il saluait tous ceux qui l’ont précédé dans ce rôle. Une approche nouvelle et courtoise qui marque le style du nouveau président considéré dans son milieu de travail comme un “geek”. Vice-président de l’association depuis 2 ans, membre du C.A. depuis 8 ans, Salvatore Cimmino est vice-président de Claridion Inc., une firme de consultants spécialisée en gestion de l’environnement technologique et en gestion des centres de données et d’infrastructures d’entreprise (DCIM). Son expertise a permis à l’Association de développer son site web et d’en augmenter sensiblement le nombre d’amis et de contacts à travers les nouveaux médias sociaux. Durant son mandat de 2 ans, Salvatore a l’intention de poursuivre le travail de ses prédécesseurs, mais aussi de propager l’excellence de la réputation de l’Association, de créer de nouvelles activités visant à promouvoir la participation des jeunes, et de développer des projets culturels et d’affaires avec la Fédération CIBPA au niveau national. « Les deux axes principaux de l’organisation demeurent le résautage et la promotion de l’éducation, et ils seront déployés avec les nouvelles technologies ».

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EVENTS

Kickoff to Grand Prix Weekend at the Ritz

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Photography by Daniele Tomelleri

On June 10, Montreal’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel hosted yet another glamorous kickoff to Grand Prix weekend, together with Pfaff McLaren. The sold out Friday night event is widely regarded as the most anticipated party of the weekend, and PR Director Katia Piccolino and her team certainly did not disappoint for this year’s edition. The Hotel’s opulent Palm Court, Oval Room and Terrace were abuzz with a who’s who of Montreal’s media, sports, fashion and social scene, enjoying Executive Chef Johnny Porte’s culinary creations, while sipping Moët & Chandon and dancing to the beats of DJ Yo-C.

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EVENTS

Mon ami Dino, ce sympathique anarchiste!

Tourné sur un coup de tête avec l’aide de quelques amis et un budget restreint de 15 000$, Mon ami Dino raconte la vie de l’acteur iconoclaste Dino Tavarone, un être attachant et épris de liberté. « Le réalisateur Jimmy Larouche voulait faire un documentaire sur moi, mais je trouvais que ça n’en valait pas la peine. Un soir, dans un bar de la rue Laurier, un peu éméchés, on a finalement décidé de le faire. Mais on n’avait pas d’argent. On s’est donc mis à la recherche d’une équipe de collaborateurs sur Facebook et tout s’est réglé rapidement. » Le documentaire propose une incursion très personnelle dans le monde de Dino Tavarone où s’entremêlent vérité et fiction. Dino y raconte ses frasques – il a fait de la prison parce qu’il n’a pas toujours pris les bonnes décisions – sa douleur d’immigrant, toujours vive, sa conception de l’amour, de l’amitié, de la vie. « C’est un film sur la vie. Il faut que les gens soient conscients que la vie c’est un cadeau entre le néant et la mort. Qu’elle est un passage qu’il faut vivre entièrement. La fiction c’est la maladie. Je n’ai pas peur de mourir, j’ai peur de perdre la vie et j’ai vraiment pleuré au centre palliatif – cette solitude infinie… mourir à chaque soir, seul… La mort c’est un court instant, mais perdre la vie c’est perdre la nature, le chant des oiseaux, c’est tout perdre », explique Dino Tavarone pour qui l’amitié occupe une place centrale dans la vie. « L’amitié c’est tout. On devrait tous être amis, sans union, sans obligation, car un ami c’est précieux. Il est là quand tu t’y attends le moins. Tu sais, je suis et serai toujours un immigrant et la douleur est toujours là. Je me rappelle quand j’ai quitté l’Italie, il faisait nuit et je distinguais à peine cette parcelle de ma terre natale vite engloutie par la noirceur. Elle a tout avalé, mon dernier morceau de terre, mon cyprès, mon olivier, mes amis, mes rêves. J’avais 17 ans, j’étais seul. Puis, sur le bateau, la joie, la fête, tout le monde heureux malgré tout. » Dino a connu la célébrité à l’âge de 52 ans, en interprétant Scarfo, le parrain de la mafia dans la télésérie Omertà. En 1999, il reçoit une nomination au Gala des prix Jutra pour son rôle dans le film 2 secondes. Il participe à de nombreuses productions dont Il Duce Canadese, Mambo Italiano, Minuit le soir et Corbo.

Mon ami Dino a pris l’affiche au Québec le 5 août. Le film met en vedette Dino Tavarone, Michel Côté, Joëlle Morin, Manuel Tadros et Sasha Migliarese.

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Photography from Reuters

Italy’s Gutsy Performance at Euro 2016

Italian team celebrating win against Spain

By Joey Strizzi

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undits called this edition the worst Italian team on paper in over 50 years. After a difficult performance at the 2014 World Cup, that didn’t bode well for the Azzurri at the 2016 Euros. Yet, naysayers became believers when the Italians came within a hair’s length of reaching the tournament’s semi-final round, pushing Germany – the defending World Cup champions and tournament favourites – to penalty kicks. “Regrets can arrive when you feel you didn’t give everything,” goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon told members of the media after the game, “but that’s not the case. We were a step away from a great feat.”

Expectations were really low for this Italian side. Injuries to key members Claudio Marchisio and Marco Veratti left the midfield in doubt, especially considering stalwart general Andrea Pirlo was left off the roster, winding down his career with New York City FC. Questions about where the goals would come from were whispered by many. But what ended up happening was a team lacking outright star power came together, and when everyone buys into the system, success will follow.

Italy 2-0 Belgium Although Germany was the unanimous pre-tournament favourite, Belgium was the highest ranking country entering the competition, holding the number 2 spot on the FIFA World Rankings (behind Argentina). The Belgians, counting on 7 Premier League players in its starting 11 and a lot of fire power, were shut out by an Italian side that played stingy defence and scored opportunistic goals. The win over Belgium set the tone for a very determined Italian squad.

Italy 1-0 Sweden Italy’s second group stage game was a little less exciting than its first, but the strategy was just as successful, topping Sweden 1-0. The Italian team showed unwavering commitment to defending, holding the Swedes to zero – yes zero – shots on goal. Despite the lack of quality for most of the game, the Azzurri were all on the same page and managed to find a way to grind out the game, and ultimately secured first place in Group E. 76

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Photography provided by UEFA

Regrets can arrive when you feel you didn’t give everything, but that’s not the case. We were a step away from a great feat.

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– Gianluigi Buffon

Italian team celebrating win against Belgium

Italy 0-1 Ireland As top of their group, Italy approached the game versus the Republic of Ireland a little differently. Italian bench boss Antonio Conte made eight changes to the lineup that beat Sweden, resting his regulars and giving some minutes to younger, less experienced players at the international level. But Ireland was resolute, absolutely needing a victory to advance out of the group. Thanks to a Robbie Brady header in the 85th minute, the Irish handed the Azzurri its first defeat.

Italy 2-0 Spain The reward for finishing top of the group was a date with the defending Euro champs, Spain. Yet, it seemed like the Italians were the ones donning the crown, playing an inspired game full of discipline and personality.

Under the rain, Italy made La Furia Roja look slow and predictable.

The Italians were first to every ball and probably should have won the game by a bigger score line. The Azzurri’s attack was relentless, flooding the box with crosses after playing down the wings, while Spain could not figure out Italy’s defence. Goals by Chiellini in the 32nd minute on a rebound off of an Éder free kick and a Pelle volley in the 91st minute sent the Spaniards home and the Italians into the quarterfinals against Germany.

Éder’s epic goal against Sweden

Italy 1-1 Germany (5-6 on PKs) Although Germany had never beaten the Azzurri at a major tournament in its previous eight attempts, Die Mannschaft were heavy favourites at the start of this tournament and looked to be in the driver’s seat coming into this matchup. Yet again, the Italians defied the odds and pushed the defending World Cup champs to a heartbreaking nine-round penalty kick shootout loss. Germany had been the best team at the tournament up until this point, yet forced to play a gruelling 120-minute game against a defiant Italian side, who had come to play.

Both teams missed three times – a couple of those in horrendous fashion, before Manuel Neuer stopped Matteo Darmian’s effort in the ninth round. Jonas Hector struck the winning kick, the 18th of the shootout, putting the Germans through to the semi-finals and ending a courageous run by an understated, yet dogged Italian side that no one expected to be where they were.

Secret to their success Head Coach Antonio Conte, who has left the national team for club duty at Chelsea now that the tournament is done, talked about values on the pitch and in the locker room. Some of his decisions to leave certain players off the roster for this competition left many people questioning him, yet he let the results answer for him. All good teams bear the mark of their coach. Conte was the best manager at this tournament, and it showed. With a roster lacking the big name talent, he led the team to what ultimately had the feel and intensity of a final against the Germans in the quarters.

He played three at the back, which a number of people questioned. He made adjustments based on his opponents, whether to clog the middle versus Germany or double team Ibrahimovic against Sweden. His decisions had an impact on every single game. He built a squad that outworked its opponents, statistically outrunning every other side that made it to the quarterfinals.

And he managed to get everyone to buy into his system. “To have a hardworking and united group is our greatest victory,” added Buffon.

“It paves the way for future successes.” Maybe that path to success can see its ultimate prize at the legendary goalkeeper’s final international tournament at World Cup 2018.

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Bianca Farella Part of historic rugby team in Rio

By Marisa Iacobucci

Photography by Lorne Collicutt

A

dozen dreams have been realized for 12 women on the Canadian women’s rugby sevens team playing in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games this August. And if that wasn’t sweet enough, they’ve also made history. They’re the first ever Canadian women’s rugby sevens team to compete on the Olympic pitch.

That’s quite a feat, particularly for 24-year-old Bianca Farella, who joined the national team in Victoria, B.C. less than four years ago. When the roster was officially announced in early July, Farella was thrilled.

“Our coaches were about to make 12 dreams come true,” said the Montreal native. “A couple of girls have been training 10 years for this. After all of our hard work, it’s just wild that this was happening.”

Rugby fifteens (composed of 15 players) have been a part of the Olympics as far back as the 1920s. But this will be an inaugural event for a sevens rugby team (consisting of seven players on the field on each side) that play for two halves of seven minutes each.

“It’s fast-paced, exciting rugby and very much a spectator sport, which is why I think it will be a fun introduction to the Olympics,” said Farella, who’s one of the best scorers in female rugby sevens and the second best in Canada (her teammate Ghislaine Landry is first).

Following the announcement of their selection for the Olympic team, team members celebrated the news as only athletes living in Vancouver Island’s beautiful capital city would – by driving up island to exercise.

“We wanted to celebrate, but what we also wanted was to focus and go train,” said Farella. “So, as excited as we were, we were also aware that we have a job to complete. I think most of us are trying to think of the Olympics as another tournament in our season. We still have to perform and I have to do my role as do the other six people on the field.”

Heading to the Olympics was the team’s biggest and latest accomplishment in an impressive 2015-2016 season. The squad competed in five tournaments and placed second overall. It served as the culmination of more than a decade of sacrifices, hard work and training that began when she was only 13.

Farella had always enjoyed team sports while she was growing up, but she wanted to try something new. One of her friends convinced her to go out to the rugby try outs. The then-13-year-old Farella instantly found a new passion.

By 2008, she was playing for U17 Quebec. In 2011, the U20 Canada team called on her for the Nations Cup (a tournament with USA, South Africa and England). A year later, the rugby player was showcasing her skills for Concordia University. The same year, she joined the Senior Canada squad and helped them reach first place.

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Bianca Farella

“What draws me to the sport mostly is that each role requires a certain strength so you have a lot of different people on the field with different strengths,” explained Farella.

While the Montrealer said she loves living in Victoria and appreciates the global experiences she’s gained by being a member of the national team, her heart will always be in her hometown of Côte St Luc. Her father’s parents moved to the city from Bari, Puglia; her maternal grandfather was born in Avellino, Campania, while her mother’s grandmother hails from Le Marche. Farella’s parents and her younger sister Julia (who is a student at Concordia University) still live in Montreal, and she speaks to them often, adding that she misses her mom’s and nonna’s homemade meals.

But Farella said she’s grateful she’s found a second family on the pitch.

“We’re all pretty close,” she pointed out. “We’re together all the time and we all moved away to Victoria from our loved ones. Rugby has a family-like atmosphere and camaraderie because if I do my job right, then the person next to me can do her job right.”

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