Panoram Italia Montreal Oct/Nov 2016

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1-16_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:53 AM Page 1

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

LIVING ITALIAN STYLE

WINE GUIDE

2016 LES CHARMES DE LA

BASILICATA COVER: DON ZIRALDO ONE OF US • UNO DI NOI • UN D’ENTRE NOUS OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2016 • VOL.11 • NO.5

www.panoramitalia.com

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1-16_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:53 AM Page 2

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1-16_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:53 AM Page 3

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1-16_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:53 AM Page 4

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1-16_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:53 AM Page 5

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1-16_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:53 AM Page 6

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1-16_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:53 AM Page 7

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1-16_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:53 AM Page 8

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1-16_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:53 AM Page 9

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1-16_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:53 AM Page 10

TABLE OF CONTENTS

OCTOBER/ NOVEMBER 2016 Vol. 11 NO. 5 EDITORIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Searching for Heritage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

LIFE & PEOPLE

How the Day of the Earthquake Shook Me . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Lessons to Learn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

EARTHQUAKE

7 Frères: All in the Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Devmont: Building Lifestyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Montoni: Meant to Succeed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Struktur: Delivering Style and Substance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

MONTREAL BUILDERS: PART 3 OF 4

16 45

Don Ziraldo: From the Ground Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

COVER STORY

LIVING ITALIAN STYLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 DESIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Matera: The reawakening of the Sassi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 An Ode to Muro Lucano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Discovering Basilicata’s Medieval Landmarks . . . . . . . . . . 49 La Comunità Lucana di Montréal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Delicious Lucania Recipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Flavours of Lucania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

BASILICATA

Singer/Songwriter Gianni Bodo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Intervista con Laura Pausini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

ARTS & CULTURE

La religione - causa di guerra o scudo contro la violenza? . . 56

ADVICE

52

EVENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER AND EDITOR Tony Zara

EDITORIAL DEPUTY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Adam Zara

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Pal Di Iulio TORONTO MANAGING EDITOR Rita Simonetta

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

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 Karolyn Coorsh • Francesco Di Muro • Alessia Sara Domanico • Sabrina Marandola Paolo Patrito • Paul Salvatori • David Meffe • Paul Salvatori • Biancamaria Grasso Agata De Santis • Johnny L. Bertollo • Nicola Di Narzo • Alexander Loffredi

9300 Henri-Bourassa West, suite 100, Montreal, Québec H4S 1L5 Tel.: 514 337-7870 I Fax: 514 337-6180 or by e-mail at: info@panoramitalia.com Legal deposit - Bibliothèque nationale du Québec / National Library of Canada - ISSN: 1916-6389 Distribution par / by

Publications Mail Agreement #40981004

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

MONTREAL 4881 Boul. St-Laurent 514.849.8133 10

PANORAMITALIA.COM

LAVAL 1750 Boul. Le Corbusier 450.934.1590

Kitchens made in Italy with love! fellinidesigns.com

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1-16_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:53 AM Page 11

PHASES 4 ET 5 EN CONSTRUCTION

MAISONS DE VILLE MONTRÉAL (PIERREFONDS) ANTHONY TROZZO

(514) 754-0641 5229 RUE DU SUREAU, PIERREFONDS, QC. H8Z 0B3

À PARTIR DE 399,900$ *Taxes et infrastructure incluses à 100% *Prix sujet à changement sans préavis

GROUPEHOUDE.COM

JUMELÉ HARWOOD GATE (BEACONSFIELD)

(514) 620-6007 *106 À PARTIR DE 495,000$ (lot #2 425 638)

*Taxes et infrastructure incluses à 100% *Prix sujet à changement sans préavis RBQ: 5639-2350-01

PANORAMITALIA.COM

11

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1-16_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:54 AM Page 12

EDITORIAL

Make Wine, Not War Fate il vino, non fate la guerra In

October, during San Martino, “ogni buon ottobre, durante San Martino, “ogni buon mosto è vino!” Quante mosto è vino!” How many times have you volte avete sentito questa massima? Ogni autunno, non si poteva heard that maxim? Every fall, at my parentrare nella cantina dei miei genitori (sotto la veranda) senza ents’ home you could not get into the basement canprima offrire questo augurio di San Martino al mosto che fermentava. Il mio tina (sotto la veranda) without first wishing this San primo ricordo di vino fatto in casa mi rimanda a quando si pestava l’uva a piedi Martino augurio to the fermenting mosto. My first nudi in cantina durante l’ottobre del 1957. recollection of homemade wine-making was In questa edizione di Panoram Italia vogliamo augurare un buon San stomping grapes barefoot in the cellar during the Martino a tutti i produttori di vino, giovani e vecchi (o grandi e piccoli). Tutti month of October 1957. abbiamo apprezzato il nettare degli dei e nel corso degli ultimi decenni, i vini e For this edition of Panoram Italia we would specialmente i vini importati dall’Italia, hanno sostituito birra e altri alcolici like to wish happy San Martino to all wine makers come drink preferiti da gustare durante i pasti.

– young and old. We have all enjoyed the nectar of Ricordate quando nel 1970 si provava a fare colpo con una bottiglia di vino the gods, and over the last score of years, wines, francese Mouton Cadet! Poi arrivarono i Castelli Romani e i Colli Albani! Ed and especially Italian imported wines, have ora abbiamo una selezione infinita di vini di varia denominazione, prezzo, displaced beer and other alcohol as the favourite drink to enjoy with meals. qualità e sapore.

Remember in the 1970s when you tried to impress her with a bottle of French Generazione di italiani negli Stati Uniti e nel Canada producono del vino wine Mouton Cadet! Then came fatto in casa con mosti califorCastelli Romani, Colli Albani! niani nelle loro cantine e i loro And now we have an endless garage per bere e, qualche selection of wines of various appelvolta, per vendere. lations, prices, quality and taste.

Molte volte l’orgoglio Generations of Italians in associato alla parole “fatto in the U.S. and Canada have been casa” sta per l’ego di chi lo fa e making homemade wine with non per la qualità dell’aceto California grapes in basements prodotto. I mosti californiani and garages to drink – and somesono arrivati al nord in treno times even to sell. Many times per decenni. A volte sono stati the pride associated with the word mischiati con dell’uva fragola “homemade” stood for the ego dell’Ontario o con varietà of the maker and not for the coltivate nei cortili. quality of the aceto produced.

E poi le cose in Canada California grapes have been sono cambiate. Questo grazie coming north in railway cars for a persone come Don Ziraldo decades. It was occasionally (la storia della copertina di mixed with Ontario’s very own questo numero) che poruva fragola or backyard grown tarono la passione per il vino varieties. di produzione familiare, ad un And then things changed in altro livello, con ottimi vini Left to right: Sergio Orlando, Joseph Longo, Ralph Ciccia, Michael Marrese, Canada. That’s thanks to people like premiati di ottimo in tutto il Larry Mancini, Pal Di Iulio and Luigino De Faveri (not in photo) driving the float truck.

Don Ziraldo (this edition’s cover mondo, nel processo, creando story) who took the passion for una nuova industria. wine from a family cantina proLa produzione dei vini duction to craftsman, artistry award-winning wines and, in the process, creatdell’Ontario ora si estende da Prince Edward County alle cascate del Niagara, ed a new industry. ad ovest lungo la 401 nella zona del lago di Erie North Shore e Windsor, e tesOntario wines, whose production now stretches from Prince Edward County timonia la presenza di quest’industria. to Niagara Escarpment, west along the 401 to the Lake Erie North Shore and Ziraldo e coloro che hanno seguito, hanno contribuito a costruire quest’inWindsor area, is testimony to that industry. Ziraldo and those who followed built dustria attraverso l’importazione di vini dal vecchio mondo, introducendoli – e the industry by importing vines from the old world and introducing – and adaptadattandoli al clima, ai paesaggi e ai valori del Canada. ing them – to the weather, landscape and values of Canada. Much in the tradition Simile a Giovanni Caboto ed Enrico Tonti, Ziraldo era un’avventuriero, of Giovanni Caboto and Enrico Tonti, Ziraldo was an adventurer, explorer, piouno scopritore un pioniere e un visionario. neer and visionary.

Speriamo che leggerete e gusterete la guida dei vini preparata dal nostro We hope that you will read and enjoy the wine reviews prepared by our wine esperto e sommelier Gabriel Riel-Salvatore. Alziamo un bicchiere “ma uno alla expert and sommelier Gabriel Riel-Salvatore. Let’s raise a bicchiere “but one at a volta”, come diceva mio nonno, alla nostra salute e alla nostra fortuna. time,” as my nonno used to say, to our salute and good fortune.

Fate il vino, non la guerra e apprezzatelo e condividetelo con amici, e mi Make wine, not war. Enjoy and share it with friends, and please, do not drink raccomando non bevete alla guida. and drive.

Pace e bene.

Pace e bene.

Pal Di Iulio, Associate Editor, Panoram Italia Pal Di Iulio, Associate Editor, Panoram Italia 12

PANORAMITALIA.COM

Ad

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1-16_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:54 AM Page 13

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1-16_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:54 AM Page 14

LIFE & PEOPLE

Searching for Heritage A journey between two worlds

By David Meffe

I

always struggled with the dual identity of the Italian-Canadian community, never really feeling part of either. My grandparents crossed waters to lay new roots, but to what degree is cultural identity in Canada defined by heritage over nationality?

After years of poking and prodding through endless entrails of Italian bureaucracy, I finally secured dual citizenship – my freshly minted EU passport an official symbol of who I thought I was. Yet instead of settling my mind, it set me on a journey of existential yearning that led all the way back to a small village in the hills of Molise, searching for an abandoned home and roots that may have long since decayed underfoot.

We grew up in Montreal, being constantly reminded we were Italian. It was in the food we ate; the clothes we wore. The bandiera became a brand for everything from braces to bedding, just in case anyone wondered but didn’t care to ask.

Saturday mornings meant contemptuous drives to Italian school, where what I lacked in linguistic volition, I made up for in enthusiastic vulgarity. I cheered “Azzurri!” during soccer tournaments and pretended like I knew who was playing.

None of it ever felt genuine to me. I was simply going through the motions of how I thought I was supposed to be. More than anything, being Italian meant distinguishing myself from my mostly French-Canadian classmates. Rather than tell me what I was, this idea of Italian identity merely told me what I was not, and therein lay the difference, stark and uncompromising, gnawing at my sense of self.

This became painfully evident when I started travelling. In Canada I was very much Italian, but anywhere else, I introduced myself first and foremost as Canadian – that’s where I was born and raised. Italians I met abroad were quick to remind me that despite my name and heritage, I was not like them – mine was a symbolic attachment to the country and nothing else.

Yet suddenly I was more; I was a citizen of the Italian Republic. Nothing about me had actually changed, but I felt a pull towards Italy now, a sense a civic duty, as if official recognition legitimized a hybrid identity I never defined for myself. I wanted to be Italian in more than just name and paper. I set myself to learning the language and understanding the politics of modern Italy. During winter holidays I scribbled recipes from my grandmother’s lips and took notes on old country tales, especially pertaining to a house in a village called Montorio nei Frentani, a few hours east of Campobasso. Though she had renounced Italian citizenship when she arrived in Canada, I was now a legal resident of the village where she was born.

She and I had come full circle.

She never spoke much about Montorio. A mix of Mussolini’s fascist state and the Nazi occupation of Molise, she rarely elaborated upon her childhood – there was tangible pain there I never wanted to dislodge, despite my curiosity. She was my age, 26, when she left the village for good in 1951 and never returned. I decided to make a solitary pilgrimage to her house in order to decide for myself what it meant to me.

Molise had struggled more than any region in Italy since the Second World War and remains one of the poorest. Massive waves of emigration had left the land 14

PANORAMITALIA.COM

beautiful but barren, and countless abandoned farms spoke to a collective sense of cultural brain drain that had desolated the region even further since the Eurozone crisis. The young were leaving and the old were dying. What remained lay in between.

Montorio was no exception. Despite ongoing attempts to revive the town, its quaint beauty was eclipsed by a sense that this old Samnite settlement had seen its best days past – preservation had replaced perseverance. My great-grandfather Giuseppe Antonio and his two brothers built the house in the early 1900s but it was abandoned when the family left for Canada decades later. After some difficulty I finally found what was left of it, banked by garlands of red security tape fluttering in the wind. After failing to pry open the bolted doors, I carefully made my way in through a shattered window, kicking glass onto decades of undisturbed dust.

The old stone walls had stood silent when the roof caved in on its empty holdings, a victim of the last earthquake or the next. All hints of a life long past had faded. Neither love or hate, nor joy or fear, had left a trace of memory here. I found nothing to take back but an unshakable sense that I had found exactly what I was looking for, but had no idea what to do with it.

You don’t need citizenship to inherit property in Italy, but it helps you save on some inheritance taxes. More often than not, claiming a house is just a matter of updating title deeds and proving lineage – so long as there are no squatters or distant cousins to contend with. “Many second and third generation Italians in North America are half asleep!” says Anthony Alioto, a lawyer whose firm specializes in Italian law for clients living abroad, especially on matters of estate and inheritance.

“These houses go unclaimed because people forget about them. It’s a psychological thing; Italy is over there and I’m over here, why should I care?”

The house struck me as emblematic of our lost generation of landed migrants – while the structure stood solid in its countenance, the interior had decayed into something only barely recognizable, yet still stubbornly refusing to crumble. It could never be the same, but there was hope for something new. Since the house was unclaimed by any living relative, I started the process of putting it in my name. The financial value didn’t matter. If this was our legacy, I couldn’t let it fade. More than a passport, this was part of me now, and all the responsibilities that came with it.

So who are we, then? Italians? Canadians? Perhaps some bizarre mix of both, destined to forever romanticize our roots to a point where it doesn’t really matter.

I pondered the question as I left Montorio, wondering if I’d return. Staring out the window I saw myself riding a motorcycle up the solitary winding road, hauling bundles of beams and construction equipment, waving to locals I knew by name.

A Roberto Murolo track would sound in the distance as I rebuilt my ancestral seat to claim my throne – a 21st century prodigal son of sorts. Although a fantasy, I found the daydream comforting, as if my new citizenship renewed some ancient covenant with the land of my people.

Maybe this is the real story of Montreal’s migrant families, destined to forever inhabit that world between worlds with one foot in each. I’d start with the house, and work my way out from there.

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1-16_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:54 AM Page 15

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1-16_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:54 AM Page 16

EARTHQUAKE

“

We are used to living without having to worry about the people we love being at the mercy of frightening, seismic activity.

“

How the Day of the Earthquake Shook Me Town of Amatrice after the August 24 earthquake

By Dr. Paul Salvatori, PhD

I

learned of the news of the recent earthquake in Italy the morning I was going to a funeral wake. My father came to pick me up. The first thing he asked was, “Have you heard what happened in Italy?” On the way to the wake, he told me. The earthquake was major. It had already taken over a hundred lives and hit the region where my father’s from: Le Marche.

Thankfully our family there is safe.

Still, it was difficult to process what I was hearing, especially so early in the morning. Thinking that your family is going to be in the zone of a natural disaster is not on your mind every day. We are used to living without having to worry about the people we love being at the mercy of frightening, seismic activity.

Going to the wake with news of the earthquake on my mind cast a palpable gloom over the beginning of my day. It was a harsh reminder that each of us is mortal – our time here is limited and the moment of death is itself never certain. Such is to be human.

Having paid our respects to the deceased and family, my father and I sat among the mourners. I admit I felt more sad for the family than the deceased himself, since I only knew them for the kind people they are, but had never had the opportunity to meet him. I asked my father next to me how the man died.

Alzheimer’s, he whispered, was responsible.

Apparently, the disease had progressed to such a degree that eating had become nearly impossible for him. He could barely open his mouth. The body in the casket, sadly, showed it. He had become a fraction of the vital person he was in the photo slides, scrolling across a television screen in the quiet room.

Already, at the wake, I felt that the earthquake in Italy and the deceased before me in Toronto were connected in some meaningful but troubling way.

Photography by Danilo Balducci

16

PANORAMITALIA.COM

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:55 AM Page 17

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:55 AM Page 18

EARTHQUAKE

Photography by Danilo Balducci

On my way home, as I talked to my father about the way nature seems constantly to take innocent lives, the connection became apparent to me: Nature’s cruelty was responsible for both the dead man I had just seen and the numerous fatalities of the earthquake. It is a cruelty that allows it to blindly will what it wants, unconcerned whether it takes one life or many in the process.

Italian philosopher and poet, Giacomo Leopardi (coincidentally from Le Marche himself), aptly captures this in the personification of nature: “I never gave a thought to the happiness or unhappiness of man. If I cause you to suffer, I am unaware of the fact; nor do I perceive that I can in any way give you pleasure. What I do is in no sense done for your enjoyment or benefit.”

Leopardi’s view illuminates that all of us are subject to nature’s indifference. I believe, however, there is a positive flipside to this truth.

18

PANORAMITALIA.COM

In the face of suffering brought about by nature, including losing others through death, we retain the power or freedom to appreciate each day we have and all that is good in it – friends, family, health, etc. As challenging as this may be at times, it is one thing nature cannot take away from us.

That is why the possibility of true happiness, based on gratitude for the good we already have, is in our hands. Nature, regardless of its frightening potential, can doom no one to permanent misery, in which nothing seems of value.

Were that so, we would not see so many in Italy saving people from beneath the rubble of the earthquake. They are living examples of the heroism that can, in the worst of times, triumph the devastation of nature. They make this world a beautiful, more hopeful place.

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:55 AM Page 19

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:55 AM Page 20

EARTHQUAKE

Lessons to Learn Photography by Danilo Balducci

Tragedy raises questions and concerns about Italy’s safeguards

By Rita Simonetta

I

taly, a land of ancient beauty and modern know-how, has again been devastated by an earthquake that forces the country to do some soulsearching. Quakes are a common occurrence in Italy, one of the most earthquake-prone countries in Europe. Yet, the aftermath of each tremor has everyone wondering if this industrialized country with ingenuity and ready access to resources could do more to minimize the impact to life and property.

Lazio’s picturesque town of Amatrice, with its centuries-old hamlets and churches, was all but erased. Amatrice is not far from L’Aquila, Abruzzo, the 13th century city that was hit by a quake in 2009, killing more than 300 people and leaving over 50,000 homeless. So why is the damage so severe time and again?

Frail infrastructure In the 1970s, Italy updated its anti-seismic protocols. “The point of anti-seismic measures is to avoid collapse,” explained Alison Bird, an earthquake seismologist with the Geological Survey of Canada. “It’s a life-saving situation.”

But much of the town of Amatrice collapsed in the recent quake. And tremor after tremor exposes these types of shortcomings. Proposals to reinforce ancient sites, homes and buildings is met with resistance by those worried that it would strip these places of their history and charm, and thereby negatively impact tourist dollars. Moreover, when it comes to personal property located on active zones, homeowners are responsible for all upgrades. It’s a costly investment with no subsidies or incentives. And it isn’t regulated.

According to experts, it’s these older buildings and structures that pose the biggest threat. “I believe that the codes are generally applied, but they do not improve the quality of the existing buildings until they are reinforced or reconstructed,” explained Professor Gian Michele Calvi, who teaches Structural Design in Pavia, Italy, and is the director of the Centre for Research and Graduate Studies in Understanding and Managing Extremes. “The government has not been significantly funding any systematic intervention to reduce the seismic risk, and in any case, whatever has been provided has been oriented to public buildings, not to privately owned residential buildings.”

According to Lakehead University Geology Professor Mary Louise Hill, “Damage associated with the earthquake is not just a function of magnitude (energy), but also related to the type of construction. The old masonry buildings, while historic and beautiful, were not designed to withstand the shaking of an earthquake of this magnitude.”

Then there’s the massive investment required to construct new public buildings according to anti-seismic specifications. In a country with a Byzantine bureaucracy that’s struggling with high unemployment and stifling debt, the situation is challenging.

The Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) is a research organization focused on anti-seismic devices. According to ENEA, when it comes to Italy’s public buildings, “over 70 per cent of the buildings wouldn’t withstand the earthquakes that can hit them, including schools and hospitals.”

ENEA research director Paolo Clemente said there are many reasons for this, 20

PANORAMITALIA.COM

including the fact that Italy’s risk of earthquakes has increased in the past few decades. As the problem worsens year after year, Italy is endlessly trying to play catch up.

Clemente pointed out the example of the Irpinia earthquake in 1980. “At that time, only 25 per cent of the territory was considered seismic and most of the existing buildings, at least 60 per cent, had been built before 1980.”

Frustration A day after the earthquake, journalist Sergio Rizzo wrote a column in Corriere della Sera – one of the country’s most respected newspapers – where he expressed his frustration with the system: “In a country where in the past 40 years there have been at least eight devastating earthquakes ... the only lesson we have learned is to save lives after the fact. We are far behind in the other lessons.”

A painful reminder of L’Aquila The Italian government has already opened an investigation into one of the most confounding aspects of the earthquake: The Romolo Capranica grade school in Amatrice, which was rebuilt in 2012, was destroyed. However, it was supposedly reinforced according to regulations set out after the L’Aquila earthquake. There are loud rumblings about whether proper safeguards were followed, and even more heated suspicion over how the construction consortiums won the contracts in the first place.

It brings to mind the university dormitory in L’Aquila (also allegedly rebuilt according to modern procedures) that was pummelled by the 2009 earthquake, killing over seven students.

Italy’s anger over L’Aquila resulted in laying part of the blame on the country’s scientists who were convicted of failing to provide sufficient warning. They were later released on appeal. Seven years after the L’Aquila tragedy, dissatisfaction lingers. Italy’s Civil Protection agency set aside almost a billion euros for reinforced structures. But some of those structures are now at the centre of legal proceedings.

And to this very day, there are areas of the city that have yet to be rebuilt.

Where to go from here?

While visiting the towns hit by the quake, Italian Premier Matteo Renzi promised to rebuild the communities. He announced an initial 50 million euros for reconstruction relief, and tasked the country’s anti-corruption agency with monitoring the distribution of these funds.

Researchers and experts hope that after this latest tragedy, Italy has learned valuable lessons that will ensure a very different outcome the next time around.

“It’s a difficult challenge,” noted Clemente. “We must do all we can, starting with a large project, which can be concluded only by future generations.”

Gabriele Ponzoni, the General Secretary of the European Federation of Geologists, believes positive change is only possible through a change in mindset.

“We need to move from a perception of the planet based on the present to one based on the future. We need to consider what will happen in the years to come and what choices we are making now to ensure our safety.”

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:55 AM Page 21

PANORAMITALIA.COM

21

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:55 AM Page 22

MONTREAL BUILDERS

Struktur

7 Frères

Great Montreal Builders (Part 3 of 4) Panoram Italia profiles some of Montreal’s most notable Italian-Canadian developers.

Written by Loretta N. Di Vita

Montoni

22

PANORAMITALIA.COM

Photography by Vincenzo D’Alto

Devmont

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:55 AM Page 23

MONTREAL BUILDERS

“

Every one has to do their part. ‘United we stand’ to be stronger.

“

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:55 AM Page 24

All in the Family Elio, Charles and Tim Argento

F

amilies – functional ones – tend to remain united for life. Sure there are disagreements, but strong bloodlines have short memories, so squabbles end up being mere blips in the long run and not lasting feuds. All of this is fine and dandy on the homestead, but what powers keep a family business cemented for decades in peace-love-and-harmony?

According to the three Argento brothers – Charles, Tim, and Elio – who together with younger family members Liborio J., Rio M., Rio A., Rio C., Debora, Romeo, Amanda and Salvatore, form Groupe Ercole, a construction conglomerate made up of three companies (Concordia, Junon, and Sept Frères).

The same values that keep them dedicated to each other in family life are also responsible for their healthy business relationship. Listening to the trio describe the super glue which bonds them on both playing fields, it would seem that a mixture of selflessness, trust and respect – with perhaps just a drizzle of sentimentality – is at play.

Interviewed for this story, the brothers are careful not to interrupt each other, agreeing on everything – or most things. They talk about their beginnings and how far they’ve come.

The brothers were born in Agrigento, Sicily. They sailed to Canada in 1966 on the legendary SS Raffaello ocean liner with their parents, Carmela Vironi and Liborio Argento, and five siblings (four others were already in Canada).

The brothers depict a sepia-tinted picture of immigration, fraught with hardships that began as early on as the cross-Atlantic voyage itself. On board the ship, Charles (14), Tim (10), and Elio (only 4-months and feverish from a freshly administered vaccine) stuck close to their mother, who was still breastfeeding some of her other children.

When they finally set foot on terra firma, it was challenging to find an apartment. No one wanted to rent a space to such a large family. That is, until a compassionate landlord took a chance on them, giving the Argentos their first family home in south-east Montreal – a 5 1/2, with bunk beds and a basement, so “there was plenty of room for everyone,” as Charles puts it. Fortunately, their father found work on the railways a couple of days after disembarking, managing to provide for his brood. Partly because of their parents’ urgings, their resolve to contribute to household savings – and yes, necessity – the young brothers developed the backbone required for hard work early on. “We started working very young,” says Charles. Tim acquired his cement working papers at the age of 16 – the youngest worker to do so at that time in Quebec. Charles, already in cement work at 16, put in 8,000 hours of night school to get his plumbing trade license by the time he was 20-years-old. “I remember when we had time off from school,” Charles says. “We’d go lend a hand to our brothers on the job.” Elio laughingly interjects: “And even when we didn’t have time off.”

Elio continues, somewhat misty-eyed, that their mother taught them to strive for the collective good of the family and not merely singular recognition.

“She’d say, ‘If you don’t want to do it for yourself, think again and do it for your brothers and sisters.’ The belief was if the family is OK, everything is fine.” Tim 24

PANORAMITALIA.COM

adds: “Our parents never came on board our companies, but they were our best counsellors, and remain so in spirit.”

As the name of one of their companies suggests, there were seven brothers who first started the modest business that has snowballed into a large, reputable construction company. It was Gerlando, now retired, who got the ball rolling in 1967, at the age of twenty, joined by three other brothers – Michele and Alfonso, both retired, and Giuseppe, who passed away in 2013. “In 1973, the company became a powerhouse,” says Tim. “There were seven of us on a site. People loved to see a whole family working together; it facilitated getting some jobs.” Soon thereafter, the company moved into commercial, institutional and industrial concrete flooring, and epoxy seamless flooring work. “We poured millions of square feet of cement in Quebec and eastern Ontario, and participated in many projects, including James Bay hydro dams, shopping centres, high-rises, and did work in Resolute Bay in the North West Territory very close to the North Pole.

We later diversified, providing concrete repair and restoration – viaducts, major highways, bridges and tunnels,” he explains. Today the group offers a wide selection of services, including planning and coordination, concrete demolition, steel work, waterproofing, and sophisticated maintenance programs.

Company quarters is bursting with Argento family members. Keeping track of who’s who and parental links practically requires a genealogy chart. A large framed photograph of the partners would look just as fitting hanging in a den as it does in the office hallway. In the employee kitchen, some younger team members have gathered, assembling salami and cheese panini, further blurring the lines between home and office. Despite the hominess, both generations of Argentos are fully dedicated to the business and keep a watchful eye on the bottom line. “Our children are well prepared and have a strong will to come on board,” Charles says. “The same values that were instilled in us have somehow transferred to them.”

“Every one has to do their part. ‘United we stand’ to be stronger,” Tim says, his two brothers nodding without hesitation. But hierarchical deference is still important and, as in any well-oiled corporation, respecting predefined roles is a must. “We always go through the proper channels and step back to let the most appropriate person, based on the mandate, take leadership,” asserts Elio.

Ask most colleagues working in close company if they’d opt to spend their leisure time together, and the answer would probably be a resounding NO; but not so for the Argentos. Seemingly, they can’t get enough of each other, even choosing to unwind in each other’s company. When asked what is their most cherished project, they point to the family retreat they’ve built – a special place for the clan to assemble and enjoy quality time.

The notion of unity is so meaningful to the Argento kins, that they’ve even created a family crest and have had lapel pins made of the same design: an eagle – its plume extending into two interlocked hands symbolizing togetherness. They all sport the pins and hand them out as welcome gifts to visitors and clients. It’s a thoughtful gesture, but that’s the kind of people the Argentos are.

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:55 AM Page 25

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:55 AM Page 26

MONTREAL BUILDERS

“

“

Their education has equipped them with big-picture reflexes and the confidence to take calculated risks.

Building Lifestyle Sam Scalia

W

hen assigning addresses to their condominium buildings, Devmont president Sam Scalia, and his brother Joseph Scalia, VP, turn to Feng Shui, choosing addresses which add up to eight or nine, in order to reassure clients seeking thoroughly harmonious dwellings that the odds are stacked in their favour. But according to Sam, Devmont’s own success hasn’t depended on any sleight of numerology nor lucky charm, but rather plain, unadulterated “hard work”.

We’ve all heard it before, work hard and you will reap success. But what exactly does working hard imply in the building-development industry? Does it mean putting in long hours? “To some extent,” says Sam, whose work weeks average 50-plus hours and who experiences habitual slumber interruptions at 3 a.m. “to think about work.” Does it mean pushing creative limits? “That too,” he adds. “We always challenge ourselves to put out the best product for the customer.” And what about firsthand involvement? Check mark, again. “We’re macro-micro managers, involved in every aspect, including sales on the weekends,” he continues. “There are no shortcuts. We didn’t acquire this kind of success overnight.”

Sam and Joseph were exposed to the business as youngsters, when their father Francesco, and their uncle Giovanni, started a construction company in Montreal, like many other Italian immigrants in the ’60s. Despite his own success, their father steered them toward more professional careers instead. The brothers heeded the elder’s advice, obtaining university degrees and working in their chosen fields for a few years – Sam is a mechanical engineer and Joe studied commerce and finance. Ironically, it turned out to be their father who spurred them in the early ’90s to build some condos, noting that the housing market was inching toward that format. The two brothers gave it a whirl, building a basic-needs condominium building in Villeray. Today, Devmont is a multi-million dollar business, with 20 direct employees, turning out upscale lifestyle-oriented projects.

Sam is spokesperson for the company and for his brother Joseph – an equal partner, who prefers a low public profile, but takes centre stage on the job.

“Joseph projects strong on-site leadership. He shows thorough product knowledge, impeccable execution, and makes sure delivery schedules never slide.”

The brotherly duo started lean in the same style as their father but, unlike him, they have had the advantage of higher education that their father never had the chance to acquire. Their education has equipped them with big-picture reflexes and the confidence to take calculated risks. It’s also led them to structure their company to include expert departments managing the many facets of the business. “By delegating specific responsibilities to professionals with matching competencies, we were able to bring things to the next level and expand the business,” Sam explains. It’s a more progressive and corporate way of managing, in stark contrast to their father’s approach. “He and my uncle didn’t delegate anything, believing that the only way to do something right was to do it yourself.”

26

PANORAMITALIA.COM

However they choose to label themselves, the two brothers are totally focused on the business and seemingly gifted with nerves of steel that help them deflect the pressures of the industry. “I don’t show my reactions,” Sam says convincingly – that is, until he slips into an expressive cheshire cat grin. A latent endurance swimmer (he only learned how to swim several years ago), he attributes his tolerance for stress to physical conditioning as well as natural disposition. Appearing at least ten years younger than his actual age, the trim, fashionably bearded executive not only looks young, but thinks young, embracing social media as the mighty marketing force that it is. “If you haven’t seen us on Facebook, then you’re not on Facebook,” he teases.

Devmont’s brand definer is the deluxe Le Rouge six-phase condominium project. Knowing that the physical pinnings of a home can shape the feelings and perceptions of its occupants, Devmont hasn’t skimped on high-end finishings, accessible amenities and spaciousness meant to evoke not only initial oohs and ahs, but a lasting sense of delightful comfort. “We sell a dream on paper and want to make sure that when customers live there everyday, it will surpass anything they could’ve imagined when they bought the unit.”

The developers’ on-point practicality and quest for style lead them to fabricate spaces that are at once efficient and stylish. “Everything has to look and feel good, including the lobbies.” In fact, Sam has commissioned one of his favourite artists, Montreal-born Carmelo Blandino, whose artwork hangs in his own home, to create original paintings for Le Rouge’s common areas. “Every lobby and corridor is unique; the feel is like a boutique hotel.”

The Scalias realize that many home dwellers shudder at the prospect of downsizing, fearing confining sardine can dimensions, so they’re offering empty-nesters and first-time buyers – accustomed to larger living spaces – the hassle-free convenience of condo living, while maintaining respectable square footage. “Our project is the only one in Montreal where condos reach 2,800 square feet,” he says.

It’s a niche market: one Devmont caters to and, to some extent, may have actually created. “We pioneered this area – Le Triangle (north of Jean Talon, south of De la Savane, and west of Décarie) – tapping into the need for higher quality units that customers from upscale surrounding areas – Côte St-Luc, Hampstead, Town of Mount Royal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Westmount and Outremont – have expressed they were looking for.”

The executives stewarding Devmont know that meaningful marketing and resonating branding depend on an alchemy of product plus experience.

Customer service is amped up to a rarely seen degree, not only after sales, but before, going as far as providing a complimentary stretch limo (red of course) to chauffeur prospective customers to the Le Rouge sales office.

Evidently the novel perks and unexpected flourishes appeal to discriminating customers. “We’ve had so many repeat buyers and their friends. In any business, if you deliver a quality product and keep the customers very happy, they will always come back.”

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:55 AM Page 27

PANORAMITALIA.COM

27

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:55 AM Page 28

not about being the cheapest “ It’s act in town, it’s about surpassing expectations.

“

MONTREAL BUILDERS

Meant to Succeed

Dario Montoni

To

ask if Dario Montoni, President of Montoni – a premier Montrealbased development-construction company – is the proven ambitious businessperson that he is because of parental role modelling, or rather the same predisposition responsible for his parents’ own business success, is like hoping to find a definitive answer to the oft pondered nature-versus-nurture question. So let’s just say that – in his case – it’s likely a mix of both.

“My upbringing as well as passion brought me to where I am. My father and mother were both entrepreneurs,” the 46-year-old civil engineer says of his Italian-born parents. Pasqualina Iaboni and Quirino Montoni emigrated from the Lazio region to Montreal – his mother as a six-year-old; his father at 17. By the age of 27, his father had already established what turned out to be a highly profitable machine shop in Montreal, supplying parts to G.E. and Bombardier.

And if that weren’t enough business activity for one family, his parents opened a dry cleaning store when Dario was 12, which his mother oversaw. Four years, and plenty of management know-how later, his parents owned a chain of sixteen dry cleaners.

As a nine-year-old, the precocious Montoni would spend his idle time making copper cable connectors at his father’s shop, entertaining big plans for the future: “I knew I’d be my own boss one day,” he says, recalling the conviction of his juvenile aspirations.

Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy: At the unlikely age of 17, he made his first bold business move, asking his parents to let him take over a dry cleaning store whose franchisee was facing bankruptcy. “My parents thought I was crazy,” he laughs. After much persuasion, his father relented and lent him $50,000 to buy the business under the condition that he maintain his school grades.

It didn’t take long for the young Montoni to put his entrepreneurial skill in evidence; in three years, he revitalized the anemic business, increasing its weekly revenue tenfold. He ended up selling it for more than double what he had paid and went on to buy and sell two other shops, keeping the last one for nearly 20 years.

So where did a teenager, who should have been more preoccupied with skateboards and rock bands than dry cleaning solvents and cash registers, find the focus and self-discipline to rescue a sinking business, managing to keep it not only afloat, but sailing for years? And just as importantly, how does he now keep a multi-million dollar business surfing the vast sea of competitors? “It takes hard work,” Montoni says, with a degree of bluntness that would quash any lesser mortal’s hope of an easy ticket to success. “Hard work,” he repeats, shrugging his shoulders and grinning slightly. Pressed to explain the specifics of it – for the sake of the rest of us – he continues: “It’s always making it about customer experience. Always try to differentiate yourself, by doing a little more.” A little more and then some, it would seem.

Borrowing from the service industry from which he has emerged, he still aims to give customers “110 percent.” He explains how when he came into the industry in 1995, at the age of 25, fresh out of university, he was disillusioned to witness developers giving 80 percent, leaving the remaining 20 28

PANORAMITALIA.COM

percent in the clients’ hands. “I quickly saw that there was a need for full turnkey services,” he emphasizes. “So I structured Montoni to include all the required specialized departments under one roof in order to supply the client with every possible service a construction project implies. We hand over plans detailing everything. I even stock executives’ desks with pencils.”

He credits his wife, Franca Riso, VP of Montoni’s legal department, soon to be Senior VP, for nudging him to start the company and taking it to its 20th anniversary this year. “It’s hugely because of Franca,” he says, beaming with genuine admiration. His gratitude goes beyond immediate family, extending to the larger family – Montoni's staff. “Both Franca and I are very sensitive to the needs of our 120 employees. We believe in empowerment and encourage them to develop the values that they’ll benefit from in their professional and personal lives.”

Given Montoni’s inviting manner and open expression, it’s surprising to hear him confide that he’s always been shy. He laughs easily in infectiously joyful bursts and exercises a disarming sense of humour. When addressed as “Mr. Montoni,” he asks to be called by his first name. “My father is ‘Mister Montoni,’” he teases. Sitting in a leather conference chair, he appears self-assured and ready to pounce on the next challenge.

But not before finishing up a blockbuster of a project first: the new Ericsson corporate campus set in Ville St-Laurent – a whopping 275,000-square-foot development, meeting sustainability criteria, and featuring integrated facilities, green spots, a lake and jogging lanes.

It’s a developer’s trophy project: one that Montoni is justifiably proud of, particularly considering the degree of research that went into its conception and the sharp strategy his team employed throughout the tender process. When in the final leg of the bidding race, neck and neck with another contender, the determined executive assembled a team of 10 employees and went to Ericsson headquarters in Sweden for 10 days. There they studied the very Swedish elements of the Ericsson premises and got a firsthand sense of the intangible qualities that permeate its corporate culture. They brought their observations home to the drawing board, integrating both what they saw and experienced into their proposed design.

The Swedish sojourn paid off, winning Montoni the contract. It may have cost $50,000, but it was a small investment toward sealing the deal. “You can imagine how impressed the customer was to see the effort that we put into that proposal. They knew that if we did that before securing them as customers that they’d be in the best of hands. It’s not about being the cheapest act in town, it’s about surpassing expectations,” he continues. “The construction team did a phenomenal job in handling all aspects of the complex project efficiently and being able to deliver the keys to the customer not just on time, but before its originally set delivery date.”

Are the youngest Montonis yet showing inklings of business sense? Well, Matthew, 14, has already dipped his toes into Montoni headquarter waters; Megan, 12, has announced that she will become a lawyer like her mom; and five-year-old Adam wants to be a builder. It seems that the enterprising tadpoles have indeed inherited the Montoni business gene, or perhaps their ambitions are simply the result of what they’re used to seeing their parents do...and do so well.

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:55 AM Page 29

PANORAMITALIA.COM

29

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:55 AM Page 30

MONTREAL BUILDERS

“

“

If it’s not good for me, it’s not good for the client. I have to feel like I could live there.

Delivering Substance and Style

John M. Faratro

D

ue in large part to the good ol’ World Wide Web and its ability to disseminate the latest craze with lightning speed, new things tend to get stale fast.

Real fast. And that goes not just for smart phones and jean washes, but housing trends too.

So when John M. Faratro, 56, president of Struktur, says he wants his buildings to age gracefully and look just as appealing twenty years from now as they do today, that may be hoping for a lot. But the Montreal-based builder, specializing in smaller, boutique-style condominium buildings, is confident that deliberately restrained styling, avoidance of here-today-gone-tomorrow fads, and studied selection of higher-end, genuine material can extend the desirability of his buildings well past their debut. “They’ve got to stand the test of time,” he says.

It doesn’t take long to notice that the natty Faratro relishes perfection and strives to make a positive lasting impression. It’s apparent from his day’s attire: crisp, clean, and assembled with the kind of deft nonchalance that requires deceptively careful attention to detail. Not surprisingly, this preoccupation with flair and exactness transfers to his craft. “I’m picky,” he admits. “If it’s not good for me, it’s not good for the client. I have to feel like I could live there. The unit must be spotless when the client comes in. And when I hand it over, I make sure that everything is in place,” he says. Aware of the impact of the “little details,” he spoils his customers with tokens of gratitude, like a bottle of Prosecco and personalized note awaiting them when they enter their home for the first time.

There’s a certain formality about Faratro, most likely stemming from his protocol-driven days working in the Ottawa political camp as a federal minister’s assistant, but he’s friendly too.

“I’m a people person and this job gives me the opportunity to meet all kinds of people,” he says. “I’m always accessible. In fact, many of my customers have become personal friends.” Faratro’s admission speaks volumes about the integrity of his product. Let’s face it, who would opt to be friends with a builder who disappointed them? Obviously his customers are satisfied and grateful.

“That’s what I love about this business: when a customer tells me how happy he or she is in their home,” he says. Pause for a moment on the word HOME. It’s not as though Faratro’s talking about being comfortable in a pair of shoes (though any wearer of five-inch heels may care more). He’s referring to a home – the roof over your head – probably the biggest investment one will make at one time in their life. Now, that’s meaningful!

Struktur’s first construction project is literally linked to the ItalianCanadian community, as it’s set in Little Italy. In 2008, Faratro, fresh on the 30

PANORAMITALIA.COM

heels of a commercial real-estate brokerage career, bought a parking lot behind a popular St. Laurent Blvd restaurant owned by a friend, building on it a condominium project. Its sixteen units, targeted to experienced buyers or firsttimers with somewhat bigger budgets, sold as soon as they hit the market. The first-time builder, encouraged by this preliminary success, went on to build more residential projects in Little Italy, as well as Ahuntsic, Mile Ex, HochelagaMaisonneuve, Rosemont, and Ville-Émard.

Out of all the feathers in his cap, his most-prized project thus far – for purely sentimental reasons – is an eight-unit condo building in the same neighbourhood where his parents, Luigia Zelano and Pierino Faratro, set up house when they emigrated from southern Italy in 1958. “I started the building on Waverly St., and later it occurred to me that it was only a few doors down from my first family home.” He describes how it was a startling and nostalgia-charged realization: “I felt like I had gone full circle, back to where I was born.”

Talking about the same project, he says that the penthouse unit was bought by an architect smitten by its sensible layout and choice finishings. He mentions this not because it is so newsworthy, but rather since it’s always validating for builders when an architect chooses to live in one of their dwellings. “Yes, quality is our number one priority,” Faratro says. “I know everyone says that, but, in our case, the proof is in the pudding.” But creating the product is only half the battle; selling that product is just as challenging. “The way we differentiate ourselves is through our style and also our approach – how we deal with buyers from start to end.” Builders can be anonymous, remaining behind the scenes, but as Faratro says, he has “nothing to hide” and is front and centre at the sales offices welcoming customers whether they are browsing or fully committed. He prides himself on the authenticity of his brand and his company’s transparency, saying that he appreciates modern buyers doing their “homework”, and invites them to check Struktur’s reputation and business practices, even going as far as providing testimonials from previous buyers. “Clients come in and are understandably nervous, but as they work with us they come to trust us blindly.”

Indeed, buying from a plan – sight unseen – can be intimidating. “We want to give our clients the best ride through the process, with no turbulence along the way,” he says, ending on a catchy note.

What’s next for Struktur? Faratro says he’s embarking on a new condominium development on the “last residential lot” in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal.

The project, yet unnamed, may be built on the last lot, but given Struktur’s continuing popularity, it definitely won’t be its last endeavour.

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:55 AM Page 31

FALL in love with Standa's new collection!

3253 Rue Fleury Est, Montreal, H1H 2R4

www.standa.ca Follow us on

• Houseware • Giftware • Linens

PANORAMITALIA.COM

31

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:55 AM Page 32

WINE

Da cima a fondo Uno scorcio sul mondo del viticoltore Don Ziraldo Karolyn Coorsh on Ziraldo ha organizzato la sua vita al contrario, e gli va bene così.

Dopo decenni trascorsi in giro per il mondo a promuovere il vino della regione di Niagara in qualità di cofondatore della Inniskillin, il viticoltore sessantenne si gode adesso i frutti del proprio lavoro. Tra questi: trascorrere del tempo con la moglie Victoria – documentarista e direttore marketing della Ziraldo Wines e del marchio Senhora do Convento – e vedere il figlioletto Aspen crescere di giorno in giorno. “Alla gente dico semplicemente di aver vissuto la vita alla rove-scia, per cui adesso ho un sacco di tempo a disposizione da trascorrere con la mia famiglia” afferma Ziraldo. “Ammiro le persone che riescono contemporaneamente a tirar su famiglia e a gestire gli affari. Adesso ho un figlio di tre anni e mezzo e trascorro tutto il mio tempo con lui e Victoria, cosa che non sarei stato in grado di fare quando viaggiavo in giro per il mondo a promuovere l’icewine canadese.” Ma Ziraldo non è un fannullone. Lungi da lui esserlo.

D

32

PANORAMITALIA.COM

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 33-48_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:57 AM Page 33

WINE Nato a St. Catharines, Ontario, da immigrati italiani, Ziraldo è stato allevato nella fattoria di famiglia, dove ha anche lavorato, e successivamente ha studiato Agraria all’Università di Guelph. Insignito dell’Ordine del Canada e vincitore di innumerevoli premi internazionali e riconoscimenti del settore, è oggi considerato un pioniere dell’industria enologica canadese.

Sin da giovanissimo è stata instillata in Ziraldo, innanzitutto dai suoi genitori e poi dalle circostanze, un’etica del lavoro rigorosa. “Mio padre è morto quando avevo 15 anni, quindi, essendo il figlio maggiore, ho dovuto sostituirlo mettendomi a capo di una famiglia italiana,” afferma Ziraldo. “Ho completato gli studi universitari – mia madre ha insistito affinché lo facessi. Lei gestiva la tenuta e io tornavo a casa nei fine settimana.”

Sebbene nato in Canada, Ziraldo è fortemente influenzato dalle proprie radici italiane. “La mia prima lingua è stata il friulano” afferma, facendo riferimento al Friuli, regione di origine dei suoi genitori. Il legame di Ziraldo con l’Italia è tale che, ogni anno, lui, sua moglie e il figlio visitano per un mese il paese, e ad Aspen il piccolo di casa frequenta una scuola Montessori.

“Sostengo sempre che il mio retaggio culturale è italiano e la mia identità canadese pionieristica.”

Quel pionierismo ha avuto inizio nei primi degli anni ’70, quando Ziraldo gestiva le Fattorie e il Vivaio Ziraldo. Un giorno, Karl Kaiser, viticoltore austriaco di nascita, gli si è rivolto per ricorrere ai servizi da lui offerti. “Kaiser è venuto da me per comprare delle piante; abbiamo chiacchierato e da cosa è nata cosa,” afferma Ziraldo.

Con Kaiser alla produzione del vino e Ziraldo alla vendita, la coppia ha fondato la Inniskillin Wines Inc., ricevendo la prima licenza per un’azienda vinicola nella regione dai tempi del Proibizionismo. “A quei tempi è stato significativo e noi eravamo abbastanza giovani e naif da credere di potercela fare,” sostiene Ziraldo. La vendemmia nel suo primo vitigno di Riesling, Chardonnay e Gamay è avvenuta nel 1977, generando “il cuore di ciò che sarebbe stata la filosofia della Inniskillin di produrre vini pregiati da uve pregiate coltivate nella penisola di Niagara,” come si legge sul sito web della compagnia vinicola.

Nel 1984, Kaiser ha vinificato il primo icewine ottenuto da uva Vidal fatta congelare naturalmente nel vitigno. Dopo un breve lasso di tempo in California per metter su un’azienda vinicola, Ziraldo è ritornato a nord del confine alla fine degli anni ’80, in tempo per favorire l’approdo dei vini canadesi sulla scena internazionale. Nel 1991, in occasione del Vinexpo, l’icewine Vidal di Kaiser ha ricevuto il premio più prestigioso nel mondo dei vini – il Gran prix d’honneur.

Nel 2009, l’icewine Inniskillin ha vinto un altro importante premio – il Premio speciale Gran Vinitaly a Verona.

All’improvviso, i vini della regione di Niagara sono stati notati nel mondo.

Ziraldo sostiene che la comunità internazionale è rimasta affascinata dall’icewine e che risultava abbastanza naturale associarlo al clima del Canada.

“Quando associ le parole ‘freddo’ e ‘icewine’, mentalmente, ha senso,” dice Ziraldo. “Vendere non è stato poi così difficile,” aggiunge, “ma bisognava, come in tutto, dedicarci del tempo ed educare il mercato.”

Nel farlo, Ziraldo si è distinto per il suo impegno nel far sì che il Canada venisse riconosciuto quale esportatore di vini credibile e la penisola di Niagara una regione vinicola, sì fredda ma innovativa.

Nel 1988, ha cominciato una fase durata sette anni nelle vesti di presidente fondatore della Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA). Nel 1999, la Inniskillin Hall ha aperto l’Istituto di Viticoltura ed Enologia nei Climi Freddi all’Università di Brock, un programma del quale Ziraldo è stato copresidente. È stato inoltre cruciale per la fondazione dell’Istituto culinario di Niagara ed ha fatto da Presidente in una massiccia raccolta fondi. “Li abbiamo creati perché per noi è importante avere, tra i nostri, gente la cui formazione ha luogo nella nostra stessa regione,” spiega. Ziraldo ha lasciato la Inniskillin nel 2006, ma il pensionamento era improbabile. Ha avviato la Ziraldo Wines, piantando un vitigno nella proprietà originale della Inniskillin.

Nel 2004, Ziraldo è stato nominato cittadino onorario del Friuli. La regione è il luogo di nascita di un tipo di varietà d’uva a bacca bianca chiamata Picolit, per cui nella cittadina di Fagagna, da cui sono originari i suoi genitori, Ziraldo ha piantato un vitigno di Picolit e ha prodotto il Bianco di Fagagna, che è stato in seguito venduto da LCBO. “È stato un tributo ai miei genitori,” dice.

Oggi, Ziraldo rimane attivo all’interno della sua comunità ed è ancora coinvolto nella promozione della regione di Niagara. Assieme alla sua famiglia, inoltre, visita di frequente il Portogallo, dove gestisce il monastero e la cantina vinicola Senhora do Convento nella Valle del Douro.

Le previsioni di Ziraldo per il settore vinicolo canadese sono ottimiste.“Adesso nella nostra penisola si vede un bel po’ di gente molto interessante e con i soldi.”

Stima che nella regione di Niagara ci siano circa 150 cantine vinicole, “quindi c’è tanta sana competizione e una buona competizione genera qualità.” Alla fin fine, Ziraldo è felice di lavorare nel suo vigneto, con il figlio al suo fianco. “È bello. È il suolo, la terra – ti dà stabilità.”

Translation by Claudia Buscemi Prestigiacomo PANORAMITALIA.COM

33

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 33-48_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:57 AM Page 34

WINE

Entre les vignes Incursion dans le monde du vigneron Don Ziraldo

« Je dis toujours que mon bagage culturel

on Ziraldo a décidé de vivre sa vie à l’envers et il s’en accommode très bien. Après des décennies passées à voyager pour faire la promotion de la région du Niagara en tant que cofondateur du vignoble Inniskillin, le vigneron de 67 ans récolte finalement les fruits de son travail.

Cela comprend passer du temps avec sa femme, Victoria, une documentariste et directrice marketing chez Ziraldo Wines et Senhora do Convento, et voir grandir son fils, Aspen. « Je dis aux gens que j’ai vécu ma vie à l’envers, ce qui me donne aujourd’hui beaucoup de temps avec ma famille », explique Ziraldo. « J’admire les gens qui peuvent élever des enfants tout en gérant une entreprise.

J’ai maintenant un fils de trois ans et demi et je passe la plupart de mon temps avec lui et Victoria, ce qui m’aurait été pratiquement impossible lorsque je voyageais autour du monde pour promouvoir le vin de glace canadien. » Ziraldo est loin d’être un paresseux. Né à St. Catharines, en Ontario, de parents immigrants italiens, il a grandi et travaillé dans la ferme familiale avant de poursuivre des études en agriculture à l’Université de Guelph. Aujourd’hui, ce récipiendaire de l’Ordre du Canada, qui a remporté plusieurs prestigieux concours internationaux et obtenu la reconnaissance de ses pairs, est considéré comme un pionnier de la viticulture au Canada. Sa grande éthique du travail lui vient avant tout de ses parents. « Mon père est mort quand j’avais 15 ans, et

«

Par Karolyn Coorsh

D

comme j’étais l’aîné, j’ai dû prendre sa place à la tête de la famille », nous révèle Ziraldo. « J’ai terminé l’université – ma mère insistait pour que je termine mes études. Elle gérait la ferme, et je revenais les fins de semaine. » Bien qu’il ait été élevé au Canada, Ziraldo est très influencé par ses racines italiennes. « Ma première langue a été le friulano [frioulan] », affirme-t-il, en précisant que ses parents étaient originaires du Frioul, dans le nord-est de l’Italie. Les liens de Ziraldo avec l’Italie sont si forts qu’il visite le pays un mois par année avec sa famille et son fils fréquente l’école Montessori. « Je dis toujours que mon bagage culturel est italien et que mon identité canadienne est plus aventurière. » Ce côté défricheur s’est manifesté chez lui au début des années 1970, quand Ziraldo a lancé Ziraldo Farms and Nursery. Un jour, Karl Kaiser, un vigneron autrichien, l’a contacté pour avoir son aide. « Kaiser est venu m’acheter des plants, et c’est alors qu’on s’est mis à parler et que ça a finalement cliqué », raconte Ziraldo.

Avec Kaiser derrière les chais et Ziraldo attelé aux ventes, la paire a fondé le vignoble Inniskillin en obtenant le tout premier permis d’exploitation dans la région depuis l’ère de la prohibition. « À l’époque c’était très important, et nous étions assez jeunes et naïfs pour croire que nous serions capables d’y parvenir », se remémore Ziraldo.

Ses premiers raisins de riesling, de chardonnay et de gamay furent vendangés en 1977, créant de fait « l’élément central de la philosophie d’Inniskillin, axée sur des vins produits à partir de fruits de qualité optimale cultivés dans la péninsule du Niagara », tel que l’explique un passage du site Web de l’entreprise.

En 1984, Kaiser a vinifié la première cuvée de vin de glace faite à partir de raisins vidal naturellement congelés sur les vignes. Après une brève parenthèse en Californie pour lancer un nouveau vignoble, Ziraldo était de retour au nord de la frontière à la fin des années 1980, juste à temps pour propulser les vins canadiens sur l’avant-scène internationale. En 1991, le vin de glace de vidal de Kaiser s’est vu décerner le prestigieux Grand Prix d’Honneur à Vinexpo. Et en 2009, Inniskillin a remporté une distinction tout aussi importante en obtenant le Premio Speciale Gran Vinitaly à Vérone. « Ç’a été un moment vraiment mémorable ! », se souvient Ziraldo.

Tout d’un coup, le monde prenait conscience de l’existence des vins de Niagara. Ziraldo explique combien la communauté internationale était fascinée par le vin de glace et à quel point il était aisé de l’associer au climat canadien. « Quand tu dis “froid” et “vin de glace”, ç’a beaucoup de sens », explique Ziraldo.

Ce n’était pas si difficile à vendre, ajoute-t-il, « mais, comme pour toute chose, il fallait y mettre du temps et s’approprier des parts de marché ».

Ziraldo a rapidement été reconnu pour ses efforts visant à promouvoir le Canada comme un exportateur crédible en matière de vin, et par le fait même la péninsule du Niagara comme zone à surveiller en matière d’innovation. En 1988, Ziraldo crée le regroupement Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA), qu’il dirigera pendant sept ans. En 1999, le Inniskillin Hall est inauguré dans l’Institut d’œnologie des climats froids de l’Université Brock, un programme que Ziraldo a aussi coprésidé. Il a de plus joué un rôle central dans la fondation du Niagara Culinary Institute et a même agi en tant que président de la campagne de financement. « Nous avons fondé ces instituts parce qu’il est primordial pour nous d’avoir des gens formés dans la région », explique-t-il.

Ziraldo a quitté Inniskillin en 2006, mais la retraite n’était pas à l’agenda. Il a alors démarré Ziraldo Wines en plantant un vignoble dans la propriété d’origine d’Inniskillin.

En 2004, Ziraldo a été nommé citoyen d’honneur du Frioul. Cette région cultive un cépage blanc nommé picolit que Ziraldo a planté à Fagagna, le village natal de ses parents, pour y produire du Bianco di Fagagna. Son vin a même été vendu à la LCBO (Régie des alcools de l’Ontario). « C’était un hommage à mes parents », affirme-t-il.

Aujourd’hui, Ziraldo demeure actif dans sa communauté et continue à promouvoir la région du Niagara. Sa famille et lui fréquentent aussi le Portugal, où il gère le monastère et le vignoble Senhora do Convento dans la vallée du Douro.

Ziraldo est optimiste quant à l’avenir des vignobles canadiens. « De plus en plus de gens intéressants convergent ici grâce aux nombreux investissements dans la région. » Il estime qu’environ 150 vignobles sont aujourd’hui exploités dans la zone du Niagara. « Ça crée une saine compétition, qui génère une meilleure qualité dans l’ensemble. » Mais l’important pour lui demeure de pouvoir continuer à travailler dans son vignoble avec son fils à ses côtés. « C’est super. Le sol, la terre : c’est très confortant. »

est italien et que mon identité canadienne est plus aventurière.

34

PANORAMITALIA.COM

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 33-48_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:57 AM Page 35

W W W. L E S T M A RT I N . C O M

1 4 0 0 M A U R I C E G A U V I N , L AVA L Q C , H 7 S 2 P 1

TEL. 450.902.3000 PANORAMITALIA.COM

35

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 33-48_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:57 AM Page 36

LIVING ITALIAN STYLE

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

Matteo Agostinelli Occupation: Co-owner of il Vigneto Imports & La Cantina Publishing, Author of From Nonna, With Love Age: 23 Generation: Second Dad from: San Bartolomeo in Galdo (Benevento), Campania Mom from: Bonefro/Montorio nei Frentani (Campobasso), Molise Raised in: St. Leonard Speaks: English, Italian, French & Spanish Who do you speak Italian to?

Everybody. Italian or not, all shall learn!

Passion: Everything and anything Italian: food, wine, fashion, football… you name it, I love it.

Goal in life: Sharing the incredible Italian lifestyle with the world through my work with food all while having a great time.

Your best dish: I hate picking favourites, but my seafood lasagna is a big deal.

Your favourite ItalianCanadian expression: “Tutto fumo niente arrosto”!

Main difference between first generation and second/third: Our generation takes so much 36

PANORAMITALIA.COM

for granted; Italian immigrants never did.

Who is your role model? My paternal grandfather, Matteo Agostinelli. The passion for life he instilled in me through example is something that I will carry with me forever.

What does Panoram Italia represent to you? An Italian media presence that provides visibility for our community and its leaders while championing the preservation of our culture.

Best memory growing up Italian-Canadian: Secretly dipping my bread into the sauce before every Sunday lunch at Nonna’s house.

Sorry guys!

Photography by Daniele Tomelleri

Karissa Masecchia Nickname: K Occupation: Full-time student at Concordia University.

I also work at Aquabrass. Age: 21 Generation: Second Dad from: San Vittore Del Lazio, Frosinone, Lazio Mom from: Montreal Raised in: Dorval Speaks: English, French and a bit of Italian.

Who do you speak Italian to?

Family and friends Passion: I have a great passion for art. I love fashion and I most definitely consider myself a “foodie”. Travelling is something I appreciate and can’t wait to do more of.

Goal in life: My absolute goal in life is to be the happiest I could be. One of the most important aspects in my life is to be the best person I could possibly be and to always treat people with a great amount of respect. I’m all about kindness.

Your best dish: My… I could have breakfast at any time of the day. I make a great frittata.

I love cooking breakfast.

Main difference between first generation and second/third: The first generation used their feet to get around, the second

generation used their bikes, and the third uses their cellphones.

Who is your role model?

Without a doubt, my parents are my biggest role models. They’ve shown me what it means to work hard and what hard work looks like.

Most important family value: Sunday is family day. No matter what the day has planned for us, we do it all together. It’s our day.

What does Panoram Italia represent to you? I think Panoram is such a great way to connect with the Italian community and to find out more about the accomplishments some people have made. It’s beautiful.

Best memory growing up Italian-Canadian: When I was little, Sunday lunches with the entire family.

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 33-48_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:57 AM Page 37

Makeup by Jennifer Low

LIVING ITALIAN STYLE

Location: Little Italy, Montreal

Roberto Michele Pietrollino Nickname: Chef Occupation: Chef at Plaza Antique Age: 28 Generation: Third Dad from: Ripabottoni, Campobasso, Molise Mom from: Larino, Campobasso, Molise Raised in: Montreal Speaks: English, Italian and French Who do you speak Italian to? Family and friends Passion: Art – my love for the creative side in us all extends to my cuisine. It allows me to express myself and share my culture and experiences in the food I serve.

Goal in life: To be successful in my field and to mentor the younger generation.

What’s your typical lunch?

Lunch is a meal often skipped because I am usually serving it. However, when I can, I do enjoy bread with olive oil, fresh tomatoes, and a hint of oregano.

Your best dish: My breaded and pan seared black cod with cherry tomatoes and string beans on a bed of risotto.

Your favourite ItalianCanadian expression: Eeehhhh!

Main difference between first generation and second/third: Tradition Who is your role model? I have several who have guided and inspired me throughout the years and to whom I am truly grateful.

Do you identify as ItalianCanadian or CanadianItalian? Italian-Canadian What does Panoram Italia represent to you? Keeping the Italian community connected and informed.

Best memory growing up Italian-Canadian: Playing in my grandparents’ precious giardino and not getting caught.

Alessia Chloé Parasuco Occupation: Production assistant at Parasuco and part-time Snapchat sensation Age: 25 Generation: Second Dad from: Messina, Sicily Mom from: Reggio Calabria and Campobasso Raised in: Westmount Speaks: English, Sarcasm, French, Italian-ish Who do you speak Italian to?

When I still had my paternal grandparents, there were only two ways to communicate with them: in Italian or through improvisational hand gestures.

Passion: Dance, talking a lot, mindfulness Goal in life: To travel the world because it’s the greatest form of education.

Your best dish: My whitechocolate covered Nutella chocolate truffles, because I find baking to be a stressreliever.

Main difference between first generation and second/third: The first generation came to this cold country with a great dream, the second generation helped build that dream while living within their means and

the third lives the dream.

Who is your role model?

My parents and my inspiring friends that I call family.

Most important family value: Love. Truth. Honesty.

What does Panoram Italia represent to you? To me, it acts as a lifestyle Bible for Italians in Canada by uniting our community, keeping the culture current, giving its readers something familiar and nostalgic to relate to.

Best memory growing up Italian-Canadian: All 16 cousins, aunts and uncles sitting elbow-to-elbow at the table, inhaling my nonna’s homemade cannelloni and my nonno’s homemade cheese from the cantina in the basement at “la campagna”.

PANORAMITALIA.COM

37

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 33-48_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:57 AM Page 38

FASHION

1.

4.

3.

2.

A high impact material for the fall

By Alessia Sara Domanico eather is back in a big way this season and we’re not just talking about the classic boot and bomber. Designers are proposing slinky slips and innovative inserts to keep things interesting. When it comes to leather craftsmanship, Italy has a leg up on the rest. Foreign brands such as Burberry know it, which is why their leather goods from shoes to bags and belts are most often produced there.

Florence is regarded as the epicenter of leather artisans with a long and storied history of creating items of excellence for brands such as Gucci, Patrizia Pepe and Salvatore Ferragamo.

L 5.

6.

38

PANORAMITALIA.COM

7.

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 33-48_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:57 AM Page 39

S

FASHION

.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 Métro Charlevoix

2. Louis Vuitton 3. Maje 4. Dior Homme

MILE-EX

1. Canali

Le 6900 Outremont 815, ave Beaumont

5. Gabs 6. GUCCI

22 unités en prévente

7. Dior

Près de l’ave du Parc et chemin Rockland Pavillon des ventes sur place

8. Moschino 9. Ralph Lauren

HOCHELAGA

9.

Métro Acadie

Le Cadillac 2393, rue Cadillac

Occupation été 2017 8 unités disponibles Pavillon des ventes sur place Métro Cadillac PLATEAU MONT-ROYAL

8.

LEGEND

Beyond the realm of fashion in Meda, close to Milan, are fine leather furniture purveyors Poltrona Frau, who luxury carmaker Ferrari chose to provide leathers for their optional interiors. If you ever get the chance to visit the Ferrari plant in Maranello, Italy, you’ll see dozens of craftsman performing impressive hand-stitching and sewing using Poltrona Frau’s leather for supercar interiors.

There’s just something about leather that makes you want it everywhere – in your car, in your home and especially as a part of your ensemble. The easiest way to incorporate leather this season is through accessories. Italian brand Gabs does eclectic handbags that can be worn three ways for a different look every time you go out or grab something a bit more funky and chunky like a Gucci or Cèline bag, or Berluti for the gents. Leather gloves are always a stylishly safe bet; we especially like the dramatic elbow-length propositions from Dior. For footwear, there are classic ankle boots à la Camper and Louis Vuitton or sneakers with a touch of leather as seen with Dior Homme.

When it comes to ready-to-wear leather, things can be tricky. The material is easier as a full jacket or duster, more dimensional when it pops up as a collar or pocket insert. Moschino took things a step further this season with a floorlength leather bomber ball gown combination. For the everyday, you can use it sparingly in your wardrobe either as a pair of tight leggings, a skirt, trousers or light button up shirt if you can pull it off – give it a try! Leather printed pieces are also great as they give a more exotic look as seen at Bally with a crocodile-stamped skirt. Whatever your preference, let leather in!

Le Resther 4895, rue Berri

Occupation 2017 12 unités disponibles Métro Laurier

John M. Faratro Président

PANORAMITALIA.COM

39

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 33-48_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:57 AM Page 40

ADVERTORIAL

Braccialini to be different, Dare dare to be you

By Sabrina Marandola

If

you want to learn more about a Braccialini was inspired to create her own line of handbags after her own handwoman: just look at her handbag. Is bag got stolen. That’s when she realized that, “A woman carries her entire life in her yours practical and functional? handbag.” It became her slogan and the driving force behind all Braccialini creations.

Perhaps it’s flashy and fashion-forward. Or When the company kicked off in the 1950s, it had four or five employwe all have that friend who is ready for anyees. Today, Braccialini’s facility boasts more than 200 employees, led by Carla thing: her handbag doubles as a pharmacy and is filled with everything but the kitchen sink. (Hint: if you don’t have a friend like that, then it’s probably you!) “Handbags are miniature versions of our homes and symbolic representations of our lives,” says Liliana Rossi.

Rossi and her husband Nick Bavaro are so excited by stylish, unique handbags that they sought out the very best – straight from Florence, Tuscany – and her three sons, Riccardo, Massimo and Lorenzo. Bavaro and Rossi went and bring them to North American women. to Florence to visit the Braccialini facility, and even got to meet Carla The couple founded Styvalo Imports Inc. about a year and a half ago, Braccialini herself. “She has a hand in everything,” says Bavaro. shortly after Bavaro retired from his 25-year career in the fashion industry He and Rossi were instantly sold on the brand’s commitment to being working for Tommy Hilfiger. Now, the pair is ecstatic to bring Florence’s reputed “Made in Italy.” “It’s all conceived and produced there, and they control the Braccialini brand to Canada and the United States this quality and the execution from A to Z. It’s rare that you holiday season. “Braccialini is the next best secret to see that this day in age.” “When the Holiday 2016 colleccome out of Tuscany. The region gave us fine wine, tion hits the North American market this November, exquisite art and now the beautiful handbag,” says Rossi, women will see handbags that give the quality and design director of marketing at Styvalo Imports, “It’s the historic of the upper echelon, but at a price that is competitive centre for quality leather goods respected around with other brands positioned in the same category,” the world.”

Bavaro says.

The quality leather is not the only thing that stands Braccialini products in Canada will be availout about Braccialini products. So do its designs. able at Hudson’s Bay online (www.thebay.com) and “Braccialini’s specialty is that it’s unique, it’s different, it’s at some specialty stores across the country. In the fresh – it’s a breath of fresh air.” says Bavaro, President and U.S., shoppers can go online to Lord & Taylor’s site.

CEO of Styvalo Imports. “Braccialini has the feel and (www.lordandtaylor.com). quality of what Florence leather goods should be.”

Rossi and Bavaro are excited to be able to offer North Nick Bavaro and Liliana Rossi It’s easy to see, and feel, why they stand out. The soft Americans a piece of Italy. “You feel honoured. You feel leathers and suedes have vibrant colour combinations, and feature detailed finishlike you are carrying a piece of the heritage your parents gave you,” says Rossi. “We es such as embossment, detailed stitching, beading or pop-up pieces of leather. have this passion [for Braccialini] because it comes from the land where our fam“Every woman is unique and beautiful in her own way. The Braccialini handbag is ily’s from.” designed with that in mind,” Rossi says.

2020, Rte Transcanadienne, All the pieces are created, designed and fabricated in Florence, as they have Dorval QC H9P 2N4 always been since the Braccialini brand was founded in 1954 by Carla Braccialini 514 685-5175 and her husband Roberto.

PANORAMITALIA.COM

“

40

“

A woman carries her entire life in her handbag.

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 33-48_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:57 AM Page 41

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 33-48_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:57 AM Page 42

DESIGN

Set in Stone CIOT materia cucina Smoke Stampa

Ceramics, marble and stone slabs can make a major statement in your home

By Alessia Sara Domanico

T

here are truly no limits to what interior design is capable of. With a little imagination the companies we caught up with for this latest design feature have flipped the conventional uses of ceramic, marble, stone and glass on their heads. What the three have in common is the sourcing of top-notch materials from numerous global markets. The parallels stop there and the magic starts as their new collections take shape with skilled artisans, some using traditional techniques, some employing new industry technologies and some both to realize wholly original additions to interiors.

We started our education at homegrown Montreal-based Ciot, which has showrooms in both Montreal and Toronto. It has been making a name for itself for over 60 years with an impressive selection of slabs, tiles and artistic mosaics for both residential and commercial design projects. Funky and fresh, we fell in love with the way their 3D wall and backsplash designs give an appealing and dynamic look to any room. This is thanks to the light and shadow effects marked by reliefs on the surface. You name it, they can do it, including made to measure mosaics in ceramic, glass, mudtile, stainless steel stone, or a mix of them. Another notable collection they showed us is Blocks 5.0. At first we thought it was hardwood, but it’s actually coloured body porcelain stoneware with modern coatings that achieve an antiqued effect that gives a slick retro vibe to a kitchen, loft space or a trendy new salon. For more information, check out www.ciot.com.

Next on our list was a company we’d heard a lot of buzz about in Italy called Ceramiche Supergres that produces floor and wall coverings for middle-to-high range residential buildings. Supergres is a part of Concorde Group, the second-largest ceramics group in Italy, also well known internationally. Their wares include porcelain stoneware floor tiles for outdoor and indoor use and white-body tiles for kitchens and bathrooms. They introduced us to a few of their new collections including: All Over, a porcelain stoneware available with matte, lux mirror-like or anti-slip grip finishes; Remake and Remake T_20, tiles and tile floorboards in porcelain stoneware that mimic the look of aged wood and can be placed inside as floors or used on walls as mosaics or outside laid dry on grass, gravel and sand; and Color Flow, a white body ceramic wall tile collection whose polished surfaces transform into soft waves or small colored three-dimensional patterns, dressing walls with flowing movements and bright color reflections.

We wound up our exploration in Fiorano Modenese at Ceramiche Coem, which produces tiles that keep up with the latest trends in interior 42

PANORAMITALIA.COM

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 33-48_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:57 AM Page 43

DESIGN

Supergres, All Over Grey Cucina

design, fashion and lifestyle. New for 2016 is their Pietra Sabbiosa collection that produces a sand-like effect achieved through technical stoneware that is reminiscent of the subtle veining on a stone with an extra-fine texture in neutral shades. For a classic Roman look they proposed their new Reverso 2 collection, which imitates the back of Travertine slabs with their partial imperfections and subtle, almost faded patterns. It is available in white, silver or black.

Coem Ceramiche, Reverso2 White Mosaico Wavy

Supergres Remake, Particolare Esagona Steel

Supergres, Color Flow Dark White Dec Diamond

6873, Plaza St-Hubert, Montréal, Québec 514.276.1360 • www.italmoda.ca PANORAMITALIA.COM

43

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 33-48_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:57 AM Page 44

BASILICATA

Par Paolo Patrito

Le réveil des pierres

Au

cœur de la Basilicate, une ville millénaire a su résister à des décennies d’abandon. Il s’agit de Matera, ville de pierre et ancienne civilisation rupestre, habitée de façon ininterrompue depuis plus de 8 000 ans. En 2019, Matera sera la capitale européenne de la culture conjointement avec Plovdiv, en Bulgarie.

Déclarée « honte nationale » au milieu du siècle dernier pour les conditions d’indigence et de sous-développement dont souffrait une grande partie de sa population, Matera est aujourd’hui en plein essor. En témoignent les rues Ridola et Del Corso, les artères du centre historique, situées à proximité du ravin au bord duquel repose la ville et où se succèdent églises rupestres et habitations restaurées ou transformées en hôtels-boutiques, bars et restaurants abondamment fréquentés les week-ends. Évidemment, il demeure encore plusieurs coins déserts, maisons condamnées et jardins silencieux dans le quartier des Sassi (habitations troglodytiques), surtout dans les zones plus périphériques du Sasso Caveoso. Mais la vie y reprend son cours à un rythme si rapide qu’il en laisse les Materanis euxmêmes essoufflés. « Vous voyez cette femme, là-bas, qui range son linge étendu au soleil? », me demande un des employés du palazzo Lanfranchi alors qu’il me montre la vue sur la ville au coucher du soleil depuis la terrasse du musée. « Pour moi, c’est une scène étonnante, car si l’on recule de quelques années à peine, personne ne voulait vivre ici. » En effet, les Sassi, ces anciennes maisons creusées dans la roche, qui pendant des siècles constituaient une pratique urbanistique sophistiquée, sont devenus en l’espace de quelques décennies, à cheval sur la Seconde Guerre mondiale, le symbole du sous-développement que vivait alors l’Italie méridionale. À l’époque, plus de la moitié des Materanis vivaient dans des grottes où hommes et animaux partageaient les mêmes espaces dans des conditions d’hygiène très précaires. « Les animaux étaient le bien le plus précieux de la famille.

D’une aide inégalable dans les champs, ils produisaient de surcroît du fumier, qui, en fermentant, réchauffait les demeures », explique Pietro Colapietro, directeur du musée Casa Grotta di Casalnuovo et entrepreneur dévoué à la relance de la ville. « On attachait même sa mule au pied de son lit pour ne pas se la faire voler. » La première loi spéciale de 1952 signe le début de l’abandon des Sassi, un processus qui s’est déroulé sur une vingtaine d’années. Les habitants se firent offrir 44

PANORAMITALIA.COM

Il risveglio dei Sassi cuore della Basilicata c’è una città millenaria, che ha saputo superare decenni di abbandono. È Matera, la ‘città dei Sassi’ e della civiltà rupestre, abitata ininterrottamente da più di 8000 anni. Nel 2019 sarà Capitale Europea della Cultura insieme con Plovdiv, in Bulgaria.

Dichiarata “vergogna nazionale” verso la metà del secolo scorso per le condizioni di indigenza e arretratezza in cui versava una grande fetta della popolazione, oggi Matera è una città in pieno fermento. Lo si puo’ vedere in via Ridola e in via Del Corso, le spine dorsali del centro storico, verso il bordo della gravina su cui è sospesa la città, dove si susseguono chiese rupestri riportate alla luce, abitazioni restaurate o trasformate in boutique hotel, locali e ristoranti, che diventano particolarmente affollati nei fine settimana.

Certo, restano ancora parecchi angoli deserti, abitazioni inaccessibili, cortili silenziosi, nei rioni dei Sassi, soprattutto nelle zone più periferiche del Sasso Caveoso. Ma la vita sta tornando nei Sassi, a ritmi tanto veloci da lasciare di stucco persino i materani. “Vede quella donna che raccoglie i panni stesi al sole, lì sotto? – mi chiede uno dei custodi di palazzo Lanfranchi mentre mi mostra una panoramica della città al tramonto dalla terrazza del museo – Per me è una scena struggente, perché fino a pochi anni fa nessuno voleva tornarci a vivere, nessuno stendeva più i panni al sole”.

Già, i Sassi, le antiche case scavate nella roccia, per secoli sofisticate soluzioni abitative divenute nel giro di qualche decennio, a cavallo della Seconda Guerra Mondiale, emblema dell’arretratezza in cui versava il Mezzogiorno d’Italia. In quegli anni più della metà dei materani viveva nelle grotte, dove uomini e animali condividevano gli stessi spazi in precarie condizioni igienico-sanitarie.

“Gli animali erano il bene principale della famiglia, aiuto insostituibile nei campi e produttori di letame, che fermentando riscaldava gli ambienti – racconta Pietro Colapietro, titolare del museo “Casa Grotta di Casalnuovo” e imprenditore tra i più attivi nel rilancio della città – Il mulo veniva tenuto spesso ai piedi del letto, per non farselo rubare.”

Con la prima delle leggi speciali, nel 1952, iniziò l’abbandono dei Sassi, un processo che sarebbe durato un ventennio. Agli abitanti vennero offerte

Nel

Photography by Daniele Ratti

Matera

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 33-48_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:57 AM Page 45

BASILICATA

deux options : céder leur propriété en échange d’une demeure neuve ou rester propriétaire de leur sasso et acheter une maison dans les quartiers neufs tels que La Martella ou Spine Bianche.

Pour des raisons pécuniaires évidentes, la grande majorité des habitants décidèrent de céder leur maison-grotte. C’est ce qui explique qu’aujourd’hui tant de Sassi sont propriétés de l’État.

Cela dit, au courant des années 1970 et 1980, un lent processus de redécouverte des Sassi débute, qui mènera à leur insertion sur la liste du patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO, en 1993. « Mais la vraie renaissance de Matera d’un point de vue touristique a commencé en 2004 lorsque Mel Gibson a choisi la ville pour y tourner The Passion », raconte Emanuele Rizzi, 49 ans, propriétaire de La Latteria, un restaurant-fromagerie fondé en 1946. « L’année suivante, les touristes ont commencé à affluer – puis la candidature et l’élection de Matera comme capitale européenne de la culture pour l’an 2019 ont fait le reste. » L’un des principaux acteurs de cette victoire, qui a vu Matera l’emporter aux

due possibilità: cedere la propria casa in cambio di una nuova o rimanere proprietari del sasso e acquistare una casa nei quartieri nuovi, come La Martella o Spine Bianche. Per ovvie ragioni economiche la stragrande maggioranza degli abitanti scelse di cedere la propria casa-grotta, ed è per questo che oggi moltissimi Sassi sono di proprietà dello Stato.

Lentamente, nei decenni ’70 e ’80, si intraprese un lento processo di riscoperta, che trasse nuovo impulso dall’inserimento dei Sassi tra i beni Patrimonio dell’umanità Unesco, nel 1993. “Ma la vera rinascita di Matera da un punto di vista turistico è iniziata nel 2004, quando la città è stata scelta da Mel Gibson per girarvi ‘The Passion’ – spiega Emanuele Rizzi, 49 anni, titolare della ‘Latteria’, una gastronomia con cucina in attività fin dal 1945. L’anno successivo hanno cominciato ad arrivare i turisti. Poi, la candidatura e l’elezione di Matera a Capitale Europea della Cultura per il 2019 hanno fatto il resto”.

Tra i principali motori di questa sfida, che ha visto Matera competere con città come Lecce, Siena, Ravenna, Mantova e Venezia, c’è il torinese Paolo

Order Online!

Open Monday to Saturday

Since

1965

Products of Quebec – Grain fed – Air chilled Chicken • Turkey • Quail • Guinea Fowl • Duck • Goose • Pheasant • Pigeon Rabbit • Hare • Lamb • Venison • Bison • Wild Boar • Organic Chicken & Turkey

Fall is here!

Grain Fed Turkey • Roasts • Stuffing • Gravy • Meat Pies Foie Gras • Smoked Salmon • Rillettes • Terrines Free delivery for all purchases of $50 or more (Montreal)

514.843.6652 www.LVGF.ca

116 Rue Roy est. Montréal Qc. PANORAMITALIA.COM

45

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 33-48_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:57 AM Page 46

BASILICATA dépens d’autres villes comme Lecce, Siene, Ravenne, Mantoue et Venise, est le Turinois Paolo Verri, 50 ans. Directeur culturel parmi les plus respectés d’Italie, il a entre autres dirigé le Salon du livre de Turin et le comité responsable des célébrations du 150e anniversaire de l’unité de l’Italie. Verri est arrivé à Matera en 2011. Il a été littéralement transporté par cette ville et a contribué à monter son dossier de candidature en collaboration avec l’administration municipale, présidée à l’époque par le maire Salvatore Adduce. « C’est qu’en y travaillant que j’ai vraiment compris tout son potentiel », explique Verri. « Matera est extraordinaire. C’est une ville qui marie tout ce que Dieu a créé à ce que l’homme a su construire, la nature et la culture. Elle repose sur un équilibre instable, ce qui en fait d’un côté sa force et de l’autre sa faiblesse. Aujourd’hui, bon nombre de touristes ont découvert sa beauté (l’affluence de visiteurs a augmenté de 100 % en deux ans), mais nous devons demeurer vigilants face au risque que les résultats immédiats nous fassent perdre de vue l’objectif principal : transformer Matera en une capitale permanente de la culture et de l’innovation, capable d’attirer travail et tourisme sans vendre son âme. » La suite de l’histoire repose donc entre les mains des Materanis, surtout des jeunes. Comme Andrea Santeramo, 23 ans, qui en 2013, flairant la bonne affaire liée au développement de sa ville, a décidé de démarrer avec son frère l’entreprise Apeneisassi, qui propose des circuits touristiques urbains à bord d’Ape Piaggio (petits scooters utilitaires) modifiés. « Nous avons débuté avec un véhicule. Nous en avons maintenant trois et avons transporté des milliers de personnes, dans un échange culturel qui nous a aidés à grandir. Nous sommes restés à Matera, car nous avons cru en la possibilité de réaliser nos rêves dans notre propre région. Et nous en avons tiré profit, car Matera est en train de changer, et se porte de mieux en mieux. » Changement, croissance, innovation et un minimum de risques : comme le dit si bien le slogan de Matera 2019, « Open Future », le futur est grand ouvert, et il semble des plus intéressants.

5 spécialités à goûter absolument selon Emanuele Rizzi de La Latteria un restaurant-fromagerie fondé en 1946.

Verri, 50 anni, manager culturale tra i più apprezzati d’Italia, già direttore del Salone del Libro di Torino e del Comitato che ha progettato le celebrazioni per i 150 anni dell’Unità d’Italia. Verri è arrivato a Matera nel 2011, letteralmente folgorato dalla città, e ha contribuito a costruire il dossier di candidatura in collaborazione con l’amministrazione comunale, allora guidata dal sindaco Salvatore Adduce. “Solo lavorandoci ne ho compreso le potenzialità.” Spiega Verri. “Matera è straordinaria, una città al confine tra quanto creato da Dio e quanto costruito degli uomini, tra natura e cultura. Vive su un equilibrio instabile, che è insieme punto di forza e di debolezza. Oggi molti turisti hanno scoperto le sue bellezze (il flusso dei visitatori è aumentato del 100% in due anni), ma dobbiamo guardarci dal rischio che i risultati immediati possano far perdere di vista il vero obiettivo: trasformare Matera in una capitale permanente della cultura e dell’innovazione, capace di attirare lavoro e turismo senza perdere la propria identità”.

Lo sviluppo della storia, insomma, è tutto nelle mani dei materani, soprattutto dei giovani. Come Andrea Santeramo, 23 anni, che nel 2012, fiutata l’aria del cambiamento, ha deciso di aprire con il fratello “Apeneisassi”, una startup che propone giri turistici della città a bordo di Ape Piaggio modificate. “Siamo partiti con un veicolo – racconta – Ora ne abbiamo tre e abbiamo trasportato migliaia di persone, in uno scambio culturale che ci ha aiutato a crescere. Siamo rimasti a Matera perché abbiamo creduto nella possibilità di realizzare i nostri sogni nella nostra terra. E siamo stati ripagati, perché Matera sta cambiando in meglio”.

Cambiamenti, crescita, innovazione e un pizzico di rischio: come recita lo slogan di Matera 2019, “Open Future”, il futuro è aperto, e sembra molto interessante.

5 specialità imperdibili di Matera scelte da Emanuele Rizzi de “La latteria” •

La Manteca (detta anche “burrino”), una sorta di scamorza a pasta filata, che all’interno contiene una palla di burro, che anticamente in questo modo veniva anche conservato.

•

La Pezzente delle Colline Materane Presidio Slow Food, una salsiccia dall’elevata percentuale di grasso, aromatizzata con peperone rosso e finocchietto.

Les olives de Ferrandina, convivium Slow Food (Oliva Maiatica), sont des olives parfaites à la fois pour faire de l’huile et pour être dégustées salées ou cuites au four.

•

Le Olive di Ferrandina Presidio Slow Food (Oliva Maiatica). È un’oliva bivalente, ottima per produrre olio, oppure da gustare sotto sale o al forno.

•

La pignata est un plat d’agneau servi avec des patates cuites dans un pot en argile.

•

La Pignata, un piatto di agnello con le patate cotto in un coccio di argilla.

•

Le pain de Matera, reconnaissable par sa forme en cornet caractéristique, est fait à base de semoule de grains entiers et cuit au four à bois dans de petites boulangeries artisanales.

•

Il Pane di Matera, a base di semola di grano duro, prodotto in piccoli panifici, cotto nel forno a legna con la classica forma a cornetto.

•

La manteca (aussi appelée burrino) est une sorte de mozzarelle séchée qui contient une boule de beurre, autrefois ainsi conservé.

•

La pezzente delle Colline Materane, convivium Slow Food, est une saucisse à haute teneur en gras, aromatisée avec des piments forts et des graines de fenouil.

•

Le tout accompagné d’un verre de vin Aglianico del Vulture DOC.

Il tutto accompagnato da un vino Aglianico del Vulture Doc

5 choses à faire à Matera

46

5 cose da fare a Matera

•

Flâner dans les rues du Sasso Barisano et du Sasso Caveoso jusqu’au quartier de Casalnuovo, en bordure du ravin.

•

Passeggiare senza meta tra il Sasso Barisano e il Sasso Caveoso, spingendosi fino al rione di Casalnuovo, sul ciglio della gravina.

•

Se plonger dans le passé de la ville en pénétrant dans une maison-grotte comme celle du Casalnuovo, répartie sur trois étages, ou en visitant Casa Noha, un musée interactif fascinant consacré à la civilisation materana.

•

Tuffarsi nel passato della città entrando in una casa-grotta come quella del Casalnuovo, disposta su 3 livelli, oppure visitando Casa Noha, un affascinante museo interattivo dedicato alla civiltà materana.

•

Explorer la Civita, le quartier noble entourant la cathédrale, de préférence en soirée quand les lumières jaunes se reflètent sur les pierres des murs et des escaliers.

•

Esplorare la Civita, il quartiere più nobile, sviluppatosi attorno alla cattedrale, magari la sera tardi, quando le luci gialle si riflettono sulle pietre dei muri e delle scalinate.

•

Visiter au moins une église rupestre, creusée dans les entrailles de la roche, comme l’incroyable complexe monastique de la Madonna delle Virtù et de San Nicola dei Greci.

•

Visitare almeno una chiesa rupestre, scavata nelle profondità della roccia, come lo stupefacente Complesso Monastico della Madonna delle Virtù e di San Nicola dei Greci.

•

Se rendre (en voiture ou à pied en traversant un pont suspendu) au belvédère de la Murgia Timone, de l’autre côté du ravin, un endroit d’une beauté unique d’où l’on peut admirer toute la ville. Ce lieu n’a pas été choisi par hasard par Mel Gibson pour tourner la scène de la crucifixion du Christ dans son film The Passion (2004).

•

Raggiungere (in auto o attraversando un ponte sospeso sul torrente) il belvedere della Murgia Timone, dall’altra parte della gravina, un ambiente di suggestiva bellezza da cui ammirare tutta la città. Non a caso questo luogo è stato scelto da Mel Gibson per girare la scena della crocifissione nel film “The Passion” (2004).

PANORAMITALIA.COM

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 33-48_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:57 AM Page 47

PANORAMITALIA.COM

47

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 33-48_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:57 AM Page 48

Photography by Francesco Di Muro

BASILICATA

An Ode to Muro Lucano

By Francesco Di Muro aese mio che stai sulla collina...” So begins that iconic song, “Che sarà” that Ricchi e Poveri first released back in 1971. Those rich, melodic bars of music are the first that I can remember hearing as a child. But beyond the music, these first words left the most profound impression upon me. It invoked warm images of idyllic, sleepy towns in the Italian countryside; small clusters of brightly coloured stucco homes and terracotta tiles that playfully shimmer in the sunlight. Only once I saw pictures of my family’s hometown with its fanciful, storybook setting, and the imaginings roused by this song, materialized into an actual, tangible place. Granted, the Italian countryside is well-known for its absurdly picturesque landscapes featuring countless small, quaint towns, but this was different. This was special, for this was my hometown, Muro Lucano. Situated in a rugged corner of Basilicata, Muro Lucano embodies the essence of the south: warm and inviting with an untouched, raw beauty.

Poised atop a mountain ridge, some 600 meters above sea level, this commune lies about 50 kilometers northwest of the regional capital, Potenza. In antiquity, important fortifications surrounded a Roman encampment on the town’s current site. These walls would serve as the foundation of the town’s first structures and the origin of its name.

The 10th century saw the addition of a castle, which has become the most recognizable landmark of the town. This castle, perched above the town, has a commanding view of the breathtaking mountain landscape that surrounds it.

Much too often, the history of the region has been mired by hardship. Some say that this mirrors the qualities of the rugged terrain. Even nature has branded the town. The area has been the victim of many devastating earthquakes over the centuries, making it hard for the region to develop. In 1705, Muro Lucano was almost completely destroyed by a powerful quake. More recently, the town was hit again in 1980, the repercussions of which can still be seen to this day through the ongoing reconstruction efforts. In recognition of the townspeople’s sacrifice and stalwart approach in dealing with the crisis, the town was awarded a citation in 2005 by the Italian government.

“P

Yet, even under the constant threat of the next quake, the townspeople refuse to yield. For such intransigence they are rewarded. The town’s location in the foothills of the Apennines mountain range provides almost every house with a view of the rugged rural landscape; a rich, verdant beauty, which has remained mostly untouched throughout the centuries. Even viewed from the ravine below, the town seems to undulate over and around the crest of the mountain. The oldest section of the town, in the shadow of the castle, il Pianello, is filled with narrow pedestrian alleys and handsome, stucco homes, painted in vibrant pastels. Not even these narrow, cobbled streets can hide the rustic beauty of the town. Seen from above, the terracotta roofing tiles of this quarter appear to ripple and blend into one another, in soothing uniform patterns. The rest of the town spreads out from this older section following the relief of the mountain. The centre of the town is located in the natural inward curvature of the mountainside. Here we find the main piazza, Piazza dei Monachi, and one of the half-dozen churches of this town of 6,000 inhabitants.

Although small in size, this piazza does heighten the intimate qualities and close-knit nature of small town life. Numerous balconies from surrounding houses open up onto the piazza and it is not uncommon to hear neighbours conversing with one another between balconies and with those in the piazza below. The appeal here is that there is no pretense, no false pride, accepting life in its purest form. Merely walking the piazza, this rural leitmotif seems to permeate the surroundings and one cannot help but become intoxicated by its affect. Here, time loses its conventional sense. If it was not for the regular chiming of the church bells to indicate the hours, one would easily get carried away by the charm of the town.

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

8330 Pascal Gagnon, St-Léonard, Qc H1P 1Y4 F (514) 326-1635

T (514) 326-7888 48

PANORAMITALIA.COM

contact@groupeatlanta.ca www.groupeatlanta.ca MEMBRE DE L’APCHQ • LlC. R.B.Q.: 1750-6148-39

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 49-64_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:58 AM Page 49

BASILICATA

Photography by Alfio Giannotti

Cripta Cattedrale Acerenza

Discovering Basilicata’s Medieval Landmarks

By Biancamaria Grasso

T

he Vulture-Melfese area, located in the northern part of the Basilicata, is characterized by the strong presence of Norman, Swabian and Angevin civilizations, all of which left their influence in the region. In fact, the Swabian emperor Frederick II decided to build several castles as holiday hunting grounds in the pristine lands of Basilicata, which are still around today.

Potenza, the capital city, is renowned for its historic centre, located in the narrow and cozy street of Via Pretoria – once leading to the 16th century castle, of which only a tower remains today. On either side of the street, alleyways and winding passages lead to picturesque corners from which you can still experience the flavours, shapes and colours of antiquity. Via Pretoria, which cuts the town centre in half, is lined with an array of palaces that give the street a distinctive elegance. The ancient history of Basilicata can be better understood thanks to the artefacts from the the Paleolithic and the Roman eras that are housed in in the Provincial Archeological Museum of Potenza.

Moving towards Melfi, you will come across the Castello di Lagopesole, described as one of the most beautiful castles in Southern Italy. Built between 1242 and 1250, the castle is impressive and strategically placed, and was designed as a hunting lodge for Emperor Federick II. It has a rectangular shape and looks over the homes of the parish in the town of Avigliano. The Castello was owned by different historical dynasties until the 1980 earthquake, when it was finally transformed into a museum of Lucanian history.

Once in Melfi, you can admire the impressive 11th century castle built

by Guglielmo d’Altavilla on the ruins of a pre-existent castle. Undoubtedly the most famous castle in the region, its size dominates the view of the city to this day. It is here that during a council meeting summoned by Pope Urban II in 1089, the Pontiff announced the First Crusade in the Holy Land against the Infidels, establishing the obligation of celibacy to the religious. In the following years, the castle was remodeled and expanded by Frederick II,

who in 1231 declared the “Costitutiones Augustales” from there – the first comprehensive text of penal and civil laws in the Middle Ages.

Originally made up of a central part surrounded by a ring of fortified walls, today visitors will see a pentagonal structure with no less than eight towers. The western tower, known as the “baluardo del lione” (“the lion’s bastion”), has a protrusion in the shape of a nest, which according to legend, belonged to the imperial eagle of Frederick II of Swabia.

From the 16th century, the Castle became the home of the Doria family. The castle today houses the National Museum of Melfese, which preserves many archaeological artifacts relating to indigenous populations of prehistoric, Roman, Byzantine and Norman times, such a the “Sarcophagus of Rapolla,” a wonderful work created by artists from Asia Minor.

Continuing about 25km east, you will come across the Aragonese Castle of Venosa, built by the House of Aragon in 1470. It is square-shaped with cylindrical, angular towers and is surrounded by a wide moat. The characteristic angular towers, which have traditional upper battlements, guard the armories, while the basement houses the prisons.

The last stage of your journey ends in Acerenza, a small medieval village perched on a hill. The symbol of the town is the Roman-Norman style cathedral dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta and Santo Canio. The cathedral dates back to 1000 A.D. and replaces an old, Christian church. The stone façade is linear and majestic and contains a portal with two columns complete with capitals. Within the tower you can admire the remains of two Roman Sarcophaguses depicting the faces of the dead, as well as fragments of a sacrificial altar with the head of an ox. Also in the crypt are pillars and sidewalls adorned with zoomorphic and floral sculptured motifs, with a mysterious symbolic meaning.

While in the area, make sure to visit a winery where you can try Lucanian culinary specialties paired with a glass of Aglianico del Vulture DOC wine, considered one of the most delicious reds in Italy.

PANORAMITALIA.COM

49

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 49-64_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:58 AM Page 50

BASILICATA

La Comunità

Lucana di

Montréal Giulia Verticchio

La

Un demi-siècle à prendre part

aux projets dans l'Est du Canada

BÉTON PRÉPARÉ

BÉTON PRÉFABRIQUÉ

BÉTON BITUMINEUX

85 USINES DANS L’EST DU CANADA

Présent là où vous en avez besoin!

BUREAU ADMINISTRATIF (QUÉBEC) 418 627-7242 SIÈGE SOCIAL (MATANE) 418 562-0074 RÉGION DE MONTRÉAL 514 640-9194

betonprovincial.com 50

PANORAMITALIA.COM

di Saint-Léonard, l’ultima domenica di giugno, e la raccolta di fondi caritatevoli destinati al settore sanitario-ospedaliero, con la vendita di cavatelli fatti in casa.

A statuto diverso sono invece l’Associazione Lucana di Montréal, fondata nel 1980 e oggi presieduta da Cristina Mobrici, e l’Associazione Basilucania, fondata dal Cav. Donato Caivano nel 1984, e tutt’oggi da lui presieduta.

L’Associazione Basilucania offre borse di studio scolastiche ed universitarie a figli e nipoti di lucani e organizza solitamente un pic-nic al Parc du Domaine Vert ogni ultima domenica di luglio, per gustare insieme e all’aria aperta spaghetti e salsicce. Importante è la serata di Gala di ottobre, in occasione della quale si elegge la “personalità lucana dell’anno”: tra i prescelti, Decio Coviello (Potenza), Roberto Cardone (Muro Lucano – Potenza) e Tommaso Marcantonio (Picerno – Potenza).

Donato Caivano lasciò Picerno per l’Australia, prima di approdare in Québec.

Qui si è molto speso per rappresentare e valorizzare il patrimonio della sua regione.

“Ho supportato l’organizzazione della mostra di reperti archeologici lucani “Tesori dell’Italia del Sud - Greci e Indigeni in Basilicata”, tenutasi al Musée Pointe-àCallière di Montréal (settembre 1999 – marzo 2000) in collaborazione con gli enti culturali italiani, ministeriali e regionali. Su questa iniziativa è stato anche pubblicato un bel libro illustrato a colori e con testi in tre lingue”.

“

“

Basilicata – anche chiamata Lucania – è stata sempre appena sfiorata dallo sviluppo territoriale legato al turismo di massa. Quando d’estate gli oriundi lucani e gli italo-canadesi di seconda e terza generazione tornano a visitare i cugini, i famigliari e i compaesani, la Basilicata che trovano è rimasta intatta nella sua verità più autentica.

In tutto il Canada esistono dieci associazioni lucane, 4 delle quali hanno sede nel Québec. La comunità lucana è dunque più numerosa e maggiormente rappresentata a Montréal, dove ha sede, presso il Centro Leonardo Da Vinci, anche la Federazione delle Associazioni dei Lucani del Canada, presieduta ad oggi da Maddalena Stoduto Scittarelli, nata a Lauria (Potenza).

La prima associazione lucana (ma aperta anche ai non lucani), di Montréal è stata la “San Gerardo Maiella - La Materdomini del Canada”, costituita nel 1964 e oggi presieduta da Gino Scaringi, che organizza ogni prima domenica di luglio un pellegrinaggio al villaggio di Saint-Gérard-Majella, nella contea dell’Assomption, e diverse attività ricreative e parrocchiali.

Un’altra associazione di natura cattolica è la “Maria SS. di Costantinopoli di Castelgrande”, fondata nel 1988 da Antonio e Vito Cristiano, Pasquale e Giuseppe Masi e Pietro Gasparrini, presieduta per 8 anni da Nicola Pennimpede e oggi da Angela Federici, Presidentessa anche del Comitato Donne. Attività notevoli sono soprattutto la processione della Madonna Nera alla parrocchia di Monte Carmelo

Tra oriundi e originari, con le loro famiglie, a Montréal si stimano circa 3.000 lucani.

Tra oriundi e originari, con le loro famiglie, a Montréal si stimano circa 3.000 lucani: lavoratori validissimi e di successo, molto fieri della propria terra di origine.

Doveroso menzionare i fratelli Mario e Ottavio Galella, arrivati nel ’62 da Muro Lucano. Mario, personalità di spicco, molto presente nella comunità italo-canadese, iniziò come cassiere presso la Banque Laurentienne e oggi ne è Vice-Presidente.

Ottavio è un ingegnere del traffico di fama internazionale, coinvolto in importanti progetti municipali di mobilità alternativa.

Panoram Italia ha incontrato il nuovo Direttore dell’Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Montréal, Francesco D’Arelli, cittadino del mondo, esperto della civiltà cinese, e nativo di Sant’Arcangelo (Potenza), piccolo comune a 400 metri fondato dai Longobardi e così nominato in omaggio al loro patrono, l’arcangelo San Michele. Ci parla di un luogo fuori dal tempo e di suggestiva bellezza, di giornate lunghe e ritmi calmi, una dimensione molto apprezzata anche dai suoi figli. “Non sono scappato da una Basilicata che non offriva abbastanza, mi sono allontanato giovane per curiosità. È stato un distacco sereno, eppure ogni volta che torno a Sant’Arcangelo poi ripartire fa male. Anche se la sensazione non è esattamente quella di tornare a casa. Si è sempre forestieri”. Dalla comunità italiana di Montréal, il Direttore si sente messo allo specchio più che altrove. “Sento un legame ancestrale più forte con la mia terra di origine. È innegabile che qui ci sia un’altra Italia che si riconosce in se stessa, che si celebra da sé, che ama il proprio dialetto”.

Lo stesso vale per i più giovani, come Francesco Di Muro, 30 anni, nato a Montréal, master in amministrazione finanziaria, analista alla Scotiabank, genitori originari di Muro Lucano (Potenza). “Molti lucani di Montréal vengono da questo piccolo borgo arroccato sulla montagna” spiega Francesco. “Sono innamorato di quel territorio, lo conosco bene e amo tornarci spesso”.

I giovani “lucanadesi” padroneggiano un’onesta e lucida autoironia sulle proprie tradizioni e usanze famigliari, le vivono con rispetto e simpatia. Generalmente, i giovani i cui genitori provengono entrambi dalla Basilicata la visitano più frequentemente, al contrario di chi ha un solo genitore di origine lucana.

Riservati, semplici e forti come la loro terra, i lucani portano sempre nel cuore e nella mente le loro origini, fino a tenerle vive nella lontana Montréal.

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 49-64_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:59 AM Page 51

BASILICATA

Crapiata

Fried lampascioni and pancetta

Flavours of Lucania The tradition behind the cuisine

By Paolo Patrito

T

he cuisine of the Basilicata region is made up of predominantly simple ingredients with extraordinary flavour, reflecting the ancient history of these lands and the dedication of the inhabitants to cultivating grain and to pastoralism. This is why there is an abundance of meat dishes, especially those featuring lamb and pork. Homemade pasta and bread (especially in Matera) are excellent, as are some “peasant” charcuteries like salsiccia pezzente (“beggar’s” sausage), many cheeses such as caciocavallo, and vegetables like peperoni cruschi (that are crunchy) and lampascioni (similar to small onions but more bitter). Recipes can vary a lot between different areas of Basilicata and are influenced considerably by neighbouring regions (especially in the case of Puglia’s impact on Matera cuisine).

Lucanian antipasti Served in restaurants and many Lucanian homes – especially during festivities – this dish is made up of a selection of typical products that vary a great deal between different Basilicata neighbourhoods. The platter can include, for example, lampascioni (fried or drizzled with oil), cardoncelli mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and peperoni cruschi drizzled with oil, as well as cold meats such as lucanica sausage, sopressata and “beggar’s” sausage, and cheeses like canestraio di Moliterno and caciocavallo.

Crapiata Typical of Matera, crapiata is a peasant soup that contains a variety of grains and pulses, such as wheat, chickpeas, cicerchia, green beans, lentils, broad beans and new potatoes, cooked in water and salt. Crapiata, cooked in large pots between several different families, was eaten to celebrate and sample the new harvest.

Cialledda fredda Cialledda fredda is a very simple, cold dish made with stale bread, tomato, salt, extra-virgin olive oil and oregano, and can sometimes also include onions and olives. It is a summer dish known as the “Harvester’s Breakfast” since it was traditionally eaten early in the morning by laborers as they prepared to harvest grain in the sunny fields. This incredibly tasty dish can also be served hot for the winter.

Strascinati con peperoni cruschi e cacioricotta Combining three key products of the Lucanian kitchen, this is certainly a standout pasta-based starter dish. Made with strascinati (fresh, homemade,

durum-wheat pasta with a similar shape to large, flattened orecchiette); peperoni cruschi (typical in the countryside around Senise and crunchy due to being dried immediately after harvest), and cacioricotta (a local cheese made from goat’s and sheep’s milk).

Pignata di pecora Pignata di pecora (otherwise known as “cutturidd” or “pastroale”) is a stew made from mutton, cooked with various different vegetables and spices inside a terracotta pan or a copper pot in the fireplace. Although it’s a hardy dish, it is traditionally eaten in August since in ancient times it was made with animals killed accidentally during the burning of fields after the grain harvest.

Fave e cicoria White broad beans with chicory form a light and nutritious springtime dish that can be eaten either as a main meal or as a side dish. The main ingredient is wild, rural chicory that grows spontaneously in the countryside and in Le Murge. It is served alongside a broad-bean purée with a high nutritional value.

Sanguinaccio dolce It is certainly not easy to find sanguinaccio dolce (otherwise known as “sanguinaccio antico”) in its original recipe. This dish contains heavy cream made from dark chocolate, pig’s blood, Vincotto (cooked wine) or milk, and is flavoured with candied citron and orange. Typical during carnival time, it is served cold and accompanied by bread or biscuits. The contemporary version usually doesn’t include pig’s blood and is substituted with lard to ensure a smooth consistency.

Aglianco del Vulture One of the most important Italian red wines, this DOC product is made from an Aglianco vine variety found between 200 and 800 metres above sea level on the slopes of Mount Vulture, a volcano in the province of Potenza that has been extinct for millennia. It is here that around 40 producers cultivate roughly 1500 hectares of land and make around two and a half million bottles every year. Aglianco del Vulture – sometimes known as the “Barolo del Sud” because of its similarity to the Piedmontese wine – is a red wine with an intense scent and harmonic flavour, particularly suited to meat-based dishes and aged cheese.

PANORAMITALIA.COM

51

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 49-64_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:59 AM Page 52

BASILICATA

Delicious Lucania Delizie Lucane Bring the flavours of Basilicata to your dinner table this fall with peperonata, the perfect sharing plate, as well as cavatelli (pasta shells typical of the region).

Porta i sapori della Basilicata sulla tua tavola questo autunno con una peperonata, piatto perfetto da condividere, come anche i cavatelli, pasta tipica della regione.

Peperonata (serves 4-6)

Ingredients / Ingredienti • 6 sweet peppers, cut lengthwise / 6 peperoni dolci, tagliati per il lungo • 1 spicy peperoncino / 1 peperoncino • 2 small potatoes, cut into halves and quartered / 2 patate piccole, tagliate a metà e a cubetti • 1 onion, sliced / 1 cipolla, tagliata a fette • ½ cup of diced pancetta / ½ tazza di pancetta tagliata a dadini • 2 tbsp of olive oil / 2 cucchiai di olio di oliva • 1 cup of white wine / 1 bicchiere di vino bianco • 1 garlic clove, minced / 1 spicchio d’aglio tritato • Salt and pepper to taste / Sale e pepe quanto basta 52

PANORAMITALIA.COM

Cavatelli with Herbs and Toasted Breadcrumbs Cavatelli con erbe e pangrattato tostato

(serves 3-4)

(per 3-4 persone)

Ingredients / Ingredienti • 400 g of cavatelli / 400 g di cavatelli • 1 cup Pecorino cheese / 1 tazza di pecorino • 2 tbsp of wild fennel / 2 cucchiai di finocchio selvatico • 2 tbsp of oregano / 2 cucchiai di origano • 2 tbsp of thyme / 2 cucchiai di timo • 1 cup toasted breadcrumbs / 1 tazza di pangrattato • ½ cup olive oil, divided / ½ tazza di olio di oliva a parte • Salt and pepper to taste / Sale e pepe quanto basta

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 49-64_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:59 AM Page 53

BASILICATA Instructions

Instructions

Pour olive oil in a hot pan. Add pancetta and cook till golden brown. Once crisp, remove from the pan and place on paper towel.

Cook cavatelli in salted boiling water (if using dry pasta, follow package directions; if using fresh cavatelli, cook for about two minutes).

Stir in sliced onions, peppers, peperoncino, potatoes and garlic.

Add olive oil to a hot pan and toast breadcrumbs till golden brown. Set aside.

Cook on high heat for 5 minutes and then add white wine to deglaze. Toss pancetta back into the pan. Cover and reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 30 minutes.

Drizzle pan with additional olive oil and toss in cooked cavatelli. Pour in some pasta water and reduce.

Remove cover and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy hot or cold as an antipasto.

Garnish with toasted breadcrumbs and enjoy.

Istruzioni

Add Pecorino cheese along with herbs and toss in the pan for about 30 seconds.

Istruzioni

Versate l’olio d’oliva in una padella calda. Aggiungete la pancetta e cuocetela fino a doratura. Una volta croccante togliete la pancetta e fatela riposare su carta assorbente.

Mescolate la cipolla, i peperoni, il peperoncino, le patate e l’aglio.

Cuocete a fuoco vivace per circa 5 minuti e poi sfumate con il vino bianco.

Aggiungete la pancetta, coprite con un coperchio e cuocete a fuoco lento per circa 30 minuti.

Togliete il coperchio e aggiungete sale e pepe quanto basta.

Godetevi questo antipasto caldo o freddo.

Cuocete i cavatelli in acqua bollente salata (se utilizzate la pasta secca seguite le indicazioni sulla confezione; se i cavatelli sono freschi cuoceteli per circa due minuti).

Aggiungete l’olio d’oliva in un tegame e tostate il pangrattato fino a doratura.

Mettere da parte.

Versate un altro po’ di olio d’oliva nel tegame e aggiungete i cavatelli dopo averli bolliti. Versate un po’ di acqua di cottura della pasta e lasciate ridurre.

Aggiungete il pecorino con le erbe e mescolate in padella per circa 30 secondi.

Condite con sale e pepe a piacere Guarnite con pangrattato e buon appetito !

Recipe prepared by Fabio Bondi, the chef/owner of Local Kitchen & Wine Bar in Toronto.

Ricetta preparata da Fabio Bondi, chef e proprietario del Local Kitchen & Wine Bar di Toronto.

PANORAMITALIA.COM

53

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 49-64_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:59 AM Page 54

ARTS & CULTURE

Reflections on loss and the human spirit through melodic song

Gianni Bodo

By Agata De Santis

A

couple of years ago, Montreal singer/songwriter Gianni Bodo released his first solo album, Fade to Rose. By then, he had already been writing, recording and performing music for almost two decades with other bands and musicians. The album came about after a lot of positive reactions to a single Bodo had recorded as a solo artist. He decided it just might be time to record a full-length album. “The album recording was supposed to take a couple of weeks. It ended taking years to complete,” Bodo explains.

Life, mind you a good life, got in the way; raising two young daughters and working as a special education teacher. At one point Bodo had accepted a position as a school principal, but soon realized that the job would allow absolutely no extra time for music. He returned to teaching special needs children at the grade school level instead. “Whenever I’m not working, I’m planning, rehearsing, working on my music,” Bodo adds.

As the album came together, Bodo assembled an impressive team of collaborators: music producers Colin Devlin (from Ireland’s infamous Devlins), Fred Bouchard (Jason Bajada, Rob Lutes), Sergio Barile, and Pierre Marchand (Sarah McLachlan, Rufus Wainwright). “I think the connection with Pierre happened because he’s half-Italian. I brought him some taralli and that was it. We just got along. I got him through his stomach,” Bodo muses. “We recently realized that our families’ hometowns in Italy are not far from each other.”

“I had some good collaborators on the album. No forced connections, just human connections. I suppose that helps when you have people who have had success in the industry work on your album,” he continues.

Fade to Rose was first released digitally on iTunes in 2014. Overwhelming

54

PANORAMITALIA.COM

positive reviews were enough to convince Bodo to release the actual physical CD more than a year later, in December of 2015. He had to first assemble an actual band to be able to perform live on stage, and he has been performing and promoting the CD ever since. He recently performed at the 2016 edition of Montreal’s Italian Week. “I think the album is still good, and not enough people have heard it yet,” he explains.

Bodo’s next release will be a single, in lieu of a full album. “The music industry is in limbo right now; it’s a really weird time. Releasing another full-length album might not work. So instead we have this single we’ll be promoting,” he explains. “I did a record with Pierre Marchand. I was a huge fan of his before we ever met and became friends. That’s it for me. If I never do anything else I would be content,” he says.

Bodo’s new single, ‘Arcadia,’ continues on the themes of loss and human frailty reflected in Fade to Rose. The song was originally written for the album, but didn’t make the final cut. “When I was 33, sitting around the table with 13 friends, I realized that all of us had lost our fathers. They were all around the same age as me,” Bodo comments.

“We are all dealt but one life and it’s not always ‘pretty in pink’. Yet, no matter how terrible and tragic our lives seem, in the end, most of us don’t want to let go. Even in the eyes of the dying man, in this case my father, you can still see reflections of hope and of ‘Arcadia,’” he continues. “The songs are about being happy to be alive. We always have the power to change to something positive. You have to see the beauty in everything, even if death is ugly.”

Bodo will officially launch ‘Arcadia’ on October 25, 2016 at La Sala Rossa in Montreal. For further details, visit giannibodo.com

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 49-64_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:59 AM Page 55

ARTS & CULTURE

Intervista con

Laura Pausini Johnny L. Bertolio

P

er inaugurare il suo nuovo tour mondiale Laura Pausini ha scelto Toronto. Martedì 26 luglio scorso il Powerade Centre di Brampton ha ospitato quella che attualmente è la cantante italiana più famosa all’estero.

Con la prima tappa del suo “Similares US & Latin America tour” (dal titolo dell’ultimo album, “Simili” appunto), l’artista conferma il successo internazionale dei suoi brani, puntualmente tradotti in spagnolo.

Era il 1993 quando un’ingenua burdela (“ragazza” in romagnolo) di Solarolo, in provincia di Ravenna, vinse la sezione “Novità” del Festival di Sanremo con “La solitudine” e la benedizione di Pippo Baudo. Marco non è ritornato più ma in compenso sono arrivati nuovi amori (il chitarrista Paolo Carta, con cui ha avuto la figlia Paola), vendite di dischi e riconoscimenti, tra cui il prestigioso Grammy Award per il Miglior Album Pop Latino (“Resta in ascolto”), nel 2006.

Panoram Italia : Hai scelto il Canada per l’inizio della seconda parte del tuo tour mondiale: che impressioni hai avuto di questo Paese multiculturale in cui la presenza italiana è fortissima?

Laura Pausini: Sono veramente molto felice di essere qui con il mio staff al completo: avere a disposizione qualche giorno è un vero piacere anche per loro.

Sono andati tutti alle Cascate del Niagara: io le avevo viste quando sono venuta da piccola, a soli diciannove anni. Toronto è bellissima! Ogni volta che ci torno, diventa sempre di più come io vorrei che fossero organizzate e pulite anche le città italiane. Mi piace tantissimo.

LP: Sono fortunata ad avere tanti amici nella musica e con Biagio c’è da anni un rapporto fraterno… è il padrino di Paola, mia figlia, e nel nuovo disco le ha dedicato una delle canzoni più belle ed emotive. L’ho cantata anche qui a Toronto per presentarvi Paola. La canzone di Jovanotti sta avendo un grande successo in spagnolo: si intitola “Enamorada” ed è molto colorata e divertente anche in concerto. Infine, il brano di Giuliano Sangiorgi è una perla preziosa del disco. I giovani autori li cerco sempre: sono il motore della mia evoluzione artistica.

PI: A “The Voice”, “La Banda” e “Laura&Paola” ti abbiamo vista padrona dello schermo oltre che del palco: ci sono altri progetti televisivi all’orizzonte?

LP: Spero di sì! La televisione mi affascina moltissimo e ho in mente qualcosa per il futuro, ma adesso ho un lungo tour a cui pensare e anche un progetto segreto che prima dell’anno nuovo vi presenterò.

PI: “Simili”, il tuo dodicesimo album, è un inno alla fraternità universale: a cosa ti sei ispirata per la sua ideazione?

LP: È troppo tempo che ci dividiamo in categorie, che non troviamo soluzioni per non amarci e rispettarci. Più passa il tempo e più si costruiscono muri e barriere e così cresce la rabbia e la cattiveria. Io penso che gli esseri umani siano uguali e che le differenze siano nel carattere e nelle scelte che si fanno, ma che tutti vadano comunque trattati allo stesso modo con gli stessi diritti. Ecco perché “simili” è una parola che mi piace: racchiude la parola “uguale” nella parola “differente”.

PI: Sono passati ventitré anni dalla vittoria al Festival di Sanremo con “La solitudine”. Cosa pensa la Laura di oggi quando rivede se stessa sul palco del Teatro Ariston?

LP: Penso con orgoglio alla mia innocenza e alla mia ingenuità. Oggi, quando da giudice dei talent show vedo che i ragazzi che arrivano sono così sicuri di sé, non ne rimango colpita positivamente. Mi piacciono le persone semplici. Grazie ai miei genitori credo di essere sempre rimasta una persona con valori molto forti, senza montarmi la testa.

PI: Nell’album ci sono collaborazioni importanti con Biagio Antonacci, Jovanotti e Giuliano Sangiorgi dei Negramaro, ma anche con artisti giovani: come sono nate?

Dopo le tappe italiane negli stadi e i concerti in America, “Similares” continuerà in Europa per la gioia dei moltissimi fan, innamorati di questa artista che più cresce, più tiene a coltivare le proprie radici italiane; che la comunità del Canada le ricorda sempre con particolare affetto.

PANORAMITALIA.COM

55

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 49-64_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:59 AM Page 56

ADVICE

Religione - Causa di guerra o scudo contro la violenza? questi ultimi tempi stupisce vedere l’aumento di atti criminali e violenti legati alla religione. Ultima l’uccisione del sacerdote francese Jaques Hamel. Per la prima volta, abbiamo visto il mondo musulmano mobilitarsi a sostegno dei cattolici e manifestare il loro dissenso per quanto accaduto.

Ebbene, ci deve far riflettere e dobbiamo tutti fare un esame di coscienza di fronte a questi problemi.

Possiamo accusare le religioni e lavarcene le mani, ma in realtà, il problema più profondo è Nicola Di Narzo quello del fondamentalismo.

Infatti, il fondamentalismo si trova in ogni religione, ma oserei anche dire in ogni sistema di pensiero. Quante volte vediamo famiglie divise a causa della politica… Oppure dei soldi… Non è questa una preoccupazione? Mia madre diceva sempre, intorno al tavolo bisogna evitare due soggetti: la politica e la religione.

Due soggetti che possono facilmente infiammare i cuori e creare divisioni.

Aveva ragione la mamma, ma si era forse dimenticata che l’uomo convinto può facilmente diventare fanatico quando prende posizione in un senso e non accetta la critica o l’avversità!

Provate una cosa, andate sul vostro profilo Facebook o Twitter e scrivete contro Pokemon, Apple, Donald Trump, Hilary Clinton, Volkswagen, Samsung, Ford… Vedrete le reazioni!

Non possiamo negare l’onnipresenza e l’onnipotenza della religione negli ultimi secoli. La Chiesa cattolica è spesso diventata in passato la base della legge e del credo delle nazioni, talvolta imponendo norme morali e leggi civili.

Ora vediamo emergere lo stesso fenomeno nei paesi musulmani. Le guerre di religione non sono mica ancora terminate. I cristiani nei paesi arabi spesso

In

56

PANORAMITALIA.COM

versano in condizioni difficili, senza lavoro, oppure vengono cacciati dalla loro terra, o peggio ancora, vengono uccisi per via della loro fede. È triste constatare che ancora oggi, nel 2016, esistano queste divisioni e guerre di religione. Perché non è un diritto ovvio quello di poter pensare diversamente? Perché dobbiamo imporre le nostre condizioni agli altri?

In questi tempi moderni che corrono così veloci, più che mai l’uomo ha bisogno di trovare certezze, l’uomo quando soffre o quando ha paura deve trovare un colpevole e la paura dell’ignoto alimenta in noi il desiderio di trovare sicurezza, di sentirci al riparo, di fermare ciò che ci preoccupa. Sentirsi al riparo può voler dire chiudersi in una visione politica, ma anche chiudersi in un fondamentalismo religioso.

Ma in realtà, Dio ha mandato suo Figlio Gesù Cristo per manifestare il suo vero volto, ma anche per renderci liberi. Questa libertà significa proprio prendere consapevolezza della nostra debolezza per riconoscere che siamo peccatori in cammino verso Dio. Quindi, se io sono un peccatore amato da Dio nei miei limiti e nella mia libertà… Allora, come posso non amare la libertà degli altri? Come non posso riconoscere che l’amore non si può imporre, ma si deve incontrare? Ed allora, se incontro l’amore, come posso non esserne contaminato e voler anche amare gli altri? Incontrando invece la legge, voglio solo imporre la legge.

Sembra assurdo? Pensate a quando siete stati innamorati. Ricordate la gioia, il poco sonno, i sorrisi spontanei. È come se tutto il vostro essere si fosse riempito d’amore. Tutto prendeva una connotazione positiva. Le giornate non sembravano mai abbastanza lunghe, il tempo passato insieme non sembrava mai sufficiente. E se fosse così con la nostra relazione a Dio? Io credo che se riuscissimo ad intrattenere una vera relazione d’amore con Dio, accettando di essere deboli strumenti, il nostro mondo sarebbe diverso.

I nostri cuori riempiti d’amore sarebbero come fiori meravigliosi che esalano un profumo sino ai confini della terra.

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 49-64_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:59 AM Page 57

ADVICE

Proxy, Power of Attorney, Procuration – Procure in Italia

S

iete partiti tanti anni fa dal paese natale in cerca di un futuro migliore, dovete sbrigare delle faccende in Italia, ma non avete tempo per andarci, allora incaricate, mediante una procura, qualcuno, di vostra Pasquale Artuso fiducia, a rappresentarvi.

Che cosa è la procura?

Sussistono due tipi di procura (generale e speciale): Procure generali A) Procura generale tra coniugi in regime di

comunione legale dei beni Interessa i coniugi che hanno beni in Italia e che vi hanno celebrato il matrimonio oppure hanno conservato o riacquistato la cittadinanza italiana.

Tuttavia sussistono dei limiti nei poteri affidati, che, al contrario, non vi sono nelle procure speciali.

B) Procura generale di amministrazione ordinaria e straordinaria dei beni (art. 1387 cod.civ.it) C) Procure generali reciproche e costituzione di più procuratori D) Procura generale per le pratiche inerenti la successione ereditaria E) Procura generale con facoltà di contrarre con sé medesimo (art.1395 cod.civ.it) Consiste nel costituire, da parte della persona che dà la procura, un individuo (il procuratore) con espressa facoltà per questo di concludere il negozio in oggetto(l’atto affidato al procuratore) anche con sé medesimo o con altre persone delle quali egli sia pure procuratore.

F) Procura generale institoria nell’impresa commerciale (art. 2209 cod.civ.it) Si tratta di nominare un procuratore, il quale, in base

ad un rapporto continuativo ma non classificato come subordinato, ha il potere di compiere a favore dell’imprenditore (proprietario) gli atti di ordinaria e straordinaria amministrazione pertinenti all’esercizio dell’impresa.

Procure speciali A) Procura speciale a donare (art. 778 cod.civ.it): Viene costituita dal donante al procuratore, quando si vuole donare ad una persona un bene situato in Italia.

B) Procura speciale per accettare una donazione (art.

782 cod.civ.it): Viene rilasciata da una persona (donataria) affinché, in suo nome e conto, un altro individuo possa accettare una donazione fattagli in Italia da una terza persona.

C) Procura speciale per rinunciare agli atti del giudizio (processo) art. 306 cod.proc.civ.it): Viene costituito un procuratore per ritirarsi da un processo già in corso.

D) Procura speciale per acquisto e/o vendita immobiliare E) Procura speciale per celebrazione di matrimonio civile (art. 111 cod.civ.it) F) Procura speciale per celebrazione di matrimonio religioso: La procura per contrarre matrimonio religioso, avanti il Ministro di Culto, deve essere stipulata, a pena di nullità, con l’assistenza di due testimoni oppure tre, qualora il mandante non sappia o non possa firmare.

G) Procura speciale per convenzione (accordo) matrimoniale H) Procura speciale per costituzione di società (art. 1392 cod.civ.it) I) Procura speciale per dichiarazione di nascita (art. 70 R.D. 8-7-1939 n. 1238): Viene costituita dal genitore impossibilitato ai fini della dichiarazione di nascita del figlio dinanzi all’Ufficiale di Stato Civile italiano del

Comune dove si è registrati all’A.I.R.E. (Anagrafe Italiani residenti all’estero).

J) Procura speciale per divisione di eredità (art. 713 cod.civ.it) K) Procura speciale per offerta agli incanti (aste giudiziarie) (art. 579 cod.prov.civ.it): Viene conferita dal mandante al procuratore, affinché questi compia tutto il necessario per l’aggiudicazione dell’immobile che interessa.

L) Procura speciale per operazioni bancarie (In Italia): Viene rilasciata per apertura di conti correnti, fideiussioni, garanzie varie, deposito titoli di borsa ed atti simili, cassette di sicurezza.

M) Procura speciale per richiesta di pubblicazioni (in Italia) di matrimonio da celebrare all’estero (da parte di un cittadino anche italiano) N) Procura speciale per vendita di autoveicoli a motore o barche O) Procura speciale per rinunciare all’eredità (art. 519 cod.civ.it.)

Lo Studio legale Pasquale Artuso & 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

Steven Campese Avvocato

Pierre Fugère Avvocato - diritto criminale e penale

Mathieu Di Lullo Avvocato

Joseph W. Allen Avvocato dal 1976 diritto dell’immigrazione

F.:514.256.6907 artmars@securenet.net

Complexe Le Baron, 6020, rue Jean-Talon Est, bureau 630 Montréal (Québec) Canada H1S 3B1

PANORAMITALIA.COM

57

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 49-64_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:59 AM Page 58

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@panoramitalia.com

Photography by Vincenzo D'Alto

Carole Gagliardi

Sauter à pieds joints Un nouveau consul général d’Italie pour Montréal Il se déplace à bicyclette, il est jeune, sympathique et n’a pas la langue dans sa poche. Notre échange se déroule en français sur un ton amical employé à la deuxième personne du singulier. Marco Riccardo Rusconi, le nouveau consul général d’Italie à Montréal et représentant permanent de l’Italie au Conseil de l’OACI, ne correspond en rien à l’image du diplomate italien traditionnel.

Arrivé à Montréal le 1er août dernier lors des festivités de la Semaine italienne de Montréal, Rusconi s’est immédiatement plongé dans un bain de foule intense qui convient tout à fait à sa personnalité. Il se décrit comme un consul de proximité qui veut connaître rapidement ses concitoyens et saisir leur réalité. « On ne peut le faire qu’en se mouillant », explique-t-il. Avant d’être nommé à Montréal, Rusconi a occupé différentes fonctions diplomatiques à Madrid, Rome, Bruxelle et au Caire. Montréal correspond pour lui à une nouvelle étape en territoire nord-américain. Une nouvelle réalité à laquelle le sympathique consul de 44 ans devra s’adapter rapidement. « À chaque fois, c’est une nouvelle vie qui commence. Je dois me remettre à jour, car j’entre dans une nouvelle ville qui possède une nouvelle culture, une autre réalité. Je dois, à chaque fois, abandonner ce que j’ai connu et ce à quoi j’étais habitué pour me lancer dans une nouvelle aventure professionnelle et personnelle ».

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

Les préoccupations des concitoyens sont-elles les mêmes partout ?

Je pense qu’on trouve ici un modèle de communauté spécifique. La communauté italienne s’est intégrée dans le tissu social, économique et culturel du pays. Malgré cette intégration, la langue italienne demeure encore parlée par beaucoup de gens, plus que n’importe où ailleurs en Amérique du Nord. Sans doute la situation politique a-t-elle permis cette ouverture. À mon avis, maintenir la langue permet d’assurer la transmission de la culture et de l’identité propre d’un peuple. La langue est le ciment d’une communauté. Il faut la soigner, la conserver, la protéger et la promulguer, car elle est aussi un moyen pour les non italiens de se rapprocher de notre culture, des arts, et de notre style de vie.

Vous êtes un consul anticonformiste, comment votre attitude s’intègre-t-elle avec une fonction officielle comme la vôtre ?

Je suis pleinement italien dans chaque chose que je fais, chaque geste que je pose. Les italiens ne font rien qui soient neutre, au contraire, c’est un peuple vivant, coloré et créatif. Un consul travaille à partir de sa réalité, de sa perception. Il faut aussi faire preuve d’une grande sensibilité et d’une ouverture pour travailler avec les autorités locales. Je suis très content d’avoir hérité de ce consulat, car Montréal est une ville très européenne, une ville latine, culturellement très riche où on palpe la joie de vivre. J’ai trouvé ici l’envie de bien faire les choses et cela est, à mon avis, une caractéristique italienne. Des gens occupant des fonctions très importantes dans tous les domaines sont animés par ce désir de bien faire avec style. Au cours de mon mandat, je veux aussi faire le tour de cette communauté sans oublier les groupes sous-jacents, les nouvelles tendances, les nouvelles générations. Les plus jeunes ont une approche non traditionnelle de leur culture et il faut les aider à faire émerger leur vision et leur créativité, car ils représentent l’avenir. Ils ont une énergie débordante. J’étais récemment à l’Université McGill et j’ai constaté avec étonnement le grand nombre d’étudiants d’origine italienne. J’ai longuement échangé avec ces jeunes étudiants et j’ai noté leur intérêt réel pour un échange constructif et ouvert sur la culture italienne.

Devient-on diplomate par passion ?

Je ne conçois pas ce métier sans passion. C’est d’ailleurs bien plus qu’un métier, il faut avoir une vocation et savoir absorber et apprécier la contribution des autres sans avoir d’idées préconçues. Ma perception de la ville et des gens évolue au fur et à mesure des contacts et des découvertes que je fais. Il faut construire ensemble, en réseau. Je veux travailler avec les autres et être capable de voir à travers leur filtre pour trouver des solutions. Je suis un consul général heureux, car j’ai beaucoup d’amis que je peux mobiliser pour réaliser des projets.

Un consul a-t-il une marge de manœuvre réelle ?

Je suis comme tout fonctionnaire, soumis à la loi et je dois travailler dans le cadre qu’elle impose. Le consul dispose tout de même d’une grande autonomie à l’intérieur de la législation. Montréal est une grande ville dans une province spécifique qui a des compétences autonomes. On peut donc travailler directement avec les autorités locales afin de développer des projets. Mon travail consiste aussi à activer et à développer les échanges commerciaux qui permettent aux entreprises italiennes compétentes d’entrer en contact avec les autorités locales tout particulièrement en matière de développement technologique et industriel.

58

PANORAMITALIA.COM

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 49-64_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:59 AM Page 59

EVENTS

La députée Filomena Rotiroti pour les femmes en politique elles se questionnent davantage sur la conciliation travail-famille, la nature de leur rôle et leur horaire et consultent davantage leur environnement immédiat. Il faut rassurer les femmes même si elles sont très compétentes. Mais je suis optimiste, les changements s’opèrent au rythme de l’implication des hommes dans la famille. J’ai envie de dire aux femmes qu’elles sont capables de faire ce saut. Oui ! C’est tout à fait possible.

Je les invite à s’impliquer et à foncer. On a besoin de plus de femmes. Elles font la différence en politique ».

La députée Filomena Rotiroti était très émue lors de la conférence de presse organisée par la ministre Christine St-Pierre, au lendemain du tremblement de terre qui a secoué le centre de l’Italie. « Je savais à quel point les gens avaient été touchés et que parmi les personnes présentes il y avait une dame qui venait de perdre son neveu dans le séisme. Cette tragédie était à ma portée et je n’ai pu cacher mon émotion. Je ne veux pas changer. Je suis une femme intègre, sensible et sincère et le plus beau compliment que l’on puisse me faire est de reconnaître ces qualités chez moi. Ce que les femmes apportent en politique, c’est justement cela, l’aspect humain, l’honnêteté, la sincérité et la rigueur. » La campagne SOS ITALIA vient en aide aux victimes du séisme en Italie en collaboration avec la Croix-Rouge canadienne et les différents organismes officiels de la communauté italo-québécoise.

Photography by Vincenzo D'Alto

Le parcours politique de Filomena Rotiroti était tracé d’avance. Alors qu’elle était enfant, elle fréquentait déjà les rendez-vous politiques et communautaires de son quartier. Elle y accompagnait son père, Vincenzo Rotiroti, conseiller municipal de l’ancienne municipalité d’Anjou. « À 7 ans, j’ai fait une première campagne électorale aux côtés de mon père. À 16 ans, j’organisais la campagne municipale d’Anjou à ses côtés », explique la députée de Jeanne-Mance-Viger en rajoutant avoir toujours adoré ça. C’est l’effervescence, la reconnaissance publique et la mainmise sur les dossiers qui ont incité la quadragénaire à travailler dans le milieu politique, une fois son baccalauréat en sciences politiques complété. Filomena se sent tout à fait à l’aise dans ce milieu, cependant elle a préféré la politique provinciale au terrain municipal, sans doute influencée par son mentor Jean Charest; « Un grand stratège et un homme passionné », selon elle.

Députée libérale à l’Assemblée nationale du Québec depuis 2008, Filomena sait que le métier de politicien est fort critiqué et constamment sous la loupe des journalistes. « C’est vrai que c’est un métier très critiqué, mais franchement, je ne ressens pas cette perception négative.

Je suis très près des gens. Je suis à l’écoute et je pense que c’est ma force, car je suis à l’affût de ce qui se passe dans mon comté et les gens apprécient cette complicité ».

Que pense cette politicienne aguerrie de la politique au féminin?

Existe-t-il selon-elle des différences entre hommes et femmes dans la façon de faire de la politique ? « Absolument ! Je crois que la société a besoin de cette approche féminine, car elle est complémentaire. J’ai été organisatrice pour l’est du Québec et j’ai fait de nombreuses entrevues. J’ai constaté que pour un homme, la décision de faire le saut en politique est rapide, alors que pour une femme c’est une réflexion qui demande une longue analyse. De façon générale, les hommes sont plus confiants et s’interrogent moins. Quant aux femmes,

Pour faire un don en ligne : Fondation communautaire canadienne-italienne du Québec: www.fcciq.com Caisse populaire Desjardins canadienne-italienne: www.desjardins.com Croix-Rouge: www.croixrouge.ca

A ssur E xperts Tina Ciambrone & Associés Cabinet en assurances de dommages • Assurance auto / Auto insurance • Assurance habitation / Home insurance • Assurance des entreprises / Business insurance • Cautionnements / Bonds

Tina Ciambrone Présidente

Tél: 514.381.7411 Cell: 514.909.0240 Courtier en assurance de dommages t.ciambrone@assurexperts.qc.ca

2607, rue Fleury Est Montréal QC H2B 1L8

Silvie Di Pietro Branch Director Knowledge First Financial Inc. (514)-337-6980 silvie.dipietro@kff-pfs.ca * Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a non-taxable benefit. CCB is calculated based on net family income and the age of your child. Please visit www.cra-arc.gc.ca/cctb/ for more details. † No purchase necessary. To be eligible to receive the offer, complete an RESP appointment with Knowledge First Financial Inc. between October 1st and November 30th, 2016, obtain a unique offer code and complete your online offer request from knowledgefirstpromotions.ca. Only online offer request forms accepted and must be received no later than January 15th, 2017. Allow 21 days for delivery of the Toys"R"Us Gift Card. Limit one offer per household. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer. Available only while quantities last. Not responsible for lost, late, or undelivered online submissions.

For more information about this offer or education savings plans frtrademark of Knowledge First Financial Inc. AP 1356

PANORAMITALIA.COM

59

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 49-64_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:59 AM Page 60

EVENTS

Montreal's Italian Week: Stop. Observe. Appreciate.

Photography by Marc-André Donato and Sara Barone

60

PANORAMITALIA.COM

Presented by Mastro® & San Daniele®, Montreal’s Italian Week transformed the city into a piazza of colours, culture, and entertainment from August 5th to 14th. Collaborating with several venues, including the McCord Museum for the “Eleganza” exhibit, as well as the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts for the “Pompeii” exhibit, the festival celebrated the essence of being Italian from Rivière-des-Prairies to Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Lasalle to Saint-Léonard and Saint-Michel.

Produced by the National Congress of ItalianCanadians (Québec region), the event has grown tremendously over the past years with hundreds of thousands of visitors for the grand finale weekend in Little Italy. Though the weather was not always cooperative, there was an excellent turnout.

For its 23rd edition, the event highlighted the Marche region, particularly traditional gastronomy from local associations and extravagant costumes during la Quintana, a traditional parade with more than fifty participants, organized by the ALMA Association.

Local celebrities were among the masses to participate in the annual dessert contest, including comedians Franco Taddeo and Guido Grasso, as well as singing chef, Davide Bazzali. Hosted by the enthusiastically trilingual comedian, Joe Cacchione, this year’s featured dessert was BeaverTails®. Participants vied to be the first team to finish their pastry in a series of rounds, but only one could be victorious: social media sensation, Marco “More Better” Fragapane!

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 49-64_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:59 AM Page 61

EVENTS The Mastro® & San Daniele® Stage hosted an array of acts, including a performance by Marco Calliari, an international artist who delivered an energetic show that had hundreds of people dancing under a drizzle of rain. Star of the Québécois music scene, Calliari performed a variety of songs, including some Italian favourites. On the following night, Italian pop group, Taluna, took the stage as the opening act to the fashion show. Complemented by captivating LED displays, the performers set the tone for a weekend of memorable shows.

Presented at the Casa d’Italia for the first time ever, the “Moda Sotto le Stelle” fashion show exemplified Italian fashion at its best, combining the avant-garde looks of Amabile Style and Mimmo Scali, with the sophisticated style of Signor Terry, Maria Arciero Design, and Sicily Clothing International.

The show also featured Marche designer, Vittorio Camaiani, who showcased his new collection from Italy. GL Touch Coiffure and Daniela Couto-Elias added the finishing touches with haute-couture inspired hair and make-up, while DJ Fabio Russo kept the crowd bouncing to his fusion of modern hits and Italian pop.

The opera, “Tosca”, marked the grand finale to a memorable 23rd edition. Hundreds of festival-goers crowded the stage under the starlit sky for what was undoubtedly the most successful night of the festival. Featuring the astounding voices of Caroline Bleau, Thomas Macleay, Alexandre Sylvestre, Claude Grenier, and Cosimo Eliseo, under the musical direction of Italian maestro, Gianluca Martinenghi, and artistic director, Salvatore Sciascia, the opera was a great hommage to Puccini’s celebrated masterpiece. A final triumph for Montreal’s Italian Week!

After several months of hard work and dedication, the festival was a great success. Presided by Pino Asaro, President of the National Congress of Italian-Canadians (Québec region), under the guidance of Director General, Ms. Josie Verrillo, and Assistant Director, Alexandro Loffredi, the team at Montreal’s Italian Week was able to deliver a brilliant festival of unparalleled quality. The staff was determined, volunteers were enthusiastic, and sponsors truly committed to the Italian community.

We greatly anticipate what next year will bring!

Sales • Service • Installation • Since 1994 Ductless and Central Air-Conditioning 0% Financing and Rebates available during Fall Promotion Get a

FREE programmable thermostat with system installation

514 696-4629 • jcdrefrigeration.com Call now for a free estimate • Parliamo Italiano

PANORAMITALIA.COM

61

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 49-64_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:59 AM Page 62

EVENTS

Singing For a Cause - Johnny & Christina Capobianco For the past eight years, singer Christina Capobianco has been organizing galas to raise money for the Generations Foundation with her dad and partner in crime Johnny Capobianco. Panoram Italia met with the happy duo ahead of their 5th annual fundraiser for Generations Foundation, a Grand Concert being held on November 12 at Centre Pierre Charbonneau.

Panoram Italia: When did you start singing?

Christina Capobianco: I was 9 years old when I first stepped foot on stage. My grandfather entered my name in an Italian singing competition “Superfantastico” hosted

by CFMB Radio Station. I won first place performing a classic Italian song: “Io che non vivo senza te.”

PI: How is it to work/sing with your father?

CC: Truly special. Of course there are times that we disagree (old school vs new school) but in the end we make it work! We both have the same vision: to share our passion, all while entertaining the crowd.

PI: How do you balance your singing and PR/Marketing position with the PMG Group?

CC: Balance is not a choice, it is a necessity. It is crucial to the success of not only your career, but your life. It is important to focus on one thing at a time.

I allocate a certain amount of time to each of my passions. Luckily, both of them work hand in hand; performing on stages, meeting new people and being in the public.

PI: How do you stay motivated and what keeps you going?

CC: The end result. I love a good challenge. I truly appreciate all the positive feedback I receive from the guests in the crowd while I’m performing as well as the social media followers. As for my position with the PMG Group, when a client contacts me for a venue, it implies that they trust my judgement and that, in my eyes, justifies my motivation and hard work.

Panoram Italia: You have been singing all your life. When did you discover your talent?

Johnny Capobianco: In 1972, I decided to take piano lessons, which led me to discover my vocal abilities. I got the opportunity to enter various singing contests, which launched my singing career.

PI: Who is your favourite singer/inspiration?

JC: Massimo Ranieri is my favourite Italian performer. Josh Groban and Barry Manilow are also artists that I listen to. These artists have powerful songs and I really enjoy performing them at various events.

PI: How is it to work with your daughter? How long have you been collaborating together?

JC: We have been performing together professionally for the past 10 years! It is a dream come true to perform with my daughter. I would have never thought that I would be enjoying the later part of my career performing alongside her. She is truly talented and surely holds her own. I am very proud of her.

The Grand Concert will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at Centre Pierre Charbonneau (3000 Boul. Viau.) There are two different ticket options: 55$ regular and 75$ for VIP. The VIP tickets include floor seats and cocktail dining catered by the PMG Group. The cocktails begin at 6 pm, followed by the concert at 7:30 pm, and the dancefloor opens at 10:30 pm.

For more information about our concert you can contact Johnny directly at 514 998-7702 or email: capobianco.johnny@gmail.com

General Dentistry – CEREC Crowns and Veneers Dental Implants – 3D Imaging – LASER Dentistry Root Canal Treatment – Periodontal (gum) Treatment ZOOM Whitening – Invisalign

Dr. Michael De Minico, BSc, DMD Dr. Bruno De Minico, DDS, FAGD 4570 Jean-Talon Est (Suite 201) Montreal, Qc, H1S 1K2

(514) 376-4482 deminicodentaire.com 62

PANORAMITALIA.COM

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 49-64_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:59 AM Page 63

MTL OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 49-64_Layout 1 2016-10-05 8:59 AM Page 64