Panoram Italia Toronto Feb/March 2014

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2014 Vol. 4 NO. 1 PUBLISHER’S NOTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

16

EDITORIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

EXECUTIVE MULTILINGUALISM

PUBLISHER AND EDITOR Tony Zara

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Filippo Salvatore

A Lesson in Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Una lezione di lingua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Speaking Italian in the GTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

EDITORIAL

Monika Forte & Andrei Grigore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Daniel Turski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Joe Gallippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

24

Frank Andreacchi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

LIFE & PEOPLE

DEPUTY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Adam Zara MONTREAL WEB MANAGER MANAGING EDITOR Gabriel Riel-Salvatore Gabriel Riel-Salvatore TORONTO MANAGING EDITOR Rita Simonetta

PROOFREADER Aurelie Ptito

Future Leader: Mariaveronica Barbuto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Antonio Nicaso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Giuseppe Macina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Villa Grandi in Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Franca Gucciardi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

ART DEPARTMENT ART DIRECTION David Ferreira

PHOTOGRAPHY Gregory Varano Michel Ostaszewski

GRAPHIC DESIGN David Ferreira

MAKEUP Desi Varano

FOOD Ragù Bolognese Recipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

ADVERTISING LIVING ITALIAN STYLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

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VICE PRESIDENT – MARKETING & SALES TORONTO Earl Weiner

ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Chiara Iusso

FASHION Valentine’s Day Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

CONTRIBUTORS VILLA CHARITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Liz Allemang • Alessia Sara Domanico • Vanessa Santilli • Fabio Forlano Rosanna Bonura • Daniela DiStefano • Stephanie Grella • Julie Aube Alain Raymond • Sarah Mastroianni • Claudia Buscemi Prestigiacomo Nick Sabetti • Francesca Spizzirri • Gaia Massai

BOLOGNA Bologna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Delectable Bologna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Fashion Trends alla Bolognese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Dalla e i cantautori di Piazza Grande . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 L’Università più antica del mondo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Emilia-Romagna da bere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Terra di Motori . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

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26 Duncan Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 2B9 Tel.: 1.800.775.9428 I Fax: 416.438.3188 or by e-mail at: info@panoramitalia.com Legal deposit - Bibliothèque nationale du Québec / National Library of Canada - ISSN: 1916-6389

Get Cooking in Bologna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

ARTS & CULTURE

62

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BABIES OF THE YEAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Printed by: 514.337.7870 www.accentimpression.com

SPORTS Goalkeeper Robert Stillo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

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EDITORIAL

Making an Impact

By Tony Zara, Publisher Dear readers, ust like every February/March issue, we start the year off with a bang by presenting Panoram Italia’s Babies of the Year section. Parents, grandparents, uncles or aunts take this opportunity to send in a picture of the new addition, or additions, to their family – yes we have a few twins and triplets! Our children and grandchildren are our pride and joy; why not show them off to the community? Go to page 56 and perhaps you will recognize someone’s name!

J

The numbers don’t lie After just over two years in the GTA, here is a wonderful and abundantly clear truth: the power of Panoram Italia Magazine lies not in its pages, its editorial or its massive distribution. Rather, the power of this magazine is our readers.

They are dedicated and committed to the guiding principles of Panoram Italia, and each and every bi-monthly edition clearly has meaning for our readers both individually and in their family lives.

These statistics are compiled by Alexa.com, an independent research organization that measures and calibrates web site strength worldwide and throughout Canada. Panoram Italia does not pay for this research; it is unbiased and recognized as valid and substantial.

These huge numbers, specifically regarding Facebook “likes” and “Talking about us” are at this magnitude precisely because our readers and their families love our magazine! Why do they dig deeper and spend more time with us? Because they want to get more out of Panoram Italia.

There is also another conclusion, a corollary if you wish, equally compelling and perhaps even more so when you consider the advertising dollars you and your businesses spend in print advertising to the 600,000+ GTA Italian-Canadian households: The other local magazines in the chart above show very little engagement from their readership base.

Our commitment to you is to make available a free copy of our mag to whoever is interested in reading about our culture and community. The magazine will always be free, however, should you want to receive it in the comfort of your home we are asking you to pay $1.00 (yes – only one dollar) per issue to cover the cost of mailing.

How else to explain these numbers?

Website worldwide ranking

Website Canadian ranking

Facebook likes

Facebook "Talking about us"

Panoram Italia

204,369

7,449

25,986

7,272

Corriere Canadese

1,821,345

60,298

719

5

City Life Magazine

1,925,237

73,032

1,082

7

Snapd Woodbridge

3,334,366

59,347

592

63

Vivo Magazine

4,743,181

N/A

4,755

0

Snapd Vaughan East

7,167,991

N/A

386

2

Whatever Vaughan

8,735,569

N/A

261

47

Dolce Vita

673,883

61,969

2,025

12

Subscribing Subscribing to Panoram Italia not only demonstrates your support but starting this February, also enters you in our 2014 draw for an opportunity to win our Grand Prize of $10,000. One lucky winner will receive a $10,000 cheque, and 5 iPads will also be raffled off. Furthermore, you will receive over $150 of great discount cards, by mail, to spend in the fine retailers that support our magazine.

* Data compiled on January 27, 2014

READERS COMMENTS RE: Holocaust Survivor Enzo Camerino, Vol. 3 No. 6 I just read the article regarding Holocaust survivor Enzo Camerino, and I was very fascinated that this hero (in my mind) is somehow connected to me by our last name. I love your magazine and the connection you make between old and new generations. I hope to share this article with my family in Italy to see if there is a family connection because my father once told me our last name is a very rare one in Italy.

Carla Camerino

I read your wonderful article about Enzo Camerino. I lost family in the Holocaust as well and I would love to meet this courageous, dignified man. Would you know if he will participate in any upcoming memorial events in the Montreal area, either in English or Italian?

Lorraine Bick Bold & Beautiful Bolzano, Vol. 3 No. 6 Your December 2013/January 2014 issue of Panoram featured an excellent, beautiful and accurate write-up on Bolzano. My brother was born in Bolzano in 1940.

He would love to have this issue and the detailed articles on Bolzano. I happened to see this issue at a neighbour's house but she won't part with it.

Sylvia Cappellacci

Home Cooking with Ida Fanzolato, Montreal Vol. 8 No. 6 (available @panoramitalia.com) When I read articles such as “Home Cooking,” I completely appreciate the major focus of the magazine, which is “people stories” as the magazine’s founding publisher Tony Zara once told me. I always felt I would have loved to have a daughter, especially after the great experience of having had a healthy, beautiful, intelligent son.

But I never knew exactly why until I read this article. Grazie mille per le emozioni.

Guglielmo (William) D'Onofrio

One More Day

What would you do if you had one more day to spend with a deceased loved one?

Send your maximum 300-word answers to info@panoramitalia.com, along with a high resolution photo.

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PA N O R A M I TA L I A . C O M

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EDITORIAL

How Can the Promotion of Italy Be Improved in Canada?

The impending closure of Vancouver’s Istituto Italiano di Cultura

By Filippo Salvatore

Is the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Vancouver about to be closed?

That seems to be the case according to a petition being circulated online to prevent it, already signed by hundreds of people. he presence of Italy in the world by means of its embassies, general consulates, consulates, trade commissions and institutes of culture is being closely scrutinized in the spending review the Enrico Letta government has undertaken. Cost effectiveness and the strategic presence and role that Italy, as one of the G7 countries, can play in a specific country or a region are two key elements being assessed within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome.

Some of the questions being addressed are: should Italy keep an embassy in a country like the Dominican Republic? Should some of the consulates present on German, Swiss or French soil be kept? And if so, what is the ratio cost/benefit? Should Italy choose instead, for strategic and economic reasons, to open more consulates in mainland China, in Japan, in India or in other emerging countries like Brazil, Mexico, South Africa or South Korea, in the Balkan peninsula or in Middle Eastern countries.

This is the framework that has to be kept in mind in order to give an objective reading about the impending closure of Vancouver’s Istituto Italiano di Cultura.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy made the decision as part of its mandate of sweeping budget cuts. As the only outlet and resource of all aspects of Italian culture in Western Canada, it seems quite callous to close an institution whose mission is to teach the Italian language to italophiles and to promote art, history, cinema, or any related field. Undeniably the closure of the Istituto Italiano di Cultura would be a huge loss for Vancouver and indirectly have a negative impact into economic activities as well, since fostering interest in Italian culture benefits the “Made in Italy” trademark in all sorts of products (food, fashion, tourism).

It stands to reason, many argue, that the rich culture of Italy must have a home in Western Canada, especially in one of its most prominent and expanding cities, Vancouver, which is a strategic door to open on the Pacific coast and indirectly on Asia. For geo-political and economic reasons, Italy needs to be there. It may be argued therefore that closing a cultural institution in that part of the world is a myopic decision and a false economy. Italy is one of the cultural power-houses of the world. 40 per cent or more of human artistic patrimony is found on Italian soil.

The large-scale promotion of Italian language and culture the world over ought to be a priority for the government.

It could be the path to take to come out of the grave economic crisis in which the country finds itself. Strangely, the measures being taken, budget cuts, seem to go in the opposite direc-

T

tion. Compared with other European nations, Italy invests very little in financing its culture abroad: a meagre 12 million euros. France spends 760 million, the United Kingdom 826 million, and Germany 218 million. Even Spain spends more, 80 million.

What are the possible consequences of Vancouver’s Istituto Italiano di Cultura’s closure? The first one, as several professors and administrators have pointed out, is this: the link between Italy and the universities where the language is taught will be cut and might disappear in the middle term. Italian would lose its prestige as a language of culture and would be reduced to the rank of a heritage, immigrant language.

Western Canada would be deprived of the resources and the network that help keep italophiles interested and working in the field. The decision would affect Italian-Canadians as well. As Prof. Linda Hutcheon points out, “Given the size and emerging significance of the Italian community in Canada – and the increasing interest in Italian culture – this would be a short-sighted budgetary mistake.”

Anna Terrana, a prominent member of Vancouver’s Italian community and ex-Member of Parliament, Vancouver East (1993-1997), in addressing Eva Bonino, the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, said: “Madame Minister: The closing of the Italian Cultural Institute in Vancouver would be an enormous mistake. Opened over thirty years ago, the Institute has become very popular among Canadians of Italian origin and not and it has given a lot to the various communities. Vancouver is in Western Canada, very far from Toronto and Los Angeles and the Institute is the cultural link in western Canada that made us feel part of the

Italy we left but still need to be close to. It also gave the people who are not of Italian origin a place to learn, share, give, enjoy and make Italian friends. Opening the Institute was a very difficult task and closing it would mean the loss of cultural contact with Italy. Having been in politics, I know there are other areas where cuts can be made instead of taking away what Italians are so good to share: their culture.”

Many have made it a strong case that an Istituto Italiano di Cultura is needed in Vancouver and in Western Canada. I would add one more reason on how the budgetary crunch can be met. Let us do away with the Circoscrizioni Estera (elected MP and senators elected abroad) which are very costly, legally dubious and completely ineffective. The ongoing debate about a new electoral law and the changes in Section V of the Constitution might just do that. Let the money saved be used to promote Italy.

Do the Istituti di Cultura abroad need to be more effective? Absolutely. Their vocation needs to be changed. They should be the arm of the consulates and learn how to operate with the trade commissions and tourism boards besides teaching the language or networking with the country’s school and university systems. A major administrative reorganization is needed. Culture, trade and tourism should be different departments within a single General Consulate.

This would enable the consul to keep a global overview and create what is referred to as ‘sistema Italia’. The promotion of Italy in the world can and must be improved. New forms of administration, less bureaucracy, fresh people, new ideas and new energy is what it takes.

PA N O R A M I TA L I A . C O M

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MULTILINGUALISM

A Lesson in “Perhaps of all the creations of man, language is the most astonishing.” Think about it. British writer Giles Lytton Strachey is right. Language is what sets humans apart from all other living things on the planet.

a complex communication system through which by combining sounds, letters and words, we can express our state of being, an idea in our mind, a desire in our heart or a dream in our soul. Language also tells a rich story – it can shine light on where you came from, and it can be passed on to future generations. “There is a special connection between humans and language. People are born ready to learn language,” says Krista Byers-Heinlein, an associate professor of psychology at Concordia University, who specializes in language acquisition and early bilingualism. “There is a predisposition at birth to start picking up a language.”

In fact, we are all predisposed to pick up even more than one language, if that’s what our surroundings encompass. “Babies can tell the difference between languages,” says Byers-Heinlein, who ran one of her research studies out of a hospital’s neonatal ward. “We had newborns suck on pacifiers while listening to a recording of someone speaking in different languages. As soon as a new language was introduced, the babies would start sucking faster. They recognized, and were stimulated by, new sounds.”

It’s

Kids do it best Exactly how we learn languages is still not clear – the brain’s left hemisphere is more active, but research is constantly ongoing to discover exactly how our brain mechanisms work. However, what is clear is that children do it best. “Kids are language experts,” says Byers-Heinlein. “Biologically, they are more receptive to certain parts of language – specifically grammar.”

When babies are several months old, they usually utter their first word.

By 18-months to 24-months old, they can combine two words together, to express an idea or a want. By this age, they have also already decided what sounds are important for them to retain. “By about the age of one, kids have already learned what sounds are meaningful in their language,” explains Byers-Heinlein. For example, in French the ‘th’ sound is not used. So a Francophone child’s brain will discard this sound. “They are gaining their native accent,” she says, adding that young children fall within the critical period of language acquisition.

Once an individual reaches adulthood, it becomes very difficult to learn a foreign language without having an accent. “It is possible but not very common,” says Lydia White, professor of Linguistics at McGill University. “But of course, accent is only one aspect of language. Evidence suggests that adults can certainly acquire other aspects of a second language later in life – for example, syntax, semantics, [and] morphology.”

Mother tongue Many infants in Italian-Canadian households grow up hearing at least two languages.

Could someone have more than one mother tongue? Linguists say absolutely. “Your mother tongue is the first language that you speak – typically the language of your parents. It is possible to have two mother tongues if you are brought up bilingual from birth,” says White.

Byers-Heinlein agrees, stating that “Babies are very good at learning multiple languages at the same time,” and says there’s no need to worry about overloading the little ones. “There is no evidence to suggest that bilingual babies are confused.

Research shows that language delays affect the same proportion of monolingual children versus bilingual children.”

Just talk!

Parents raising children in a multilingual household often have many questions – even doubts at times – as to the best way to pass on languages to their children. ByersHeinlein’s advice is simple: Just talk…a lot! “Babies learn from listening. The number of words they hear per hour is directly proportional to the number of words they will know in that language,” she says. “Speak to them – a lot – in all the languages that you want them to learn.”

That does not mean technology – such as a television, radio or tablet – will do the trick. “Social interaction is very important. We find that babies do not learn language from TV all that much. It’s not effective,” Byers-Heinlein says. “They need to see 12

PA N O R A M I TA L I A . C O M

the lips and face moving. They need interaction and social cues – such as pointing – for a rich experience.” Once babies are exposed to languages regularly, they will learn them. “Learning is all about listening and practice – that’s what makes you proficient.”

Byers-Heinlein says this means speaking Italian only during Sunday lunch at Nonna’s house won’t do the trick. “If you decide that the grandparents will speak to your children in Italian, but then your children are only with their Italian grandparents two hours a week, that’s not very much. You need to be exposed to a language at least 25 per cent of the time.”

Therefore, Byers-Heinlein suggests every multilingual family should try to adopt a ‘language strategy’ in their home. For example, some families may find it works to have a rule where they speak one language in the home, and switch to another language when they go out. Others have one parent use the mother tongue (such as Italian) while the other parent uses the dominant language (such as English). “As long as the children are exposed to the language as much as possible,” says Byers-Heinlein.

“

Your mother tongue is the first language that you speak – typically the language of your parents. It is possible to have two mother tongues if you are brought up bilingual from birth.

Pros & cons

“

By Sabrina Marandola

Language

By teaching your children to speak several languages, you may also unknowingly be giving them an edge when it comes to their overall health later in life. “There seem to be cognitive advantages,” says Byers-Heinlein. “Preliminary research suggests that speaking more than one language delays the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. That mental gymnastics may be protective as you get older.”

On the down side, bilingual and multilingual people tend to have what ByersHeinlein calls ‘tip-of-the-tongue’ state – finding that perfect word for what they are trying to convey. “They are a little bit slower at retrieving words,” she says.

At risk?

While exposure is key when it comes to children learning a language, adults can unlock the vault of their language skills with another tool: motivation. “As we get older, motivation is very important in learning a language,” says Byers-Heinlein.

Motivation also helps to transmit a language from one generation to the next.

If a cultural community is not motivated to keep its heritage alive, it will eventually die. “Certain aspects of the mother tongue may be ‘lost’ through disuse, or because of interference from the language commonly used,” explains White.

Byers-Heinlein adds that if Italian-Canadian children don’t speak Italian with other children, they won’t see an everyday use for their native language…and therefore have little motivation to learn it. “Kids don’t see language as a transmission of culture and heritage,” she says.

This means we could be watching the Italian language fade away in Canada right before our eyes. “There is the three-generation rule: In the first generation, the language is strong – it’s how people communicate. In the second generation, there is a solid understanding of the language, but the writing or reading is weak. By the third generation, the language is at risk.”

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MULTILINGUALISM

“La lingua è di tutte le creazioni umane forse la più sorprendente”, ecco cosa diceva lo scrittore britannico Giles Lytton Strachey. E nel dirlo coglieva nel segno. La lingua è quello che distingue la specie umana dagli altri esseri che vivono sul nostro pianeta. È un sistema di comunicazione complesso. Attraverso la combinazione di suoni, di lettere e di parole riusciamo ad esprimere stati d’animo, idee che abbiamo nel pensiero, o desideri che portiamo nel cuore oppure un sogno della nostra anima. La lingua è anche il veicolo di una storia in quanto fa capire la provenienza di una persona e può essere trasmessa alle generazioni future.

siste un legame speciale tra esseri umani e lingua. Secondo Krista ByersHeinlein, associata in psicologia presso la Concordia University, specialista nell’acquisizione linguistica e nel bilinguismo dell’infanzia, si nasce con una propensione naturale nell’imparare una o diverse lingue se l’ambiente circostante lo favorisce. I bambini sanno distinguere una lingua da un’altra come risulta da una ricerca che la Byers-Heinlein ha affettutato in un reparto di neonati all’ospedale.

“Abbiamo fatto ascoltare a dei neonati con il succhiotto in bocca la voce di gente che parlava lingue diverse. Appena si sentiva una lingua nuova, i piccolini succhiavano piu’ forte. Riconoscevano e venvano stimolati da suoni nuovi”.

E

I bambini sono i più bravi Non è ancora stato appurato come si imparano nuove lingue. La sezione a sinistra del cervello è più attiva, ma ricerche sempre più precise stanno continuando. È comunque assodato che i bambini sono molto bravi. “I bambini sono esperti in fatto di lingue”– specifa la Byers-Heinlein. “Sanno captare molto bene la struttura grammaticale della lingua”.

I bambini iniziano a pronunciare le prime parole quando hanno appena qualche mese. Tra 18-24 mesi di vita sanno già legare tra di loro le parole ed esprimere un desiderio o un bisogno, dimostrando così che sanno già quali suoni sono importanti da ricordare.

“Al compimento del primo anno, i bambini sanno quali suoni hanno significato nella loro lingua. Per esempio. Il suono ‘th’ non esiste in francese, per cui un bambino francofono non ne tiene conto e così acquisisce l’accento di chi parla il francese come lingua madre. L’infanzia è quindi un periodo fondamentale per l’apprendimento di una lingua”.

Una volta che si diventa adulti, è molto difficile imparare un’altra lingua senza avere un ‘accento’. “È possibile, ma non è molto comune”– chiarisce Lydia White, docente di linguistica presso l’università McGill. “L’accento non è, ad ogni modo, che un aspetto della lingua. Gli adulti riescono ancora ad imparare altri aspetti della lingua, come la sintassi, la semantica e la morfologia di una seconda lingua”.

La lingua madre Molti bambini italocanadesi sono esposti ad almeno due lingue a casa mentre stanno crescendo. Si può avere più di una sola lingua madre? I linguisti ne sono convinti. “La lingua madre è la prima che una persona parla, di solito quella dei genitori. È comunque possibile avere due lingue madri se si cresce fin dalla nascita in un ambiente bilingue”– afferma White.

Anche la Byers-Heinlein la pensa allo stesso modo. “I bambini sono molto bravi ad imparare lingue diverse contemporaneamente”. E non c’è da aver paura di esagerare. “Niente ci porta a credere che i bambini bilingui sono confusi. I ritardi di espressione si riscontrano sia in bambini che parlano una sola lingua sia in quelli che ne parlano due o diverse”.

Basta parlare I genitori che fanno crescere i figli in un ambiente multilingue si pongono molte domande ed hanno a volte anche dei dubbi sul modo migliore di trasmettere le lingue ai loro piccoli. Il consiglio della Byers-Heinlein è semplice: basta parlare molto. “I bambini imparano ascoltando. Il numero delle parole che sentono in un’ora in una lingua specifica corrisponde perfettamente a quello che conoscono nella stessa lingua”.

Il suo consiglio: “Parlate loro molto in tutte le lingue che volete che imparino”.

I mezzi tecnologici, come la televisione, la radio o lo schermo dei tablet non bastano. “Il contatto personale è molto importante. I bambini non imparano molto bene una lingua guardando solo la televisione. Hanno bisogno di vedere le labbra che si muovono o l’espressione del viso. Hanno bisogno del contatto umano e di segni sociali come la direzione di un ditto per vivere un’esperienza ricca”. Se i bambini vengono in

contatto frequentemente con lingue diverse, le imparano. “L’apprendimento è dovuto in gran parte all’ascolto e alla pratica. Solo così si acquisisce piena padronanza di una lingua”.

Byers-Heinlein reputa che parlare solo l’italiano per due ore durante il pranzo a casa dei nonni non basta. “Se decidete che i nonni parleranno solo l’italiano con i nipotini, ma li vedono soltanto per due ore alla settimana, non è molto. Bisogna venire in contatto con una lingua almeno il 25% del tempo, per impararla”.

Per cui, secondo lei, bisogna adottare una strategia linguistica a casa. Alcune famiglie possono, per esempio scegliere di usare una sola lingua a casa e usarne un’altra quando escono fuori. Altri possono scegliere di far corrispondere una lingua ad uno dei genitori, l’italiano per esempio, mentre l’altro genitore usa più frequentemente l’inglese. “L’importante è che i bambini vengano in contatto in ogni circostanza possibile con le lingue parlate”– dice Byers-Heinlein.

“

Se una comunità non ha interesse a mantenere viva la propria lingua d’origine, essa deperirà e morirà. Alcuni aspetti della lingua, per mancanza di uso, oppure a causa delle interferenze di un’altra lingua usata più frequentemente, saranno perduti.

Cosa si guadagna e cosa si perde

“

By Sabrina Marandola

Una lezione di lingua

Insegnare ai bambini a parlare diverse lingue significa dare loro, senza rendersene conto, una marcia in più per quanto riguarda la salute mentale nella vecchiaia. “Ci sono vantaggi cognitivi”– spiega Byers-Heinlein. “I primi risultati della ricerca sembrano dimostrare che saper parlare diverse lingue ritarda la dementia senile e la malattia di Alzheimer. Man mano che si invecchia la ginnastica mentale diventa uno scudo protettivo per il cervello”. Non è tutto oro quello che luccica. Chi parla due o diverse lingue soffre della sindrome della ‘punta della lingua’, ossia riuscire a trovare la parola giusta nell’esprimere perfettamente tutto quello che vuole comunicare. “Si è un pò più lenti nel trovare la parola giusta” – fa notare la Byers-Heinlein.

Lingua a rischio?

Se per i bambini il contatto è fondamentale per imparare una lingua, per gli adulti quello che conta veramente è la volontà. “Man mano che si diventa adulti, la volontà è molto importante nell’imparare un’altra lingua”– dice Byers-Heinlein. La volontà aiuta anche a trasmettere una lingua da una generazione ad un’altra. Se una comunità non ha interesse a mantenere viva la propria lingua d’origine, essa deperirà e morirà.

“Alcuni aspetti della lingua, per mancanza di uso, oppure a causa delle interferenze di un’altra lingua usata più frequentemente, saranno perduti”– chiarisce la White.

Byers-Heinlein sottolinea che se i bambini italocanadesi non parlano l’italiano tra di loro, non si renderanno conto che la loro lingua madre è utile nella loro vita quotidiana e quindi non avranno la volontà di impararlo o di parlarlo. “I bambini non considerano la lingua un mezzo per la trasmissione della cultura o della propria eredità”. Questo significa che potremmo essere noi stessi i testimoni della lenta, ma inesorabile scomparsa dell’italiano in Canada. “Esiste la legge delle tre generazioni. Per la prima generazione la lingua d’origine è molto forte. È il modo normale di comunicare. Per la seconda generazione la comprensione è ancora forte ma s’indebolisce la lettura o la sctittura. Quando si arriva alla terza generazione la lingua ancestrale è a rischio”.

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MULTILINGUALISM

“We No Speak Americano,” a dance version of Renato Carosone’s song, “Tu Vuò Fà L’Americano”, became a hit both in Canada and around the world when it was released in 2010. But considering that Italian-Canadians in the GTA do not communicate in their mother tongue like they once did, should they be singing, “We No Speak Italiano” instead?

ccording to the 2006 Canadian Census, the city of Toronto alone is home to 466,155 Italian-Canadians. As time passes and Italian-Canadian ties to Italy inevitably weaken, what is happening to la bella lingua in the Toronto area? It seems that there are a few things going on.

When asked the question, Professor Vanessa Rukholm, who teaches Italian language courses at Wilfrid Laurier University, replied, “That’s a tough one. I’m going to say that there seems to be a bit of a renaissance in terms of interest in people of a certain generation wanting to connect or re-connect, perhaps, with their Italian roots […] I do hear some dialect being spoken.”

Professor Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano of the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics at York University, is of the same mind. “Definitely the interest in Italian culture and language is there across the spectrum. Let’s hope it continues,” she said.

In 2011, 166,415 people in Toronto recorded Italian as their mother tongue, according to Statistics Canada. This put Italian behind only Chinese in the rankings of the number of people in Toronto whose mother tongue is neither English nor French.

There’s a difference, though, between having a chunk of the population that’s able to speak Italian (either standard Italian or a traditional dialect or Italiese) and having a chunk of the population that actually uses Italian regularly in their day-to-day life.

In Australia, another country with a large Italian population, Mandarin only just (in 2011) usurped Italian as the most commonly spoken language other than English, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

But to get a clearer picture of the usage of Italian in the GTA, more information is needed. “There are absolutely no reputable studies as to the extent of Italian spoken in the GTA,” says Professor Jana Vizmuller-Zocco, also an associate professor at York University. “Perhaps the question should be, ‘why are there no studies regarding Italian spoken in Toronto?’” she suggests.

In the absence of a formal study, she recommends a look at historical Statistics Canada data to gain somewhat of a picture of Italian language trends in the GTA. She explains, “As far as Italian-Canadians are concerned, they do not hear Italian spoken by and within the family, […] once the major push to learn the language.”

Regardless of whether people are hitting the books to brush up on their Italian or not, many Italian-Canadians in the GTA tend to engage fairly often in what Professor Marcel Danesi calls “code-switching”. It’s a fancy name for something that you’d recognize if you heard it: peppering English speech with Italian words when talking with another Italian-Canadian.

For example, “Zitta! I’m on the phone with my zia!” or “This weekend we’re doing the pomodori with my nonni.” “It has a function,” says Danesi, who teaches at the Anthropology Department at U of T. “You switch a word here, a word there to show your identity and to show that you’re of Italian origin,” Danesi explains. It’s not dialect, and it’s not bilingualism. “It’s part of identity formation. It’s your luxury identity. It shows that you have a certain background and are proud of it.” It’s what Carosone did with “Tu Vuò Fà L’Americano”, except in reverse.

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Italian teacher Carmela Larosa

Photo by Gregory Varano

By Sarah Mastroianni

Speaking Italian in the GTA

Danesi also talks about the difference in the use of Italian between generations, starting with the first to arrive in Canada. “They would act out their linguistic and cultural lives from back home […] People all spoke a dialect from wherever they came from.” Then a change occurred. “In meeting and interacting, […] they made a new kind of standard language,” he explains, referring to Italiese, which he fondly describes as “the language of the heart.” “As time went on,” Danesi continues, “the second generation was more passive, receiving this language rather than using it. By the third generation, it was totally passive. By the fourth generation, it disappears. To me, that’s a tragedy.”

While a sizeable number of Italian-speakers remain in the GTA, the retention rate of the Italian language, meaning the number of people who have Italian as a mother tongue and who speak it either exclusively or often in their home, falls significantly behind that of other European languages like Polish, Portuguese and Greek.

Vizmuller-Zocco goes on to explain that there are many reasons for the phenomenon of reduced language retention, such as the increased rate of intercultural marriages where the other partner doesn’t speak Italian, a sense of shame in speaking dialect, and less of a need to know Italian to communicate with grandparents and older relatives, who are now capable of communicating in English. Additionally, with high schools swapping language classes for more employment-friendly subjects like computer studies, “Italian-Canadians do not see the practical advantage in learning Italian,” she says.

Iannacito-Provenzano weighs in on the situation saying, “Today, we can see that a lot of parents of my generation (second and third) speak English with their kids, dialect with their parents, but many also make an effort to send their children to some kind of program that teaches Italian.” “Is this helping to maintain or promote Italian in the GTA?” she asks. “I would like to be positive and say ‘yes’ but many of us and our kids are bombarded by English and so the heritage language (standard or dialect) is feeling its effects.”

There is, however, some consolation. In a time when budget cuts to the arts and humanities at schools and universities are becoming more and more common, Rukholm says that in her experience, at the university level, “there does seem to be a lot of interest in the introductory level Italian courses. The numbers tend to be pretty strong.”

While this doesn’t mean that there’s a new crop of fully-fluent Italian speakers ready to bloom, the interest in the language at least counts for something. And although the future of Italian as a commonly-spoken language in the GTA is uncertain, people remain hopeful. “The Italian-Canadian community worked hard over decades to introduce Italian programs in schools and universities […] and together with the strong presence and contributions of Italian-Canadians in the GTA, there is an interest in Italian culture and language,” said Iannacito-Provenzano.

Rukholm agrees, “Particularly nowadays with access to things online like magazines and newspapers, more than ever Italian is at our fingertips.” We just have to reach out and grab it.

Toronto FEB-MARCH 1-16_Layout 1 14-02-03 2:17 PM Page 15

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MULTILINGUALISM

Photo by Gregory Varano Flags courtesy of The Flag Store, Woodbridge, Ontario

Monika Forte & Andrei Grigore

By Daniela DiStefano

Blending traditions Andrei Grigore remembers the first time he met his then girlfriend Monika Forte’s big Italian family four years ago. “I was at her house for her birthday and about 20 people were there,” he says. “It was hard to remember all the names of her zie, zii, nonni and cugini.”

aving immigrated to Canada at the age of nine from Romania with just his parents and younger brother, Andrei’s family birthday parties were much smaller and quieter events. “I don’t have much extended family here, so it was all very new and overwhelming to me,” he says.

Now engaged to be married this summer, the couple first met while working at a car dealership in Toronto in 2009. “The first time we talked he asked me to translate a parking ticket he had gotten when he was on vacation in Italy,” says Forte, 26.

In their four years together the pair has developed a close relationship with each other’s families and has grown accustomed to the cultural traditions, family values and language of each other’s heritage.

“Everything centers around food and family with Italians, and it’s the same in Romanian culture,” says Grigore, 29. “I’ve been picking up some Italian words from Monika and my parents have been teaching her how to say some words in Romanian.”

“My family has been exposing Andrei to all our favourite foods, and now he loves arancini and cannoli,” says Forte. “He even comes to make tomato sauce with us.

They joke that we’re turning him into an Italian.”

This past summer the couple travelled with Forte’s

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family to Italy to visit her mother’s hometown of Roccalumera, Sicily, and her father’s hometown, Sora.

They met extended family members and got a real taste for Italian life. “Seeing Italy with Italians gave me a much better understanding of the culture and an appreciation for the traditions Monika’s family brought with them here,” says Grigore. “I felt like I wasn’t just a visitor but was living like the locals.”

At their wedding this September there is sure to be a blend of traditions to represent the bride and groom.

“We’ll be having a typical Italian meal with antipasto, pasta and seafood, as well as giving out bomboniere, and we’re going to play Romanian music,” says Forte. “We want it to be enjoyable for all our guests and a celebration of our families.”

Those strong family ties are what Forte and Grigore both hope to pass on to their own family someday. “We want to incorporate those family-oriented values into our children’s lives and make sure they grow up around their grandparents,” says Forte. “It’s important to keep both their heritages alive by bringing them to visit Italy and Romania and giving them the opportunity to learn the languages. With some things though they have no choice – they’re going to be making tomato sauce in the garage!”

Toronto FEB-MARCH 17-32_Layout 1 14-02-03 2:20 PM Page 17

Photo by Gregory Varano

MULTILINGUALISM

Daniel Turski

By Vanessa Santilli

Fusing functionality with passion Before moving to Rome, Daniel Turski didn't speak Italian. But upon arriving in the Eternal City, he didn't just want to get by – he wanted to sound like a native Italian.

didn't just want to settle for speaking the language, but still sound like a Canadian or a North American,” says Turski, who returned to Canada in June of 2013 and now lives in Waterloo, Ontario. “To actually get the rhythm down and the musical side to it was definitely challenging.”

Turski had a practical reason to learn the language.

Years ago he was a seminarian studying in Rome, and all the classes for both his undergraduate and Master’s degrees in philosophy were in Italian. “That forced me into the academic side of learning Italian,” says Turski, who now works as a financial consultant. “At the same time, I had the opportunity to make friends and meet families in Rome. I would spend time with them and that gave me the chance to really practice and get more familiar with colloquial Italian.”

To bring him up to speed, he took an intensive Italian course that lasted about a month in his first year.

Turski wasn’t new to learning another language.

“My parents only spoke to me in Polish at home so I actually ended up going to school not really knowing English very well.”

He says growing up in a multilingual environment gave him “more flexibility linguistically and culturally to absorb Italian.”

Turski calls learning the language challenging, particularly because he wanted to speak like a native Italian.

“I

“Getting used to regional accents, phrases and slangs was another learning curve,” he adds. “But like any language, when you're fully immersed…as long as you’re not afraid to make mistakes and accept others’ observations and corrections, then you’re bound to succeed.”

Since returning from Rome, Turski has met a number of Italians here in Canada. “That gives me the chance to practice and, at the same time, if you speak someone’s language, it opens up their heart in a very special way.”

He feels there’s a certain type of warmth that really characterizes the Italian people. “There’s also that fiery passion.”

As well, he’s now offering financial services through his job as a financial consultant on a multilingual level.

After spending four years in Rome, Turski has an appreciation for everything Italy has brought to the Western world. “That richness is contained within the language and the culture. I think the most beautiful thing – and this is kind of a theory of mine, it’s a little philosophical – a language reflects a culture. It’s much more than just air coming out of your lungs and your tongue rearranging the sound. It’s something far deeper.”

But, he says, the most beautiful part of the Italian culture is the capacity to enjoy life, including simple things such as enjoying a delicious meal, company or coffee. “Whatever it is, they know how to savour the moment.”

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MULTILINGUALISM

Joe Gallippi An informal English education

By Daniela DiStefano

was January 1957 and Giuseppe (Joe) had just arrived by way of Halifax with his wife Maria from their hometown of Filogaso in Calabria. The metres of snow were quite intimidating for the 19-year-old newcomer when he first stepped off the train at Union Station, but he soon realized the cold Canadian climate could work in his favour to secure his first job.

“I would take the streetcar up Bathurst Street with my brother-in-law to shovel driveways,” says Gallippi, now 76 and living in Woodbridge. “He told me when I knocked on the door to ask, ‘do you want me to shovel the snow,’ but sometimes I would get confused and say, ‘do you shovel snow.’ On the first day I made $12 and on some days I made $26.”

That first year in Canada, Gallippi slowly picked up English words from the relatives he and his wife lived with in the city and the immigrants he would meet working odd construction jobs, shopping at Kensington Market and attending church. “I tried as hard as I could to pick up words, it was tough but I would look at the newspapers and try to read all the words I knew,” he says.

The following year he signed up for English language classes, but stopped attending after the second week. “At the same time I heard about a military band that was looking for new members, and the practices were on the same night as the English class so I picked the band instead,” says Joe, who has been an avid clarinet player for more than 55 years. “My plan was to work for a few years and save money to return to Italy anyways, so I didn’t think it was very important to learn more English. I wanted to join the band more.”

Photo by Gregory Varano

“Do you want me to shovel the snow?” This was the very first English phrase Joe Gallippi learned when he immigrated to Toronto.

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By 1964 Gallippi and his wife bought their first home at Bloor and Shaw Streets, and had the first three of their five children. “When my kids were born I realized it was better to stay in Canada than to go back to Italy,” he says. “I wanted to take classes again, but I had to worry about my family and I couldn’t spend money on lessons, so I sacrificed.”

Instead, Gallippi continued his informal English lessons learning through his coworkers in the maintenance department at the City of Toronto where he worked for 36 years, and even more so through his hobby as a clarinet player with the Army Service Corp Band, The Band of The Royal Regiment of Canada and the Governor General Horse Guard Band.

“In the military bands there were English, Irish, Scottish musicians, so that forced me to learn to speak better with my bandmates to make conversation and understand each other,” says Gallippi. “In one way I regret not going to school to learn English, but then I wouldn’t have been able to follow my musical ambition. That is what I have enjoyed the most about living in Canada.”

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MULTILINGUALISM

Frank Andreacchi Getting back to basics

By Vanessa Santilli

When Frank Andreacchi was growing up, his nonni tried to teach him how to read and write in Italian. But try as they did, he wasn't very cooperative. always used to run away and try to avoid it,� says eighteen-year-old Andreacchi, a third generation Italian-Canadian. He regretted his actions years later, so he decided to take an Italian class at university. Now a first-year financial and business economics major at York University, Andreacchi is taking an Italian elective to get back to his roots and sharpen his reading and writing skills. “I want to bring myself up to the level of fluency that my parents have so that if I ever have kids, they are going to learn from me,� says Andreacchi, whose nonni collectively hail from the regions of Calabria, Abruzzo and Veneto.

While Andreacchi can speak Italian, he described himself as being “almost illiterate� before starting the course at York. “I figured the best way to practice was to put myself in an environment where I was surrounded and by having to read and write three times a week.�

Another reason Andreacchi felt encouraged to take the course was that when speaking with his bisnonni, nonni and zii, he found himself making errors here and there. “I just wanted to eliminate those errors and become more fluent in my native tongue,� he says.

In his first semester of the full year course, he’s found the most challenging part to be working on his grammar. At home, Andreacchi says his family speaks mostly Calabrese, where instead of saying “una� or “uno,� you say “nu.�

But already, he’s noticed an improvement in the technical aspects of his writing. “My spelling has gotten a lot better.�

Exercises on the proper form of the verb have been a breeze, though. “I’ve been speaking Italian since I've been speaking period, so it's almost been like a no-brainer to answer the questions in class.�

Photo by Gregory Varano

“I

So what is the greatest lesson he's learned so far? “I’ve learned that just because I speak Italian at home, doesn't mean that I understand everything about the language‌It's been a learning experience for me.â€?

The young Italian-Canadian says he took the course because he recognizes the importance of keeping his culture alive in Canada. “I didn’t want to be one of those third generations that don’t embrace it and the Italian (language) diminishes and diminishes, generation after generation.�

For Andreacchi, it’s “mandatoryâ€? that young Italian-Canadians know the Italian language and understand the traditions of their ancestors. “It’s more of just keeping the old world live‌learning different parts of your culture and keeping it going for generations to come.â€?

He also recognizes the importance of being able to communicate with older Italians. “There is still the older generation that came here after the WWII era, in the ’50s, the ’60s, the ’70s. At the same time, if you’re meeting the friend of a parent, if you're meeting an older Italian person, it’s respectful if you speak to them in Italian.�

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FUTURE LEADER

Mariaveronica Barbuto Giving it her all….and giving back

By Rosanna Bonura

“Do what you want to do, ignore any negativity, and give it your best shot. Continue training yourself to not only get through the obstacle course of life, but to win gold and achieve your dreams – whatever they may be.” hese are the words of Mariaveronica Barbuto, who at only 24 years old already has two degrees, a promising career, and has founded her own charitable organization. The Toronto native graduated magna cum laude from York University in 2011, where she majored in Political Science and English. The only child in her family to attend university in the past decade, she entered university life with an eagerness to learn as much as she could. Barbuto also made the most of her social life at York, joining the Federazione Canadese Italiana where she served as club secretary in her final year of study.

Her thirst for knowledge and love of travel sparked her interest to expand her education abroad. After graduating from York University, Barbuto enrolled at The University of Edinburgh in Scotland, where she graduated with an MSc in Global Crime, Justice and Security. The opportunity enabled Barbuto to study politics and law from a global perspective. “It was the hardest but most rewarding decision I have ever made. Academically I excelled to greater heights than I could have imagined and personally I have made the best friends and memories a person could ask for. My educational experiences, at home and abroad, have been like an extraordinary dream,” Barbuto tells Panoram.

Today, Barbuto’s career is based right out of where her education began – at York University, where she works as a project management coordinator. Her duties include assisting project managers with various upcoming projects by analyzing information, testing products and researching. She previously held other positions at York, all of which helped her get to where she is now. “I was granted so many different opportunities. Through these experiences, I learned not to give up on an opportunity due to self-doubt – if you do, you’ll never know how good you can be at it.” She is currently working towards getting a certificate in project management from Humber College.

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In addition to her career, Barbuto is also the founder and vice-president of the Teddy Bear Children’s Foundation (TBCF). The non-profit organization raises funds for children in need through a variety of community events. With the support of sponsors, affiliates, and members of the community, funds raised go towards the Oncology Unit of The Hospital for Sick Children. Founded in 2006, the organization has raised over $25,000. The inspiration behind TBCF was a personal one for Barbuto. At only three days old, she was rushed to Sick Kids for open heart surgery. “Sick Kids gave me my life, how could I not give back?” she says. Being the founder of TBCF has taught Barbuto many valuable lessons. “The greatest thing it has taught me is how hard work and determination will always thrust me towards success, but that success is also dependent on teamwork. Every year the committee puts their sweat, blood, time and tears into the fundraiser and we succeed.”

Devoting time to the community has earned Barbuto a few awards, including the CHIN International Community Achievement Award in 2010 and Forza Giovani’s Vincenzo Benenati Excellence Award in 2011. Giving back is an integral part of Barbuto’s life and something she is committed to continue. “I believe that we are all interconnected. We would not be who we are today without the people in our lives shaping us. Children – whether they are sick, undernourished, underprivileged or in need of any help – need our assistance to become the people that they were born to be,” says Barbuto.

Although Barbuto is aware of the dedication she herself put into her education, career and charitable work, she’s equally appreciative for the support her family has given her. “Their support keeps me going. They have driven me to strive to accomplish everything I have achieved. They put their whole lives into making sure that I had the tools to excel, and I don’t look at my accomplishments as solely my own because I feel like they are theirs as well.”

Toronto FEB-MARCH 17-32_Layout 1 14-02-03 2:21 PM Page 21

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LIFE & PEOPLE

Breaking the Silence Internationally recognized Mafia expert Antonio Nicaso says knowledge is key to combatting the mob

By Rosanna Bonura

Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Antonio Nicaso was only six years old when he first heard the word ‘Mafia.’ By the age of 16 he was covering organized crime as a reporter for a local newspaper and he hasn’t stopped since. Internationally recognized for his expertise on the subject, many in the industry refer to him as a Mafia expert – a title he says comes with great responsibility.

“Commenting on the Mafia is not easy. We must not fall into generalizations, but try to contextualize every fact, every event. We have to remember that they are people, even if they are involved in the worst possible crimes,” Nicaso tells Panoram Italia.

Photo by Gregory Varano

rowing up in Calabria, a region of Italy notorious for mob-related crimes, Nicaso had a life-changing experience when his classmate’s father was murdered by the ’Ndrangheta. The forced silence that followed it impacted Nicaso’s life forever. “We were forced to choose between awareness and indifference. I chose awareness. I began to wonder why certain things were happening and I thought that with our silence we were facilitating the task of those who wanted to control everything with violence,” he recalls. Nicaso left Italy in 1989, settling first in the U.S. and then moving to Canada where he continues to call Toronto home.

In the span of his career, Nicaso has been a key speaker at various symposia throughout the world. He sits on two advisory boards and teaches graduate studies on the History of Organized Crime at Middlebury College in Vermont. His travels also take him to Italy every year where he tours schools and talks to young people about the Mafia, thanks to one of his bestsellers, The Mafia Explained to Kids. While some may argue that teaching the young about the Mafia is inappropriate, Nicaso argues otherwise. “The Mafia is not only a law enforcement issue. It is a social problem and we need everyone’s contribution to combat it. Young people should know that the Mafia has never been on the side of the weak against the strong, or on the side of the poor against the rich.”

The author of 26 books, Nicaso’s most recent include one in Italian entitled Acqua Santissima, the story of the relationship between the ’Ndrangheta and the Church, and one in English entitled Made Men, co-written with Marcel Danesi, on the power of symbols, rituals and myths associated with the mob. He’s currently working on a book about the Montreal Mafia war with longtime friend and bestselling author Peter Edwards. Nicaso is a firm believer that all books have a message, whether explic-

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it or hidden. “I’ve always thought that knowledge is an effective weapon in the fight against the Mafia,” he says.

While the Mafia is often associated with southern parts of Italy, the fact is that there is also a level of organized crime right here at home in Canada. “Toronto and Montreal are two strongholds of organized crime. Toronto is a city where mobsters invest and launder lots of money. Montreal is the main port of entry for cocaine bound for New York,” he says. Exposing the world of the mob inevitably leads to feedback, but Nicaso has remained true to his journalistic integrity, providing accurate information based on court documents and avoiding sensationalism at all costs. “In Canada, the mobsters make you know what they think. There are mobsters who love to talk and tell many things. Often, they tell you what they do not like. I do not write to please anyone.”

In Italy, the fight against the Mafia has led to movements like Addiopizzo.

Initiated in Sicily in 2004, it aims to break the financial links to the Mafia. “It was a major move for Palermo and now for the entire country,” explains Nicaso. “It is a movement against the Mafia system of asking businesses for ‘protection money.’ In some telephone interceptions, mobsters discussed how best to avoid soliciting entrepreneurs who had joined Addiopizzo. The bottom line is that when people organize, mobsters recede.”

With a wealth of knowledge spanning over 30 years, Nicaso hopes his work inspires others to stop wasting time asking what they can do – and just do something.

“The fight against the Mafia is a battle of civilization and freedom. We must have the courage to fight back. Silence helps the Mafia. I like to think that the fight against it is like throwing pebbles into a pond. Every little stone will create waves.”

Toronto FEB-MARCH 17-32_Layout 1 14-02-03 2:21 PM Page 23

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Photo by Gregory Varano

LIFE & PEOPLE

Giuseppe Macina Giving a voice to others

By Stephanie Grella

Growing up with the hopes of becoming a painter, Giuseppe Macina quickly learned that his vocal talents were meant for the opera stage. Now, at the age of 75, Macina is an awardwinning singer who has learned that a truly rewarding career is one that brings pleasure.

orn and raised off of Italy’s Adriatic Coast in Mudugno, Puglia – just 6 kilometres outside of Bari – Macina spent much of his childhood singing in his church’s choir. While he sang regularly and would often attend operas in Bari, his focus was on a career in painting, keeping choir as a hobby. “I would only go to the theatre at night and sing recreationally,” says Macina. “But people said I should seriously consider studying opera.”

In 1954, at the age of 15, Macina had immigrated to Canada with his family, still hoping to pursue a career as a painter. However, after attending a Toronto concert by Renata Tebaldi, an opera singer that he had already met in Bari, Macina began to contemplate a career in opera singing.

Tebaldi eventually introduced Macina to Gina Cigna who was a teacher at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. While she was impressed with his memorization of all the arias, Cigna decided to send Macina to learn theory before teaching him anything else. From there, Macina was awarded a four-year scholarship to the University of Toronto’s Opera School. “I became passionate about singing at an early age,” Macina tells Panoram. “But all of a sudden the music took over, and I never looked back.”

Beginning his career at the Canadian Opera Company, Macina soon realized that constant travelling was not what he had in mind. “I am very territorial, so I couldn’t live out of a suitcase,” says Macina. “I love my garden too much.”

Finding his calling in 1967, Macina transformed Toronto’s oldest opera workshop and revived it as the Toronto Opera Repertoire (TOR). In partnership with Toronto’s District School Board, TOR offers an ideal learning platform for all community members and audiences.

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From harnessing vocal skills and composing full opera repertoires to creating elaborate sets and producing intricate props, Macina continuously worked to heighten Toronto’s opera community and showcase the abundance of creative talent the city has to offer. “The human voice is something that never stops to surprise me,” says Macina. “It’s unbelievable to think that these vocal cords can create this fantastic sound.”

Lauding Italian artists and their contributions to the opera stage, Macina credits Italy for creating the finest works of music. “To sing well, you have to sing in Italian,” says Macina. “Italian is the perfect language – we created opera with the Renaissance, and today, we still use the old techniques.”

Macina, who recently retired from his position at TOR in June 2013, has been recognized for his many contributions to the opera scene. In 1977, Queen Elizabeth II awarded Macina the Jubilee Silver Medal for his contribution to Italian culture in Canada, and in 2004, Toronto's Famous People Players honoured Macina with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to music and opera. Macina’s hometown of Mudugno has also closely followed his career and awarded him for his contributions to Italian culture.

One particular honour in 2005 made Macina a member of the Cavagliere Ordine della Croce della Stella della Solidarietá Italiana, bestowed by the Italian government – an honour that is equivalent to knighthood. “Everyone has been very kind,” says Macina humbly.

While Macina has had a long-running, noteworthy career as an opera singer, some might wonder if he has ever regretted turning his back on becoming a painter.

“No regrets at all,” Macina laughs. “If I were to do it again, I would do it all the same.

What a beautiful way to have a job.”

Toronto FEB-MARCH 17-32_Layout 1 14-02-03 2:21 PM Page 25

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Villa Grandi in Rome (photo courtesy of Foreign Affairs Canada)

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PA N O R A M I TA L I A . C O M

he Canadian government’s plan to sell Villa Grandi, the official Roman residence of Canada’s ambassador to Italy, has been met with concern and criticism. Canadian veterans who fought in the Italian campaign, a military effort that liberated Italy during World War II, are voicing their disapproval.

Veteran Gordie Bannerman says that Villa Grandi has both historic and symbolic meaning for the troops who served in the Italian campaign and the thousands who lost their lives. “I definitely think that Villa Grandi has a symbolic place in the hearts of Canadian veterans. It is truly a touch of Canada in Italy where we that fought there could see and be greeted personally by the Canadian Ambassador.”

The 92-year-old visited Villa Grandi on a veteran’s pilgrimage courtesy of Veterans Affairs Canada and says he was very impressed with the residence.

Located at 11 via di Porta Latina in Rome, the property is to be sold as part of Canada’s plans to cut down on various diplomatic properties and to supplement the Foreign Affairs budget.

“Canada’s former official residence in Rome (Villa Grandi) was far too large and far too costly for Canadian taxpayers,” says Mathieu Roy, spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada. “We believe that our operations abroad can be just as efficient and welcoming to guests, while keeping hard-working Canadian taxpayers top of mind.”

The 13,000-square-foot mansion, which sits on four acres of land, costs almost half a million dollars to operate per year, with gardening costs averaging a quarter-million dollars annually. Since 1999, over $2 million have been spent on repairs.

Canada owns two official residences in Italy: the Villa Grandi residence for the ambassador to Italy, Albania, San Marino and Malta, and another in Vatican City for the Holy See ambassador.

“Canada's ambassador to Italy has moved to the residence in the Holy See located at via di Porta San Sebastiano (formerly the Vatican Residence) and the residence in Rome will be sold,” says Roy. Sales of other properties have resulted in revenues of over $13 million since last April.

Among Villa Grandi’s symbolic meaning is the villa’s Ortona Room, named in honour of a key battle against Germany. Gordie Bannerman is concerned that once the villa is sold, the only way to preserve the memory of soldiers who fought in Italy will be through the silent monuments scattered around the country and the nearly 20 cemeteries in Italy where Canadians rest. He also strongly believes that the heroic efforts of these soldiers must be taught to the younger generations. “The education of Italian and Canadian children is the best way to keep the memory alive of the 93,000 Canadians who fought in Italy. Most of our students today do not know that Canadians fought in Italy or Hong Kong or even Korea. Educating the children would be the best way to create a lasting memorial,” adds Bannerman.

Villa Grandi, which was built in 1934, was purchased by the Canadian government in 1950. The initial claim stated that Canada bought the villa for $186,000 by deducting the amount from reparations paid by Italy to the Allies. But last fall, the government declared this to be incorrect. After researching the villa’s history, officials have determined that it was not in fact purchased with war reparations as previously reported. The sale of Villa Grandi is expected to bring in $20 million.

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Franca Gucciardi

LIFE & PEOPLE

Finding her inspiration

By Leah Kellar

“You have to take me back!” Franca Gucciardi recalls saying to her mother as a 12-year-old girl, pleading for a return to her former life in Sicily.

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he family had moved permanently to Toronto in the 1980s to live with her mother’s aunt in a little crowded house in the Jane-Finch neighbourhood, which has held a reputation for being one of the city’s roughest.

Her mother, whom Gucciardi describes as, “The quintessential Sicilian woman: strong, creative, relentless when it comes to what they will do for their children,” found work in a factory. Gucciardi’s parents had owned land in Sicily, but permanently settled in Canada in the hopes of securing a better future for their two young children.

“My high school was full of kids like me whose parents had changed everything to be able to give them a future,” Gucciardi said. “There were real consequences. I had seen the struggles; I knew what it meant.”

Consequently, she did not harbour any grandiose ideas about what life without a post-secondary education would mean for her.

“It wasn’t exactly the making of how you would think a conventional scholar would start out, and so I started getting involved.”

In August 2013, Gucciardi received one of the first ever top undergraduate merit scholarship awards in Canada and got the news that she was accepted into the leading women’s executive development program in the world.

She is now one of only 34 women to be named as a ‘fellow’ in the International Women’s Forum (IWF) Leadership Foundation’s Fellows Program. The program provides intensive leadership development and training at two of the top business schools in the world: Harvard Business School and INSEAD, a global graduate business school. Fellows complete classroom course work, engage in case-study discussions and benefit from peer advice. The IWF, founded in 1982 in the U.S., inspires and promotes leadership within a membership of over 5,000 women of diverse careers, ethnic backgrounds and cultures spanning five countries and 26 nations.

It is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. Gucciardi met her 33 other fellows during the program’s orientation session in October.

“As women leaders we always hear, ‘Women don’t support women.’ Quite frankly

what this has proven to me is how wrong that is!” she said. “There was nothing but supportive and engaging discussion. I loved that because it breaks that myth that women can’t be mentors, supporters and sponsors of other women.”

Forty-one-year-old Gucciardi knows about the life-changing impact that recognizing and investing in the potential of young women can inspire from her own experience. She is the current CEO of the Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation, which administers the Loran Scholar program. The undergraduate scholarship program in Canada evaluates candidates on the basis of authentic character, service and leadership potential. Gucciardi became one of the first Loran Scholars in1990.

“In Canada, we understand the importance of supporting people who are in need, but there is often a clear reluctance to invest in talent, to nurture that talent and to devote the significant resources required to fully realize the potential of our young people. This reluctance can be a barrier to success in this country. When I was chosen as a Loran Scholar, I met individuals who showed me that I had both the skills and the responsibility to contribute positively not just to my local community but to the whole country.”

Much has changed in her life outlook since the days when Gucciardi pleaded with her mother to return to Sicily, but many aspects of who she is at heart have only grown stronger. She combines this Sicilian pride with her Italian-Canadian identity to promote what she learned at a young age.

“Education helps make the leaps and bounds from one generation to the other. As Italian-Canadians we need to make sure the next generation understands that.”

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FOOD

His Majesty the Ragù Making authentic Ragù alla Bolognese

Text by Gabriel Riel-Salvatore

Photography By Michel Ostaszewski

Ragù Bolognese is one of Italy’s most famous and iconic dishes, yet beyond the country’s borders – or Emilia-Romagna’s borders for that matter – it is probably the most botched Italian recipe. any erroneously boast that their family holds the secret to the best Bolognese while others buy the pre-packaged imitation at the supermarket. In Bologna, Italy’s culinary capital, ragù Bolognese is an age-old recipe to be reckoned with, so much so that its recipe was even standardized by the Accademia Italiana della cucina with a notary act in 1982, officially registered by Bologna’s Chamber of Commerce. Tackling such a legendary dish would undoubtedly trigger a torrent of indignant remarks from concerned Bolognese readers. We hence turned to sisters Margherita and Valeria Simili – some of the most authoritative figures of Bolognese cuisine and the authors of the cookbook Sfida al Mattarello – to help us make an authentic version of his “Majesty the Ragù.” As a rule of thumb, a ragù Bolognese should never “dirty” your plate. In other words, its consistency should be practically liquidless.

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FOOD Ingredients • 2 tbsp. butter (optional) • 2 tbsp. olive oil • 50 g / 1.5 oz pancetta, Parma ham or quality dried bacon • 500 g / 1 lb ground beef, or half beef and half pork shoulder • 500 g / 1 lb puréed and skinned tomatoes (passata) • 1 medium onion • 1 medium carrot • 1 celery stick • 1-2 chicken liver • 1/2 glass / 1/4 cup dry white wine • 2 glasses / 1 cup full fat milk (3.25%) • 2 glasses / 1 cup chicken stock • Salt, pepper, pinch of nutmeg

Instructions 1. Finely dice vegetables and pancetta or Parma ham and reserve in a small bowl.

2. Crush chicken livers under a flat knife and chop them. Liver is an essential ingredient in ragù Bolognese as it adds a distinct taste to the recipe.

4. If your pan is very large, push everything on the side and cook liver, turning it frequently, and breaking it into tiny pieces using a wooden paddle.

Otherwise, reserve aromatic garnish (onion, carrots, celery and bacon) in a dish, and cover to keep warm.

5. Once liver is cooked, add ground meat bit by bit, flattening it with your spatula to ensure it gets evenly browned. Continue until rest of meat is processed.

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6. Add aromatic garnish back into pan, keeping temperature on high. Pour glass of wine into meat to deglaze it until wine evaporates almost entirely.

7. Transfer mix into a large oven-resistant pot with a tight lid and pour warm milk into ragù (some add milk little by little). Mix and bring to a boil. Add tomatoes and mix carefully. Add salt and pepper to taste. If no one from Bologna is around, you can discreetly add a few herbs into the pot (but then it would no longer be a genuine ragù Bolognese but a ragù d'autore – a personal rendering of the traditional dish).

8. Add one or two ladlesful of chicken stock, cover and simmer for 3 to 4 hours. If you have an electric oven you can set it on 120C°/250F° and place the tightly covered pot inside.

9. After 3 hours, you can use an immersion blender to reduce some of the meat to a finer consistency, but make sure to keep some texture! Place pot back on the burner with the lid off and boil off any excess liquid depending on whether you prefer a thicker consistency.

10. You can then freeze it, or use immediately on any flat pasta, preferably tagliatelle.

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If no one from Bologna is around, you can discreetly add a few herbs into the pot (though it would no longer be a genuine ragù Bolognese but a ragù d'autore — a personal rendering of the traditional dish).

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3. Once all ingredients are ready, start your soffritto (sauté). Meanwhile, heat chicken stock and milk in two separate small pots. Place your largest frying pan on a very hot burner and heat 2 tbsp. oil with 2 tbsp. butter. Add onions, carrots and celery and sauté over high heat until they start to brown. Finally, add pancetta into the mix to complete the soffritto’s aromatic garnish.

Toronto FEB-MARCH 17-32_Layout 1 14-02-03 2:22 PM Page 31

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LIVING ITALIAN STYLE

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

Matthew Carbone Occupation: Butcher Age: 22 Generation: Third Dad’s side from: Fasano (Bari), Puglia Mom’s side from: Bojano (Campobasso), Molise Speaks: English & some Italian Raised in: Richmond Hill Clothes: J Crew dress shirt, Diesel pants, Palladium boots, Michael Kors coat Favourite boutique: Tony Marchese Men's Shop Favourite designer: Roberto Cavalli Fashion idol: Nino Cerruti Passion: Cooking; taking traditional Italian recipes and making them my own.

Goal in life: To spread the joy of food to everyone I meet. I am compiling our family recipes for the next generation to enjoy.

Thing about you that would surprise most people: I can play the drums and guitar Pet peeve: Ellen DeGeneres Restaurant: Piatto Vecchio Favourite dish: Baccala and potatoes 32

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Best panino in your city: Carrville Food Centre Italian saying: “Molto piu fanno gli anni che i libri” Favourite Italian city: Florence Best Italian song: On an Evening in Roma by Dean Martin Italian soccer team: AC Milan Sexiest Italian: Sophia Loren Best Italian district in Toronto: St. Clair Best way to feel Italian in your city: Playing bocce at the Richvale Community Centre (Richmond Hill) What you like most about Panoram: It is the perfect guide for Italian living in the GTA. I especially enjoy the recipes and learning how to prepare traditional dishes from different regions.

Best memory growing up ItalianCanadian: Falling out of the fig tree and my nonna’s struffoli

Julia Cozzoli Nickname: Sugo Lips Occupation: Special Events Coordinator Age: 25 Generation: Second Dad from: Genzano di Lucania, Potenza Mom from: Monteleone di Puglia, Foggia Speaks: English Raised in: Markham Clothes: Guess jeans, Laundry winter coat, Aldo heels, Aritzia hat and gloves.

Boutique: Want Fashion idol: Jennifer Lopez Goal in life: To one day be an amazing wife and mother, just like my mom!

Thing about you that would surprise most people: I am outgoing and loud but at the same time surprisingly shy Restaurant: Terroni Favourite dish: My mom’s stuffed shell pasta (with ricotta and spinach) Best caffè in Toronto: Nothing beats my nonna’s cafetiere Best panino in Toronto: Vinny’s Panini You know you are Italian when or if: Your nonno builds a custom-made faggioli contraption in his backyard

Best Italian song: Sarà perché ti amo by Ricchi e Poveri (I know the entire song by heart!)

Sexiest Italian: My fiancé Best way to feel Italian in Toronto: Going to nonna’s for a Sunday lunch consisting of a five-course homemade meal followed by a nap on the couch What you like most about Panoram: The recipes for Italian cakes and cookies; I still need to try the panettone recipe!

Best memory growing up Italian-Canadian: Being babysat/raised by my nonni instead of going to day care or preschool.

That feeling of warmth and comfort along with the constant aroma of fresh sugo and neverending availability of fresh ricotta is the best!

Toronto FEB-MARCH 33-48_Layout 1 14-02-03 2:40 PM Page 33

Makeup by Desi Varano

Photography by Gregory Varano

Location: Gusto 101

Mario Santo Sipione

Maddalena Vani

Nickname: Santucci or Tucci Occupation: ATM Technician Age: 29 Generation: First Born in: Siracusa, Sicily Speaks: Italian & English Raised in: Toronto Clothes: Jack & Jones pants, Polo belt, Hugo Boss sweater, RW & Co jacket, B2 tan boots, Esprit scarf.

Boutique: Harry Rosen, Sporting Life Designer: Hugo Boss Fashion idol: Raoul Bova Passion: Fitness, nutrition, travel and food Goal in life: A career in law enforcement Thing about you that would surprise most people: I'm 6'5 Pet peeve: People who don't keep their word Restaurant: Fraticelli’s Favourite dish: Arancini Best pizza in Toronto: Dimmi Bar & Trattoria Favourite aperitivo: Campari Best nightclub in Toronto: Maison Mercer Italian saying or quote: “Chi non risica, non rosica”

LIVING ITALIAN STYLE

You know you are Italian when or if: Your family brings panini and cold espresso to the beach Favourite Italian city: Sorrento Best Italian song: Perdere L'amore

by Massimo Ranieri Italian soccer team: FC Inter Sexiest Italian: Maria Grazia Cucinotta Best Italian district in Toronto: College Street Best way to feel Italian in Toronto: Watching Serie A soccer games at the bar What you like most about Panoram: It keeps me up to date with the latest news and trends, and it makes me proud of my heritage

Best memory growing up Italian-Canadian: Watching The Three Stooges every Sunday with my brother while my sister and mom made lasagna

Occupation: Student at York University, Junior Research Fellow and Intern at the NATO Council of Canada Age: 23 Generation: Third Dad’s side from: Prossedi (Latina), Lazio Mom’s side from: Pescocostanzo (L’Aquila), Abruzzo Speaks: English, a bit of Italian & Latin Raised in: Kleinburg Clothes: Hugo Boss coat, Sandra Angelozzi dress, HUE Tights, Nine West ankle boots, Club Monaco scarf.

Designer: Fendi Fashion idol: Luisa Casati Goal in life: To become the Senior Official for the Department of Political Affairs for the United Nations, where I can change policy perspectives on refugee welfare Thing about you that would surprise most people: I am often “the joker” in the crowd, so being the co-founder and leader of the Kleinburg Leo Club often surprises people Pet peeve: People who drink directly out of the milk container!

Best pizza in Toronto: Marcello’s Best caffè in Toronto: Riviera Bakery

Favourite vino: I’m not picky as long as it’s vino rosso Italian saying or quote: “Quando si mangia non si parla” Best Italian song: W Maddalena

by Toto Cutugno Italian soccer team: Lazio Sexiest Italian: Gianluigi Buffon Best way to feel Italian in Toronto: Watching Nonna Maria videos What you like most about Panoram: That it is a place to read about Italian-Canadians and their achievements in Toronto – it’s not just a magazine, it’s proof and hope for all immigrants of achieving a better life Best memory growing up ItalianCanadian: My best friends are my cousins and we spent all our time together – at school, after school, weekends and weekdays PA N O R A M I TA L I A . C O M

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Sweet Meets Neat for Dress to impress for an extra special date

By Alessia Sara Domanico

Date night can be many things: exciting, terrifying, mandatory, or long overdue, to list a few. It can be the very first, a weekly must or the marking of a special occasion. Whether you and your sweetheart are headed out on the ever popular February 14 or any other night to remember, take that Valentine’s Day mood to heart when suiting up.

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his V-Day mood starts with the element of romance which calls for delicate and prized materials: intricate lace as seen at the likes of Derek Lam and Oscar de La Renta, macramé coats such as the examples at Dior, velvet blazers for him from Canali and Zegna, satin minidresses reminiscent of those from Valentino and dramatic chiffon skirts like the dreamy pieces seen at Chloé. Play up the drama of the occasion with these materials that emphasize an elegance we seldom get to flaunt in the daytime. Just a hint of these precious threads can often be enough to transform even a simple suit or a Little Black Dress into a more original and well-thought-out ensemble.

Now on to colour where the reigning Queen is ravishing red. You’d think that year after year we’d tire of this crimson mistress, but designers have been very clever about how they introduce her each season – using the hue sparingly and accurately. The wine-coloured Bordeaux shade that dominated this past winter season hasn’t given up in 2014. Rock it with pullovers, stockings, trousers, shoes, scarves, etc. – you can honestly do no wrong with this rich and warm tint. Bright red also remains a classic which we can’t always get away with, but luckily this is the right time of year. Hugo Boss daringly proposed a vibrant pantsuit for the season, while Louis Vuitton tamed red by opting for a festive cranberry in its Cruise 2014 collection. Accessories can also go a long way, especially for men, if you don’t want to take the total red plunge. Look to Prada and Brioni for some inspiration in that department.

Pink is also back in many forms for both the sexes. Whether it be a pump, a purse, a blouse or a rose gold trinket (hint hint gentlemen,) this is another colour you can definitely get away with this season, from candy pink to blush, antique rose, berry, punchy coral and fuchsia. Bright can be blinding, but it can also be flirty as proved by the cocktail dresses from Jill Stuart and the oversized bubblegum satin coats from Valentino that scream Sixties and whose price tags may also have you screaming...

Specifically for the males in our readership, this is the season to woo your women, hence the need for a greater sartorial effort on your part. Luckily the brands have kept things simple and clean-cut for a neat and composed appeal: a mute grey, slight silver, midnight blue and black palette is proposed for crisp shirts tucked into wool cashmere trousers and paired with pullovers or dinner jackets. Ties are not the be all and end all, but sometimes the ladies like ‘em, so think about keeping it before tossing it after a day at the office, after all, there’s still work to be done!

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Realizing the Dream of a Place Italian-Canadians Can Call Home Villa Charities, now just over 40 years old, has its origins in the wave of Italian immigration to Canada that began a century ago.

Today, Toronto and the GTA boast more than half a million residents of Italian origin. Their sheer numbers and their concentration in Toronto’s many Italian communities created a visible and vibrant culture that remains a defining feature of this city.

The largest wave of Italian immigrants was shaped by the hardships of World Wars and the Great Depression. Frugality, self-reliance, hard work, ingenuity and family support systems became not only cultural identifiers, but also survival tools.

The sacrifices of this generation ultimately rewarded Italian-Canadians both individually and as a community. The community leaders who proposed the building of Villa Colombo in the early seventies and 5 years later, Columbus Centre, faced enormous challenges to achieve their goal.

Many thought it could never be done. Perseverance and a selfless commitment to the dream of a piazza that Italian-Canadians could call home, and that the entire GTA could be proud of, made the dream a reality.

From Humble Beginnings to Community Pillar From its humble beginnings in 1971, Villa Charities today is the preeminent Italian–Canadian organization in the GTA, providing culturally sensitive care for the elderly in Toronto and Vaughan; supporting people with disabilities and/or mental health challenges; and offering daycare for children and community programs spanning the arts, culture, language, food and fitness.

In all of these services, Villa Charities has always made a unique and innovative contribution to the Italian–Canadian community, and made the GTA a better place to live.

Securing a Strong Future As our organization moves into the next phase of maturity and growth, our challenge will be to honour and reflect the past while positioning ourselves for the future. A future where the immigrant story will be at least two generations away; where Italian-Canadians are increasingly in society’s mainstream; where the bond of Italian origins that was once the glue for this community will loosen.

Today, the Italian-Canadian community boasts in its ranks academics, artists, writers, business leaders, lawyers, doctors, trades of every stripe, developers, teachers, politicians, and many thousands of proud, hard—working Canadians. We can best honour the legacy of our parents, grandparents and great grandparents — and secure our own heritage — by leaving for future generations a vibrant culture that both celebrates the past and embraces the future.

As the immigrant experience fades into the distance, we will have to choose to express our italianità as it will no longer just “be” who we are, as it was for our parents and grandparents. Rather, it will need to be an active choice about involvement, exchange and participation.

As Italian-Canadians, we stand at an important intersection of possibilities. Villa Charities will play a pivotal role in shaping and securing the way forward for our community. Your ideas, participation, passion and commitment are the beginning of this journey together.

John A. Bozzo John has been an active participant and Board member at the Columbus Centre and Villa Charities. His parents immigrated to Toronto from Calabria through Pier 21 in the early 1950s.

Benvenuti!

We are excited to share with you and all Panoram Italia readers stories about Villa Charities and the important role that it plays in the community.

This special section, which includes contributions from the various members of the Villa Charities organization, is the first in a series that will be featured in Panoram. The Villa Charities family includes Villa Colombo Services for Seniors, in both Toronto and Vaughan; apartments for independent seniors; the Columbus Centre, and the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; and VITA Community Living Services/Mens Sana Families for Mental Health programs.

As you will see, Villa Charities’ services and programs meet a wide variety of needs across the GTA, including care for seniors, programs and support for individuals with physical and mental challenges, educational and cultural programs and much more. These services and programs have been provided for over 40 years to not only our Italian-Canadian community but also to the broader community within which our campus is located.

A visit to our campus at Dufferin and Lawrence will embrace you and confirm for you that while we provide services to everyone in the 36

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community, our heart remains Italian. We encourage you to enjoy an authentic Italian meal at Ristorante Boccaccio located within the Columbus Centre.

It is with great pride that we reach out to the broader Italian-Canadian community through Panoram, to keep you informed about the great work made possible by our staff, volunteers, donors and sponsors. We hope you will be sufficiently enticed that you will get involved!

Enjoy this special feature and please give us your feedback. We encourage you to learn more about Villa Charities and to get involved, whether as a donor or volunteer, and to participate in the many activities and programs that we offer to the entire GTA. Nina Perfetto Chair Villa Charities

Pal Di Iulio President and CEO Villa Charities

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Proud members of the Villa Charities family: Columbus Centre • Villa Charities Foundation • Villa Colombo • Villa Colombo Vaughan • VITA/Mens Sana

Seniors

Upcoming Events

Villa Colombo’s Rosa Ruccella Celebrates Her 100th Birthday Rosa Ruccella and her family emigrated from Italy in 1967, making a new start in Canada on our country’s 100th birthday. On January 21, Rosa celebrated a 100th birthday of her own, here at Villa Charities’ Villa Colombo residence for seniors.

Born in Comune di Sant’Onofrio, Provincia di Vibo Valentia, Rosa’s principal role was as a wife and mother. With her husband, Basilio, who passed away six years ago, they raised five boys.

Shortly after their marriage in 1937, Basilio was drafted into the military, and then the Second World War broke out. Rosa was left alone to care for a newborn son. When Basilio returned, the son, Onofrio, was nine years old.

As Raffaele Ruccella, the youngest of their sons, describes it, Rosa’s love of life and strong desire for accomplishment gave her the resilience to persevere under extreme conditions, and earned her wide respect.

In Sant’Onofrio, Rosa guided the purchase of small parcels of land where the family grew cash crops and raised animals. At one point, she purchased a calf, raising it to earn enough money to make a down payment on a family home. She worked for others picking olives and helping with harvests.

Raffaele marvels at the changes his mother has lived through. “When she was born, we were in the dark ages relatively

• Carrier Gallery shows: Hungarian Visual Artists of Canada, Nandor Horthy and Mario Cabrera Feb. 6 – March 3 For more information: 416.789.7011 ext. 300 or rgraci@villacharities.com

• Ristorante Boccaccio Theme Night – Sicilia Feb. 28 For information and to make reservations, call 416.789.5555

• Oil and Acrylic Painting Class Exhibit at Carrier Gallery speaking,” he says. “She’s an amazing piece of living history.”

Rosa wanted to bring her family to Canada to rejoin Onofrio, who had emigrated earlier, and give the entire family new opportunities.

She lived independently until two years ago, when she moved to Villa Colombo. The family chose Villa Colombo because it offers Rosa a familiar language, culture and people she knows.

Now with 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, Rosa credits much of her strength and longevity to a daily glass or two of homemade wine. Cheers to Rosa! And Buon Compleanno!

Villa Colombo and Villa Colombo Vaughan provide residential long-term care and community services to seniors in a culturally sensitive environment that honours the Italian heritage. Villa Charities also offers seniors apartments for independent living in three buildings. The Adult Day Program offered by Villa Charities’ Community Services for Seniors provides stimulating activities in a culturally sensitive environment to individuals of Italian origin over 50 years old who suffer from cognitive impairment.

March 6 – March 31 For more information: 416.789.7011 ext. 300 or rgraci@villacharities.com

• Carrier Gallery shows: Marilena Isacescu-Carlea, Claudia Pisa and Harry Enchin March 6 – March 31 For more information: 416.789.7011 ext. 300 or rgraci@villacharities.com

• Ristorante Boccaccio Theme Night – Veneto March 28 For information and to make reservations, call 416.789.5555

• Columbus Centre School of Dance Competitive Program Showcase March 29 For more information: 416.789.7011 ext. 248 or cultural@villacharities.com

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Kids

Food Ristorante Boccaccio: New Design, New Chef Food is a cornerstone of Italian culture. Even as times change and life becomes more frenetic, Italians still find time and pleasure in sharing a meal.

Italian food at its best boasts simplicity, fresh ingredients, and dishes rich in fruit and vegetables.

This is the guiding vision of food preparation at Ristorante Boccaccio at Columbus Centre, which has been reimagined and redesigned to offer a more modern and welcoming experience. Our worldclass chefs and attentive staff capture Italy’s regional diversity in authentic Italian cuisine that honours our culinary heritage and defines tomorrow’s classics today.

We invite you to join us for lunch, dinner or one of our renowned theme nights, and discover a new dining experience.

Ristorante Boccaccio’s redesign is not limited to its décor. We have welcomed Tom Quan as our Chef de Cuisine, overseen by Executive Chef Gino Marchetti. Chef Tom’s exuberance and culinary experience are helping to reinvigorate the restaurant.

“I want to make good, honest food that everyone can enjoy,” says Chef Tom. “I want

to offer a memorable meal at a great price.”

Chef Tom’s appointment is a homecoming of sorts. He first worked in Boccaccio’s kitchen when he was 15, during a school co-op placement. Inspired by the experience, he went on to graduate from the Advanced Italian Culinary Arts program at George Brown College, attended a cooking school in Parma, Italy, and worked at a two-Michelin Star restaurant during his travels. He has also worked at some of Toronto’s finest restaurants.

For more information on Ristorante Boccaccio or to make reservations, visit www.boccaccioristorante.com or call 416.789.5555

Foundation A Volunteer Discovers the Rewards of Helping Others The Villa Charities Foundation organizes special events every year to help fund Villa Charities' diverse services. The success of these events is largely due to our caring volunteers — individuals who take time to give back to the community and help the many people who need our assistance.

Doris Calderan discovered Villa Charities through a friend Kids taking a hip-hop demo at the 2014 La Befana Brunch who is a long-time volunteer, and recently got her first experience helping out at the annual La Befana Brunch. It was through that experience that Doris discovered the fulfillment of volunteering — how a single person can make a big difference that benefits many.

“Villa Charities is a wonderful organization," Doris says. "Events like this keep our Italian heritage at the forefront, benefitting children so they can learn a little about their culture.”

Inspired by the experience, and the satisfaction of knowing her work supports people in need in our community, Doris plans to volunteer at future Villa Charities Foundation events.

We are grateful for her efforts, and those of many other dedicated and caring volunteers like her. If you would like to be part of our volunteer team, please contact us at volunteers@villacharities.com. We would love to see you!

If you can’t fit volunteering into your schedule at this time, but you would still like to help, simply go online to villacharities.com and make your gift by clicking on the DONATE button.

Or call the Foundation’s Jean Jarvis at 416.789.7011 ext.321 for information on our programs and to arrange a tax receipt for your donation.

It’s that simple to show you care --- and your donation does make a difference!

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PER BAMBINI: March Break Camps for Kids at the Columbus Centre

Looking for something fun to do this March Break (March 10-14)? Columbus Centre is the place to be! Enroll in one of the many camps offered by the Cultural Arts Department, and join us for a week of fun-filled activities.

BELLE ARTI: Visual Arts & Crafts Camp (Recommended ages: 6-12) Campers will learn various techniques of crafting, painting and drawing, as well principles of colour, line and shape.

They will have fun creating their own “masterpieces” with a variety of different activities such as making masks and name mobiles. Parents are invited to an art exhibit on the last day of camp.

Half Day Fee: $120/week Full Day Fee: $230/week

BALLO: Dance Camp (Recommended ages: 6-14) Campers will enjoy a daily schedule of hip-hop, modern and jazz in a positive atmosphere where they can explore their maximum potential and have fun.

Teachers will focus on technique and performance.

Half Day Fee: $120/week Full Day Fee: $230/week

IN CUCINA: Kitchen Camp (Recommended ages: 7-14) Campers will learn the art of culinary preparation from one of our Ristorante Boccaccio chefs. They will prepare and cook appetizers, pizzas, pastas, risotto and desserts in a positive, safe and fun environment.

Half Day Fee: $140/week Full Day Fee: $275/week

MUSICA e LIRICA Book a trial private music lesson during March Break. Lessons are available in voice, piano, organ, accordion, woodwind and brass.

30 minute lesson: $32; 45 minute lesson: $42; 1-hour lesson: $55 For further information or to register for a March Break camp, please contact Stephanie at 416.789.7011 ext. 248 cultural@villacharities.com or Louanne at 416.789.7011 ext. 250 laspillaga@villacharities.com.

Registration runs Feb. 3 - 28, on a first come, first served basis. Full payment is due upon registration.

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VITA community living Art Gallery Andrew Kestenbaum answers the door at the first knock, anticipating the opportunity to tell his story — a story filled with both challenges and successes.

The 30-year-old is a resident of a Toronto group home with Villa Charities’ VITA Community Living Services, which offers day programs for developmentally challenged adults in Toronto and York Region. Kestenbaum has lived at the group home for six years, and in those years he’s made many strides.

“I’m able to communicate better with my parents,” says Kestenbaum, who used to have behavioural problems – a result of being born with Prader—Willi Syndrome, a disorder in which an individual has difficulties controlling his appetite.

“He’s had a huge turnaround,” says his mother, Heather Kestenbaum, who explains that when her son was growing up, he experienced milestone delays, temper tantrums and anxiety in reaction to constantly feeling hungry.

“If he were in the general community, he wouldn’t be as healthy as he is now,” Heather says, pointing to the group home’s activities schedule, exercise routine and dietary plan.

Knowing that her son has found a place to thrive gives her a sense of comfort. “The staff is easy to talk to and easy to get a hold of,” she says.

“They are wonderful.”

Culture A World of Cultural Arts at Columbus Centre Columbus Centre’s long-term vision of community service puts a special focus on learning and education. With courses in a number of domains, the Columbus Centre Cultural Arts Department caters to a wide variety of interests. Adults and children can take courses in:

Art: Art workshops are designed for adults who are interested in learning basic fundamentals of oil and acrylic painting.

Culinary: The adult culinary classes teach students how to make delicious authentic Italian recipes. Under the direction of Chef Marchetti, students learn recipes from different cities and regions of Italy.

Dance: The Columbus Centre School of Dance provides high quality dance education in a positive, fun and safe environment. Classes are offered to students aged three and up. (Adult classes are coming soon).

Music: The music program offers private classes to students aged five and up; adults are welcome. New this year: Be part of the Columbus Centre Rock Band (5-7 members; recommended age 10-18 years).

Camps: (March Break: March 10 – 14) Enrollment for a week of fun-filled activities begins in February for Dance Camp, Visual Arts & Crafts, Kitchen Camp, and more!

History: Visit our exhibit on Italian Canadians as Enemy Aliens: Memories of WWII and learn about the internment of Italian Canadians during World War II. Located in the Carrier Gallery. www.italiancanadianww2.ca For more information, contact: 416.789.7011 ext. 248/250 or cultural@villacharities.com Columbus Centre offers Italian language classes and summer school credit courses in Italy through Centro Scuola e Cultura Italiana. For more information, visit www.centroscuola.ca or call 416.789.4970

The Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, established in 1987 through donation by Toronto businessman Joseph D. Carrier, is Toronto’s third-largest public gallery, with 21,000 square feet of exhibition space. The gallery, located inside Columbus Centre, is considered by many to be a mini Guggenheim.

Although much of Columbus Centre’s demographic is Italian, Carrier Gallery reaches out to a wide variety of cultures, promoting Toronto’s multicultural community and its strong ties to visual art.

Our mandate also encourages sculpture, three-dimensional installations, and handmade jewellery.

Each month, new shows are exhibited in the upper and lower gallery and two atrium walls. From February 6 to March 3, the gallery is featuring exhibits by the Hungarian Visual Artists of Canada, Mario Cabrera and Nandor Horthy. Every June, Carrier Gallery celebrates Italian Heritage Month along with the wider community. Through this annual initiative, selected Italian-Canadian artists are exhibited in the gallery so that Toronto’s Italian-Canadian community can take pride in its roots and celebrate its heritage through the arts.

For information on upcoming shows, please visit us at villacharities.com/carrier. For gallery information, contact Rosa Graci, Art Director, at 416.789.7011 ext. 300 or rgraci@villacharities.com

Fitness Heart Health Month: Exercise Tips From the Columbus Centre Athletic Club February is Heart Health Month. Did you know that every seven minutes in Canada, someone dies from heart disease or stroke?* Or that a sedentary (inactive) lifestyle is one of the top risk factors for heart disease? Fortunately, it's a risk factor that you can do something about.

Cardiovascular or aerobic activity strengthens the heart and lungs and improves the body's ability to use oxygen. Aerobic exercise offers the most benefits for your heart.

What Type of Exercise Is Best?

Aerobic exercises include walking, jogging, jumping rope, bicycling (stationary or outdoor), cross-country skiing, skating, rowing, and low-impact aerobics or water aerobics.

How Often Should I Exercise?

You should gradually work up to a 20- or 30-minute aerobic session, at least three to four times a week. Exercising every day or every other day will help you keep a regular aerobic exercise schedule. Make sure you talk to your doctor before starting any exercise regime.

The Columbus Centre Athletic Club offers a variety of aerobic classes – at all fitness levels – to help you get your heart in shape and improve your quality of life. Classes include ZUMBA®, spinning, boxing, aqua fitness and fencing, while more senior members may prefer Gentle Fitness, Circuit55+, and tai chi. Hardcore fitness enthusiasts can choose classes like Total Body Challenge, Cardio Kick Box, Basic Boot Camp and Kettle Bell training.

Columbus Centre has over 20 qualified personal trainers who can guide you to your fitness goals! Join Columbus Centre and Discover a Lifestyle! *(Statistics Canada, 2011c).

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BOLOGNA

By Francesca Spizzirri

BOLOGNA

When people think of Italy, there is one thing that comes to mind: FOOD. Italian food is undoubtedly the most popular in the world and Bologna is undoubtedly one of Italy’s gastronomic capitals.

Though often overlooked by busy tourists, Bologna has much more to offer than a plate of tagliatelle. Here are some reasons to visit Bologna on your next Italian vacation.

ologna is an easy city to love. There’s the beautiful display of medieval and Renaissance marvels; an attractive selection of museums and art galleries; an ensemble of terracotta red, burnt orange and yellow palazzi; 40kms of arched porticos throughout the city; an illustrious university (Europe’s first, founded in 1088); and a cuisine to be envied by all.

Lovingly referred to as “La Grassa” (The Fat Lady) for its remarkable culinary tradition, Bologna is the capital of Emilia Romagna; a region famed for many of the Italian specialities introduced to tables around the world. Foods like Tagliatelle al Ragù (Bolognese sauce), Mortadella, Parmiggiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto Crudo di Parma, Tortellini, Lasagna and Balsamic Vinegar are a few on its impressive résumé. Local trattorie and osterie are a great place to sample regional dishes and local red and white DOC wines. Try the spumante Romagna Albana DOCG. Bologna’s ancient streets criss-cross one another like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. At its centre sits the 13th century Piazza Maggiore flanked by the Gothic Basilica of San Petronio, the world’s sixth largest basilica. This gathering space is the perfect place to people watch or begin sightseeing. Adjacent to the piazza is Renaissance artist Giambologna’s famous 16th century Fountain of Neptune, also referred to as “Il Gigante” (The Giant) due to its immense size.

To the east of Piazza Maggiore are the landmark Two Towers: Asinelli and Garisenda, two of only 20 standing towers that remain from the hundred that dominated this landscape in the Middle Ages. The towers were symbols of power; the higher the towers, the richer and more prestigious the family. For a breathtaking view of Bologna and the surrounding countryside, we recommend you climb the 498 steps to the top of the Asinelli.

Attracting over 80,000 students each year, Bologna’s university is definitely worth noting. It’s not only the oldest university in the world but it boasts Dante and Copernicus among its alumni. Other buildings to put on your sightseeing list include Palazzo Accursio, Palazzo del Podestà, the Sala Borsa, Palazzo Re Enzo, the Archiginnasio, the Complex of Santo Stefano, San Giacomo, the Oratory of Santa Cecilia, Basilica of San Domenico, and the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca.

Bologna is a great place to visit any time of year and thanks to the city’s arched walkways you can find respite from heat, rain, and snow. Don’t just see the city, devour it!

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Fun Facts • Bologna’s many nicknames include La Grassa (The Fat), for the culinary tradition; La Dotta (The Learned), for its ancient university; and La Rossa (The Red), for the colourful hues of its buildings and left-wing politics.

• Solid chocolate was invented here.

• Like Venice, Bologna has an intricate network of buried canals. A great view point is Via delle Moline.

• Bologna is consistently named one of Italy’s most liveable cities.

• Though gelato was not invented here, Bologna-based company Carpigiani invented the ice cream machine used in half the world to create gelato. Try some drizzled with balsamic vinegar.

• A 14-year-old Mozart earned a diploma in composition at the Accademia Filarmonica di Bologna in 1770.

• UNESCO designated Bologna a City of Music.

• Beneath the 13th century Palazzo dei Podestà is a double open arcade - Voltone del Podestà – a whispering gallery where two perpendicular passages intersect and create an extraordinary acoustical effect.

• Superstitious students refuse to climb the Torre degli Asinelli because they believe they won’t graduate if they do.

• The city has a street named “Via senza nome” (nameless street).

• Bolognese singer Lucio Dalla wrote a song about Piazza Maggiore referring to it as “Piazza Grande” like the main piazza in Modena. As a result, people often confuse the two.

• This highly political city is host to the Festa dell’Unità each year, a socio-cultural and musical event organized by the Democratic Party’s young students.

• Via Emilia is one of the oldest, longest Roman roads in Italy. It connects Rimini with Piacenza passing through Bologna, Modena, Parma and Reggio Emilia and divides the cities (including Bologna) in Levante and Ponente (east and west).

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BOLOGNA

Where to stay GRAND HOTEL MAJESTIC GIÀ BAGLIONI is located in a 300-year-old palazzo with ceilings frescoed by the Carracci brothers. It is the oldest and most prestigious hotel in Bologna and sits within walking distance of Piazza Maggiore.

Ever wonder what it would be like to stay in a 14th-century convent? Then book a room at IL CONVENTO DEI FIORI DI SETA, a beautifully decorated boutique hotel with a modern twist.

A simple and charming boutique hotel, ART HOTEL OROLOGIO was named after the clock tower it faces on a small square steps away from Piazza Maggiore. It’s affordable, charming and in a great location.

Where to eat in Bologna You can’t visit Bologna without trying tagliatelle al ragù and ALL' OSTERIA BOTTEGA is the place to go. This small and intimate restaurant only seats 20, so if you’re lucky enough to get in, sit back and enjoy.

Located in the heart of Bologna is I PORTICI, a restaurant awarded the prestigious Michelin star for serving up classic Bolognese dishes with a modern twist.

Try their 5-course tasting-menu.

Enjoy authentic local dishes under the shade of the two leaning towers at IL

PAPPAGALLO. This Bolognese institution has been serving up great food for over a century to a list of famous patrons. Be sure to try their famous tortellini in brodo.

From the food, bread, wines, down to the artwork, CAMINETTO D’ORO is a celebration of the beautiful bounty from Emilia Romagna. It’s a must for both locals and enlightened tourists.

For over thirty years TRATTORIA BATTIBECCO has been serving delicious Italian dishes. This sleek Michelin-starred restaurant may be renowned for its meatbased creations but the fish is impeccable.

Surroundings Outside the city are a series of rolling, olive-and vine-covered hills known as the Colli Bolognesi that produce many great red and white DOC wines. Take time to sample the best balsamic vinegars in the world and discover how this condiment is made and the delicious ways it can be used. If you have time, enjoy day trips to Parma, Modena and Brisighella.

Getting to Bologna There are daily flights into Bologna’s Guglielmo Marconi airport from most Italian and European cities. Bologna is also easily accessible by train, bus or car.

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BOLOGNA

Delectable Bologna 10 delights from Emilia-Romagna

By Julie Aubé

Bologna, Emilia-Romagna’s capital of gastronomy, offers an array of local specialties for discriminating food lovers. Here is a list of ten foods that merely scratch the surface of the culinary riches of this beautiful region.

1- Parmigiano-Reggiano Who has not enjoyed ParmigianoReggiano? An indispensable ingredient in Italian cuisine, this famous cheese comes from the EmiliaRomagna region, more specifically greater Parma, hence its name.

Whether one prefers it relatively young (aged 12 months) or older (aged 24 months, 36 months or more), real Parmigiano is an exceptional cheese, made according to stringent specifications to achieve a DOP appellation (denominazione di origine protetta). For a first-hand look at all the steps involved in producing this world-famous cheese, be sure to visit a local caseificio.

2- Traditional balsamic vinegar When visiting Modena, aficionados should make time to visit an acetaia: a traditional house that produces authentic balsamic vinegar. To carry the locally produced designation (DOP aceto balsamico tradizionale di Modena), producers must comply with a list of specifications, such as aging it for at least 12 years inside wooden barrels. Some vinegars are even aged 25 years or more! Made from different types of wood, the barrels are often set up in the attic of an acetaia in order to expose the vinegar to temperature variations and regional winds. The result 42

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is wonderfully syrupy vinegar with sweet and sour flavours and exceptional aromas.

Enjoy it as is, by the spoonful, with a slice of fine Parmigiano, or as a topping on good vanilla ice cream.

3- Prosciutto di Parma The famous prosciutto di Parma DOP appellation, also hails from the eponymous region, specifically the town of Langhirano, located twenty kilometres to the south of Parma.

Several salumifici have been producing prosciutto for generations.

Some open their doors to hungry visitors eager to learn more about how this most celebrated of cured hams is made.

4- Tagliatelle and ragù Fresh pasta is an essential part of cooking in the EmiliaRomagna region. Classics include tagliatelle, which is wider than fettucini, but thinner than papardelle pasta.

Tagliatelle is traditionally served with the famous ragù sauce (the authentic meat sauce of Bologna). A comfort food that never gets old!

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5- Tortellini and stuffed pasta Also very typical of Emilia-Romagna is pasta ripiena (stuffed pasta), which comes in different shapes (squares, half moons, circles, etc.).

Such pasta can be very small or quite large, and is typically stuffed with a variety of ingredients (cheese, meat, spinach, squash, etc.).

Tortellini are among the most common stuffed pasta dishes from Bologna and Emilia-Romagna. They can be served with a sauce, flavoured butter or in a tasty broth (tortellini in brodo).

✓ Contains no pean

6- Mortadella di Bologna PGI Mortadella is a traditional deli meat from Bologna, which bears little resemblance to the “bologna-baloney” one finds in grocery aisles this side of the Atlantic.

Mortadella di Bologna PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) is a sausage made with meat, pork fat and spices, according to traditional processes.

Mortadella is cooked and shaped into a large sausage, and served in thin slices.

✓ ✓ ✓

7- Piadina Piadina is a typical sandwich from Emilia-Romagna. It is served either hot or cold, on flat wheat bread, and cooked like a pancake in a heavy skillet. The sandwiches are filled with meat, cheese and vegetables, according to preference, and restaurant menus generally offer a range of piadina to suit all tastes.

8- Erbazzone A typical peasant dish from EmiliaRomagna, erbazzone is a kind of pie made with chard or spinach, sautéed in onion and garlic, to which is added a generous amount of Parmigiano and pancetta, which is cooked in a crust. This pie can be served as a light meal or as a snack with an aperitivo. It is also popular at outdoor picnics.

9- A trip to the market in the heart of Bologna In the heart of Bologna’s old city, just to the east of Piazza Maggiore, lies a particularly food friendly neighbourhood. Lining the streets are restaurants, bars and specialty food stores (including delicatessens, butcher shops, cheese shops, farmers’ markets, bakeries, pastry shops, fishmongers, etc.). Remarkably, some of these businesses have been around for over a hundred years. At the heart of the shopping district is Eataly, a versatile establishment, which is part bookstore, part grocer, and part restaurant. This particular branch of Eataly even pre-dates the Eataly in New York City. A gourmet trek through Bologna is only complete with a visit to the public market: the Mercato delle Erbe on via Ugo Bassi.

10- Aperitivo In the late afternoon in EmiliaRomagna, bars and terraces fill up for aperitivo. In many establishments, snacks are served with beer, wine, spritzers or any other aperitif. And, these are not your average bar snacks! Common offerings are antipasti, salami, cheese, and more. A very nice way to kick off an evening!

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Trends alla Bolognese A prestige shopper’s guide to Bologna

By Alessia Sara Domanico

Orbiting around the oh-so-chic Via Farini are an onslaught of luxury brands, niche shops and design emporiums that have successfully transformed Bologna into a global trendsetter’s playground. ia Luigi Carlo Farini and the Galleria Cavour have earned their status as Bologna’s elite shopping district. Home to an array of exclusive shopping, this trendy area boasts a haven of upper crust buys via exclusive boutiques and legendary brand names. The construction of Via Farini began at the end of the 19th century. Today it is home to the crème de la crème with a number of boutiques and high fashion stores such as Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Hermès and Furla, in addition to jewelers, bars, bakeries, art galleries, the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Bologna, the offices of CARISBO banks and Ber Bank, as well as many offices.

The main entrance to the high-end Galleria Cavour is off of Via Farini. Within

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this prestigious arcade is enough “Made in Italy” brand power to make a fashion victim’s head spin: Aspesi, Bottega Veneta, Brunello Cucinelli, Bulgari, Gucci, Miu Miu and Prada along with international bests such as Burberry, Chopard, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co. Once you’ve exhausted the basics of high fashion, let’s start an expedition to some Bologna originals, starting with a few businesses dedicated to the art of home décor. A short five-minute stroll to the north east of Via Farini will bring you to Piazza Santo Stefano. Pass under an ivy-covered archway into the realm of Camera con Vista (Via Santo Stefano 14/2a), an extra special shop teeming with furniture from the 1700s,

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design objects, candles, clothing, sculptures and other unique pieces to decorate your home and garden.

Next on Via Castiglione 17/d, is the studio of Fabrizio Cocchi, a renowned local interior designer whose commercial space feels more like a movie set-meetsart gallery than a store. After taking a look around there, be sure to ring the bell at Samarcanda Designs (Via Begatto 1) whose collection of silks, linens, hand-painted lampshades, curtains, cushions, and exclusively tailored caftans will guarantee you originality points with your social circle.

Back in the apparel and accessories category we have Casa dello Sport (Via Santo Stefano 6), which is located directly under the Two Towers of Bologna.

This space is defined by locals as a temple to unconventional fashion with items from sought-out designers such as Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, Maison Martin Margiela, Limi Feu, Haider Ackermann, The People of the Labyrinths and Jeremy Scott. For the trends of the moment, head over to Mister Gal (Via Clavature 17). The inventory here is enviable – look

out for names like Keiko Mecheri, If Six Was Nine, Alexander Wang, Alexander McQueen, and a wide selection of fragrances. Next door is an absolute donot-miss: Ratti (Via Clavature 15). This three-floor luxury emporium has all the heavyweights from Dior to Alberta Ferretti, Ralph Lauren, Decotis, and its own line of formal gowns.

Around the corner from Ratti is L'Inde Le Palais (Via Dè Musei 6), a concept store with a modern meets ancient feel thanks to its frescoed ceilings. Here you’ll find the latest ready-to-wear collections, from Aquilano, Rimondi, Balmain, Valentino, Vera Wang and Céline along with items from new, unknown talents that are hand selected by the store’s owners.

For 360-degrees of trendy, head over to the Borgo delle Tovaglie flagship store (Via Farini 10), which packs everything from furniture to eau de toilette, cosmetics and jewelry. This surprising space also features a floor dedicated entirely to music and a historic fur laboratory!

Folli Follie (Piazza Cavour 6/a) is another worthwhile multibrand shop in Bologna that has a stocklist that is

nothing short of comprehensive with well-known highend names such as Balenciaga, Balmain, Dries Van Noten, Fendi, Marc Jacobs and Marni, as well as lesserknown niche brands such as Acrobats of God, Hotel Particulier, Mavina and Muhlbauer.

This area of Bologna is also characterized by small boutiques that are just as intriguing as the bigger businesses such as Jacqueline, Dondup, Golden Goose, Kristina Ti, Jo No Fui, and Mr & Mrs Furs.

The hats and headpieces in La Cappelleria Trentini (Via dell Indipendenza 33) are definitely worth a browse with pieces from the likes of Henry Cuir and Susannah Hunter arranged on antique wood shelves.

For the best in footwear head to Tassinari (Via San Felice 55) for Christian Louboutin, Pierre Hardy, Sigerson Morrison, Rupert Sanderson and JeanMichel Cazabat, as well as their own line of entirely handmade shoes. Fiorentini & Baker (Piazza Aldrovandi 1/a) is another great stop for artisan footwear. A Bologna original, this shop has gone on to open in London and New York.

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Lucio Dalla (1943–2012) è stato un musicista, cantautore e attore italiano famoso per la sua canzone Caruso.

Dalla e i cantautori di Piazza Grande Claudia Buscemi Prestigiacomo

Bologna la dotta è una di quelle città un pò speciali che da sempre hanno dato vita, o voce, a scrittori, pittori, registi e musicisti, artisti eclettici e poliedrici, in grado di passare da una forma d’arte all’altra senza troppa difficoltà, e sempre brillantemente. ev’esserci dunque qualcosa di magico sotto quei portici dove vi è un continuo viavai di studenti e gente di passaggio. Se solo quelle colonne potessero parlare, chissà quanti e quali aneddoti avrebbero da raccontare. Non a caso il cantautore Francesco Guccini, nella sua Bologna, afferma: “Oh, quanto eravam tutti artistici, ma senza pudore o vergogna, cullati fra i portici cosce di mamma Bologna...”.

A Bologna, nel tredicesimo secolo, nasce il Dolce Stil Novo grazie alla destrezza poetica di Guido Guinizzelli, destinato a segnare in modo indelebile la storia della letteratura italiana.

Da lì, un susseguirsi incessante di scrittori famosi, legati a questa splendida città per nascita o adozione, passando da Giosuè Carducci, per 43 anni insegnante di letteratura all’Università di Bologna, nonché primo italiano a vincere il Premio Nobel per la letteratura, fino ad arrivare a Enzo Biagi, la cui voce, in veste di giornalista – partigiano, comunicò alla radio locale la liberazione del 1945.

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Ma Bologna di scrittori continua a offrircene. Basti pensare a Stefano Benni, autore di romanzi quali Comici Spaventati Guerrieri, dal quale, successivamente, egli stesso ha tratto e diretto un film che ospita nel cast un altro Premio Nobel: il lombardo Dario Fo. C’è chi poi le parole ha deciso di metterle in musica, come Lucio Dalla; o chi, dalla musica è passato al cinema, come Pupi Avati. Due artisti, le cui vite ad un certo punto s’intrecciano generando una storia così intensa da ispirare un film.

Una frase di Lucio Dalla nella sua Piazza Grande – e se la vita sogni non ha, io li ho e te li do – fa sorridere dinnanzi alle parole di Pupi Avati, il quale, pare essere diventato sceneggiatore e produttore “per colpa” di Lucio Dalla.

Il desiderio di Avati, infatti, era quello di diventare un rinomato clarinettista jazz.

Tutto sembrava andare per il meglio, se non che ad Avati fu chiesto di seguire un giovanissimo Dalla. Fu così che, come da copione, l’allievo superò il maestro, finché quest’ultimo si ritrovò letteralmente alla porta, cambiando in tal modo rotta, fino ad

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approdare, qualche anno dopo, nel più fortunato lido della cinematografia.

In un’esilarante intervista condotta da Fabio Fazio, Pupi Avati racconta del desiderio di uccidere Dalla, facendolo precipitare dalle guglie gotiche della Sagrada Familia di Barcellona. L’intervista però si conclude con un’affermazione di grande umiltà: “ho combattuto una persona che aveva dentro di sé un mondo meraviglioso, senza capirlo”.

Di fatto, nel 2005, esce Ma quando arrivano le ragazze?, film nel quale Avati ripercorre gli anni neri della gelosia e invidia, fino a giungere alla profonda amicizia che lo ha legato a Dalla. Il tutto, attraverso la storia di due giovani accomunati da un’unica passione per la musica.

Bologna: prima città d’Italia ad essere proclamata dall’Unesco Città creativa della musica.

Bologna ha offerto e continua ad offrire cantanti per tutti i gusti e tutte le età. Nel 1968, per esempio, ha inizio la carriera di Cristina D’Avena che, a tre anni, canta Il valzer del Moscerino accompagnata dal Piccolo Coro dell’Antoniano.

Lo Zecchino D’Oro, l’Antoniano di Bologna: canzoni che segnano i ricordi d’infanzia di generazioni di italiani. Potenza dell’arte!

Cristina D’Avena, una volta ventenne, ha continuato ad allietare i pomeriggi dei più piccoli, attraverso le sigle dei cartoni animati, cornice di molti pomeriggi.

Così, se dovessimo immaginare la traccia musicale di un tardo pomeriggio in una casa italiana sul finire degli anni ’80, potremmo pensare a una mamma nostalgica che, alle prese con i preparativi per la cena, intona le note di Ritornerò in ginocchio da te di Gianni Morandi; un figlio adolescente che canticchia le note di Ci vuole un fisico bestiale di Luca Carboni e una bambina che gioca al suono di Noi puffi siam così cantata da Cristina D’Avena.

E il papà? A bordo della sua Fiat Panda, si dirige verso casa accompagnato nei pensieri dalla struggente Caruso di Lucio Dalla.

Ma il tempo passa in fretta. Così, la bambina divenuta ormai adolescente, decide di fare un salto sulla Vespa 50 dei Lunapop per andare in giro con le ali sotto i piedi per i colli bolognesi, accompagnata dalla voce entusiasta di un esordiente Cesare Cremonini.

Da Piazza Grande – nome familiare dato dai bolognesi a Piazza Maggiore – a Piazza Santo Stefano dove le rondini portan via i colori dell'inverno, il fascino che la città esercita su artisti di varia natura non cambia da secoli. I tetti rossi, i portici, gli oggetti più semplici e il paesaggio, tutto fa da cornice a storie di gente famosa e non, come in un bellissimo quadro di Giorgio Morandi.

Bolognese anche lui, ovviamente!

Luca Carboni (1962- ) cantautore italiano famoso per la sua canzone "Ci vuole un fisico bestiale" pubblicata nel 1991.

Giorgio Morandi (1890-1964), Patio in Via Fondazza, 1958, Olio su tela, 45,5 x 50 cm.

Museo Morandi di Bologna.

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L’Università più antica del mondo L’Alma Mater Studiorum di Bologna è stata fondata nel 1088 e ha segnato la via dell’insegnamento nel mondo occidentale Fabio Forlano più antico ateneo del mondo occidentale. Il più prestigioso in Italia. L’Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna è uno dei simboli universalmente riconosciuti della città. Alla sua presenza, il capoluogo emiliano deve il soprannome “la dotta” che si affianca a quelli, altrettanto celebri, come “la grassa” (per la buona cucina) e “la rossa” (per il caratteristico colore dei mattoni con cui sono costruiti torri e palazzi del centro storico).

“L’Alma Mater è stata una tappa importantissima della mia vita – spiega Marco, arrivato da Pisa per laurearsi in Scienze della Comunicazione –. Bologna è una città perfetta per gli studenti universitari, specialmente per quelli fuori sede. Gli stimoli culturali sono continui e le possibilità di confronto, anche con colleghi stranieri, non mancano di certo”.

Il

Un po’ di storia Convenzionalmente si fa risalire la nascita dell’Università di Bologna all’anno 1088. A fissare con precisione la data è stata una commissione, istituita nel 1888 e presieduta dal poeta Giosuè Carducci.

Nell’XI secolo, in un’epoca contrassegnata dalla fortissima influenza di Chiesa e monarchia, la città emiliana decise di favorire lo sviluppo di un’istruzione libera, indipendente dalle scuole di stampo ecclesiastico. E così furono gli stessi studenti a organizzarsi per scegliere in autonomia i maestri più prestigiosi. A quel tempo si insegnavano soprattutto la grammatica e la retorica, la logica e il diritto. E proprio un giurista come Irnerio è considerato il primo studioso di fama internazionale dell’Università bolognese.

Il sistema di allora si reggeva sulle offerte degli studenti e sugli interventi del Comune che, nei momenti di difficoltà, riusciva ad assicurare la continuità delle lezioni. Solo nel 1158, dopo la Constitutio Habita di Federico Barbarossa, l’Università vide riconosciuto il suo status di luogo di ricerca, indipendente dall’autorità politica.

Dal XIV secolo agli studi giuridici si affiancarono quelli di stampo medico, filosofico e matematico. E ben presto arrivò anche la teologia. L’allargamento dei confini non fece altro che attirare nomi illustri del panorama culturale italiano: Dante Alighieri e Francesco Petrarca su tutti. A loro seguirono, negli anni a venire, grandi personalità come: Thomas Becket, Erasmo da Rotterdam, Torquato Tasso, Carlo Goldoni, Pico della Mirandola e Niccolò Copernico.

L’Alma Mater oggi Nel 1988, in occasione del novecentesimo anniversario dalla nascita dell’ateneo, 430 rettori, provenienti da ogni parte del mondo, si riunirono nel capoluogo emiliano per riaffermare la valenza dell’istituzione universitaria e le sue origini tutte bolognesi.

L’Alma Mater, la Madre di tutte le Università, è ancora oggi un punto di riferimento nel panorama internazionale anche se, da tempo, ha perso il ruolo di centro propulsore della ricerca. La classifica stilata da QS World University Rankings la pone al 188° posto nel mondo: prima fra le italiane ma lontana dai grandi centri americani come Harvard e il MIT, e dalle prestigiose scuole inglesi come Cambridge e Oxford.

Al momento, l’Università di Bologna conta oltre 85.000 studenti e ha sedi distaccate in tutti i grandi centri della Romagna: Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna e Rimini.

“L’ateneo di Bologna è un motivo di vanto per noi che viviamo in questa regione – dice Andrea, nato a Cesena e studente di Antropologia culturale ed etnologia. La qualità degli insegnamenti è elevata per gli standard italiani e per chi come me è nato a pochi chilometri da qui, l’Alma Mater ha sempre rappresentato un punto di riferimento”.

I luoghi dell’Università A Bologna, l’Alma Mater fa rima con via Zamboni. Sotto i portici di questa strada, che conduce fino alle due Torri, passano fino a sera migliaia di studenti. Nell’area circostante tutto ruota attorno all’Università: locali, bacheche, luoghi di ritrovo, aule e dipartimenti. Per chi visita la città, una passeggiata in questa via, in un qualsiasi giorno della settimana, può rendere perfettamente l’idea del fermento e dell’importanza storica che ancora conserva l’ateneo emiliano.

L’edificio centrale, quello che ospita il rettorato, è al numero 33, presso Palazzo Poggi. Al suo interno c’è un’aula dedicata a Carducci che qui tenne le sue lezioni di letteratura italiana.

Non molto distante, in piazza Galvani, sorge la sede dell’antica Università di Bologna: l’Archiginnasio. Dal 1838 il palazzo ospita la Biblioteca comunale ma il suo vero tesoro è racchiuso nel teatro anatomico.

In questa sala, costruita in legno d’abete, si tenevano le lezioni di anatomia. I bombardamenti della Seconda guerra mondiale distrussero gran parte della struttura, ma una certosina attività di restauro lo ha restituito alle fattezze originali.

Oggi, senza ombra di dubbio, il teatro anatomico va considerato tra le testimonianze più significative della gloriosa tradizione universitaria di Bologna.

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Emilia-Romagna da bere L’Emilia-Romagna, con i suoi 56.000 ettari vitati e 650 milioni di litri prodotti ogni anno, si colloca indubbiamente tra le regioni che producono più vino in Italia. Circa il 75% dei vigneti si trovano nelle fertili zone pianeggianti, in terreni profondi e freschi pazientemente bonificati fin dai tempi dei Romani.

eguendo le regole della centuriazione romana per la suddivisione dei terreni agricoli, già nel IV sec AC le terre lungo la Via Emilia, nata per collegare in linea retta Rimini con Piacenza, una volta bonificate venivano affidate ai coloni affinché fossero messe a frutto suddividendole in lotti razionali ed efficienti. I primi vigneti furono piantati proprio lungo la via Emilia e ancora oggi se guardiamo la mappa delle aree vitivinicole della regione si nota facilmente come molte di esse siano collocate lungo questo antica via di comunicazione.

Gli abitanti dell’Emilia-Romagna vi diranno che sono Emiliani o Romagnoli, mai tutt’e due: l’Emilia, nella parte occidentale, si identifica maggiormente con il Nord Italia e la sua cucina, a causa anche del suo clima umido e continentale, ha fama di essere sostanziosa e saporita, con pasta all’uovo, ragù alla bolognese e besciamella protagonisti indiscussi. Ad est la Romagna, dal clima più soleggiato e mitigato dal mare Adriatico, presenta maggiore affinità con la Toscana e il Centro Italia.

La tradizione culinaria qui è più semplice e leggera con la famosa piadina romagnola e molti piatti di cucina marinara. Per quanto riguarda il panorama vitivinicolo, il Lambrusco è forse il vino più conosciuto della regione e viene prodotto dall’omonimo vitigno, prevalentemente in Emilia, nella zona tra Piacenza e Bologna.

Di origine antichissima (Virgilio parla della vitis lambrusca nelle Bucoliche), tipicamente è un vino leggero, frizzante e semi-dolce dagli aromi di fragola e lampone e presenta una caratteristica schiuma color ciliegia. Il più pregiato ha denominazione DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) con ben quattro diverse denominazioni in base al territorio di produzione, ma la maggior parte del Lambrusco esportato è la versione più economica IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica).

Promosso come una specie di Coca Cola italiana, negli anni ’70, e così fino ai primi anni ’80, il Lambrusco era il vino più importato in Nord America non solo dall’Italia ma dal resto del mondo. Da allora i gusti si sono indirizzati verso vini più secchi. Eppure, in Emilia-Romagna il Lambrusco è ancora molto apprezzato: l’alta acidità unita al basso grado alcolico lo rendono particolarmente adatto ad accompagnare la ricca cucina tradizionale basata su salumi, salsicce, formaggio, burro e pasta all’uovo. È ottimo anche come aperitivo estivo servito leggermente fresco o con ghiaccio. Infine ricordiamo che dalla cottura del mosto di uve Lambrusco, dopo un lungo invecchiamento in botticelle di castagno, rovere o ciliegio, si ottiene il pregiato Aceto Balsamico di Modena D.O.P. Spostandoci nella parte meridionale dell’Emilia-Romagna la pianura lascia spazio alle colline e alle zone montuose dell’Appenino tosco-emiliano. Alcuni dei vini più pregiati della regione provengono da quattro distinte DOC situate sui “Colli”. Sui Colli Piacentini, a sud di Piacenza, nascono 17 tipi di vini diversi e tra i vitigni a bacca rossa i prescelti sono il Barbera, la Bonarda e il Cabernet Sauvignon. Si produce qui anche il Pinot Nero Spumante, interessante blend di Pinot Nero e Chardonnay.

Proseguendo lungo la via Emilia verso il mare si trovano i Colli di Parma, luogo di nascita del pregiato prosciutto che spesso viene abbinato a fragranti vini bianchi prodotti dalla aromatica Malvasia, sia in versione secca che semi-dolce. Ancora più a est si arriva sui Colli di Scandiano e Canossa con ancora spumanti da Pinot grigio e un particolare passito prodotto da uve Sauvignon. Ancora qualche chilometro verso il mare e siamo a Bologna- capoluogo di provincia e “porta” sulla Romagna.

Il territorio di Bologna si trova a cavallo tra l’Emilia e la Romagna e a sud della città i Colli Bolognesi sono particolarmente adatti per la coltivazione di Chardonnay e Cabernet Sauvignon. Qui vengono coltivati molti altri vitigni (tra cui l’autoctono Pignoletto) che nel complesso producono più di 50 tipologie di vino raccolte sotto l’ombrello della DOC Colli Bolognesi.

Infine più a sud, in Romagna, il protagonista è il Sangiovese di Romagna, un vino rosso complesso e strutturato che nelle mani dei migliori produttori raggiunge risultati paragonabili ai migliori Sangiovesi di Toscana. In questa zona viene prodotto anche il Pagadebit di Romagna il cui nome deriva da “paga i debiti”: il vitigno omonimo è molto produttivo e particolarmente resistente alle intemperie e quindi, in passato, anche nelle annate sfortunate i contadini potevano contare su un minimo di raccolto attraverso il quale pagare i debiti.

L’Emilia-Romagna offre al visitatore una tradizione enogastronomica molto variegata con ben 15 Strade del Vino disseminate su tutto il territorio che soddisfano anche i palati più esigenti. Per maggiori informazioni http://strade.emilia-romagna.it/web/ Altre manifestazioni e progetti interessanti legate al vino della regione sono il “Wine and Food Festival Emilia-Romagna” che si svolge ogni anno da Settembre a Dicembre con numerosi eventi e pacchetti soggiorno in tutta la regione (http://www.winefoodfestivalemiliaromagna.com/) e il progetto “IoBevoRomagnolo” (http://www.iobevoromagnolo.it/progetto), un circuito di osterie, cantine e ristoranti specializzati nell’offrire il meglio dell’enogastronomia locale con tanto di passaporto per coloro che aderiscono all’iniziativa - un modo per sentirsi cittadini Doc di questa accogliente regione.

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BOLOGNA

Bologna, at the Heart of

Terra di From Italy to North Africa, all around the Mediterranean, remnants of the Roman Civilization tell the story of the remarkable talent and know-how of this ancient people. While many monuments lay in ruin, a few others are still in use today. Such is the case of ancient Via Aemilia and the surrounding region known nowadays as Terra di Motori (Motor Valley).

uilt in the 2nd century BC, this ancient road stretches practically in a straight line from Rimini, on the Adriatic coast, to Piacenza, 70 km from Milano, a distance of 176 roman miles (260 km). Several settlements were created along the route, including Bologna (189 BC), Modena, Reggio Emilia and Parma (183 BC). Today, the road that still bears the name Via Emilia is identified as SS9 on the map.

Italian car enthusiasts have probably noticed the great number of automobile manufacturers settled along Via Emilia or in close proximity.

“Why is that?” we asked Adriana Zini, director of the Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari, in Modena. “Via Emilia is one of the main reasons,” answers Zini. “This region of Emilia-Romagna has a long agricultural tradition. At the dawn of the 19th century, mechanization of agriculture brought many farmers to develop mechanical skills leading the way to generations of mechanical craftsmen. On the other hand, the long flat stretches of Via Emilia were the perfect testing grounds for the automotive pioneers of the early 20th century. This is why our region, now known as Terra di Motori, the Motor Valley, has attracted a flourishing automotive industry.”

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Bologna, the hub of Terra di Motori You will find the largest concentration of automotive “craftsmen” in a 50-km radius around the city of Bologna. Eduardo Weber (1889-1945) was one of them. This Italian engineer gave birth to the company that bears his name and specializes in the design and manufacturing of carburators. Although replaced by fuel injection in modern cars, Weber carburators were highly regarded by several generations of sports and race car builders all over the world and are still in use on collectible cars.

Four brothers from Bologna While for most people, Ferrari is the “lord” of Terra di Motori, one must not forget the Commendatore’s greatest rival: Maserati. Officine Alfieri Maserati, founded in 1914 in Bologna by brothers Alfieri, Bindo, Ettore and Ernesto Maserati, took on the Trident as the company logo, borrowing the famous symbol from the god Neptune whose massive statue graces the fountain near Piazza Maggiore in Bologna. Maserati has had an eventful history with many ups and downs. In 1993, the company was merged into the Fiat Group, allowing the rebirth of “the Trident” and the celebration of its 100th anniversary in 2014.

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BOLOGNA

The Bologna bull A mere 25 km from Bologna, Sant’Agata Bolognese is the site of Lamborghini, one of Italy’s most famous automotive brands. The factory producing the famous “bulls” and the museum right in front tell the story of Ferrucio Lamborghini (1916-1993), the tractor manufacturer who dared to confront Enzo Ferrari, the “Lord of Maranello” by creating a number of automotive wonders such as the “divine Muira” right under the Commendatore’s nose. Today, Lamborghini is part of the Volkswagen Group and it continues to amaze with its bold and often fearsome creations.

Motorcycle aficionados are doubtless aware that Ducati, “the Ferrari of motorcycles,” has recently joined the Volkswagen Group under the Lamborghini umbrella. The Ducati museum and factory is open to visitors on Via Antonio Cavalieri Ducati, in Bologna.

Cavallino rampante There are two cities along Via Emilia forever linked to the myth of Enzo Ferrari. One is Modena, hometown of Ferrari who was born in 1898, where a superb museum was completed in 2012 in honour of the famous son right next to his birth place. A jewel of modern architecture, Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari features several events surrounding sports and racing cars from around the world.

While in Modena, you should also visit the Stanguellini Collection located on Via Emilia, right behind the city’s oldest Fiat dealership where Vittorio Stanguellini designed and built his many attractive small sports and racing cars.

Further south, some 20 minutes from Modena, is the city of Maranello, Ferrari headquarters whose entrance is dominated by an impressive stainless steel sculpture of the Prancing Horse by Albanian artist Helidon Xhixha.

The world over, Maranello has become synonymous with Ferrari. The sprawling industrial complex where all Cavallinos are designed and built is next to the recently renovated and expanded Ferrari Museum, several restaurants honouring the Cavallino, private garages where highly skilled mechanics maintain and restore the red cars, as well as numerous suppliers, including Carrozzeria Scaglietti, Ferrari’s preferred coachbuilder. A few steps from the gates leading to Pista di Fiorano, on Via G. Villeneuve, do take a moment to remember our very own “piccolo grande Canadese.”

Pagani, Minardi, De Tomaso, Ducati and others Alejandro de Tomaso, an Argentinean of Italian descent, settled in Modena and founded De Tomaso Automobili in 1959. He was followed in 1992 by Horacio Pagani, another Argentinean, whose company specializes in composite materials and builds the Pagani Zonda (1999) and Huayra (2011), two awesome supercars rivalling the most extravagant automobiles ever created.

Fans of Formula 1 surely remember Minardi, known today as Toro Rosso, the Italian arm of World Champion Red Bull. Minardi was founded in Faenza, south east of Bologna, in 1979 by Giancarlo Minardi. Although it had very limited success in F1, the team had a huge following of tifosi and was famous, among other things, for serving the best espresso of all F1 teams…

Buon viaggio!

With the help of the Internet and the links provided, you should be able to organize a great trip to Terra di Motori starting from Bologna. If that is not your cup of … espresso, then join a specialized tour for visiting “automobile heaven” Italian-style.

Ducati Factory and Museum

The Stanguellini Museum houses several of the small race cars dating back to the 1940s.

Useful websites Organized Tours of Terra di Motori motorstars.org mymotorland.net modenatur.it guided-tours-italy.com

Ferrucio Lamborghini Museum (Ferrara) museolamborghini.it

Tourism Bureau bolognawelcome.com turismo.comune.modena.it motorvalley.com

Pagani Factory (San Cesario sul Panaro) pagani.com

Ferrari Museum museo.ferrari.com Casa Enzo Ferrari Museum (Modena) museocasaenzoferrari.it Lamborghini Museum (Sant’Agata Bolognese) lamborghini.com

Stanguellini Museum (Modena) stanguellini.it

Ducati Factory and Museum ducati.com Maserati Museum (Panini Collection, Cittanova) paninimotormuseum.it Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari (Imola) autodromoimola.com

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BOLOGNA

Get Cookin’ in Bologna

By Liz Allemang

Tourists flock to the city for culinary courses Considering Bologna’s current and very active gastronomy scene, unique and continuing food traditions as well as local agriculture, it’s no surprise that the city is becoming a culinary mecca for foodies from across the world anxious to learn the secrets of Bolognese cooking.

talians have likely known this for some time and kept it quiet; Italy is already buckling under the weight of so many tourists eating their way though cities like Venice and Florence. “Now people are curious,” says Mary Beth Clark, who established the International Cooking School of Food and Wine in Bologna in 1987.

And many of them, she says, sate their curiosity by combining a vacation to Italy with a cooking course in Bologna. “Bolognese cuisine has a very rich tradition,” says Barbara Zaccagni, who runs Il Salotto di Penelope cooking school with partner Valeria Hensemberger. “It’s established in our country and well known.”

At present, there are about two dozen cooking schools throughout the city. Some work with international institutions to school foreigners in Bolognese cuisine (Alma Cooking School, for example, has partnerships with both George Brown College Chef School in Toronto and the Institut de Tourisme et d’Hôtelerie Québec in Montreal).

Others, like Clark’s International Cooking School, tailor private courses with instruction in Italian and English to small groups eager to learn the art of a good ragù or lasagna alla Bolognese (US$2000 to $4000).

Zaccagni’s signature class at Il Salotto di Penelope includes preparation of pasta of Bolognese provenance, like tagliatelle and tortellini, gnocchi and complementary sauces. Participants get to know each other over a lunch of the prepared pastas in the hills overlooking Bologna (with wine, from 80 euros).

Il Salotto’s students are mostly from Canada and the United States, but some travel from as far as Hong Kong and Singapore to experience true Bolognese food, learning the essentials so that they can recreate it back home, far from the red roofs of the historic centre.

However, take a multi-day course and the curriculum will include “the familiar

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Dr. Joseph Fava

and less familiar.” “[We explain] the differences between the traditions reported abroad and the ‘real’ traditional foods that people actually eat here,” says Zaccagni.

Clark agrees that perception is a bit different from reality and that students might be surprised by what’s on the menu. “Few know about or understand Bolognese cucina until they take the course,” says Clark.

These dishes might include la torta di riso, le crescentine (fried bread) and la cotoletta alla Bolognese (a fried meat cutlet with Parmigiano).

Stefano Corvucci, like Clark and Zaccagni, is similarly on a mission to engage students with the true food of Bologna and, in turn, Italy. “The majority of foreigners have a very generic understanding of Italian food – they know many dishes, but prepare them in a manner very different from the ‘real’ ones,” says Corvucci.

Among his personal mandates: to introduce students to the nuances. This need to share a greater variety compelled Corvucci to start his Culinary Institute of Bologna for Foodies (or CIBO for short).

He began cooking at the age of 12, under the influence of his grandmothers and parents, “true foodies.” Only briefly did he work as a lawyer before coming to terms with what was inevitable: his passion for cooking.

When he’s not busy running the two restaurants he owns or making charming how-to videos for YouTube (until you can visit him in Bologna, sate your hunger with his pappardelle with duck and fricandò tutorials), he takes great pleasure in educating a clientele of mostly Americans, Canadians and Australians. “In my restaurants, I was tired of making the same thing,” Corvucci says, “From the moment I learned English, I started offering cooking classes to tourists. More than anything else, I’ve done it to satisfy my need to cook.” Spoken like a true Bolognese.

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ARTS & CULTURE

Locked in Love

Christina Grivas

By Sarah Mastroianni

Opening the mystery and allure of lucchetti dell’amore For years, lovers have expressed their feelings for one another through various forms. From impassioned poems of love and longing to serenades on moonlit nights, those moved by the spirit of love have always found a way to let their lover, and the world, know.

ooking for something different, though? Enter love locks, or lucchetti dell’amore, as they’re referred to in Italian. No, they’re not a new spin on the old “ball and chain” way of thinking about relationships – they’re quite the opposite, actually.

Love locks are padlocks, inscribed or marked with a couple’s initials, and locked somewhere in a public place for all to see. Couples usually go together to place their lock, and then literally throw away the key to symbolize their commitment and eternal love for one another.

“It’s a cute tradition,” said Martina Di Gioacchino, who has noticed the locks during her travels throughout Europe. “I think it adds to the romance of the places where people attach them. They generally tend to be in pretty romantic areas anyways.”

Although new to some, the love locks phenomenon has actually been taking place around the world for decades, if not hundreds of years. Details surrounding the origin of the practice are hazy, some sources citing The Great Wall of China as the point of origin, others pointing to a bridge in Serbia, and others yet claiming the practice was originated by blacksmiths in Florence. Love locks have even been found on Toronto’s own Humber Bridge and Vancouver’s Burrard Bridge. But wherever the starting point, it remains that couples around the world are jumping on the bandwagon to lock up their love.

If you’ve never heard of love locks, don’t worry. When asked, many people had no idea what the luchetti dell’amore were. Not surprisingly however, more women seem to have heard about them than men.

“The only time I heard about them was when I was in Italy, on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence,” said Dave Weigel, who noticed the locks during a trip in 2012.

“If I hadn’t gone to Europe, I wouldn’t know about them.”

Toni De Bella, an Italian-American writer living in Orvieto, cites the popular Italian movie Ho voglia di te (2006), as inspiration for the recent rise in popularity of the custom.

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Design

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“[The film] depicted a couple placing a lock on the Ponte Milvio in Rome […]

Now bridges all over Italy and beyond have locks on them,” said De Bella, who once came close to putting a lock on a bridge herself.

Her then boyfriend, an Italian, “bought a lock and key and we planned to hang it on the Ponte Milvio as a symbol of our undying love,” she explained.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) the pair never got around to it. “A few days later we broke up,” she said. “If we’d actually gotten around to hanging the lock, I think I would have had to sneak onto the bridge in the middle of the night with lock cutters!”

De Bella isn’t the only one reaching for the lock cutters though; while tourists and passersby seem to be in love with love locks, municipal governments and city residents are not as infatuated with the idea.

In fact, the city of Dublin has spent around 1,200 euros (approximately $1,750.00 CAD) removing love locks from its iconic Ha’penny Bridge. Similarly, Florence periodically removes locks from the Ponte Vecchio, and entire lampposts have had to be removed from the Ponte Milvio, because of the damage the weight of the locks has done to them.

Stefano Andrei, an art seller who lives in Siena, is against the love lock practice completely. “I’ve seen them in the most beautiful piazzas and on the most majestic monuments in Italy,” he said. “For centuries, we have showered our country with art and beauty. Why disfigure it […] with poor quality padlocks?”

Christina Grivas is of another mind. “I left locks on Pont des Arts, in Paris,” she said. “There's a lot of emphasis on the fact that these locks […] reflect the love of a couple, and I believe they should reflect love in general. The symbolism of these bridges warms my spirit.”

Romantic, sweet, spirit-warming or not, Weigel cautions against putting too much stock in the “forever” quality of love locks. “I think it’s a nice thing to do when you’re with your significant other on vacation,” he conceded. “But if you’re relying on a love lock to save your relationship, you’ve got another thing coming!”

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ADVERTORIAL

Sun Life Financial Pledges $10 Million to Awareness, Research and Prevention

By Vanessa Santilli

With diabetes currently contributing to about 40,000 deaths in Ontario per year, the numbers close to home are sobering.

On a national scale, the Canadian Diabetes Association estimates that one in three Canadians will live with diabetes by 2020 if the current trends continue. And on a global scale, the World Health Organization has called diabetes the epidemic of the 21st century hrough our research and conversations with experts, we saw the combination of low awareness and high growth of diabetes as a real problem. As Canada's number one provider of company benefit plans, we just had to get involved," says Mary De Paoli, Executive Vice-President of Public and Corporate Affairs and Chief Marketing Officer at Sun Life Financial.

To start, Sun Life Financial has pledged $10 million to diabetes awareness and prevention across Canada. "Five million of the $10 million is in the GTA to fund what is now called the Sun Life Financial Banting and Best Diabetes Clinic at the Toronto General Hospital which is a part of University Health Network," says De Paoli, who says the money will be used for a combination of funding research and prevention and awareness programs. "We’ve also made many more donations, from SickKids Hospital to create an online portal for families with children with diabetes, to a $1 million donation to Sainte-Justine Hospital in Montreal for juvenile diabetes, as well as other donations across the country."

Awareness matters, as lifestyle factors can make all the difference in staying healthy.

"The majority – about 90 per cent of diabetes – is called Type 2 diabetes and that is the form of diabetes that is largely preventable just by living a healthy life."

De Paoli explains a recent Sun Life survey found that 90 per cent of Canadians surveyed could not identify all the risk factors for diabetes and 60 per cent of Canadians

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Dr. Gary Lewis, Sun Life Financial Chair in Diabetes with Mary De Paoli, Executive Vice-President, Public & Corporate Affairs and Chief Marketing Officer, Sun Life Financial and Doug Gilmour Former Toronto Maple Leafs Captain

have not been screened for diabetes in the last 12 months. "The four risk factors are: being overweight, family history of diabetes, high blood glucose levels and elevated blood pressure." But Italian-Canadians in particular need to take note, she adds. "When you look at the mortality stats of deaths due to diabetes, Canada ranks third in the world and Italy ranks fourth."

There's a belief that the Italian diet is a healthy one, but that can be misleading, says De Paoli, referring to the many carbohydrate-centric meals, jarred fruit with added sugar and meats cured in the cantina with added salt. "And these are all preparation methods that lead right into those risk factors for diabetes, so Italians and Italian-Canadians have to be very aware of their diets," she says. "It's also about portion control and moderation, and we need physical activity every day regardless of age." De Paoli also stresses the need to plan ahead for unexpected health events – diabetes-related or not. "It's really important that people put the time into creating and reviewing a solid financial plan for themselves and their families, so that in the case of an unexpected health event, the last thing you need to worry about is income. Find a good advisor and set up a plan that gives you peace of mind."

For more information: 1-866-SUN-LIFE and moneyforlife.ca

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ADVERTORIAL

Encouraging Leaders of Tomorrow TMS helps parents choose the right private school for their children

By Leah Kellar Photo by Ann Bianco-Harvey, TMS School

he decision to invest in your child’s education is one of the most important to secure their successful future in a world of change and rapid technological innovation,” explains Ann Bianco-Harvey, TMS Director of Communication. “The private education system delivers a broad spectrum of benefits resulting in a wide-range of learning and development outcomes that set graduates apart as the leaders of tomorrow. As one of North America’s largest Montessori and IB schools, TMS School has been proof of this for the past 50 years. An internationallyrenowned school, TMS was established in 1961, as Toronto Montessori Schools, by Ms. Helma Trass.”

It was a different world then, and TMS today continues to keep pace with the changing times to fully prepare students for the unique demands they will face in our modern society. Dr. Glenn Zederayko, Head of TMS, observes that discerning parents today recognize that the world has changed and schools need to advance with it.

“Simply ensuring the development of strong basic skills and memorization of a body of information is no longer an effective strategy for preparing students to define their own successful path through university, career and life,” says Dr. Zederayko.

With programs that encourage and inspire students to strive in academics, arts and citizenship, the TMS approach nurtures responsibility and resourcefulness at every age by matching learning and instruction to the development needs of each student as an individual. This unique approach helps them to become resourceful and well-adjusted adults able to meet the modern demands of today’s progressive society.

TMS has programs for children starting at 18 months of age, which allow students to help themselves. TMS students develop the confidence and higher level thinking skills necessary to make the most of whatever challenge they encounter. They practice addressing difficult, real-life issues for which no single correct answer exists.

Additionally, TMS students learn to take action to make positive differences in the school, the community and the world.

While there are many private schools in Ontario that provide specialized programs and environments that may be a great alternative to public school, parents should be aware of certain criteria when choosing a private or independent school.

Having worked in private schools for over 26 years, Dr. Zederayko says that many friends and relatives ask him for advice about what to look for when they are doing their research. He suggests that parents consider the following four questions:

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1. Is the school a not-for-profit institution?

Not-for-profit schools, frequently referred to as Independent schools, budget to put all of their revenue back into the school in some manner. One strong focus in this budgeting is providing the best possible resources for students to use. Another important consideration is ensuring the school has an attractive compensation package that allows it to attract and retain the best possible teachers. Not-for-profit schools tend to have charitable status and are therefore able to provide tax receipts for donations that allow the schools to enhance their educational program or facilities. They generally publish annual reports that assist parents to understand how tuition fees are being spent.

2. Who accredits the school?

The Ontario Ministry of Education only inspects schools that grant high school credits to ensure the Ministry’s standard for credit granting is met. The Ministry does not regulate, licence, accredit or otherwise oversee the operation of private schools. To enhance their accountability, many schools work with outside accreditation bodies such as the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS), the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators (CCMA), or the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to assist them in demonstrating to parents that they deliver on their promises.

3. Who runs the school?

In general, not-for-profit schools are run by an arms-length board, which provides strategic direction and oversight of the principal or head of school. In general, the principal or the head of school in these schools is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the school in accordance with the policies set. The Board members are generally volunteers, including parents, alumni and interested people from the community. They focus on the development and implementation of institutional policies and long-range strategic plans for the school that ensure it does its best for students today and in the decades to come.

4. What is the school’s mission and philosophy?

There are many approaches to private education. Each private school has a specific mission and philosophy, which determines the type of education it delivers. When you select a private school, be certain that the school demonstrates how its mission and philosophy meet your expectations and your child’s needs. It is very important to be clear that the school you choose is offering an education that is a great fit for your child and you. It is best to talk with current parents, and visit the school during class time to get a good sense of the school and ensure it is a fit.

Finally, according to Dr. Glenn Zederayko's experience, the success of a student in a particular school always comes down to the parents being well informed so they can be an effective part of the home-school partnership. With the answers to these four questions, parents will be better able to make a more informed school choice for their child and family.

To learn more, visit TMS at www.tmsschool.ca Seeing is believing, call 905.889.6882 Ext. 245 to arrange for a tour. The Bayview Campus (18 months to Grade 6) and Elgin Mills Campus (Grade 7 to 12) are located in Richmond Hill, ON. TMS School is a member of CIS and accredited by IB, CAIS and CCMA.

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BABIES OF THE YEAR

Babies of the Year 2014 I neonati dell’anno 2014

1- Madelynn Maya Zeni May 12, 2012 Antonietta & Michael Zeni

2-Leo Athanasios Giorgio Tsambourlianos April 16, 2013 Carla & Taso Tsambourlianos

3-Alessandro Antonio Russo October 25, 2013 Marianne Lettieri-Russo & Michael Russo

4-Gianluca Anthony Quaglietta June 23, 2013 Jennifer Aiello Quaglietta & Danny Quaglietta

5-Giulia Daniela Rocca June 3, 2013 Vanessa Garofalo & Gianfranco Rocca

6-Natalie Bella Ciardullo April 8, 2013 Monica & David Ciardullo

7-Grayson Atlas Penate Acevedo February 12, 2013 Daniela & Jose Penate Acevedo

8-Avery Clair Ricci November 20, 2012 Stefanie & Michael Ricci

9-Jessica Ceccomancini March 20, 2013 Nancy & Rob Ceccomancini

10-Nicholas Ceccomancini November 5, 2012 Nancy & Rob Ceccomancini

11-Elyse Sophia De Palma July 30, 2013 Leanne Brassard De Palma & Bryan De Palma

12-Charlie Kenneth De Palma July 26, 2012 Danielle McArthur De Palma & Matthew De Palma

13- Michela Antonia Pontoriero January 3, 2013 Shelley-Ann Lostritto & Joe Pontoriero

14- Isabella February 23, 2013 Gina & Mike

15-Chiara Lidia May 15, 2013 Lidia & Rob

16-Vito Jack Mammoliti March 3, 2013 Jessica & Louie Mammoliti

17-Liam De Aguiar January 23, 2013 Fiona Marchetti & Michael De Aguiar

18-Chiara Maria D'Aurora July 18, 2013 Lea & Angelo D'Aurora

23-SofiaNicole Kladis September 25, 2013 Angela Sinopoli-Kladis & Daniel Kladis

24-Adriano Luca Petrocco January 7, 2013 Anna Rita Tomasone & Michael Petrocco

29-Angelia Paola Manzella October 4, 2013 Amanda Donato-Manzella & Vincenzo Manzella

30-Alessio Ferrari October 31, 2013 Patrizia & Anthony Ferrari

19-Evan Anthony Quinn January 9, 2013 Dorena Noce Quinn & Mark Quinn

25-Giuliana Margherita Monopoli February 1, 2013 Gabriella Ruta Monopoli & Claudio Monopoli 56

20-Daniela Maria De Carolis 21-Milena Vittoria De Pasquale 22-Alexander James December 3, 2013 Barros November 22, 2013 Cerqua August 21, 2013 Debbie & Vito De Pasquale Gabriella Gianfelice & Diana Tombolillo & Nelson Barros Sandro Cerqua

26-Ellisaveth Anna Syrmopoulos August 23, 2013 Natalie Lostritto & Kanellos Syrmopoulos

PA N O R A M I TA L I A . C O M

27-Noah Patrick Sousa April 30, 2013 Deanne Maiatico& Rui Sousa

28-Sofia Fazio November 16, 2013 Agnes & Gianpaul Fazio

Toronto FEB-MARCH 49-64_Layout 1 14-02-03 2:44 PM Page 57

33-Francesco Franco June 26, 2013 Diane Montalbano & Felice Franco

34-Rosalia Italiano September 19, 2013 Miriam Furfaro & Mike Italiano

31-Vincenzo Antonio Grossi August 29, 2013 Dorina & Robert Grossi

32-Madelyn Ciavarella September 10, 2013 Sandy & Paolo Ciavarella

35-Julia Palmieri January 26, 2013 Stephanie Germano & Leandro Palmieri

36-Lorenzo Capogrosso January 16, 2013 Diana Di Pietro & Stefano Capogrosso

37-Massimo Santos Palermo March 4, 2013 Melanie Santos & Mike Palermo

38-Savannah Alexandra Knecht June 26, 2013 Christina Arciero & Jarred Knecht

39-Valentino Rossi February 26, 2013 Lina D'Onofrio & Luigi Rossi

40-Flavio GrĂŠgoire August 7, 2013 Antonietta Abbatiello & Eric GrĂŠgoire

41-Nicola Mariano April 10, 2013 Constance Trepanier & Domenico Mariano

42-Mia Esmeralda Aliberti June 7, 2013 Heidy Molina & Patrizio Aliberti

43-Tyler Graniero October 27, 2013 Pina Fundaro & Johnny Graniero

44-Kiara Rose Polito May 13, 2013 Sabrina Sabelli & Bruno Polito

45-Franco Mendolia May 8, 2013 Rosetta Santoro & Antonino Mendolia

46-Marc Anthony Verni March 14, 2013 Angela Triassi & Rubens Verni

47-Olivia Gagliano June 19, 2013 Kim & Mattheu Gagliano

48-Joshua Brady Cappello November 3, 2013 Melissa Villeneuve & Joey Cappello

49-Vanessa Perez March 7, 2013 Nadia Pelosi & Joey Perez

50-Matteo Capone May 16, 2013 Sandra Tropea & Salvatore Capone

51-Ryan Daniel Ferreira May 3, 2013 Daniela Piano & Robert Ferreira

52-Matteo Galasso April 2, 2013 Martine Couture & Carlo Galasso

53-Alessio Gaglio March 4, 2013 Jennifer Teixeira & Joey Gaglio

54-Massimo Sorgini May 29, 2013 Nancy Arguello & David Sorgini PA N O R A M I TA L I A . C O M

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BABIES OF THE YEAR

55-Gianfranco Polillo July 11, 2013 Sandy Piazza & Steve Polillo

56-Anthony Bruno Procopio 57-Riya Amalia Mariano August 14, 2013 February 1, 2013 Reetu Bhatti & Mike Sarah Antonacci & Domenic Mariano Procopio

58-Arianna Alexander October 2, 2013 Melinda Arcaro & Chris Alexander

59-Luke Bruno De Minico February 2, 2013 Adrianna Guerrera & Carlo De Minico

60-Adriano Angelini February 10, 2013 Lorena Di Zazzo & David Angelini

61-Olivia Archambault May 16, 2013 Virginia Gattola Archambault & Raphael Archambault

62-Chiara Morena May 17, 2013 Rima Naim & Nicolò Morena

63-Luca D'Elia July 12, 2013 Amélie Racine & Michele D'Elia

64-Michael Mucci March 17, 2013 Imma Farella & Franco Mucci

65-Luigi Cameron Gallucci March 6, 2013 Melanie Irene Funk & Arthur Fabio Gallucci

66-Adamo Di Re July 15, 2013 Sarah Meffe & Anthony Di Re

67-Zoe Rachel Plamondon April 16, 2013 Patty Greco & Mathieu Plamondon

68-Marco Gerlando July 15, 2013 Francesca Gravano & Diego Federici

69- Vienna Rose Couey December 18, 2013 Venessa Renee D'Elia & James Courey

70-Luca Chille May 1, 2013 Sara D'Angelo & Daniel Chille

71-Luca Bucci April 10, 2013 Chantal Laforest & Lorenzo Bucci

72-Gabriele Lucio Iannuzzi January 3, 2013 Melissa Homsany & Luca Iannuzzi

73-Emilio Cyprian Jolly October 23, 2013 Cathy Giulietti & Corey Jolly

74-Apollonia Bucci May 7, 2013 Tanya & Louis Angelo Bucci

75-Julianna Martucci October 17, 2013 Stephanie Tartaglia & Bruno Martucci

76-Melina Fortino May 14, 2013 Teresa Broccolini & Danny Fortino

77-Brian Di Franco October 4, 2013 Anna Vincelli & Domenic Di Franco

78-Francesco Gentile July 26, 2013 Angela Iacono & Gerlando Gentile

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Toronto FEB-MARCH 49-64_Layout 1 14-02-03 2:45 PM Page 59

BABIES OF THE YEAR

81-Gianluca Pazzia January 9, 2013 Sonia Di Sotto & Ivano Pazzia

83-Julianna Mia Gurreri June 1, 2013 Jennifer Vitullo & Michael Gurreri

84- Dalia Maria Mendaglio March 19, 2013 Rosina Mili & Domenic Mendaglio

87- Filomena Audriana 86-Melodee Rose D'Orso 88-Jaxon Vincenzo Pisano Morabito June 28, 2013 July 16, 2013 October 11, 2013 Marie-Hélène Dupuis & Anna Camara & Vincenzo Alexandra & Giovanni Morabito Gianmarco D'Orso Pisano

89-Milan Pietracupa September 9, 2013 Kimberly Muia & Maurice Pietracupa

90-Sacha Joseph Coirazza March 23, 2013 Nadia D'Addona & Michael Coirazza

91-Massimo Liborio Piazza 92-Michael Gentile-Patti January 10, 2013 November 15, 2013 Claudia Coppola & Carolina Gabriela & Liborio Salvatore Gentile-Patti Piazza

93-Joshua Profetto March 6, 2013 Rosanne Renda & Paolo Profetto

95-Mila Teresa Olivieri September 17, 2013 Erica Caruso & Santino Olivieri

96-Olivia Guerra August 4, 2013 Stéphanie & Raphaël Guerra

98-Giacomo Carosielli July 17, 2013 Emma Lecky & Roberto Carosielli

99-Adriana Civitarese October 5, 2013 Laura Gavita & Marco Civitarese

79-Ava Gioia Arduini May 2, 2013 Assunta Forte & Giuseppe Arduini

85-Justin Trozzo March 6, 2013 Caroline Potvin & Frank Trozzo

97-James Andrea Pigafetta July 28, 2013 Jessica Cordi & Davide Pigafetta

80-Luca Sgrignuoli June 23, 2013 Caroline Gauthier & Jesse Sgrignuoli

82-Lucas Alves September 6, 2013 Claudia Gomes & Brian Alves

94- Alessandro Paparelli November 7, 2013 Angela D'Amico & Tommaso Paparelli

101-Sofia Antoinette 100- Ella Emilia Picciano Calabretta February 19, 2012 September 19, 2013 Angela Argento & Raphael Nikki Vacchiano & Steve Calabretta Picciano

102-Kayla PatroniDecaria May 18, 2013 Francesca Patroni & Domenic Decaria

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BABIES OF THE YEAR

103- Gianmarco Michael Di Zazzo July 26, 2013 Mariasabrina Mangione & Danny Di Zazzo

104-Gabriel Adriano Cloutier July 6, 2014 Terri Spadafora & Michel Cloutier

105-Roman Ursino November 10, 2012 Emiliana Settino & Silvio Ursino

106-Gabriel Mario Senerchia November 17, 2013 Giovanna Vaccaro & Johnny Senerchia

107- Audrina Papa July 27, 2013 Adamo Papa & Melissa Ziccardi

108-Samantha Meunier March 27, 2013 Connie Monteleone & Charles Meunier

109- Vincenzo Massaro October 15, 2013 Patrizia Passarelli & Gino Massaro

110-Dario Iacampo October 9, 2013 Marilena Santella & Giuseppe Iacampo

111-Sofia Sollecito August 11, 2013 Lisa Testa & Frank Sollecito

112-Mila MelissaTesolin November 23, 2013 Laura Licursi & Marco Tesolin

113-Haley Madison Proietti May 16, 2013 Stephanie Lombardi & Danny Proietti

114-Sofia Martini May 23, 2013 Marie-Claire Verdone & Jonathan Martini

115-Beatrice Terrone July 7, 2013 Catherine Verdone & Donato Terrone

116-Vania Terrone May 12, 2013 Stella Bucci & Domenic Terrone

117-Sofia Verdone January 28, 2013 Cinzia & Casimiro Verdone

118-Alyssa Lina Di Fulvio October 22, 2013 Josie Lucifero & Dino Di Fulvio

119-Bianca Ava Rodrigues August 6, 2013 Sabrina Musacchio & Steve Rodrigues

120-Davee Rai September 20, 2013 Anna Mormina & Puneet Rai

121-Alexia Arpin October 11, 2013 Ivana Giumento & Simon Arpin

122-Emma Perrella June 26, 2013 Vanessa Gervasi & Peter Perrella

124-Gianluca Amerigo Rivera April 16, 2013 Carla Todi & Alessandro Rivera

125-Serena Christina Coccia December 20, 2013 Mirella Di Pasquale & Enrico Coccia

126-Zoe Emma Vegh October 10, 2013 Sandra Cordileone & Kevin Vegh

127-James Nicholas Di Lillo July 11, 2013 Giovanna Lancellotta & Giorgio Di Lillo

128-Emma Rose Calsi February 14, 2013 Antonella Antonitti & Claudio Calsi

131-Alysa Xenos July 9, 2013 Rosalba Ciriello & Spiros Xenos

132-Grace Anne Mancini February 12, 2013 Reena Rosa-Delvecchio & Steve Mancini

123-Giuliana Nikki Duchemin March 29, 2013 Kristine Di Loreto & Patrick Duchemin

129-Alessandro Pazzia July 31, 2013 Tiffany & Marco Pazzia

130-Olivia Esposito October 18, 2013 Sophie & Massimo Esposito

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BABIES OF THE YEAR

138-Massimo Giovanni 137-Santino Vincenzo Russo 136-Katherine Rose Sansalone October 16, 2013 August 8, 2013 Tedeschi March 12, 2013 Jessica Cierson & Stephen Antonietta Cotugno & Carmelo Stephanie De Luca & Sansalone Russo Giovanni Tedeschi

133-Maria Diamantina Melo Franco March 11, 2013 Melissa Melo & Joey Franco

134-Gabriel Panetta June 28, 2013 ValĂŠrie Lafleur & Giancarlo Panetta

135-Luigi Gianni Cipriani July 10, 2013 Josie Giovannitti & Mario Cipriani

139-Giuliano Guaiani November 16, 2013 Kalliopi Maria Spanos & Daniele Libero Guaiani

140-Nicholas Joseph Carlucci March 3, 2013 Melissa Scardera & Danny Carlucci

141-Michael Francesco Romano July 17, 2013 Tina Gallo & Michael Romano

142-Mila Andrea Corsi January 9, 2013 Erin & Steven Corsi

145-Adriano Giglia May 6, 2013 Rosie Fata & Carlo Giglia

146-Abigail Rose Robinson August 23, 2013 Tania Paoliello & Robert Robinson

147-Nicolas Quach March 13, 2013 Antonella Barrasso & Trung Quach

148-Emma Michela Rosa Maria Renata Piscitelli October 26, 2013 Barbara & Stefano Piscitelli

149-Elisabetta Grazia Rossi July 8, 2013 Alessandra Di Viccaro & Anthony Rossi

150-Lucas Malatesta June 8, 2013 Tania Freire & Daniele Malatesta

151-Daniella Zampini January 5, 2013 Carmy Ippolito & Johnny Zampini

152- Vienna Rose Couey December 18, 2013 Venessa Renee D'Elia & James Courey

153-Samuele Delli Colli April 7, 2013 Santa Ciocca & Michael Delli Colli

154-Damiano Catoni October 26, 2013 Liliana Di Lucia & Sergio Catoni

155-Isabella Julia De Rose October 21, 2013 Sabrina Polletta & Giuliano De Rose

156-Diego Vigil Rossi January 2, 2013 Sabrina Rossi & Edicson Vigil

157-Eva Valentina D'AmicoJune 6, 2013 Jennifer Di Vito & Joseph D'Amico

158-Giuliana Nikolakakis November 20, 2013 Theresa Calabretta & Bobby Nikolakakis

159-Alex De Cola July 1, 2013 Giovanna Carestia & Roberto De Cola

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160-Viviana & Romeo Sorbara December 31, 2013 Christina & Kerry Sorbara

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SPORTS

By Nick Sabetti

Goalkeeper Robert Stillo’s Ready for Primetime When Robert Stillo was 15, he left his family and friends in Mississauga to pursue a professional soccer career in Italy as a goalkeeper. After trials with Juventus, AC Milan and Inter, he landed at Genoa.

eveloping at one of Serie A’s biggest and most storied clubs, Stillo was groomed by an internationally respected goalkeeper coach, Gianluca Spinelli, and even grew up playing alongside Italian starlet Stephen El Shaarawy, who would later join AC Mian.

Soon enough, Stillo started training with Genoa’s first team. He sat on the bench in a couple Serie A fixtures as a backup for French international goalkeeper Sebastien Frey, with whom Stillo quickly became friends. Before a league fixture against Juventus in 2012, Frey introduced the young Canadian to his own good friend, Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who was Stillo’s idol growing up.

Stillo vividly remembers the whole encounter.

“When I met him, I barely had words to say; my jaw dropped,” Stillo said. “To think that after everything he’s won and all the games he’s played, he could have cared less, but he was very jovial, and wished me best of luck with my career.”

If in his first years at Genoa, Stillo was like a kid in a candy shop, deriving pleasure from everywhere he looked, the reality of his last few years have proved more difficult, tenser. As with many young players in the peninsula trying to make it into the regular starting elevens of Serie A, Stillo was sent down on loan to third division sides to test his mettle. In 2011 he was at Valenzana; the year after at Paganese. After being acquired by Parma last summer, the Serie A club also moved Stillo on loan, this time to Perugia where he is now playing.

The trouble for the 22-year-old is that getting minutes isn’t easy in the third division either, where many other youngsters on loan are also trying to show their worth. At Valenzana and Paganase, Stillo seldom played and though things have slightly improved at Perugia, where he’s able to play in the team’s Lega Pro Cup games, Stillo wants to be able to see more of the field.

“When I came here my agent told me I would be getting playing time or fighting for a spot – unfortunately, that’s not how it’s played out so far,” Stillo explained.

“Goalies do come into their prime a bit later [compared to outfield players] and really only usually start playing regularly around 25 or 26, but hopefully that won’t happen with me. I’d like to be playing as early as possible. It’s that little bit of experience that can bring me to the next level.”

Another way in which Stillo hopes to be able to get some playing time is with the Canadian national team. In January of last year, Stillo was called-up for the first time by the senior-setup for its friendly matches against Denmark and the United States, but didn’t play in any of the games. He hopes to be able to get a real chance in the near future. “I’ve met the new coach, Benito Floro, and hopefully I’ll be getting a call up soon,” Stillo said. “[The CSA] asked for my information so that they could get in touch with me. I’m just waiting for a call up, which I think should come soon – I’m hoping at least.”

Stillo does get a chance to come back to Mississauga ever year to visit his family and friends during the holidays and he doesn’t rule out the possibility of one day making a permanent move back closer to home in MLS. Of course, Stillo left for Italy before Toronto FC was established and he wonders how things might have been different had he had the choice of staying put. “I’m always open to a move [to MLS],” said Stillo. “They have a beautiful facility now and when I go see my buddies in the first team, I think, how can you leave home when you got TFC in your backyard?”

But he doesn’t regret his decision to leave for Italy, despite the challenges that have come and continue to come his way. “I wouldn’t change my experience for anything in the world,” he says.

But if there’s one thing that has changed from when he first arrived in Italy, it’s that he doesn’t just want to be on the sidelines like a tourist, simply appreciating the

D

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world around him; now, he’s keen on becoming a protagonist in that world himself. “I know that I am very blessed to be where I am and that there are tons of kids who would kill to be where I am,” Stillo said. “Growing up was easy. Now it’s a bit more frustrating, being here so long and I still feel a bit underappreciated, not being able to find more playing time and everything. “When I was younger, I was just happy to be training with all the older guys and just watching and learning, but now that I’m a bit older, I really want to show my stuff.”

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