Panoram Italia Toronto Jun/Jul 2015

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The ITalIan-CanadIan magazIne maIled To homes & BUsInesses In The gReaTeR ToRonTo aRea

lIVIng ITalIan sTYle

ROME THE ETERNAL

CITY L’ULTIMO ROMANO COVER: STEFANO CIMINO ONE OF US • UNO DI NOI

JUNE / JULY 2015 • VOL.5 • NO.3 PM40981004

www.panoramitalia.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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JUNE / JULY 2015 Vol. 5 NO. 3 EDITORIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 LETTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER & EDITOR Tony Zara

LIFE & PEOPLE Carmela Liparoti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Eva Pizzoferrato . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 David Cappadocia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

CYCLING The GTA Switches into High Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Pan Am Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

VILLA CHARITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 FASHION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 LIVING ITALIAN STYLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

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ROME When in Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 The Roman Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Stefano Cimino, The last Roman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Rise and Decline of Cinematic Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Gabriele Bonci’s pizza al taglio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Roma alternativa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Mamma Roma! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Glorifying the Gladiator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Pompeii exhibit at the ROM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Special Invitation from the Vatican . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Romans in the GTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

ARTS & CULTURE Michael Occhipinti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Derek Diorio & Smith Corindia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

EDITORIAL DEPUTY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Adam Zara MONTREAL TORONTO MANAGING EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR & WEB MANAGER Rita Simonetta Gabriel Riel-Salvatore ITALIAN PROOFREADER TRANSLATOR Claudia Buscemi Prestigiacomo Aurelie Ptito

ART DEPARTMENT ART DIRECTION & GRAPHIC DESIGN David Ferreira

PHOTOGRAPHY Gregory Varano Giulio Muratori MAKEUP Desi Varano

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Anthony Zara

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Gianpietro Nagliati-Bravi

CONTRIBUTORS Rebecca Alberico • Liz Allemang • Erica Cupido • Sal Difalco Alessia Sara Domanico • Sara Germanotta • Stephanie Grella Chelsea Lecce • Laura Mancini • Sarah Mastroianni Romina Monaco • Emanuela Orsini • Claudia Buscemi Prestigiacomo Tanya Solari • Francesca Spizzirri 26 Duncan Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 2B9 Tel.: 1.844.ITALIA.1 or by e-mail at: info@panoramitalia.com Legal deposit - Bibliothèque nationale du Québec / National Library of Canada - ISSN: 1916-6389 Distribution par / by

EVENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Publications Mail Agreement #40981004

SPORTS Carmelina Moscato . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

ONE MORE DAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

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Laureati e diplomati, mandateci le vostre foto!

Please submit your picture on www.panoramitalia.com by clicking on ‘Magazine’ followed by ‘Graduates of the Year,’or by mail, and include the graduate’s name, institution, and field of study. Cost is $35.

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EDITORIAL

Where Do We Go From Here?

The future of media for Italian-Canadians

E adesso?

Il futuro dei mezzi d'informazione italocanadesi

A

ccording to Statistics Canada, this country is home to 32 ethnic communities. Ten of those have more than 1 million members. ItalianCanadians are one of them. In fact, Italian-Canadians, along with the Asian and South Asian communities, are Canada’s largest ethnic groups. And with that comes clout, or at least, it should.

On May 7, Rogers Media Inc. announced it would be cutting its thirdlanguage newscasts in Ontario and B.C. that produce multicultural news shows in Italian, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Punjabi. The last three will be replaced with multi-language current affair shows that will be considerably cheaper to

Ci

sono in Canada 32 comunità etniche censite da Statistics Canada.

Dieci contano almeno un milione di persone: gli italocanadesi sono una di queste. In effetti, gli Italocanadesi sono, assieme alle comunità dell'Asia continentale e meridionale, il maggior gruppo etnico canadese. E con il numero viene il potere; o almeno, dovrebbe.

Il 7 maggio Rogers Media Inc. ha annunciato il taglio dei propri notiziari in terza lingua in Ontario e B.C. con il conseguente annullamento dei telegiornali quotidiani in italiano, mandarino, cantonese e punjabi. Gli ultimi tre sono stati rimpiazzati da programmi di current affairs, molto meno costosi da produrre. Il

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EDITORIAL produce. The Italian newscast, once a flagship of the station, will be replaced with a Rai-produced telenovella.

In mid-May, the general consul of Italy in Toronto called a public meeting to protest the cuts. The meeting resulted in the creation of an ad hoc committee aimed to further study the issue. Oddly enough, the Italian government (which has been cutting financing to Italian media abroad for years) and Rai (the biggest competitor of Toronto-based Italian language programs for years) are both at the helm of this committee.

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Changing demographics Omni was launched as CFMT in 1979 by Italian-Canadian Dan Iannuzzi who was also the publisher of the Italian-language daily Corriere Canadese. He achieved his goal of using media to reach out to this large and vibrant community. Viewers loyally tuned in to get their news from anchors such as Vincenzo Somma, and Laura Albanese, who has since become the M.P.P. for York-South Weston.

Changing demographics is one of the reasons for Omni’s diminishing Italianlanguage viewership. The viewers of the Italian newscast were, by and large, first generation Italian-Canadians who came to the country in the vast wave of immigration from Italy in the ’50s and ’60s. For this generation, the Italian newscast provided a vital link of information.

But these once loyal viewers are now well into their 70s, 80s and 90s, and they no longer have the purchasing power they once did. Moreover, their numbers have considerably dwindled since the Italian edition newscast debuted in 1981.

It is the same predicament faced by Corriere Canadese, once the largest Italian daily outside of Italy. After declaring bankruptcy in 2013 and then being revived, the publication is petering along, no longer able to garner the readership and influence it once enjoyed. The Italian newscast also faced a losing battle against increasing competition from foreign-owned media channels such as Rai and Mediaset.

While the Italian newscast may have been a staple of the homes they grew up in, second and third generation Italian-Canadian viewers increasingly tuned off as the years went on. Outside the home, they communicated in English, a language in which they also preferred to get their information. But the newscast also didn’t speak to them. Neither CFMT, nor Rogers, which acquired the first OMNI channel in 1986, managed to make it palpable to these generations. The format and delivery never appealed to a younger demographic.

The evolution of Italian-Canadians’ needs The downfall of Omni’s newscast is not all about demographics. It can also be attributed to a lack of vision and understanding of the evolution of ItalianCanadians’ needs as a whole.

Judging by Panoram Italia’s significant cross-generational readership, by and large, Italian-Canadians still retain and cherish their Italian roots and still wish to be informed about people and events in their community. The gripe with traditional Italian media in Canada is that its methods are usually antiquated and lack any form of creativity.

Italian-language newscasts about Italy are no longer in demand and can be found online at a moment’s notice. Traditional news formats are subject to short attention spans and the increasingly sophisticated palettes of modern ItalianCanadian viewers.

And what about Italian-Canadian talent? There is no lack of ItalianCanadians in Canada’s mainstream media: Rick Campanelli, Dina Pugliese, Gino Reda, Rita DeMontis. So why hasn’t Omni approached and recruited such talent to contribute?

If Italian-Canadian TV (whether in English or Italian) is to have any future on our airwaves, we must depend on the creativity and know-how of the second and third generations, and not on the status quo and the ever-diminishing subsidies received by the Italian government.

Admittedly, it’s difficult to assess whether the recent outcry and formation of a committee is truly aimed at defending Italian-language outlets for the greater good of our heritage. Was its creation simply a way to make room for Rai-produced programs and the printing of Ansa news agency stories, void of any Canadian soul, in order to simply continue taking advantage of whatever’s left of Italy’s ever-decreasing “Stampa all’estero” budget? If preserving the Italian language was truly the sole motivation, why wasn’t a committee created in 2012 when the Italian government cut its contribution to Centro Scuola from 500,000 to 370,000 euros?

As with everything else in the free market, viewers dictate what they prefer to watch. If an Italian-language newscast is what people want and they make their voices heard, Rogers should be prompted to reinstate it. If the opposite happens, we are confident that a better, more appropriate outlet for information and culture will arise and take its rightful place in our community.

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EDITORIAL notiziario italiano, una volta portabandiera della stazione, è stato sostituito con una telenovella prodotta dalla Rai. A metà maggio il Consolato Generale d'Italia a Toronto ha convocato un incontro pubblico per protestare contro i tagli. Il meeting ha dato vita ad un comitato incaricato di studiare meglio il da farsi. Strano vedere, tra ispiratori e componenti del comitato, il governo italiano (che da anni taglia i fondi all'informazione e all'insegnamento dell'italiano all'estero) e la Rai (che da anni è il maggiore 'competitor' dei programmi italiani fatti a Toronto).

Demografia che cambia Omni nasce come CFMT nel 1979, fondata dall'imprenditore italocanadese Dan Iannuzzi, al tempo anche editore (e fondatore) del Corriere Canadese, quotidiano in italiano di Toronto. Iannuzzi riuscì nel suo scopo di raccontare questa grande e vibrante comunità sui media. I telespettatori si mettevano puntualmente davanti allo schermo per i programmi condotti da Vincenzo Somma o da Laura Albanese (che, lasciata la televisione, è poi diventata M.P.P. per York-South Weston).

L’andamento demografico è una delle ragioni del calo del pubblico di lingua italiana su Omni. I telespettatori erano in maggioranza italocanadesi di prima generazione, giunti in Canada con le vaste ondate migratorie dall'Italia negli anni '50 e '60. Per questa generazione, il notiziario italiano era una fonte fondamentale di informazioni.

Ma questi 'fedelissimi' sono invecchiati e non hanno più il 'potere' del passato in termini di numeri. Pian piano sono diventati sempre meno da quando il notiziario italiano debuttò nel 1979.

E' lo stesso problema del Corriere Canadese, una volta il più grande quotidiano italiano fuori d'Italia. Dopo aver dichiarato bancarotta nel 2013 ed essere stato riportato in vita, tira avanti senza riuscire a recuperare i lettori e l'influenza di un tempo. Tutti i media italiani hanno sofferto la concorrenza di internet e il notiziario, in particolare, anche quello dei canali Rai e Mediaset via cavo.

Mentre le news in italiano erano un punto fermo nelle case in cui sono cresciuti, gli italocanadesi di seconda e terza generazione hanno progressivamente, con il passare degli anni, cambiato canale. Fuori di casa comunicano in inglese, lingua nella quale di solito preferiscono anche essere informati. Ma il programma non parlava più a loro in ogni caso. Rogers, che ha acquistato CFMT nel 1986 e l'ha poi trasformata in Omni, non è mai riuscita a raggiungere queste generazioni. Format e contenuto non hanno fatto breccia nelle generazioni più giovani.

L'evoluzione delle aspettative degli italocanadesi La fine dei programmi di news italiane a Omni non è solo un fatto di demografia, quindi. Va attribuito anche a una generale incapacità di prevedere e soddisfare l'evoluzione dei bisogni degli italocanadesi nell'informazione. Dovessimo giudicare dall'ampio ventaglio d'età dei lettori di Panoram Italia, in linea di massima si può ben dire che gli italocanadesi tuttora hanno care e coltivano le proprie radici italiane e che hanno ancora voglia di essere informati sulle persone e le notizie principali della comunità.

Programmi che parlano solo di Italia non sono richiesti da questa audience: li si trova su internet con due click. O nel menu tv via cavo. I format di notizie più tradizionali non soddisfano le crescenti attese del pubblico italo canadese attuale.

E il talento italocanadese? Gli italocanadesi non mancano nei media principali: Rick Campanelli, Dina Pugliese, Gino Reda, Rita DeMontis per citarne alcuni. Perchè (ad esempio) Omni non ha provato a riconquistare spazio magari investendo su figure come queste?

Se una televisione italocanadese ( in inglese o in italiano non importa) andra' in futuro in onda, che sia fondata sulla creatività e sulle capacità della seconda e terza generazione, non sullo status quo o sui sempre minori sussidi del governo italiano, o sui programmi Rai. In effetti è difficile capire se la recente protesta, ed il comitato che ne è nato, siano davvero orientati a promuovere i mezzi d'informazione in lingua italiana per il bene della nostra eredità culturale, o a difendere uno status quo aggrappato a quanto continua ad arrivare dal governo italiano in forma diretta e indiretta (sempre meno). Per difendere davvero la lingua italiana si poteva pure cominciare nel 2012, quando Roma ha tagliato i fondi al Centro Scuola da 500.000 a 370.000 Euro all'anno. O no?

Sul libero mercato, anche per i media la volontà del cliente, lettore o spettatore, è legge. Se ci saranno abbastanza voci a farsi sentire, sicuramente Rogers sarà spinta a ripensare la programmazione. Se questo non dovesse accadere, siamo sicuri che un miglior prodotto d'informazione tv e cultura saprà nascere e occupare il giusto spazio nella nostra comunità.

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LETTER

Reigniting Italian Roots in Birmingham, Alabama My

name is Robert Sbrissa; I currently live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my wife Monica and three children: Andrew, Caroline, and Julia. I was born in Montreal in 1964 and grew up in Saint Leonard. Growing up in this amazing microcosm of Italian culture was something I took for granted as a child. It seemed to me that every kid grew up with family, grandparents, great food, homemade wine, church and a sense for style.

After completing Concordia University, I began my career and moved to the United States in 1996. Life was great in every aspect and I was living the dream. The one element that was missing, however, was a good slice of traditional Italian culture I was used to. Due to challenges of the past, many Americans with Italian roots traded their heritage (at least publicly) for the promise of the American dream. Canada, on the other hand, has never had to deal with the burden of being a superpower and as a result can live a more independent and individual culturally relevant life.

I started travelling for business around most of the world, primarily in Europe. What I learned is that people are essentially the same everywhere.

Family, food, faith, and peace are all that people strive for. I learned this even more so when spending time in Italy. I was surprised how elegant, yet simple, life was. Now that I’ve lived in Birmingham, Alabama, for almost 18 years I have learned a lot about this place called the “Magic City.” Birmingham’s reputation still suffers from its history and depiction in movies. Yet it is a beautiful place with incredible hospitality, home-cooked food, family values, faith, and an appreciation for its own version of “dolce far niente.” There are many Italian surnames throughout Birmingham. Italian immigrants who came to the south looking for work, mostly in the steel industry, developed the city. Most were from Sicily, from towns like Cefalù, Bisacquino, and Agrigento. The majority settled in the first quarter of the 20th century and they helped establish businesses, churches, and establishments focused on food and farming.

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While most know their family history, their native language is gone and many have never visited their maternal homeland. They do, however, still enjoy their family recipes, and they all talk of the old days, when as children they enjoyed Italian feasts at their churches and festivals celebrating Columbus Day. They even had vibrant Italian clubs and associations. But over the generations most of this culture faded away.

About 10 years ago, my wife and I decided to do something about this void we were feeling. We soon realized many Italian-Americans in Birmingham felt the same. Being from Montreal, we knew exactly what they were missing. I grew up with Our Lady of Pompeii, Madonna della Difesa, Mont-Carmel, and more.

The more we talked to people, the more we knew we were on to something. The idea of a couple of Montrealers creating an Italian feast in Birmingham, Alabama, seemed perfect, if not partially insane!

Our church, Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, was looking for an event that could unite and build our parish community. As my family is from the Veneto province, the best choice was the Feast of Saint Mark to be celebrated around the date of the actual Saint day, April 25. And so our journey began.

We presented the idea to our pastor and received overwhelming support to move ahead. We began meeting with small groups and creating excitement for this idea. The date was set and our goal was to sell 500 tickets. We rallied restaurants, wine distributors, local chefs, and many others. We were on our way to the very first Feast of Saint Mark Italian Food Festival to be held on April 28, 2012. We exceeded our goal of 500 tickets very quickly and reached our limit of 1,500. We were blessed with an incredible day as we saw our celebration become a reality. The response was incredible as many families who had not seen each other for years reconnected with each other. Stories were told and new friendships were made.

The event has grown and sold-out each year with 3,000 visitors attending.

It has expanded to include a bocce court, an entertainment stage with five

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LETTER

“

There are many Italian surnames throughout Birmingham. Italian immigrants who came to the south looking for work, mostly in the steel industry, developed the city. Most were from Sicily, from towns like Cefalù, Bisacquino, and Agrigento.

“

bands, cannoli stations, on-site espresso machines, and sponsorships with local distributors, and much more. This year we are hosting a tribute to Dean Martin featuring Joe Scalisi accompanied by an eight-piece band, Italian opera singers, and a live band for dancing.

This event has meant many things to many people. It has rejuvenated an Italian community in a city that was losing it. As a result, a local museum now has an exhibit entitled “La Storia” with artifacts and stories of the journeys of the Italian families that immigrated to Birmingham. Our feast has also created an anchor event that has defined our parish in the community and city.

It has also created a purpose for my family. My wife and I regard it as a gift to our children who were raised in the south yet still get to experience their slice of Italian feasts and culture that I was fortunate to have as a child. It is an example of the strength and influence of the rich and genuine Italian culture Montreal has nurtured so well from the generations before us as well as our youth today. My culture remained relevant and thrived in a large part from what Panoram Italia has accomplished. Panoram Italia not only serves as a lighthouse for Italian-Montrealers, but as a fan for its flames abroad. Its impact is felt miles away.

PANORAMITALIA.COM

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BUSINESS PROFILE

KIRSCH CANADA Frank Saravo is a businessman

From left:

Dorothy Tonino Trade Lane Manager Frank Saravo president and CEO KIRSCH Canada, Giancarmine De Fabritiis Trade Lane Manager.

S

aravo and his team help their clients navigate through everything from bad weather to “acts of God”. The company offers clients the latest state-of-the art technology – everything from online tracking systems to automated customs releases – while placing a huge emphasis on person-to-person communication. Dorothy Tonino is a trade lane manager at Kirsch.

She says although technology has facilitated the task of shipping goods, it is not without its limitations. “At Kirsch we make sure our clients know that if ever they need to reach someone, all they have to do is pick up the phone and they can get a real, live person on the other end of the line. Our clients do not wait on hold for hours or wade through a maze of phone options,” explains Tonino. “If a decision needs to be made, I just have to walk into Frank’s office and we make a decision on the spot. We will jump through hoops so the client doesn’t have to.”

In recent years, under Saravo’s leadership, Kirsch has continued to distinguish itself as an industry leader and become one of the largest freight forwarders of Italian goods in Canada. Saravo, the son of Italian immigrants from Caserta, prides himself on the Italian content of his company. “We have 16

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a strong relationship with our Italian agents and with our partner, Albini Pitigliani. If it’s made in Italy we’ve moved it at one time or another,” explains Saravo. “We know this market better than anyone, it’s our passion.”

Saravo and his team are also in tune with Italian culture and the etiquette of doing business in Italy. Gianni De Fabritiis is a Milan native who has been working as a manager at Kirsch Toronto for 25 years. He says personal contact is key. “We understand the people, the culture, the shipping process on both sides of the ocean,” explains De Fabritiis. “Literally, we are speaking the same language.”

Kirsch offers their Italian clients multiple weekly sea and air freight consolidations, P.O. management, as well as state of the art warehousing. They have a fashion desk for their clients in the fashion industry. They can book travel and car arrangements for clients and even set up meetings for buyers with Italian manufacturers.

“If you need it, we can provide it,” says Saravo. “My vision is not to be the largest but rather to be the best. I’ve been doing this for over 30 years and I still love it. While many people my age are thinking about retirement, I’m just getting started!”

who lives by one mantra: the art of the possible. saravo, 57, is the owner and Ceo of the Canadianbased david Kirsch For-warders ltd. he’s been helping people ship goods in and out of Canada for a quarter of a century. saravo says his business philosophy is simple. “nobody can do the impossible, yet so many claim it.

We at Kirsch deal in reality – if it can be done, rest assured we’ll do it. This is what sets us apart from the rest of the pack.”

With over seventy-five years of experience, David Kirsch For-warders Ltd. Has set the standard in developing a door to door multimodal transport Services. From the freight booking, be it consolidation or full load, through to customs clearance and delivery, Kirsch has carved a niche for itself as the market leader.

DAVID KIRSCH OFFICES IN MONTREAL -TORONTO - VANCOUVER Dorval Québec 514 636-0233 Mississauga Ontario 905 678-6162 Thunderbird Langley B.C. 604 371-2171

www.kirsch.ca info@kirsch.ca

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LIFE & PEOPLE

Photography by Giulio Muratori

A Champion for Mississauga’s Italian-Canadians Carmela Liparoti is a tireless advocate for community care

By Rebecca Alberico

As

founding member and current president of the Mississauga Italian Canadian Benevolent Association (MICBA), Liparoti has met challenges head-on since 1986, when she first pursued her dream to help bring to life an organization that would provide affordable housing, daycare and other services for seniors in the community.

Liparoti was born to Italian parents in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she lived until her family immigrated to Canada when she was seven.

Although she barely spoke a word of English when she arrived, she said she developed a true passion for all aspects of her new heritage and also reinvigorated her love for her Italian roots.

After finishing university, Liparoti worked with senior immigrants who barely had enough money to put food on the table. “It was starting to get to me; I saw there was a dire need for support in the community,” she says.

With help from Father Vitaliano Papais, of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Mississauga, Liparoti got the ball rolling. “Nothing could stop me. They told me I used to scare people when I walked into a room,” she jokes.

After pushing through countless trials and tribulations, Liparoti’s dream finally came to fruition in 1990 when she and her team welcomed the very first residents to 155 and 195 Forum Drive. Now, for over two decades, MICBA has been the pinnacle of community care in Mississauga. The organization is home to Forum Italia Non-Profit Housing, which comprises a twostory seniors building, a seven-story affordable housing building as well as Forum Italia Daycare, a non-profit daycare centre for 55 full-time children.

Other services include Villa Forum Nursing Home and Forum Italia Community Services.

The organization employs over 300 dedicated staff and more than 100 passionate volunteers. “We’re very proud of the staff; I always tell them that we are successful because of them,” says Liparoti. “They give me the strength to fight even more.”

The MICBA president also praises former mayor of Mississauga Hazel McCallion for being a “powerhouse” in her support for MICBA. “McCallion was instrumental in helping us push through all the obstacles; she believed in us,” along with the city of Mississauga, which has been “so supportive and so warm from the very beginning.”

MICBA hosts regular social events in support of the tireless efforts that greatly impact the lives of many families in the community. On Wednesday, June 17, MICBA will hold its 24th Annual Golf Tournament at Piper’s Heath Golf Club.

Liparoti says MICBA has hopes of expanding over the next few years to meet a high demand and to shorten waiting lists. “I would also love for us to have our own cultural centre to engage the multiculturalism in our community.”

Although she may not have much spare time on her hands, Liparoti’s countless accolades are affirmation of time well spent. In 2009 she became one of the first women in Canada to receive the title of Cavaliere from the Italian government, an honour she holds near and dear to her heart. In 2012 she received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. “There was a point in my life where I struggled with the thought of being without a husband and children of my own,” she says. “I used to ask myself what was wrong with me – but there was a purpose for me, and I see that now.”

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LIFE & PEOPLE

A Life Dedicated to Cancer Research Dr. Eva Pizzoferrato continues to pursue her passion

By Sarah Mastroianni

In

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Photography by Giulio Muratori

an era when so many people are unsure of the path they’d like their life to take, Dr. Eva Pizzoferrato has always had strong convictions about hers. “I always knew I wanted to be a scientist,” she says.

With a B.Sc, an M.Sc, and a Ph.D. under her belt, all granted by the University of Toronto, Pizzoferrato’s career as a scientist has seen her work on numerous projects within the specialized field of cancer research.

The reason for her choice? “We’re all touched by cancer,” she says. More specifically, Pizzoferrato looks at how the immune system can be manipulated to trigger a cancer-fighting response when it senses the presence of certain things in the body.

Although her work is quite in-depth, she can sum it up nicely in two sentences. “I conceive, design and test anti-cancer vaccines,” she explains. “The aim of these vaccines is to promote anti-tumour immunity against cancer.”

The day-to-day rhythm of her work, however, is somewhat different than one might imagine. Take, for example, the common image of the scientist, clad in a white lab coat and goggles, bent over a microscope while mysterious substances in beakers or test tubes bubble and smoke around her. Pizzoferrato assures that’s not her. “I do a lot of work mainly in my office,” she says, and explains that at this stage in her career, the life of a researcher revolves more on identifying questions and designing experiments to test hypotheses. “I’ll write the experiment, then it’ll be emailed to the technician and they’ll do it in the lab.”

She then spends time interpreting the results of the experiments that the technicians send to her. At the end of it all, the question is: how does this information apply to cancer?

Already, Pizzoferrato has had quite a bit of success in answering her own questions, which has led to some important breakthroughs in her work. “I am the first in Canada to have earned a Canadian patent for these […] vaccines targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma,” she says proudly, adding that these types of treatments are at the forefront of medical progress. “It is my hope that my research may lead to new treatment options for patients with cancer.”

Additionally, Pizzoferrato spends a portion of her time writing research papers, reviewing other scientists’ research papers, applying for grants and working with other researchers. “My collaborations are mainly with my American colleagues,” she admits. “But I go to Italy very often and I attend many conferences there,” she adds. “I’m very impressed with the research that’s being done there.”

She’s also happy with the progress that’s being made within the Italian community here in Canada. Born in Toronto to parents from Abruzzo, Pizzoferrato, who currently resides in Mississauga, says that although she’s a Canadian first, she’s “very, very proud” of her Italian heritage.

She also thinks it’s important for people in the Italian-Canadian community to know “there are people in the Italian community who are fighting hard to come up with new treatment options for cancer patients.”

Doing research and obtaining patents certainly takes up a sizeable portion

of her time, but Pizzoferrato still makes time for the other things that are important in her life. “I don’t have a lot of free time,” she admits, “but when I do, I play the piano and I love to cook.”

Whether it was encouraging her to take piano lessons as a child, or follow her passion to become a scientific researcher, Pizzoferrato highlights the instrumental role her parents have always played in her life.

“I’m blessed that I had great parents,” she says. “They always nurtured whatever it was their children were interested in. They were very active in my decision [to pursue science] and they fully supported me from the very beginning.”

Having competed in her very first science fair at the tender age of five, Pizzoferrato considers the work she does to be her calling. “I’m very blessed in that way,” she says, adding, “My work is something that’s natural to me. It’s a great feeling to be able to do something you really love to do.”

Regarding her plans for the future, Pizzoferrato feels the same way she did at the outset of her career. She’s still passionate about her work and finds it satisfying to be doing research that helps people in such an important way. “I think my life will be dedicated to science.”

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FUTURE LEADER

Photography by Giulio Muratori

Leading the Way Neuroscience PhD student David Cappadocia is clear on goals

By Erica Cupido

As

a child growing up in North York, Ont., David Cappadocia and his sister were taught, “It’s better to be a driver than a passenger.”

Today, the Neuroscience PhD student at York University continues to put that advice into practice. “I get it from my parents,” says Cappadocia, whose family is half-Canadian and half-Italian, hailing from Pisterzo, Lazio.

“They’ve always said, ‘If you want to change something you have to be part of the change.’” With their advice in mind, Cappadocia, 29, has excelled in his studies and racked up an impressive list of extra-curricular activities in the process.

Now living in the Annex neighbourhood in downtown Toronto, Cappadocia continues to credit his encouraging family with helping him stay focused on his academic and career goals. “A large part of who you are is where you come from,” he says. “I have a wonderful family. There’s lots of love, lots of support and lots of culture.”

After earning his undergraduate and Master’s degrees from York University, Cappadocia decided to continue studying how the brain works by pursuing his PhD. He researches the neural basis of co-ordination and how people use vision to guide actions like eye and arm movements. One of Cappadocia’s favourite aspects of his studies is collaborating with fellow graduate students in the lab at York University’s Centre for Vision Research. “Some people think graduate students are like lone wolves,” says Cappadocia. “I’ve been very lucky to work with some really great people in an awesome team environment.”

During his years at the university, Cappadocia’s involvement has never been limited to his schoolwork alone. He’s currently the president of the Neuroscience Association at York, which aims to promote research and education in his field. He’s also a teaching assistant in the Kinesiology department, and works with the school’s Teaching Commons to help TAs become better instructors. Through seminars and one-on-one sessions, Cappadocia coaches TAs who hope to improve their abilities and explain new ideas to students more effectively.

Cappadocia was once a first-year student who was unsure of what he wanted to study. That’s why sharing his experiences with undergraduates through

York’s peer-mentoring program – an initiative he’s committed to for the last three years – is especially important to him. “It’s nice when you can talk to people who have [been there]. It’s something I don’t think universities do enough of.” Last year, he was presented with an Outstanding Graduate Peer Mentor Award from the Student Ombuds Services at York’s Bethune College for his time and dedication.

While still working to complete his PhD in 2016, Cappadocia is already laying the groundwork for his future career. “I want to make an impact,” he says. He hopes to transition into business consulting, and he has begun gaining experience as the president of the York Graduate Management Consulting Association. The student group helps graduate students who are considering non-academic careers develop the necessary skills to work in business. Cappadocia knows firsthand how beneficial it is to hear from people who have already achieved their career goals. To meet accomplished individuals and benefit from their years in the industry, he has sought out connections within the Italian-Canadian community.

This year he joined the Canadian Italian Business Professional Association. “It’s been a really positive experience for me,” says Cappadocia. “I’m pretty early in my career, so it’s a great opportunity to go out and meet other Italian-Canadians in different fields.” He notes that the organization’s cultural and networking events are always fun and draw a friendly crowd.

Cappadocia’s impressive achievements and ambitious spirit are inspired by the go-getter attitude instilled in him and his sister by his parents. “When I was younger, I was really curious about a lot of different careers,” he says. “I went through phases when I wanted to study engineering, then medicine and then law. [My parents’ advice was to] ‘Find what you like and go for it.’”

For Cappadocia, his fascination with the way the brain works has led him to a fulfilling education. But it’s his knack for leadership roles and busy life outside the lab that have ensured his experience on campus isn’t strictly about studying. He hopes that the programs he works with grow and continue to have a positive impact within the York community. Referring to his parents’ pearl of wisdom about being a driver in life, he sums up his career thus far by saying, “I’ve always tried to step up and help lead the car in the direction I want to go.”

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CYCLING

The GTA Switches into High Gear

By Sal Difalco

P

erhaps it is a stretch to say that progress should have stopped when mankind invented the bicycle, one of the few machines in existence without a downside. But even non-cyclists would have to concede the manifold benefits – physical, mental, environmental, even spiritual – of riding a bicycle. And while cycling interest waned during the 1990s, a spoked renaissance is afoot. In remoter regions of the GTA, pelotons of spandexed and helmeted cyclists whirring along a country road or surmounting an undulating hill have become commonplace.

Vito Barbera, 51, of Richmond Hill, who co-owns Cipollini Bikes in Toronto (affiliated with Italian cycling champ Mario Cipollini) and rides with the B1 EVO Cycling Club, reports brisk sales these days, but admits cycling was moribund for almost a decade. “It was big in the 1980s in Toronto, then it died down.” Barbera, who runs training studios in Aurora for seasoned riders and beginners alike, has been racing since he was 16, and never lost the passion.

What explains the resurgence? With gasoline prices plummeting and reasonable economic conditions, folks in the GTA aren’t aping the trend of Italians who last year bought more bicycles than cars for the first time in decades. Vaughan resident Frank Fazzari, 54, a chartered accountant and 20

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avid cyclist, reasserts what many media outlets have reported: “Cycling is the new golf.”

Fazzari, who sits on the board of Team Revolution, a cycling team which raised 1.1 million dollars for the Humber River Regional Hospital, summarizes it succinctly: “It’s more social than running and not as competitive as golf.”

Road cycling has become a valued way of networking for modern professionals, and many believe cycling trumps golf in building relationships because it is less competitive. But many long-distance cyclists allow that it simply makes them feel great. “You can’t beat the endorphin rush of a long ride,” says Amedeo Perri, 48, a Program Coordinator with Toronto Police Services, who rode competitively with Racer Sportif in the 1980s. And while cycling is edging out golf as a networking platform, it’s also gaining ground as a lifestyle. “I ride to work whenever I can,” says Perri, whose jaunt from his Bathurst and St. Clair neighbourhood to 40 College Street takes fifteen minutes. “Driving a car downtown is nightmarish, and can take anywhere from 20-40 minutes depending on traffic.”

When asked what inspired them to ride, the three men offer contrasting answers. “I was always an F1 fanatic,” says Barbera. “I love racing, and

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CYCLING

Photography provided by the Ontario Cycling Association

wanted to get into racing. Then I heard Gilles Villeneuve speak and he said if you can’t race cars then do something competitive. Cycling was it for me.”

Fazzari admits he started as a marathoner. “I ran in the Boston Marathon in 1994. I switched to cycling in the late 1990s. It was easier on the body.”

Perri, whose family is from Cosenza, Calabria, sums up his cycling passion with several mantric words: “Bianchi, Colnago, Pinarello, De Rosa” – a reference to iconic Italian bicycle brands. “Beautiful machines; I got caught up in Italian cycling culture because I loved these bikes. Then I read about guys like Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali and my interest only deepened.”

Cycling keeps both Barbera and Fazzari close to their Italian roots.

Barbera, whose family is from Trapani, Sicily, has befriended Italian cyclists Mario Cippolini and Tour of Flanders winner Andrea Tafi, and has planned a training camp in Italy.

Fazzari, whose parents are from San Giorgio, Reggio Calabria, has taken part in Villa Charities’ Giro, an ode to Italy’s Giro d’Italia, and last year he joined Team Revolution at Granfondo Scott in Piacenza.

When asked about life as a cyclist in Toronto, Perri is blunt. “It’s a free-for-all out there, with mopeds and e-bikes and scooters and even cars squeezing the bike lanes. Maybe Mayor Tory will take the benefits of bicycles seriously – like getting cars off the street, reducing congestion and pollution, saving time and energy – and do something proactive.”

“It is dangerous,” Fazzari says, “and politicians have often lacked vision, but I see progress. Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca has been instrumental in trying to make Ontario safer with the Share The Road Campaign. Hundreds of signs have been erected in York Region as a result. And Mayor Bevilacqua of Vaughan, whose family owned a bicycle shop in Abruzzo, he gets it.”

But all agree, drivers and cyclists alike share responsibility for safety.

“More enforcement is needed,” says Perri, “not only for lane-abusers but also for cyclists who break laws and couriers who live by their own laws.”

Fazzari offers this: “I was dumfounded to see cycling paths, with clearly delineated, different-coloured lanes, in Milan, where you’d never expect it.

But if they can do it in Milan, they can do it here.”

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CYCLING

Pan Am Games Puts Cycling in Spotlight

“

By Beatrice Fantoni

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I remember in those days there was the Tour de France on television,” Zilli says, recalling what inspired her first canvas. Since then she’s gone on to sell her work to cycling enthusiasts all over the world. “I like to see that too because we share the same passion.

“

C

yclists pedalling from A to B are a common sight in most Canadian cities, but when it comes to competitive cycling, the sport doesn’t enjoy the same popularity as, say, hockey or football. For now, at least.

The upcoming Pan Am games will feature both road cycling and track cycling and experts in the industry predict the exposure will help increase the sport’s popularity across the country. “There’s definitely an excitement that’s filtering into the community,” says Matthew Pioro, editor of Canadian Cycling Magazine.

In particular, the new Cisco Milton Pan/Parapan Am Velodrome, built especially for the games in Milton, Ont., is attracting a lot of attention.

“It’s getting traction locally. (People are) intrigued. They want to know more,” Pioro says.

For Joseph Veloce, an Olympic track cyclist who represented Canada at the London 2012 summer games (and whose name, which means “fast” in Italian, is very apropos), there’s no doubt this is a key moment in the development of the sport nationally, not just among amateurs but at the elite level, too.

“On track it’s drawing quite a few people,” says Veloce, who lives in Ancaster, Ont. “Especially on the sprint side, the sport is exploding across the world.”

And it’s terrific for Canada to finally have a world-class training facility at home in time for the games, he adds. “There’s no doubt the whole team wants medals in every event.”

While it’s true Canada doesn’t have the same cycling tradition as Italy or France, Pioro says, it does have a very dedicated core.

For example, Canada has its own versions of the Tour de France or Giro d’Italia – just think of the Tour de Beauce or BC Superweek – which are well known in North America.

At the elite level, it doesn’t hurt that the women’s Canadian cycling team brought home a bronze medal at the Olympics, Veloce says. “That was an eye-opener. When we get to these races, we’re respected.”

The added bonus for athletes like Veloce, who started cycling competitively in 2004, is the new facility allows them to finally train at

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CYCLING home, rather than decamp to Los Angeles or even further afield to Europe for track training.

Among amateurs, Pioro says, cycling has really taken off in Canada in the past decade or so. Road cycling is growing more popular in the 40-plus demographic, for example, and along with track cycling, there are dedicated mountain biking and BMX enthusiasts in Canada. “It’s a participant and a fan sport,” Pioro says.

Oakville-based visual artist Luigia Zilli is also a cyclist who grew up competing in the sport in Italy.

Eight years ago, she turned her love of the sport into the subject of her work, selling canvases around the world to collectors who, like her, love to pedal on two wheels. “I remember in those days there was the Tour de France on television,” Zilli says, recalling what inspired her first canvas. Since then she’s gone on to sell her work to cycling enthusiasts all over the world. “I like to see that too because we share the same passion,” she says of her buyers.

Perhaps the trickiest part of painting cyclists is conveying speed, she notes. “You have to make the subject look like he’s in motion.”

Trained also as a sculptor, Zilli would also like to start creating three-dimensional cycling-themed work.

Zilli says she plans to catch a few cycling races in between art shows at the Milton Centre for the Arts, where her work will be on display during the month of July.

When it comes time for the games, there will be no shortage of cycling events to see. In track cycling – the discipline where Veloce will compete – cyclists whoosh around a steeply-inclined wooden track on lightweight bikes with no gears or brakes. Cyclists can reach speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour in events that focus on endurance and speed.

Road cycling is one of the original Pan Am games competition sports. Male cyclists race in teams over a 160-kilometre route, while women race over an 80-kilometre route, both of which cross through parts of Toronto. Pioro recommends trying to snag a spot in High Park or on a corner along the route. “It’s a fabulous spectator sport,” he enthuses.

Paintings by Luigia Zilli Left page: Tumulto Top right: The Thrill of the Win Bottom right: On Track

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Villa Charities’ Pal Di Iulio to Step Aside as President and CEO Long-serving leader to become President Emeritus; search for new CEO underway After over 40 years of involvement with Villa Charities, from a volunteer in 1973 to President and CEO in 1984, Palmacchio Di Iulio is stepping aside to pursue new opportunities. Di Iulio – warmly known as “Pal” to his many friends, employees and members of the Villa Charities community – will remain actively involved in the organization in a new honorary position, as President Emeritus.

The transition to a new President and CEO will be completed this year. A committee of Villa Charities’ board of directors has initiated a public search and invited candidates to apply.

Di Iulio’s involvement with Villa Charities began as a volunteer at Villa Colombo Toronto. He was actively involved in the realization of Columbus Centre/Carrier Art Gallery, Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto, VITA Community Living Services, two expansions of Villa Colombo Toronto, the development of Villa Colombo Vaughan and the inclusion of Casa Abruzzo and Centro Abruzzo to the Villa Charities family.

Today, that family of organizations has about 1,000 employees, provides culturally sensitive care to more than 600 seniors in long term care facilities and programs, and provides independent living apartments with supportive services for 750 seniors. It also enriches the lives of thousands of people by bringing them together to discover an Italian lifestyle through educational, cultural and recreational services at the Columbus Centre.

Villa Charities Chair Nina Perfetto said she is grateful for Pal's hard work and dedication to the Villa Charities family. "Pal is a unique individual that can never be replicated,” she remarked. “He leaves a legacy of which we can only be proud."

Following the leadership transition, the new President and CEO will begin steering the proposed revitalization of Villa Charities’ Lawrence and Dufferin campus, including a renewal of the Columbus Centre.

Pal Di Iulio

Bottom right photo: Members of the 756 Ossington Seniors Club visit the apple orchard at 40 Playfair Ave., the future home of Villa Colombo, in July 1973, after its purchase from the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. With them are Paul Ariemma, first and then Executive Director Italian Canadian Benevolent Corporation (ICBC), later renamed Villa Charities Inc. (far L); Pal Di Iulio, volunteer/supporter (3rd from L); and Tony Fusco, President ICBC (in striped jacket).

Villa Charities Unveils New Website Villa Charities is pleased to unveil our new website. The redesign offers a clean, crisp look and improved navigation, making it easier to find the information you want.

Now you can register online for more of the great cultural, athletic, culinary and other programs and services we offer.

The new website can be found at the same address as before: www.villacharities.com.

Benvenuti to our new home online!

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Dalla Nostra Cucina: Columbus Event Centre’s Penne Alla Vodka Recipe Penne Rigate Alla Vodka Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients: • 1 box (450 grams) penne rigate • 8 strips premium quality smoked bacon or equivalent in pancetta • 1 onion, finely chopped • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped • 1 oz. vodka

Yield: 4 servings

• 3 oz. white wine • 2 cups pureed plum tomatoes • ½ cup 35% cream • 1 pinch chili pepper flakes • 4 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped • 5 oz. grated Parmigiano

Instructions: 1. In a large sauté pan, cook bacon over medium heat to render out fat – about 10 minutes until cooked, but not too crispy. Discard the fat.

2. Add the onion and garlic. Cook until the onion is caramelized and garlic is fragrant.

3. Add vodka and chili pepper and deglaze.

4. Add white wine and simmer for 2 minutes.

5. Mix in the tomato puree and bring to a boil. Then add the basil and simmer for 10 minutes.

6. Add the 35% cream and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. At this point the sauce is ready.

7. Bring a large pot with 5 litres of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta following the time indicated on the package (ensure pasta remains al dente).

8. Drain the pasta and toss with sauce.

9. Finish with the parmigiano cheese and serve.

This tasty recipe is yours to enjoy at home, or make it part of the menu for your next event at Columbus Events Centre. For more information, visit www.columbuseventcentre.com or call 647-259-5471.

This special section is published by Villa Charities.

For more than 40 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided care for seniors and offered educational and cultural programs in music, dance, visual arts, culinary arts, athletics, and much more.

The Villa Charities family includes Villa Colombo Services for Seniors in Toronto; Villa Colombo Vaughan/Di Poce Centre; Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo apartments for independent seniors; the Columbus Centre; and J.D. Carrier Art Gallery.

For more information, visit www.villacharities.com

S E C T I O N

Chef Gino Marchetti

S P E C I A L

Columbus Event Centre has been a premier event venue in Toronto for over 35 years, with lush gardens, a city central location, and outstanding, authentic cuisine. Clients often request Penne Alla Vodka for their events, as many attest that it is the best in Toronto.

Here, Chef Gino Marchetti, Executive Chef at Columbus Event Centre for over 25 years, shares the recipe for this much loved dish.

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Albert Nangini – Villa Colombo Volontario Eccezionale For Albert Nangini, just knowing that he is helping people in need is reward enough for his volunteer work at Villa Colombo.

Nangini, a retired chemical manufacturing plant manager, assembles hot meals at Villa Colombo and delivers them to seniors’ homes most weekdays for the Meals on Wheels program. He returns daily to Villa Colombo to feed and spend time with his mother, and help other residents with feeding, exercise and activities.

“It gives me great satisfaction to give some of my free time back to society,” says Nangini, who has volunteered at Villa Colombo for almost three years.

“It’s an honour to serve people in my community.”

As a member of Villa Colombo’s Family Council, Nangini helps to ensure residents receive excellent care and resolve families’ concerns. It was there that he learned about the need for Meals on Wheels volunteers.

Domenica Bevacqua, Supervisor of Volunteers at Villa Colombo, says that Nangini’s outgoing, caring and gentle personality is valued by seniors, staff and fellow volunteers alike. “He looks out for the seniors’ well-being and ensures they are safe,” she says.

Villa Colombo currently needs more volunteers like Nangini, especially for Meals on Wheels lunch deliveries on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Drivers can use their own vehicle or Villa Colombo vans. Also needed: volunteer assistants to help residents during meal times, provide companionship and join them in recreational activities.

Nangini’s advice to anyone thinking about volunteering: “Do it. Do it to help others. Do it because our society needs volunteers. There’s nothing more rewarding.”

To volunteer at Villa Colombo, please contact Domenica Bevacqua at 416-789-2113 x2217 or bevacqua@villacolombo.on.ca.

Italian Heritage Month Takes Centre Stage at Columbus Centre

Art and Italian language will once again take centre stage at Columbus Centre during Italian Heritage Month in June.

The annual event gets underway on June 3 with an opening reception for “Viva Vitalità,” a month-long exhibit at Carrier Gallery featuring works by seven Italian-Canadian and Italian artists, organized by Marcello Tarantino.

On June 11, hundreds of students enrolled in Centro Scuola’s International Languages 26

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Extended Day Program will join together at the Columbus Centre gardens for “Concorso Letterario,” the annual "La festa della lingua italiana". The winners of the Italian Literary Contest will be announced in the presence of Italy’s Ambassador to Canada, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, and Consul General Giuseppe Pastorelli.

Italian Heritage Month coincides with La Festa della Repubblica Italiana, the annual celebration of the Italian Republic’s birth.

Albert Nangini

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DanzArts Toronto’s Competitive Team Soars to New Heights DanzArts Toronto’s dance team earned its best-ever results in competitions this year, solidifying its place among the GTA’s top-ranking dance programs.

Dancers with the Columbus Centre-based company have earned numerous team and individual accolades, awards and top scores.

In all, the team scored 48 top three finishes in its first three competitions this spring.

“Congratulations to our entire company on performing so well and achieving such great results,” said Kathryn Miles, DanzArts Toronto's Artistic Director."Our dancers, families and teachers have much to be proud of.”

Highlights include winning the Division 1 Ultimate Battle at the On the Floor (OTF) competition in Alliston, where team members Daniela Sanelli and Kristina Scampoli were each

named an “OTF Ultimate Dancer” and were invited to perform in OTF’s gala for Sick Kids Hospital. At the Fever International Dance Championships in Markham, DanzArts dancers earned five first place overall standings. Kristina Scampoli received top individual honours as one of just three dancers selected as a 2015 'Face of Fever.'

The Dance Canada competition in Niagara Falls produced nine first place overall awards. Ten DanzArts dancers qualified for the Dance Canada pageant while Sofia Natale won the “Destined to Succeed” Award and Kathryn Miles took the Judges’ Choice Choreography Award.

Carrier Gallery Celebrates Pan Am Games with Art Exhibitions

UPCOMING EVENTS Carrier Gallery Italian Heritage Month (June 4-July 2) Marilena Isacescu (June 4-July 2) 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Exhibits Arts of the Americas (July 9-20) Riding Through the Americas (July 23-Aug. 11) Ben Ibebe (July 9-Aug. 3) 2015/16 Cultural Arts Programs DanzArts Toronto recital (June 6) Music school recital (June 22 & 24) Dance registration early bird discount (July 13-24)

Rain by Rafael Yaluff (Chile), oil on canvas.

Cooking Classes Captivating Calabria (June 10) Summer hors d’oeuvres (June 15)

The Columbus Centre’s Carrier Gallery will host a trio of exhibitions featuring art from the Americas, as part of city-wide celebrations of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.

Art Class 1-day workshop (July 18) Summer Day Camps Registration (on now)

The shows, which are open to the public at no charge, include Sharing Spaces: Arts of the Americas (July 9 to 20); Sharing Spaces: Riding Through the Americas (July 23 to Aug. 11); and Sharing Spaces: The Forests of the South of Chile (Aug. 11 to 23).

“We look forward to celebrating the Toronto 2015 Games through art,” said Carrier Gallery Curator Rosa Graci. “The three exhibits will showcase Latin America’s rich cultural heritage along with the artistic excellence that thrives there.”

Across Toronto, the Games celebrations will feature numerous performances and exhibitions of music, theatre, dance, visual arts and fashion

Columbus Centre Tennis Club Registration (on now) Athletics Summer Registration Members/family (5pm June 22) Non-members (5pm June 24) Aquatics Summer Registration Members/family (June 30) Non-members (6pm July 2)

Fire by Rafael Yaluff (Chile), oil on canvas.

from Ontario, Canada and the Americas. The Carrier Gallery exhibitions have been created and organized by the Cultural Celebration of the Spanish Language and ANTARES Publishing.

Fundraising Event Villa Charities Golf Classic (June 16) History Italian Canadian Experiences during WWII Guelph Civic Museum (to Aug. 9) More details & contact information: villacharities.com PANORAMITALIA.COM

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FASHION

1.

Getaway Bag How and what to pack so you can pick up and go this summer

By Alessia Sara Domanico

“La 2.

valigia sul letto è quello di un lungo viaggio…” so goes that old time tune sung by Julio Iglesias, aka Enrique for Nonna. While the trip may still be long, the concept of luggage has changed dramatically. Where women often pack way more than necessary, men are equally guilty of leaving the more important things, like clean underwear and deodorant, behind. So how do we find the fine balance? First, it depends on your journey’s length and mode of travel. Let’s use a seven-day holiday as our framework and examine two modes of transport: car and plane.

Road trip ready A trunk can make all the difference to what you’re able to bring with you, but that doesn’t mean going overboard. It means one trolley and a duffel bag, with room for an extra pair of shoes.

Map out your six days; you are already wearing what you need for the first leg of the trip. Our advice is to plan two outfits per day. If you’re at the beach then six T-shirts, four swimsuits, and a pair of sandals will get you through with some more

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FASHION

dressy, but space-saving items for the evening: linen for both men and women, all-in-one dresses for the ladies, shirts and cotton trousers for the gents. If you’re opting for drier surroundings, then a mix of shorts, leggings, jeans and dresses that you can alternate through the days will serve you well. Unisex hoodies are excellent to have, as are scarves for a little extra coverage in a cool breeze.

Ripped jeans are back again this season and can instantly turn a regular look into a laidback, vacation-ready one. Backpacks are also great ways to pack for the trip and then reutilize on a day-today basis for various needs. If the tablet is unessential, why not leave it at home? Less stress about having it stolen or lost and more space/concentration for other matters, there’s always your smartphone! Speaking of which, make sure you have a car or portable charger for juice.

Frequent flyer It doesn’t matter how hot and sweaty you are from wrestling your way through check-in, security and the race to the gate once the plane takes off it will be cooler and you’ll want to cover up.

Whether jeans or leggings, the important thing is that you are wearing PANTS on a plane because it will get cold. Light, longsleeved cotton shirts and cardigans with a seasonal scarf are exactly what you need to make your journey an enjoyable one.

If you have access to a washing machine during your trip and aren’t too fussed about having more than two wardrobe changes a day, then the basics will be your best friend. Men can bring three button-up shirts, a pair of jeans, shorts and more formal trousers – throw in a tie and a jacket while you’re at it. Ladies can follow suit, but with a failsafe skirt and LBD (little black dress). Jewellery can and will make all the difference to changing up your looks (e.g. flashy earrings and colourful necklaces) and it’s lighter than packing an entirely new outfit. For shoes, go for a pair of dressy, a pair of nice sandals and a pair of destructible flip-flops. Stay away from materials that wrinkle a lot such as silks and linens; you can always buy something in that fabric while on vacation!

And as a far as liquids go, just buy items like shampoo, sunscreen and body lotion once you’ve reached your destination, so you can maximize your space.

4.

5.

6.

L E G E N D

How to pack fool-proof luggage Make sure that your heavy items are stored at the bottom of a case by the luggage wheels. Line the side of the luggage with books, boxes and other items that present a non-issue for breaking or distortion. Shoes go separately in cloth sacks and shouldn’t be clumped together. Store socks inside shoes to save on space.

Firmly press clothing flat into the bottom of the case to allow for as much space as possible. Roll any breakables in T-shirts or towels and pat in to fill any holes. Finish by gently laying any shirts or other items, which need ironing on the top. By having them at the top of everything, you reduce the need for them to be heavily ironed on the other side of your vacation. Vacuum packs are also an excellent space saving cheat either for road or air travel.

1. LouisVuitton 2. Dior 3. Tod's 4. DSquared 5. Dior 6. Men's Carry On

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LIVING ITALIAN STYLE

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

Donato Rosati Nickname: Donny Occupation: Student at the University of Toronto Age: 20 Generation: Third Dad’s side from: Pescara, Abruzzo Mom’s side from: Caserta, Campania Speaks: English, enough Italian to get me in and out of trouble Raised in: Newmarket Clothes: Jack & Jones T-shirt, Zara denim shirt, Club Monaco pants, Sperry shoes.

Favourite boutique: Contraband Fashion idol: Mariano Di Vaio Passion: Sports and politics Goal in life: A vacation home on Lago di Garda Favourite restaurant: Terroni Your best dish: My risotto with scallops Best pizza in Toronto: Frank’s Pizza House Best caffè in Toronto: Zaza Espresso Bar Best panino in Toronto: La Fonte Trattoria Favourite aperitivo or vino: Campari and ginger ale Preferred drinking establishment: The Yorkville rooftop at Hemingway’s Favourite Italian saying: “Un buon 30

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avvocato sa la legge, un grande avvocato conosce il giudice.”

You know you are ItalianCanadian if: You introduce yourself on a construction site and the first question you are asked is who your father/nonno is.

Last time you went to Italy: Summer 2010 Favourite Italian song: Gloria by Umberto Tozzi Italian soccer team: AS Roma Sexiest Italian: Federica Nargi What you like most about Panoram: Preserving the Italian-Canadian culture through the involvement of the younger generation Best memory growing up ItalianCanadian: Teachers wondering what happened to you when you suddenly disappear during the World Cup.

Sandra Buzzelli Nickname: Sange Occupation: Teacher Age: 26 Generation: Third Dad from: L’Aquila, Abruzzo Mom’s side from: Latina, Lazio Speaks: English Raised in: Toronto Clothes: H&M maxi dress, Aldo shoes.

Favourite boutique: H&M Fashion idol: Kate Bosworth Passion: Fitness and health Goal in life: To travel the world Thing about you that would surprise most people: I have several tattoos.

Pet peeve: People who chew with their mouths open Favourite restaurant: Vivoli Favourite dish: Penne alla vodka Your best dish: My walnut salmon Best pizza in Toronto: Café Diplomatico Best caffè in Toronto: Faema Caffè Best panino in Toronto: Nino D’Aversa

Favourite Italian saying: “La vita è bella” Favourite Italian city or town: Sorrento Musical preference: Rock Favourite Italian song: Con te partirò by Andrea Bocelli Sexiest Italian: Luca Dorigo Best way to feel Italian in Toronto: Eating gelato on College Street How long have you been reading Panoram?

Several years Most common name in your family: Maria (5) Best memory growing up Italian-Canadian: Helping my nonno and nonna make sugo.

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Photography by Giulio Muratori Makeup by Monica Rosati

LIVING ITALIAN STYLE

Michael Di Mascio Nickname: “The Show” Occupation: Radio Broadcaster on Newstalk 1010 & Media Advertising Planner for Ford Canada Age: 27 Generation: Third Dad’s side from: Pescara, Abruzzo Mom’s side from: Campobasso, Molise Speaks: English, basic Italian Raised in: Mississauga Clothes: Armani Exchange shirt, Zara jacket, Jay Manuel pants, Zara shoes.

Favourite boutique: Fred Perry Fashion idol: Prince Thing about you that would surprise most people: I am a lector at my Catholic Church.

Favourite dish: Nonna Antoinetta’s lasagna and Nonna Lucia’s club sandwich Your best dish: My bucatini all’amatriciana Best pizza in Toronto: Pizzeria Libretto (Ossington) Best caffè in Toronto: Curva Nord Bar Best panino in Toronto: California Sandwiches Favourite vino: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Last time you went to Italy: August 2012

Favourite Italian city: Pescara Musical preference: I like anything from folk to Italian rap with a lot of love for ’80s music.

Favourite Italian song: La paura non esiste by Tiziano Ferro Italian soccer team: S.S Lazio Sexiest Italian: Monica Bellucci Best way to feel Italian in Toronto: Attending the Good Friday procession on College Street.

What you like most about Panoram: Being able to relate to others of my generation through profiles and stories.

Most common name in your family: Camillo (5) Best memory growing up ItalianCanadian: The summers in my nonna’s garage making tomato sauce.

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ROME

Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II

When in Rome A Roma

By Francesca Spizzirri

Photography by Pascal Rousseau

“A thousand roads lead men [and women] forever to Rome.” This Latin proverb still holds true two and a half thousand years later, as millions of enthusiastic travellers continue to flock to the Eternal City, relishing in its rich history, vivacious spirit and striking visual atmosphere.

“Tutte le strade portano a Roma.” Questo proverbio latino è ancora valido a duemila e cinquecento anni di distanza, considerato che milioni di viaggiatori entusiasti continuano a confluire nella Città Eterna, assaporandone la sua storia ricca, il suo spirito vivace e l’ atmosfera suggestiva.

R

oma è un tesoro di antichi splendori, la sua storia epica è incisa su ogni pietra che ha forgiato il suo passato leggendario. Luoghi storici quali il Colosseo, il Foro Romano, il colle Palatino, Castel Sant’Angelo, il Circo Massimo, il Pantheon, il colle Aventino – dove la nascita mitologica e il lascito di Roma ebbero inizio – continuano ad attirare migliaia di visitatori millenni più tardi.

Costellata da rovine sia sopra che sotto terra, l’ex “caput mundi” (capitale del mondo) è un museo a cielo aperto con opere famose esposte ad ogni svolta. Sotto Palazzo Valentini ed a pochi passi da Piazza Venezia, gli appassionati di storia possono esplorare i resti archeologici delle Domus Romane – due antiche case romane

ome is a treasure trove of ancient splendours, its epic story written on every stone shaping its legendary past. Historical sites such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill, Castel Sant’Angelo, Circus Maximus, the Pantheon, and the Aventine Hill – where Rome’s mythical birth and legacy began – continue to draw thousands of visitors millennia later.

Dotted with ruins both above and below ground, the former “caput mundi” (capital of the world) is an open-air museum with celebrated works displayed at every turn. Beneath Palazzo Valentini and steps from Piazza 32

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ROME

Vintage Fiat 500 with old Roma plate

Venezia, history enthusiasts can explore the archeological remains of Le Domus Romane – two ancient Roman houses that provide a refreshing glimpse into underground Rome. At the Centrale Montemartini museum, a collection of sculptures representative of the spoils from several excavation campaigns are yours to enjoy.

The capital of Italy, famed for “La Dolce Vita,” is lined with cobblestone paths that lead to picturesque piazzas filled with cafès and trattorias that spill onto its atmospheric streets. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Sit back with an aperitivo and take in the artistic marvels displayed in Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Campo dei Fiori and Piazza del Campidoglio. In Piazza del Popolo, don’t miss gazing at the two Caravaggio paintings hanging on opposing walls in the Cerasi Chapel of the nearby Church of Santa Maria del Popolo. The majestic Fontana di Trevi takes on breathtaking heroic proportions when illuminated by night – don’t forget to throw a coin into the fountain, as legend holds it will ensure your return to Rome!

In the Eternal City, the old mingles seamlessly with the new – a concept Pope Francis has embraced with inspiring ease, reinvigorating interest in the Roman Catholic Church and Vatican City State; an enclave nestled in the heart of Rome, where you can take in the rhythm, rituals and splendour of the Holy See. Recently, his Holiness made headlines when he invited the homeless to admire the beauty of the Vatican museums and the breathtaking Sistine Chapel – home to Michelangelo’s fresco The Creation of Adam.

While admiring the glorious beauty of Bernini’s colonnade in St. Peter’s Square and the Basilica, one cannot help but reflect on the past and the ambitious popes and cardinals who left behind great artistic treasures, among them the spectacular Farnese Palace. Now the site of the French Embassy, it is one of Rome’s most impressive Renaissance Palazzi and home

che offrono uno scorcio nuovo della Roma sotterranea. Al museo Centrale Montemartini, una collezione di sculture, esempi di resti provenienti da diversi scavi, è a vostra disposizione per essere ammirata.

La capitale d’Italia, rinomata per “la Dolce Vita”, è delineata da vicoli di sanpietrini che conducono a piazze pittoresche piene di caffè e trattorie che danno sulle sue stradine ricche d’atmosfera. Una volta a Roma, fate come fanno i romani!

Rilassatevi con un aperitivo ed ammirate le meraviglie artistiche in mostra a Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna, Campo dei Fiori e Piazza del Campidoglio. A Piazza del Popolo, non perdetevi l’occasione di ammirare i due dipinti del Caravaggio appesi sulle pareti opposte della Cappella Cerasi nella vicina Basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo. La maestosa Fontana di Trevi assume spettacolari proporzioni mozzafiato quando illuminata di notte – non scordate di gettare una monetina nella fontana, visto che la leggenda vi assicura il vostro ritorno a Roma!

Nella Città Eterna, il vecchio si mescola armoniosamente con il nuovo – un concetto che Papa Francesco ha abbracciato con una naturalezza motivante, rafforzando l’interesse per la Chiesa Cattolica Romana e lo Stato della Città del Vaticano: un enclave incastonato nel cuore di Roma, dove potete far vostri il ritmo, i rituali e lo splendore della Santa Sede. Di recente, sua Santità ha fatto notizia per aver invitato i senzatetto ad ammirare le bellezze dei musei vaticani e la meravigliosa Cappella Sistina – sede dell’affresco di Michelangelo, “La Creazione di Adamo.”

Mentre si contempla la gloriosa bellezza del colonnato del Bernini e della Basilica a Piazza San Pietro, non si può fare a meno di riflettere sul passato e sui papi e i cardinali ambiziosi che hanno lasciato alle loro spalle immensi tesori artistici, tra i quali lo spettacolare Palazzo Farnese. Adesso sede dell’Ambasciata francese a Roma e sede della Galleria Carracci che custodisce affreschi meravigliosi, è uno dei palazzi rinascimentali più belli della capitale. È stato riaperto al pubblico in primavera dopo un lungo restauro.

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ROME to the Carracci Gallery which houses marvellous frescoes. It recently reopened after an extensive restoration.

Built during the height of the Renaissance, arguably the golden age of Italian art and architecture, many of Rome’s stately palazzi are now the home of government buildings such as Palazzo Chigi, Palazzo Barberini, Palazzo Spada and the Palazzo del Quirinale; named after the hill on which it sits overlooking Rome.

The city’s fabled seven hills provide magnificent panoramic views, though Rome is home to many more glorious hills and landscapes. Postcardworthy vantage spots include the Giardino degli Aranci on the Aventine Hill that looks out to the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. The Janiculum Hill is the perfect place to overlook the city at sunset, while the Capitoline Hill offers two impressive views. On the Alban Hills, in the Castelli Romani, visit the town of Frascati to sit at a picnic table restaurant and dine on delicious porchetta and wine, while looking over the valley towards Rome.

When seeking respite from the city chaos, head to the enchantingly beautiful Villa Borghese – Rome’s most celebrated park. This beautiful oasis in the heart of Rome stretches from above Piazza del Popolo to the end of the fashionable Via Veneto, crowning Rome in a magnificent canopy of green.

Art lovers will delight in the collection of paintings and sculptures, including some of Bernini’s most beautiful works, displayed in the Galleria Borghese, Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna and the Museo Nazionale Etrusco, all located within the park. There is also an amphitheatre, cinemas, a bio park, a lake and numerous fountains dotted throughout.

One of the nation’s most important private art collections is housed in the Galleria Doria Pamphilj, which includes masterpieces by Raphael, Caravaggio, Titian and Velázquez. Admission includes a charming audio guide narrated by Prince Jonathan Doria Pamphilj that brings this 17th century splendour alive with intriguing tales of his family’s history.

With so many sights and things to do, Rome is truly a global city. It is also one of the fashion capitals of the world, with some of Italy’s oldest jewellery and clothing establishments founded here. A stroll along Via Condotti and the Spanish Steps will reveal celebrated Italian designer boutiques. For affordable finds, head to Via Cola di Rienzo or Via del Corso that leads all the way to the bustling Piazza Venezia with its impressive monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king to rule a unified Italy. If you get the

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Edificati all’apice del Rinascimento, probabilmente il periodo d’oro dell’arte e dell’architettura italiane, molti dei grandiosi palazzi romani ospitano adesso uffici governativi come Palazzo Chigi, Palazzo Barberini, Palazzo Spada e il Palazzo del Quirinale, così chiamato per via del colle sul quale si trova, affacciato su Roma.

I mitici sette colli di Roma offrono panorami stupendi, sebbene Roma comprenda molti più colli e paesaggi spettacolari. Posizioni panoramiche da cartolina includono il Giardino degli Aranci sull’Aventino che si affaccia sulla cupola della Basilica di San Pietro. Il colle del Gianicolo è il posto ideale per ammirare la città al tramonto, mentre il Capitolino offre due panorami impressionanti. Sui colli Albani, ai Castelli Romani, visitate la città di Frascati per sedervi in un ristorante con tavoli da picnic e cenare a base di porchetta deliziosa e vino, mentre ammirate la valle che si estende verso Roma.

Quando cercate una tregua dal caos della città, recatevi alla meravigliosamente bella Villa Borghese – il parco più popolare di Roma. Quest’oasi stupenda nel cuore della capitale si estende da sopra Piazza del Popolo alla fine dell’elegante via Veneto, coronando Roma con un meraviglioso tetto di verde. Gli amanti dell’arte si delizieranno con la collezione di dipinti e sculture, incluse alcune delle opere più belle del Bernini, esposte alla Galleria Borghese, alla Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna ed al Museo Nazionale Etrusco, tutti situati all’interno del parco. Ci sono anche un anfiteatro, dei cinema, un bioparco, un lago e numerose fontane tutte intorno.

Una delle collezioni d’arte private più importanti della nazione è ospitata presso la Galleria Doria Pamphilj ed include capolavori di Raffaello, Caravaggio, Tiziano e Velásquez. Il biglietto d’ingresso comprende un’affascinante audioguida narrata dal principe Jonathan Doria Pamphilj che riporta in vita questo splendore del XVII secolo attraverso storie intriganti sulla propria famiglia.

Con così tante cose da vedere e fare, Roma è davvero una città universale. È anche una delle capitali mondiali della moda, con alcune delle gioiellerie e aziende d’abbigliamento più antiche d’Italia. Una passeggiata lungo via Condotti e la scalinata di Piazza di Spagna riveleranno boutique di acclamati stilisti italiani. Per trovare cose più abbordabili, dirigetevi in via Cola di Rienzo o via del Corso che porta dritto alla trafficata Piazza Venezia con il suo momumento ragguardevole a Vittorio Emanuele II, primo re a governare l’Italia unificata. Se ne avete l’opportunità, assicuratevi di visitare il mercato di Campo dei Fiori.

A ovest del fiume Tevere, attraverso il pittoresco Ponte Sisto, romani e turisti si riversano nel quartiere antico e vivace di Trastevere. Una passeggiata lungo le sue stradine, labirinto di colori, rivelerà insieme bucato svolazzante e santuari reli-

Public art display in Rome

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ROME chance, be sure to visit the market in Campo dei Fiori.

West of the Tiber River, across the picturesque Ponte Sisto, Romans and tourists flock to the lively and ancient quarter of Trastevere. A walk along its labyrinth of colourful streets will reveal flailing laundry and religious shrines, as well as some of the city’s best bars and restaurants. Here you will find the authentic soul of the Eternal City. The heart of this neighbourhood is Piazza Santa Maria Trastevere where you can relax on the steps of the fountain and enjoy as Romans go about their daily lives.

Not to be outdone by its historical treasures, one cannot overlook the delicious food of the Eternal City. The best and most enjoyable way to immerse yourself in the local Roman culture is by eating and drinking. So when in Rome, eat as the Romans do! From pizza al taglio (sliced), to classic pastas such as Cacio e Pepe and Carbonara, to Saltimbocca alla Romana and braised artichokes – Rome is bursting with great eateries with both traditional and creative cuisines. When it comes to satisfying your sweet tooth, nothing beats a delicious gelato artigianale (homemade). Try the gelaterie Giolitti, GROM, I Caruso or Come Il Latte. For a typical Roman dessert, try a Maritozzi.

Rome is a magical city, both magnificently mesmerizing and undoubtedly chaotic; yet it is so seductive that one’s final thoughts are surely, “Arrivederci Roma… until we meet again!”

giosi, così come alcuni dei migliori locali e ristoranti della città. Qui troverete l’anima autentica della Città Eterna. Il cuore di questo quartiere è Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere; li, potrete rilassarvi sui gradini della fontana e godervi il modo in cui si muovono i Romani nel quotidiano.

Per non lasciarsi sopraffare dal suo patrimonio storico, non ci si possono lasciar sfuggire i cibi deliziosi della Città Eterna. Il modo migliore e più piacevole d’immergersi nella cultura romana locale è mangiare e bere.

Per cui una volta a Roma, mangiate come fanno i romani! Dalla pizza al taglio, ai classici piatti di pasta tipo Cacio e Pepe o Carbonara, dai Saltimbocca alla Romana ai carciofi brasati – Roma trabocca di punti di ristoro sia con cucina tradizionale che creativa. E quando si tratta di soddisfare la vostra golosità, non c’è niente di meglio di un delizioso gelato artigianale! Provate le gelaterie Giolitti, GROM, I Caruso o Come il Latte. Per un dolce Colosseum detail at night tipicamente romano, gustate i maritozzi.

Roma è una città magica, sia superbamente affascinante che indubbiamente caotica; eppure è talmente seducente che l’ultimo pensiero è senza dubbio: “Arrivederci Roma…arrivederci ancora!”

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ROME

The Roman Legacy Il Lascito Romano Largo di Torre Argentina in Rome’s historical centre

By Sara Germanotta

W

hen most people think of Rome, the usual images that come to mind are of its ancient ruins – the Colosseum, the Pantheon – some of the greatest architectural and engineering feats in history; or perhaps it’s of Roman fashion – Valentino, Fendi, Laura Biagiotti; maybe you think of the food – spaghetti alla carbonara, cacio e pepe, carciofi. There is much the Eternal City and its people have given us. But once you set foot in Rome, there is no doubt you have arrived in what once was – and for some, still is – the centre of the greatest civilization in history.

The Roman Empire began in about 27 BC, when Augustus Octavianus Caesar became first Emperor of Rome, and it spanned centuries. At the height of their dominance, from about 1 to 200 AD, the Romans had conquered much of the Mediterranean world, their territory stretching from Britain to Mesopotamia and from the Rhine River to the deserts of North Africa. It is a time and place that has inspired and captivated the imagination of everyone from scholars to Hollywood movie makers.

Dr. Michael Fronda is an associate professor of Roman History at McGill University. Fronda’s fascination with the Roman world began when he was a young boy. “Maybe it was all of those National Geographic magazines my family kept in the house,” he jokes. “In high school, I loved history. I was also lucky because my high school offered Latin and as a precocious teenager, I decided to learn the language. I can still remember the first line of Caesar’s account of his conquest of Gaul: Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres (All of Gaul is divided into three parts…).”

Today, the 44-year-old says he is still captivated by ancient Rome: “On the one hand the Romans seem so modern and so similar to our society today. And then on the other hand the ancient world is radically different, and many of their cultural practices and assumptions would strike us as bizarre or even horrifying,” explains Fronda. “For example, here was a society in which slavery was simply accepted, where gladiators and exotic animals were slaughtered in blood sports that were quite popular, and so on. I think most of us today would find the Roman world simply shocking. This duality – the profound similarity and extraordinary foreignness of ancient Rome – is a paradox that never ceases to amaze and interest me.”

Fronda says one of the most fascinating aspects of the Roman empire was its ability to control such a large and vast territory – which included anywhere from 50 million to 100 million inhabitants – at a time when the modes of communica36

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Photography by Pascal Rousseau

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uando la maggioranza delle persone pensa a Roma, le immagini ricorrenti che vengono in mente sono quelle delle sue antiche rovine – il Colosseo, il Pantheon – alcune tra le più grandi imprese d’ingegneria e architettura della Storia. Ci sono tantissime cose che la Città Eterna e i suoi abitanti ci offrono. Ma quando si mette piede a Roma, non c’è dubbio che si è giunti in quello che una volta era – e per alcuni continua ad essere – il centro della più grande civiltà della Storia.

L’Impero romano esordi nel 27a.C. circa, data di inizio del principato di Cesare Ottaviano Augusto divenne il primo imperatore di Roma e durò secoli. All’apice del proprio dominio, dall’1 al 200d.C circa, i Romani avevano conquistato la maggior parte del Mediterraneo, con possedimenti che si estendevano dalla Britannia alla Mesopotamia e dal fiume Reno al deserto del Nord Africa. Michael Fronda è professore associato di Storia Romana all’Unversità McGill. L’attrazione di Fronda per il mondo Romano è iniziata da ragazzo. “È stato forse per via di tutti quei National Geographic che la mia famiglia teneva in casa,” scherza. “Alla scuola superiore, amavo la storia. Sono stato anche fortunato perché la mia scuola offriva latino e in quanto ragazzino precoce, ho deciso d’imparare la lingua.

Oggi, il quarantaquattrenne afferma di essere ancora affascinato dall’antica Roma: “Da un lato i Romani sembrano tanto moderni e simili alla nostra società odierna. Ma poi, dall’altro lato, il mondo antico è completamente diverso e molte delle loro pratiche culturali e convinzioni ci sorprenderebbero in quanto bizzarre o addirittura orripilanti,” spiega Fronda.“Per esempio, si trattava di una società nella quale la schiavitù era semplicemene accettata, dove gladiatori e animali esotici venivano massacrati in giochi cruenti che erano abbastanza popolari e così via. Questo dualismo – la profonda similitudine e la straordinaria differenza dell’antica Roma – è un paradosso che mai cesserà di stupirmi e interessarmi.”

Fronda dice che uno degli aspetti più affascinanti dell’Impero romano stava nell’abilità di controllare un territorio così grande e vasto – che comprendeva tra i 50 e i 100 milioni di abitanti – in un’epoca in cui i mezzi di comunicazione erano piuttosto rudimentali. “Pare che i Romani abbiano fatto un lavoro notevole nello spronare i capi politici locali a cooperare e collaborare secondo le leggi romane. Per utilizzare un’espressione moderna, sembra che i Romani siano stati specialisti del “soft power” (potere di persuasione),” afferma

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Citizenship meant certain legal privileges and protections, and perhaps even status to the one receiving it.”

Romans were also avant-garde in the manner in which they treated those they conquered. Dr. Lionel Sanders has been teaching Classics at Concordia University since 1972. He believes the Romans’ greatest legacy is their ability to unite the Mediterranean communities – the only time this was ever done. In spreading their culture, the Romans also spread their language, and this is why so many people today speak French, Italian, Spanish and other Romance languages: these all derive from Latin, the official language of the Roman Empire. “Unlike the Greeks, the Romans recognized and were not ashamed of the fact that they were not of pure stock and they encouraged non-Romans to become Romanized,” explains Sanders. “This is reflected in the Roman view that the Mediterranean is our sea – mare nostrum. They did so by a universal Roman Law, pursuance of a vigorous policy of urbanization, especially in the Western areas, and by uniting the communities by their roads.”

Literally, in the Roman Empire, all roads did lead to Rome. Romans were pioneers when it came to infrastructure and engineering, credited with inventing or perfecting everything from aqueducts and plumbing to concrete. The longevity of Roman architecture is a testament to the flawlessness of their innovations.

That’s why countless tourists to the Eternal City can, to this day, take selfies beneath the Roman arches of the Flavian Amphitheatre (aka the Colosseum), first opened in 80 AD. Modern Romans are equally proud and mindful of their city’s great legacy and prominence in the founding of Western civilization. Laura Mancini is a native Roman and author of two books on the city: Roma Underground (2012) and A spasso per Roma (2014). The 29-year-old says Italians are taught, early on, about their rich history. “The Roman heritage imprinting begins with school: as soon as we start studying, we get familiar with ancient Roman history and myth.” Mancini continues, “During high school the study of Latin is mandatory in most schools; we learn everything about the Roman Empire. Of course for Romans this knowledge is even more profound and significant because we grow up seeing what is left of that Empire.”

Mancini says she does not take Rome’s deep history for granted, even though she’s walked its ancient streets her entire life: “As a citizen of the city, I believe that this heritage still counts a lot for me. I see the beauty all around when I walk through the streets of the historical centre, I enjoy the romantic view of the Appia Antica while biking, and I say bye to the Acquedotto Romano while driving out of the city.”

The Roman Empire has been called the birthplace of Western civilization and although its glory was on the decline by the 3rd century AD, many, including McGill professor Michael Fronda, believe the Empire never truly disappeared: “This is going to sound like I am being funny or cute, but the Romans’ greatest legacy is their legacy. By that I mean that for whatever reason the image of the Roman Empire endures in the imagination: the Romans remain the arch-example of a successful martial and imperial people, the Roman Empire, the ultimate model of imperial achievement to be emulated by would-be emperors or scorned as the ultimate example of tyranny and oppression.”

So next time you turn on your faucet, drive on a highway, or even look at a calendar, know it all started in Roma Aeterna.

Fronda. “Hanno garantito la cittadinanza a individui – di solito uomini di prestigio che avevano servito Roma con lealtà e le loro famiglie – ed a comunità intere. Cittadinanza voleva dire alcuni privilegi legali e protezione, e magari anche prestigio per colui che la riceveva.”

I Romani furono pure all’avanguardia per il modo in cui trattavano coloro che conquistavano. Il dottor Lionel Sanders insegna Lettere Classiche alla Concordia University dal 1972. Ritiene che la più grande eredità lasciataci dai Romani sia stata la loro abilità nel riunire le comunità del Mediterraneo – unica volta in cui una cosa simile sia stata fatta. Nel diffondere la propria cultura i Romani hanno anche espanso la propria lingua ed è questo il motivo per cui al giorno d’oggi così tante persone parlano francese, italiano, spagnolo ed altre lingue romanze: derivano tutte dal latino, lingua ufficiale dell’Impero Romano. “A differenza dei Greci, i Romani riconoscevano, e non se ne vergognavano il fatto di non essere una razza pura ed incoraggiavano i non-Romani a “romanizzarsi,” spiega Sanders. “Ciò si rispecchia nel concetto romano per cui il Mediterraneo sarebbe il nostro mare – mare nostrum. Lo applicarono attraverso una legge romana universale, risultato di una vigorosa politica di urbanizzazione, specialmente nelle regioni occidentali, e collegando i popoli attraverso le proprie strade.”

Nell’Impero Romano, tutte le strade portavano a Roma, letteralmente. I Romani furono pionieri quando si tratta di infrastrutture e ingegneria, riconosciuti per aver inventato o perfezionato tutto, dagli acquedotti all’idraulica, al cemento. La longevità dell’architettura romana è testimonianza dell’impeccabilità delle loro innovazioni. Questo è il motivo per cui innumerevoli turisti nella Città Eterna possono, ancor oggi, farsi dei selfie sotto gli archi romani dell’Anfiteatro Flavio (altrimenti noto come Colosseo), aperto per la prima volta nell’80 d.C. I romani contemporanei sono orgogliosi e consci in egual misura del grande retaggio e importanza della propria città nella formazione della civiltà occidentale. Laura Mancini è nativa di Roma ed autrice di due libri sulla città – Roma sotterranea (2012) ed a Spasso per Roma (2014). La ventinovenne afferma che gli italiani imparano, dall’infanzia, la loro storia ricca. “L’educazione sul lascito dei Romani comincia a scuola: non appena cominciamo a studiare, familiarizziamo con i miti e la storia degli antichi Romani. Mancini continua: “Durante la scuola superiore il latino è obbligatorio in molte scuole. Crescendo, impariamo tutto sull’Impero romano. Ovviamente per noi romani questa conoscenza è ancora più profonda e significativa, dato che cresciamo vedendo ciò che rimane di quell’impero.” Mancini sostiene di non dare per scontata la storia di Roma – anche se ne percorre le strade antiche da sempre: “In quanto residente in città, ritengo che questo patrimonio conti ancora per me. Vedo la bellezza tutt’intorno quando cammino per le strade del centro storico, mi godo il panorama romantico sull’Appia Antica quando vado in bici e dico ciao all’Acquedotto romano quando vado fuori città in macchina.”

L’Impero romano è definito la culla della civiltà occidentale e sebbene i suoi anni gloriosi conoscono il declino dal terzo secolo dopo Cristo, molti – incluso il professore Michael Fronda della McGill – credono che l’Impero non sia mai veramente sparito: “Per ciò che dico sembrerà che io stia facendo il comico o l’affascinante, ma la più grande eredità dei Romani è la loro stessa eredità. Con questo intendo dire che per un motivo qualunque la figura dell’Impero romano persiste nell’immaginario: I Romani rimangono l’archetipo di un popolo militare e imperiale di successo; l’Impero romano, il maggior esempio di conquista imperiale tanto da essere imitato da aspiranti imperatori o disprezzato in quanto il maggior esempio di tirannia ed oppressione.”

Dunque, la prossima volta che guarderete un rubinetto, guiderete in autostrada o darete addirittura un’occhiata al calendario, sappiate che tutto ha avuto inizio nella Roma Aeterna.

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Stefano Cimino L'Ultimo Romano

The Last Roman

By Sara Germanotta

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ll roads lead to Rome for Montreal native Stefano Cimino. The 27year-old is consumed with all aspects of the Eternal City and her glorious history. In fact, Cimino sees vestiges of Rome wherever he goes and in whatever he is doing: “When I walk down the street and see aqueducts being fixed in Montreal, I know that Romans invented that.

When I look out my window at my neighbour’s house, I know there’s a concrete foundation and a brick face. The Romans invented and perfected those building techniques,” he explains.

Cimino’s obsession with all things Roman began when he was 15 years old. The teen had wandered into an old book room at his high school and happened upon a shelf of Italian language books from the 1950s. One of the books caught his eye and he decided to borrow it: “I actually stole the book,” admits Cimino, laughing. “As I was grabbing it off the shelf, another book fell down. It was called Roman Civilization. When I saw the title, I remembered my teacher telling me about these people. The book looked interesting, so I took it.”

The rest, as they say, is history. Once Cimino got a taste of the Roman Empire’s rich culture, he developed an incredible desire to know more about it. “I am Italian and Italians are descendants of the Romans. When I found this out I just had to know who we were and where we came from. I wanted to know Roman food, I wanted to know Roman customs. It became more than an obsession,” says Cimino, whose father is from Sala Consilina (Salerno, Campania) and mother is from Sant’Apollinare (Frosinone, Lazio).

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Photgraphy by Fahri Yavuz

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utte le strade portano a Roma per Stefano Cimino, nativo di Montreal. Il ventisettenne è ossessionato da tutti gli aspetti inerenti alla Città Eterna e al suo passato glorioso. Di fatto, Cimino vede vestigia di Roma ovunque vada e in qualunque cosa faccia: “Quando sono per strada e vedo acquedotti in riparazione a Montreal, so che li hanno inventati i Romani. Quando dalla mia finestra guardo la casa del mio vicino, so che ci sono delle fondamenta in cemento e una facciata di mattoni. I Romani hanno inventato e perfezionato quelle tecniche di edificazione,” spiega.

L’ossessione di Cimino per tutto ciò che attiene l’antica Roma ha avuto inizio quando aveva 15 anni. Adolescente, stava girovagando in una stanza con vecchi libri della sua scuola superiore quando si è imbattuto in uno scaffale di testi in lingua italiana degli anni Cinquanta. Uno di questi ha catturato il suo sguardo così ha deciso di prenderlo in prestito: “Di fatto, lo rubai,” ammette Cimino, ridendo.

“Mentre lo prendevo dallo scaffale, un altro libro è caduto. Era intitolato Civiltà Romana. Quando ho visto il titolo mi sono ricordato che l’insegnante mi aveva parlato di questo popolo. Il volume sembrava interessante, quindi l’ho preso.”

Il resto, come si dice, è storia. Una volta assaporata la ricca cultura dell’impero Romano, Cimino ha sviluppato il desiderio incredibile di saperne di più. “Sono italiano e gli italiani sono discendenti dei Romani. Quando l’ho scoperto, ho sentito di dover capire chi eravamo e da dove venivamo. Volevo conoscere i cibi dei Romani, le abitudini dei Romani. È diventata più che un’ossessione,” afferma Cimino, il cui padre è di Sala Consilina (Salerno, Campania) e la madre di Sant’Apollinare (Frosinone, Lazio).

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Sono italiano e gli italiani sono discendenti dei Romani. Quando l’ho scoperto, ho sentito di dover capire chi eravamo e da dove venivamo.

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“

I am Italian and Italians are descendants of the Romans. When I found this out I just had to know who we were and where we came from.

“

Cimino went on to study Classics at Concordia University and excelled to the point that one of his professors asked him to help correct his fellow students’ exams. “I remember people would ask me how they did on their tests and I couldn’t tell them,” he explains. “It was weird because we were in the same class, yet here I was correcting their work.”

Over the last 10 years, Cimino has done more than study Roman civilization – he has immersed himself in it and made it a part of his everyday life. For example, Cimino says the only utensils he uses to eat are a spoon and knife because the Romans did not use forks. He doesn’t drink beer because “that’s not Roman – only Egyptians drank beer.” He never leaves the house without shaving because one of the greatest Roman generals, Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus (Scipio the African), made sure that his soldiers were cleanly shaven every morning. Cimino is also learning how to speak Latin and has been studying the language daily for the last three years.

The young man has also amassed quite a number of replicas of Roman artifacts. His collection includes a bust of Caesar, copies of Roman swords, chest plates and helmets, among others.

Four years ago, Cimino visited Rome for the first time. He says it took eight months to plan the trip. He would spend hours every day sitting in front of his computer studying a map of Rome on Google Earth and virtually walking through the city using Street View. Cimino says he wanted to know exactly where all the ancient buildings and monuments he had been studying were situated, many of which have since been taken apart or built over. When he finally stepped off the plane into the Eternal City in July of 2011, Cimino says he cried like a baby. “Rome is my paradise,” he explains.

“Christians believe that they’re gonna die and go to heaven, and that there’s something better out there. But I don’t look to the future for heaven, I look to the past. Rome is my heaven.”

Cimino is planning another trip to Rome this summer. Despite the wealth of knowledge he has accumulated on the subject, Cimino says he still has a lot of learning to do. And his goal, in the end, is not merely to become an expert on all things Roman: “If I can get one other person in my life to love it the way I do, so they can pass it on to the next person and it stays alive and is not forgotten, that’s my goal.”

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Cimino ha continuato a studiare Lettere Classiche alla Concordia University ed ha eccelso a tal punto che uno dei suoi professori gli ha proposto di aiutarlo a correggere gli esami dei suoi colleghi studenti. “Ricordo che le persone mi chiedevano come fossero andati i loro esami e non potevo dirglielo,” spiega. “Era strano perché eravamo nella stessa classe, eppure io correggevo i loro compiti.”

Nel corso degli ultimi 10 anni, Cimino ha fatto più che studiare la civiltà romana – vi si è letteralmente immerso, rendendola parte della propria vita quotidiana. Per esempio, dice che le uniche posate che usa per mangiare sono il cucchiaio e il coltello perché i Romani non utilizzavano forchette. Non beve birra perché “non è dell’antica Roma; solo gli Egizi bevevano la birra.” Non lascia mai casa senza essersi raso la barba perché uno dei più grandi generali Romani, Publio Cornelio Scipione detto l’Africano, si assicurava che i suoi soldati si radessero per bene ogni mattina. Cimino ha anche imparato a parlare latino, lingua che studia ogni giorno da tre anni a questa parte.

Il giovane ha inoltre accumulato un numero notevole di riproduzioni di reperti degli antichi Romani. La sua collezione comprende fra i tanti oggetti, un busto di Cesare, riproduzioni di spade romane, armature ed elmi.

Quattro anni fa, Cimino ha visitato Roma per la prima volta. Dice che ci sono voluti otto mesi per pianificare il viaggio. Trascorreva ore ogni giorno seduto davanti al computer a studiare la cartina di Roma su Google Earth e passeggiare virtualmente per la città utilizzando Street View. Cimino dice che voleva sapere dove si trovassero esattamente tutti i monumenti e gli edifici antichi che aveva studiato, molti dei quali sono stati smantellati o sui quali si è costruito. Quando finalmente, sceso dall’aereo, ha messo piede nella Città Eterna nel luglio del 2011, Cimino afferma di aver pianto come un bambino. “Roma è il mio paradiso” – spiega. “I cristiani credono che moriranno e andranno in paradiso, e che lì ci sia qualcosa di migliore. Ma io non mi rivolgo al futuro per il paradiso, guardo al passato. Roma è il mio paradiso” Cimino sta programmando un altro viaggio a Roma per quest’estate.

Nonostante la ricchezza di conoscenza accumulata sull’argomento, dice di avere ancora tanto da imparare. Il suo obiettivo, alla fine, non è semplicemente quello di diventare un esperto sulle cose che riguardano i Romani. “Riuscire a far sì che un’altra persona nella mia vita l’ami tanto quanto me, così da trasmetterre tutto ciò alla persona successiva per mantenerlo vivo e non dimenticarlo, quello è il mio obiettivo.”

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ROME

The Rise and Decline of Cinematic Rome Roman movie set in Cinecittà

By Sarah Mastroianni

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one time known as “the Hollywood on the Tiber,” Rome has had, for the better part of a century, a privileged relationship with the movie business. “Sometimes Rome is the backdrop of a film and sometimes Rome is the protagonist,” explains Donato Santeramo, Head of the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Queen’s University.

And sometimes, Rome is simply just the best place to get cameras rolling.

This is partly due to the fact that in addition to its iconic scenery and endless history, Rome is home to Cinecittà Studios, some of the largest film studios in Europe. In the years since it first opened its doors in 1937 on the orders of Benito Mussolini, Cinecittà has played an important role in bringing over 3,000 films to life on the big screen.

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Classics like Roman Holiday (1953), Ben Hur (1959), La Dolce Vita (1960) and Cleopatra (1963) were all at least partly filmed at Cinecittà. For decades, big names like Federico Fellini were fixtures in the Roman studios.

Nowadays, film production in the Eternal City has slowed considerably.

“Cinecittà had its golden era until 1980,” says Roberto Zorfini, Director of Panoram Italia’s Web TV and former cameraman and director for RAI Television in Rome. Zorfini, who started volunteering at Cinecittà at age 16, explains that today, Cinecittà is more frequently used to film things for the small screen, rather than the big one. “I worked there [at Cinecittà] for television, not cinema,” he explains. Popular Italian TV shows such as Grande Fratello and Un Medico in Famiglia are filmed there, as was the hit HBO

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series, Rome. “The sequel to Ben Hur will be shot in Cinecittà,” Zorfini notes, “but that kind of thing is very exceptional. Now, it’s not the Cinecittà of Hollywood in Rome anymore. That’s an old dream.”

But what caused the sun to set on Cinecittà’s cinema heyday?

According to Professor Santeramo, the decline in Cinecittà’s popularity as a filming and production location “corresponds with the decline of Italian filmmaking overall.”

Zorfini adds that, “right now, if you want to shoot something, you go directly on location. You don’t need to recreate everything on a film set.”

Professor Santeramo also highlights another issue: money. “Lately a lot of Italian producers make films in the eastern countries,” he says. “This is due to the fact that it’s much cheaper.”

Even though fewer producers choose to make use of Cinecittà Studios, the city itself certainly hasn’t suffered from a lack of on-screen representation. Whether Rome appears on-screen as it does in real life, however, is somewhat debatable.

Take, for example, Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, with its well-

to-do Via Veneto café culture. The film shows Marcello Mastroianni’s character drifting through a decadent Rome, which, according to both Zorfini and Santeramo, was out of reach for most people living in Rome around the time the film was made.

Zorfini, born and raised in the centre of Rome, argues that, “at the time of the film it was not really like this. Rome was very poor, and just a few people from the old bourgeoisie could have that kind of lifestyle. It was quite fake.”

Much more recently, director Woody Allen paid homage to the Eternal City with his film To Rome With Love. But even that one, according to Zorfini, doesn’t come close to showing Rome as it really is. “It’s very cliché,” he says of the film. “It’s a simple recipe, I guess.

But it’s not real.”

Professor Santeramo agrees, adding that Paolo Sorrentino’s award-winning film, La Grande Bellezza, is another example of the decadence and idealization of Rome.

Santeramo, who lived in Rome for over 10 years, concedes that while “objectively it is hard to live in Rome, it is easy to idealize Rome because in the end, notwithstanding all the problems, one often just loves it.”

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ROME

Pizza al taglio o capolavoro?

Evoluzione della regina dello street food romano Claudia Buscemi Prestigiacomo

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uando si parla di pizza, di solito, si pensa a Napoli, alla storia del pizzaiolo Esposito e della prima Margherita in onore dell’omonima regina in visita in città. È interessante scoprire che, per la nascita della pizza al taglio, bisogna invece spostarsi nell’Italia centrale, più esattamente a Roma. Sulle date non tutti sembrano concordare. C’è chi parla della fine del secondo conflitto mondiale; chi degli anni ’70 e infine ci sono quelli secondo cui risalirebbe agli inizi del’ 900, quando un gruppo d’ingegnosi panettieri originari di Terni e trasferitisi a Roma, provò a cuocere l’impasto per il pane, steso su teglie rettangolari di rame e guarnito con pomodoro e formaggio.

Su una cosa invece concordano tutti: la pizza al taglio è la regina indiscussa del cibo di strada romano. Chi è nato a Roma la cita nei ricordi d’infanzia – “Il nostro street food fin da piccoli, le nostre merende scolastiche, sono state a base di pizza rossa, bianca, con patate,” spiega Monia Trappetti, grafica pubblicitaria della Capitale. “Non so perché da noi ci sia questa tradizione di pizzerie al taglio...posso soltanto dirti che è il nostro modo di mangiare fuori casa: velocemente ma con gusto,” continua. Trappetti precisa inoltre che nel frattempo sono stati raggiunti ottimi standard di bontà e varietà di guarniture.

Che questo street food romano abbia raggiunto in alcuni casi ottimi livelli sembra dimostrato dall’esistenza di vere e proprie classifiche con le quali

si è cercato di riconoscere le migliori pizze al taglio in vendita nella città Eterna. I criteri di valutazione prendono quasi sempre in considerazione i tempi di lievitazione (mai inferiori alle 24 ore) per garantirne un’ottima digeribilità, le farine impiegate (possibilmente macinate con una mola) e, in aggiunta alla qualità, l’estro che si esprime attraverso le numerosissime combinazioni proposte.

Fabio Di Vita, informatico siciliano residente nella città Eterna spiega che “la pizza al taglio romana è un po’ diversa dalla pizza “classica”: bassa, quasi croccante. Con le patate, ai fiori di zucca, bufala, pachino e basilico, con i carciofi, rossa, con prosciutto crudo. La lista potrebbe continuare ancora. Non c’è strada di Roma, anche nelle zone più centrali, dove non si possa trovare una pizzeria di pizza al taglio.”

Come già accennato però, non tutte le pizzerie di pizza in teglia sono uguali. Spesso spicca il nome “Angelo e Simonetta”, pizzeria adesso gestita dai due fratelli di Angelo Iezzi famoso per aver vinto in passato un campionato mondiale di pizza al taglio e, soprattutto, perché uno dei primi posti in città ad avviare un percorso d’innovazione e rivalutazione della pizza in teglia. Vi sono poi Pizza Luigi – la cui pizza bianca ripiena è tra le più famose di Roma – e la Pizzeria Zazà in piazza di Sant’Eustachio, al centro storico, il cui vanto e la cui fama si devono all’attenzione rivolta al biologico.

FRESHLY BAKED ARTISAN BREADS, TRADITIONAL BREADS, BUNS, ROLLS, FOCACCIA & FLAT BREADS

Tel: 905.607.2835

Fax: 905.607.2838

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Always Fresh, Always Delicious.

A Leone Family Tradition.

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ROME Senza ombra di dubbio, a coniugare qualità ed inventiva sotto un’unica etichetta ci pensa Gabriele Bonci, definito “il Michelangelo della pizza” – complimento di cui ovviamente si compiace – per aver portato la pizza al taglio ad un ulteriore livello di squisitezza.

Bonci, divenuto particolarmente noto grazie anche alla tv, è un panificatore, pizzaiolo e chef che, dopo gli studi alberghieri e l’iniziale carriera come cuoco, a partire “proprio dalla voglia di un cibo differente,” ha deciso di dedicare il proprio estro e la propria conoscenza al perfezionamento della pizza al taglio con l’apertura nel 2003 di Pizzarium, in zona Vaticano.

“Il posto visto da fuori” – spiega Di Vita – “sembra una delle tante pizzerie al taglio di Roma in zona turistica. Entri e scopri in realtà che di turistico c'è ben poco.” Di Vita descrive Pizzarium, da poco rinnovato, come “un locale molto accattivante con sacchi di farina in bella mostra e il tutto che richiama alla mente una cucina antica, la cucina dei “nostri nonni.”

Bonci, autore anche del libro Il Gioco della Pizza, si distingue tra i tanti anche perché ogni anno crea più di 1.500 varianti, con una gamma di ingredienti ragguardevole. Qui non si parla solo di quantità, ma anche qualità.

A garantirgli questo risultato, al di là della passione per il cibo, è la scelta attenta degli ingredienti che, oltre a includere farine e lieviti rigorosamente biologici, variano con il susseguirsi delle stagioni e “in base alle sensazione che voglio far provare in quel momento,” spiega Bonci.

Per raggiungere questi standard di qualità ovviamente non bisogna badare troppo ai costi. Coloro che hanno avuto il piacere di assaporare la sua pizza, del resto, non sembrano preoccuparsene troppo. “Il prezzo è certamente meno economico di quello della classica pizza al taglio, ma una volta dato il primo morso alla pizza si capisce il perché: impasto leggero e poco unto, olio a crudo, levitazione naturale. 2000 tipologie di pizza differenti all’anno...giusto per darti l'idea della potenza di fuoco! Imperdibile!” – conclude entusiasta Di Vita.

“

Pizza al taglio del Pizzarium

... se si ha poco tempo durante la pausa pranzo, quando hai un po’ di amici a cena e non sei riuscito a cucinare, con la pizza al taglio non ti sbagli mai…

“

(Fabio, informatico di Roma)

Pizzaiolo Gabriele Bonci

DREAMS ROMANCE MEMORIES

CUSTOM DESIGNING FOR ALL OCCASIONS

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ROME

Quartiere popolare della Garbatella

Roma Alternativa

Un percorso ‘unconventional’ per scoprire la città Laura Mancini

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na visita alternativa a questa grande e splendida città è possibile. Fuori dai circuiti dei bus turistici, distante dai venditori ambulanti di bastoni per selfie, c’è una Roma diversa, che pochi visitatori riescono a conoscere, ma che riserva a chi si avventura nei suoi labirinti infinite e piacevoli sorprese. Oggi come mai prima d’ora, gli esperimenti artistici e culturali meno convenzionali promossi tramite i social e le piattaforme digitali proliferano, mentre la popolazione romana – quella distante dalle atmosfere patinate del centro storico – è più consapevole e felice di offrire ospitalità ad altrettanto consapevoli e felici visitatori.

Iniziamo da Ostiense. Il territorio di questo vivace quartiere situato nella porzione centro-meridionale della città è cambiato radicalmente nel corso degli ultimi anni: cucina creativa, spazi culturali, ma anche gentrification. La novità più

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interessante, però, risiede sui muri: Ostiense è infatti diventata la patria della street art romana e un punto di riferimento per l’urban art internazionale. Grazie a un’intelligente operazione di riqualificazione promossa dalle istituzioni del municipio e al valido lavoro di alcune agenzie creative nel corso degli ultimi anni, il quartiere offre un vero e proprio itinerario di opere d’arte che si estende fino a Testaccio, San Paolo e Garbatella. citiamo solo alcune delle opere visibili: all’angolo tra via del Porto Fluviale e via delle Conce, il palazzo di volti colorati dipinto da Blu; a via del Porto Fluviale, Nessuno di Axel Void, un’enigmatica e malinconica ragazza che ci rivolge le spalle; sulla stessa via, a pochi passi da ponte di Ferro, il Nuotatore di Iacurci. Una passeggiata a via del Commercio e lungo le strade limitrofe completerà la scoperta delle numerose opere nei paraggi. Da non perdere Il mito di Platone di Borondo all’angolo tra via Efeso e via Ostiense, a San Paolo.

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ROME

Murale nella zona di Ostiense

Parco della Caffarella

Per chi sentisse il desiderio di una fuga nel verde, ma anche di un confronto con le grandiose rovine del passato romano, l’esteso e selvaggio Parco della Caffarella offre una quantità di attrattive, paesaggistiche, culturali e sportive, che poche altre zone verdi della città possiedono. La totale mancanza di addomesticazione conferisce al parco l’aspetto di enorme campagna cittadina, ricca di storia e di possibilità escursionistiche. La Caffarella si trova all’interno del Parco dell’Appia Antica, tra i quartieri Appio Latino/San Giovanni, Colli Albani, Tuscolano. A voi quindi la scelta dell’ingresso.

Menzioneremo un itinerario semplice e interessante che vi richiederà una visita di circa un’ora. Dall’entrata alla fine di via Macedonia (metro Furio Camillo, autobus 628 da piazza Venezia o Circo Massimo direzione Cesare Baronio), procedendo sul viale, vi troverete in una vasta pianura verde che vi restituirà immediatamente l’atmosfera selvaggia del parco. Costeggiando questa pianura sulla vostra sinistra incrocerete infine un percorso asfaltato tra gli alberi, che dovete prendere alla vostra destra. Percorrendolo tutto finirete al cospetto di una grande fattoria, la Vacchereccia. Qui è possibile acquistare formaggio prodotto dai contadini che vi abitano e salutare gli animali che popolano questo insolito e affascinante edificio. Lasciata alle vostre spalle la fattoria, camminate lungo l’esteso viale davanti a voi: vi condurrà nel cuore del Parco e di lì, svoltando a sinistra, potrete raggiungere il meraviglioso Ninfeo di Egeria, edificio del II secolo d.C. appartenente al Triopio di Erode Attico e Annia Regilla.

Potrete dunque decidere se tornare sui vostri passi o procedere in direzione sud-est per scoprire una zona più collinare e boschiva del parco che costeggia il quartiere Colli Albani e, subito dopo, Tuscolano. Non preoccupatevi qualora doveste perdervi, qualsiasi uscita del parco è situata in luoghi non distanti da una stazione metropolitana. Abbiate però l’accortezza di monitorare la luce naturale poiché la Caffarella – e anche in questo risiede la sua bellezza – non è illuminata dopo il tramonto.

Una passeggiata tra i lotti storici della Garbatella (Metro B, fermata

Garbatella, bus 673) è forse una delle esperienze più sorprendenti ed emozionanti che la città possa riservare. Tra quelli che oggi appaiono come romantici villini si estendono giardini fioriti, esempio di città-giardino. Oggi queste case così affascinanti sono abitate dalle vecchie famiglie popolari e dalla nuova cittadinanza radical chic, il tutto amalgamato con una buona dose di studenti e giovani famiglie. Sembra di trovarsi in un piccolo paese, l’ideale meta di lunghe passeggiate, cene tra amici e soste di lettura al sole. Le osterie, il parco Cavallo Pazzo – oggi sede di una deliziosa trattoria autogestita, Casetta Rossa, dove si tengono numerosi incontri culturali e associativi –, l’ariosa piazza Sauli e i silenziosi vicoli fioriti del quartiere, offrono un’atmosfera intima e rilassata. Qualche strillo sparuto, una lite, una risata fragorosa non sottrarranno nulla al piacere dell’esperienza.

Un interessante e movimentato quartiere che non dovrete mancare di conoscere è quello dell’Esquilino (metro A, fermata Termini), nei pressi della principale stazione cittadina. Nasconde dietro al suo caos e al suo grande traffico tanti scorci interessanti e un punto di vista differente sulla città.

Ritenuto classicamente la zona etnica di Roma (c’è chi lo definisce addirittura Chinatown), l’Esquilino è in effetti largamente popolato da diverse etnie, che convivono nelle sue strade. Tra tutti i punti di interesse del quartiere, menzioniamo il mercato dell’Esquilino, un tempo situato nella bella Piazza Vittorio, oggi all’interno di un ex deposito militare a via Principe Amedeo, ideale per chi è alla ricerca di sapori da tutto il mondo. A piazza Manfredo Fanti, invece, contornato da un grazioso giardino, troverete l’elegante palazzetto tardo ottocentesco a pianta circolare dell’Acquario Romano, oggi Casa dell’Architettura, spesso sede di mostre ed eventi. È di particolare fascino la barocca Basilica dei Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti, a due passi dal Colle Oppio, delizioso parco collinare con vista sul Colosseo. Non lasciate il quartiere senza aver fatto un salto nella storica pasticceria Regoli, a via dello Statuto 60. Qui ogni dolce è una garanzia di delizia.

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ROME

Mamma Roma!

By Gabriel Riel-Salvatore

Recipes by Emma Risa

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robably the most Roman of all Italian chefs in Montreal, Emma Risa, from restaurant Da Emma, has been cooking since the age of 20, shortly after she married her husband who owned a restaurant in Rome called Tre Fontana.

“There were five cooks helping my mother-in-law who taught me everything I know,” recalls Risa. After having spent most of her life behind the stove, Italian cuisine means everything to her. “I simply love it. It’s so delicious!” she says, adding that the secret behind it lies in the amazing quality of its ingredients such as olive oil, durum wheat pasta, exquisite cold cuts and cheeses, among others. “But there’s also

Pasta alla gricia Pasta alla gricia is one of the most famous dishes of Lazio cuisine and is considered the ancestor of pasta alla amatriciana.

Ingredients • 500 g spaghetti • 250 g pancetta or guanciale

• 55 g Pecorino Romano (grated) • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions To prepare the pasta alla gricia, start by slicing the pancetta or guanciale in semi-thin strips (removing rind from guanciale). Brown pancetta or guanciale in a pan with olive oil at low-medium heat, until it becomes transparent and forms a delicious sauce. At this point you can boil the spaghetti in salted water (don’t oversalt as pancetta, guanciale and Pecorino are quite savoury).

Add pepper and a bit of cooking water from the pasta to stretch out your sauce with the pancetta or guanciale. Drain the spaghetti (keeping some cooking water) and sauté along with pancetta or guanciale, adding a few tablespoons of cooking water if necessary. Plate pasta alla gricia and sprinkle abundantly with grated Pecorino Romano cheese.

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La pasta alla gricia è uno dei piatti più famosi della cucina laziale, considerata l’antenata della pasta all’ amatriciana.

Ingredienti • Spaghetti 500 g • Pancetta o guanciale 250 g

• Pecorino romano grattugiato 55 g • Sale e pepe q.b.

• Olio d’oliva extra vergine q.b.

Istruzioni Per preparare la pasta alla gricia iniziate tagliando la pancetta o il guanciale a listarelle non troppo fini (privando il guanciale della cotenna). Fate rosolare la pancetta o il guanciale con un po’ d’olio d’oliva in una padella antiaderente a fuoco medio/basso, fino a che diventerà trasparente e inizierà a perdere il suo grasso, formando un delizioso sughino. A questo punto potete mettere a cuocere gli spaghetti in acqua bollente salata (non salate troppo l’acqua perché la pancetta,

il guanciale e il pecorino sono molto saporiti).

Pepate abbondantemente e aggiungete un po’ di acqua di cottura della pasta per allungare il sughino ottenuto con la pancetta o il guanciale.

Scolate gli spaghetti (conservando dell’acqua di cottura) e fateli saltare con la pancetta o il guanciale, aggiungendo, se fosse necessario, qualche cucchiaio di acqua di cottura. Impiattate la pasta alla gricia e spolverizzate ogni piatto con abbondante pecorino romano grattugiato.

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ROME made with lemon, period! Pasta alla gricia is the authentic amatriciana without tomatoes. It’s truly delicious even though it only uses a few simple ingredients: pancetta, olive oil and pecorino. My mom used to make this recipe and I always try to make it exactly the way she did. Because if you change the recipe, you also change the flavour and you notice it right away… These modern cuisines must go back to basics like the spezzatino, or the ragù.”

After 29 years spent in Canada, Emma knows just how much people love Italian food even though most of the time patrons aren’t always exposed to the real deal. Even in Rome things are changing, says Emma with regret. “People don’t make the recipes like they used to. Like in my days or in my mother’s days, for that matter.”

If you are looking for authenticity and Italian service the good old-fashioned way, you can’t go wrong showing up at Da Emma.

Photography by Michel Ostaszewski

a need for a great deal of passion that comes straight from the heart,” asserts Risa. And one would be quick to add hard work to the list after having spent a day with this tireless lady that still comes in first and leaves her kitchen last. “I feel ill and distressed when I am not working at the restaurant,” she admits.

Believe it or not, it’s a way for her to spend some time with her loved ones, as the whole family is involved in the family-run business. Three generations now share a kitchen that feels just like your nonna’s house, the statue of the Madonna included.

Cooking traditional recipes such a saltimbocca alla romana or pasta all’amatriciana brings back so many memories she says. “It reminds me of my mother-in-law and how she used to cook.”

Authenticity is key, she points out. “Either you make them the right way or it’s better not doing them at all.

Some people call the saltimbocca, involtini. No, a saltimbocca is a saltimbocca, piccatini al limone are

Saltimbocca alla Romana Saltimbocca alla romana is a very simple, yet delicious, classic Roman dish to prepare.

Ingredients • 8 thin slices of veal (approximiately 60 g each) • 8 slices prosciutto crudo • 8 sage leaves

• ½ glass of white wine • 50-100 g butter • 100 g flour • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions Pound the veal slices and lightly flour. Cover each with a prosciutto slice and sage leaf, then secure with a toothpick. Melt the butter in a large pan over high heat and brown saltimbocca slices for two minutes on each side. Pour in some white wine, let it evaporate, and season

with salt and freshly ground pepper.

After removing the meat and placing it on a warm platter, reduce the sauce until thick. Then dress the saltimbocca with the sauce, and serve with grilled seasonal vegetables, a mixed salad, or roasted potatoes.

Classico della gastronomia romana, i saltimbocca alla romana sono un piatto molto semplice da preparare.

Ingredienti • 8 fettine sottili di vitello (circa 60 g l'una) • 8 fette di prosciutto crudo • 8 foglie di salvia Istruzioni Per preparare i saltimbocca alla romana stendete le fettine su un tagliere poi appiattitele lievemente con un batticarne e infarinatele leggermente. Stendete su ogni fettina il prosciutto e una foglia di salvia fermando tutto con uno stuzzicadenti.

In una padella capiente fate scaldare il burro, aggiungete le fettine e

• ½ bicchiere di vino bianco • 50-100 g di burro • 100 g farina • Sale e pepe q.b.

fate cuocere 2 minuti per lato a fuoco alto, versate il vino, lasciate sfumare e poi aggiungete sale e pepe.

Togliete la carne dalla padella e lasciate addensare il fondo di cottura. Servite i saltimbocca alla romana con il fondo di cottura , verdure di stagione, insalata mista o patate arrosto.

View videos of these recipes and Chef Emma at work @ panoramitalia.com PANORAMITALIA.COM

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ROME

Glorifying the Gladiator Delving into our fascination with these ancient warriors

By Rita Simonetta

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Photography by G. Franchetti

ladiators in Rome fought 2,000 years ago, but our modern-day culture just can’t get enough of these sandalclad warriors. There are tons of books and video games about them, and TV shows such as Spartacus have portrayed them as charismatic and honourable.

Hollywood has added to the allure with movies like Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe as a valiant hero who stands up against the unjust rulers.

Why are we still so intrigued by these ancient gladiators?

“We’re fascinated with sports, sports culture and spectacle,” explains professor Michael J. Carter of Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario. “Making this parallel is very important,” he says, adding that research shows that a lot like modern sports, gladiatorial fights followed rules and regulations, and as the games evolved, referees were even introduced.

Guelph-based writer Ed Butts, the author of Bodyguards!

From Gladiators to the Secret Service, has similar views about the appeal of gladiators. “I think we have a universal fascination with fighting, blood sports and competition,” he says, pointing to the modern-day popularity of boxing and ultimate fighting.

Gladiatorial games began as funeral services, but as time progressed and the Ancient Roman Empire grew, the contests evolved into entertainment for the largely unemployed and underfed masses that could become dangerous if kept idle.

Slaves, prisoners of war and criminals made up the bulk of gladiators.

Volunteers, often poor and desperate to make a living by fighting, comprised a small fraction.

The most skilled among the fighters became the celebrity athletes of their day. “If they were successful, there is a lot of evidence to show they earned money when they won and became popular,” says professor Carter.

“They did become sex symbols for women as well.”

Rome, the place that gave rise to these skilled fighters, is nowadays brimming with schools that provide lessons on how to be a gladiator – at least for a few hours of fun. One of these schools is Ludus Magnus, headed

by Giorgio Franchetti. “We have always admired competition taken to extremes,” he says. “We admire the courage of the gladiator because he looks death in the face and he wins the fight.”

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The real-life fighters went to gladiator schools where the training was long and grueling.

Although modern interpretations show them battling to the death, experts say this was uncommon for financial reasons. Wealthy Romans often owned gladiators and paid for their training, shelter, food, and medical needs. “It was a pretty costly investment,” explains Butts. Consequently, owners wanted to preserve their investment in order to capitalize on it.

Franchetti says that archaeological evidence gathered from the tombstones of gladiators or graffiti on the walls of Pompeii proves that the legacy of fighting-to-the-death is a myth. “To leave the arena alive was the most common thing that happened to gladiators.”

Experts also point out that gladiators could surrender or submit in a match, and they were never pitted against ferocious wild animals as is sometimes portrayed in Hollywood. This, in fact, was a specialty of venators (skilled hunters) who exclusively fought against animals. In other cases, the state would hold public executions of convicts who were violently killed by wild beasts. None of this, however, had to do with gladiators.

Keeping their warriors safe from harm was a wise business decision for their savvy owners. According to Butts, when gladiators weren’t fighting, their owners contracted them out as security guards to well-off Romans who considered a gladiator-bodyguard a status symbol.

But as time went on and the Ancient Roman Empire began to lose its mighty grip, gladiatorial contests began to peter out. Some philosophers argued that the bloody and violent spectacle had negative consequences on its spectators. When Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, religious leaders campaigned for its demise. The curtain finally fell on gladiatorial games in the 4th to 5th century AD when the hefty price tag proved to be a financial burden.

Yet, thousands of years later, we remain fascinated by these skilled professional fighters who battled in Ancient Roman arenas to the roar of crowds.

“There’s admiration for those who face danger and this produces a mysterious charm on men and women,” says Franchetti. “We admire those we’d like to be.”

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ROME

Girl fastening her peplos Bronze; 1st Century B.C. - 1st Century A.D.; Courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum, with the permission of the Superintendence for the Archaeological Heritage of Naples.

Paul Denis

Ancient Roman City Captured in Time Toronto exhibit features discoveries from Pompeii

By Stephanie Grella

L

ocated in the region of Campania, not far from Naples, the ancient Roman city of Pompeii was a thriving destination for some of Rome’s most distinguished citizens. But in the year 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted and Pompeii vanished within 24 hours.

What remained hidden would be an unparalleled site for future archaeologists. Nearly 1,700 years after the city’s destruction, excavations have uncovered objects from detailed wall paintings to loaves of bread – still intact.

Now many of Pompeii’s artifacts are coming to Toronto for the first time as part of The Royal Ontario Museum’s (ROM) exhibit entitled, “Pompeii: In the Shadow of the Volcano.” It runs from June 13 through to January 3, 2016 and will then be showcased at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts from February 7 until September 5, 2016. The artifacts are on loan from the Naples National Archaeological Museum and the storage rooms at Pompeii itself.

Paul Denis, one of the show’s curators, says the focus will be on the daily lives of Pompeii’s residents, including both their public and private lives. The exhibit will also explore the different stages of Vesuvius’ eruption to demonstrate how the ash destroyed the city, killing thousands. “Ironically, the destruction of Pompeii actually preserved the city, making it one of the most important archaeological sites in the world,” says Denis, who has been a curator at the ROM for the past 34 years.

On display will be plaster casts of 13 bodies and a dog preserved by the eruption. The ash from Vesuvius covered some human bodies, forming a shell over them that then became a perfect mold after the bodies decayed. Denis explains that liquid plaster was poured into the bodies’ cavities and after the plaster hardened, they were dug up and the ash was chipped off. “Now, we have a cast of who that person was seconds before they died,” Denis explains.

The show will also include many objects that visitors can relate to, Denis says. These include silver cooking skillets, women’s jewelry, and tools like hammers and nails. “We hope people will learn about the daily life of Pompeii and how similar life is today.”

Bjoern Ewald is an art history professor at the University of Toronto who looks forward to bringing his students to the ROM exhibit. He offers an annual seminar on the ornate paintings that have been found at Pompeii. In particular, he is most fascinated by Pompeii’s large amount of well-preserved frescoes. For Ewald, they demonstrate a rare amount of colour for the antiquity period, which he believes not only reflects the status and wealth of the people but also offers valuable insight into the psychology of the inhabitants.

“What they put on their walls was related to their own imaginations. Painting was the kind of medium to work through issues at that time,” Ewald says. “It also has to do with their wishes and desires. There’s a certain intimacy about it that allows us to relate to them.”

Seth Bernard, a classics professor at the University of Toronto, shares Ewald’s enthusiasm for the exhibit. “Pompeii gives us evidence of wages and prices,” says Bernard, who has focused much of his research on the city’s economic structure. “You can track workshops by looking at layers of plaster, the age of frescos, and determine how often they fixed their homes.”

Having participated in archaeological digs in Italy, France, and Morocco, Bernard says he looks forward to seeing many of Pompeii’s original artifacts for the first time. “You’re getting these beautiful objects and you actually know something about their context,” Bernard says. “A lot of the artifacts have never been to Toronto, so this exhibit is bringing the bay of Naples to our city.”

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ROME

Tiber river and St. Peter’s duomo

A Special Invitation from the Vatican

By Tanya Solari

Photography by Pascal Rousseau

At

just over 1 km long and 0.85 km wide, the Vatican City State may be the smallest country in the world, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in architecture, landscaping and art. This is best displayed in the larger-than-life basilica, magnificent gardens, world-famous frescoes and countless masterpieces accumulated over the centuries. With the Pope’s declaration of an upcoming Holy Year, 2016 is the time to make that pilgrimage and witness the Vatican’s beauty in person. And while you’re there, don’t miss out on the Jubilee celebrations!

Vatican City at a glance The Vatican originally consisted of Old St. Peter’s Basilica, built in the 4th century over what is thought to be the tomb of its namesake. Reconstruction began nearly 12 centuries later and just about every Renaissance and Baroque architect – including Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Giacomo della Porta, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini – had a hand in the conception of

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the world’s largest church, St. Peter’s Basilica, as we know it today. Crowned by a 137-metre cupola, it was designed to welcome at least 60,000 people (over 60 times Vatican City’s population). Among Vatican City’s other famous structures are the rounded colonnades embracing St. Peter’s Square, and the Apostolic Palace with its Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Raphael Rooms, housing the most coveted art collections of all time. In addition to the sacred treasures it holds, this walled enclave within Rome has its own newspaper, radio station, banking and judicial systems, and a postal service said to be quicker than that of Italy’s. The home of Pope Francis and capital of Christendom is protected by the Swiss Guards, whose comical and brightly-coloured uniforms make these soldiers some of the most photographed people in Italy.

A large part of the territory (about half, to be precise) that’s often overlooked is the recently reopened Vatican Gardens. For a break from the crowds around St. Peter’s Square, take a tour of this peaceful retreat that doubles as an open-air museum. The Renaissance-style landscaping is a work of art in itself:

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ROME arches of entwined leaves give way to impeccably manicured grounds alive with waterfalls, flower beds and green labyrinths, not to mention a myriad of trees – from exotic palms and cacti to tall cedars and fragrant pines. Statues, fountains and buildings dating as far back as the 9th century embellish the private park, along with the stunning artificial grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes and the decorative benches from which to contemplate this earthly paradise.

A Holy Year of mercy The end of 2015 marks the start of a Holy Year, but not just any Holy Year – an Extraordinary Jubilee, so if you find yourself in Italy between December 8, 2015 and November 20, 2016, the journey to Vatican City is well worth it. In continuation of an old papal tradition initiated some 700 years ago, Extraordinary Jubilees are called by popes to emphasize special themes and events, and are not to be confused with the Ordinary Jubilee occurring every 25 years. This Holy Year is all about mercy, a theme chosen by Pope Francis. St. Peter’s Basilica and Rome’s three ancient basilicas, St. John Lateran, St. Paul’s Outside the Walls and the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, will each be opening their Holy Doors exceptionally for the occasion, inviting visitors to discover or rediscover the Catholic faith and receive the Sacrament of Confession. St. Luke’s Gospel of mercy will also be highlighted during Sunday readings, and a host of exciting Jubilee festivities are scheduled to take place throughout the year.

Pope Francis, who was already doing good deeds and offering solace to those in need almost immediately after beginning his papacy, chose a theme that represents him well. He is the first pontiff to take the name of St. Francis of Assisi, and much like the humble friar, Pope Francis gave up everything for a simple life devoted to the less fortunate. His acts of charity and humility towards the disabled, elderly, homeless and even criminals have earned him nicknames like the People’s Pope, and he was also chosen as the 2013 Person of the Year by Time magazine. In the words of Pope Francis, “mercy is the best thing we can feel: it changes the world. A little mercy makes the world less cold and more just.” This Extraordinary Jubilee comes right in time for setting New Year’s resolutions, so follow the Pope’s lead and let his words inspire a 2016 filled with tolerance, compassion and generosity.

Vatican’s Swiss Guards

St. Peter’s duomo and Bernini’s colonnade

In the heart of Gran Sasso National Park, Abruzzo • Breathtaking scenery • Biking

• World class spa treatments • Visit local wineries

• Hiking in spectacular canyons

• Visit cave where St. Bartolomeo lived in solitude • Hike to waterfalls • Discover the local cuisine of Abruzzo prepared by old world chefs

• $495.00 per person, based on double occupancy includes breakfast, lunch and dinner with local wines.

email: info@hotel-iacobucci.com

website: www.hotel-iacobucci.com PANORAMITALIA.COM

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ROME

Photography by Pascal Rousseau

Feeling at Home a World Away Romans reflect on their new lives in the GTA

Sentirsi a casa dall’altra parte del mondo Dei romani riflettono sulla loro nuova vita nella GTA

By Emanuela Orsini

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oving to Toronto from Rome can come as a culture shock. The old, antique, circular Roman streets are incomparable to Toronto’s wide highways and urban sprawl. But for many, the initial cultural differences eventually are worth the move.

When he first arrived in 2002, Max Conte’s first impression of Toronto was of an exciting and surprising new city. “It was so huge,” he says. “The trees and the roads were so large. I kept comparing it to my town where everything is so little. I liked it.”

Conte first came to Canada for 15 days to perform at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) at Exhibition Place in August of 2002. He is a singer and had travelled to perform a few classic Italian songs at the annual Toronto fair. It was there that he met his second wife, an Italian professor at York University, who worked as his translator at the CNE. A recently divorced Conte decided to stay and start a new life.

Besides singing at private functions, weddings and birthdays, 52-yearold Conte also has his own renovation company in Toronto. Whatever jobs he tackles here, he developed the necessary skills in Rome.

“Growing up in Rome was amazing,” Conte recalls. “I learned music from the priest of my church. He taught me how to play the guitar and the piano.”

Vittoria Adhami, a 69-year-old Roman who moved to Toronto in 1967, also has fond memories of her youth in the Eternal City. Adhami remembers with great passion her high-school art classes, where she and her classmates had the opportunity to visit the art they were studying. “I thought that it was just fascinating,” she says. “For whatever period we were studying, from the modern times to the baroque, we had an example that we could just go and look at. That’s not something that other people around the world could have.

It was really special.”

The capital of Italy is home to over two million people (and over four million in the metropolitan area) and is the country’s largest and most populated city. The ancient city has a status as a global city and its rich historic centre makes it an international tourist destination.

Conte says a common misconception is that its residents are arrogant, rude and always in a hurry to get through the heavy traffic. He believes on 52

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rasferirsi da Roma a Toronto può rivelarsi uno shock culturale per molti. Le strade vecchie, antiche, circolari di Roma non sono paragonabili alle grandi autostrade o all’urbanizzazione selvaggia di Toronto. Ma per molti, alla fine il trasferimento vale le iniziali differenze culturali.

Quando è arrivato inizialmente in Canada nel 2002, la prima impressione di Max Conte è stata che Toronto fosse una città elettrizzante e sorprendentemente nuova. “Era così enorme,” dice. “Gli alberi e le strade erano così grandi.

Continuavo a confrontarla con la mia città dove tutto è così piccolo. Mi è piaciuta.”

Conte è venuto la prima volta in Canada per 15 giorni per esibirsi alla Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) nell’agosto del 2002. È un cantante ed era partito per cantare delle canzoni classiche italiane alla fiera annuale di Toronto. È stato lì che ha incontrato la sua seconda moglie, professoressa di italiano alla York University, che lavorava come sua interprete alla CNE. Da poco divorziato, Conte ha deciso di rimanere e cominciare una nuova vita.

Oltre a cantare durante cerimonie private, matrimoni e compleanni, Conte, 52enne, ha la propria compagnia di ristrutturazioni a Toronto. Qualunque lavoro svolga qui, ha sviluppato la capacità di farlo a Roma. “Crescere a Roma è stato stupendo,” ricorda Conte. “Ho imparato la musica dal prete della mia chiesa. Mi ha insegnato a suonare la chitarra e il pianoforte.”

Anche Vittoria Adhami, 69enne romana trasferitasi a Toronto nel 1967, ha ricordi cari della propria gioventù nella città eterna. Adhami ricorda con grande passione le sue lezioni di arte alla scuola superiore, quando lei e i suoi compagni avevano l’opportunità di visitare ciò che stavano studiando. “Pensavo fosse semplicemente affascinante,” afferma. “Qualunque fosse il periodo che stessimo studiando, dall’era moderna al Barocco, c’era sempre un’opera da raggiungere facilmente ed osservare.

Non si tratta di qualcosa che altre persone al mondo potevano fare. Era davvero qualcosa di speciale.”

La capitale d’Italia ospita oltre due milioni di persone (ed oltre quattro milioni nell’area metropolitana) ed è la città più grande e popolata del paese. La città antica ha la fama di città globale ed il suo ricco centro storico la rende una destinazione del turismo mondiale.

Conte afferma che un pregiudizio comune è che i suoi abitanti siano arroganti, maleducati e sempre di fretta per sopravvivere al traffico pesante. Crede al contrario che i romani siano amichevoli, sempre allegri e scherzosi. Adhami concor-

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ROME the contrary that Romans are friendly, and always laughing and joking.

Adhami agrees, pointing out that even though people are often in a rush and may seem impatient on the road, it’s only because of the way they live and the structure of the city. She says that Romans are warm and helpful people.

Adhami first arrived in Canada at the age of 20 to learn English.

Growing up within a protective and traditional family, she knew that once she left she would not go back, but she was ready for an adventure. However, she still experienced a culture shock when she moved from Rome to Toronto. “There was nothing in Toronto in 1966,” she recalls. She was always used to going out with friends late in the evenings; however, what surprised her most about Toronto was that nights ended early, as many of the restaurants or bars at the time closed at 10 o’clock.

Despite the lack of nightlife, Adhami, who was outspoken about her ideas, admired the fact that Canada was a new country, with new legislations, unlike Italy, which she says was stuck with its old laws and traditions.

“It was so exciting to see that the growth of the nation could be moulded by the citizens’ intentions,” she says. “That’s what made it so fascinating and attractive to me.”

Adhami met her first husband, an Iranian man, during her first year in Canada. Shortly afterwards, the couple got married and decided to settle down in Toronto. After her husband died, she says she rediscovered her personal strengths and her own identity. She now works as a life and divorce coach, and dedicates her time to helping those who want to improve their lives for the better.

Adhami is now married to a Roman and lives in Mississauga. She goes back to Italy often for work, as well as to see her family. For her, Rome is not only the city of art, but of romanticism, beauty, and history. “Whenever you go to Rome, you breathe the air of the past, and that is so unique,” she says.

Conte, who lives in Woodbridge, goes back to his native city often to see his two daughters. His hometown still remains close to his heart. “Rome is something special,” he says. “Rome is my second love.”

Both Adhami and Conte have successfully built their lives in Toronto, but have kept a piece of Rome within them. “I am able to go there and absorb all the things I want to absorb of the culture, and bring it back,” says Adhami.

Conte is satisfied with his life now in Toronto. “What I have here now after 13 years is almost the same as what I had in Italy after 40 years.”

da, evidenziando che anche se le persone vanno spesso di corsa e possono apparire impazienti per strada, è solo per via del loro stile di vita e della struttura urbanistica della città. Sostiene che i romani sono persone calorose e collaborative.

Adhami è arrivata la prima volta in Canada all’età di 20 anni per imparare l’inglese. Essendo cresciuta all’interno di una famiglia tradizionalista e protettiva, sapeva che una volta partita non sarebbe più tornata indietro, ma che era invece pronta per un’avventura. Tuttavia, provò comunque uno shock culturale quando si trasferì da Roma a Toronto. “Non c’era niente a Toronto nel 1966,” ricorda. Era sempre stata solita uscire con gli amici la sera tardi; tuttavia, una delle cose che più la colpirono di Toronto fu che le serate finivano presto, dato che molti ristoranti e locali ai tempi chiudevano alle 10 in punto.

Nonostante la mancanza di vita notturna, Adhami, che era franca riguardo alle proprie idee, ammirava il fatto che il Canada fosse un paese nuovo, con nuove leggi, a differenza dell’Italia, vincolata – dice – alle sue legislazioni e tradizioni vecchie. “Era così eccitante vedere come lo sviluppo di una nazione potesse essere forgiato dalle intenzioni dei cittadini,” afferma. “È questo ciò che lo rendeva tanto affascinante e attraente per me.”

Adhami incontrò il suo primo marito, un uomo iraniano, durante il suo primo anno in Canada. Poco tempo dopo, la coppia decise di sposarsi e di sistemarsi a Toronto. Dopo la morte del suo coniuge, dice di aver riscoperto le proprie forze personali e la propria identità. Lavora adesso come trainer esistenziale e segue casi di divorzio, dedicando il proprio tempo ad aiutare coloro i quali vogliono cambiare la propria vita in meglio.

Adhami è adesso sposata con un romano e vive a Mississauga. Va spesso in Italia per lavoro ed anche per andare a trovare la propria famiglia. Per lei, Roma non è solo la città dell’arte, ma anche del romanticismo, della bellezza e della storia. “In qualunque momento si vada a Roma, si respira un’atmosfera del passato e questo ha dell’unico,” sostiene.

Conte, che vive a Woodbridge, torna spesso nella sua città natale per far visita alle sue due figlie. La sua città natia rimane vicina al suo cuore. “Roma è qualcosa di speciale,” sostiene. “Roma è il mio secondo amore.”

Sia Adhami che Conte hanno costruito la propria vita con successo a Toronto, pur conservando un pezzo di Roma dentro di sè. “Posso andarci ed assorbire tutto ciò che voglio assimilare della cultura per portarmelo dietro,” sostiene Adhami.

Conte è soddisfatto della propria vita a Toronto. “Qui ho ottenuto in 13 anni ciò che in Italia avrei ottenuto in 40 anni.”

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ARTS & CULTURE

Jazz, Sicilian Style The many talents of Michael Occhipinti

By Sal Difalco

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When untangling the threads of his rich musical tapestry, myriad influences suggest themselves, but one leaps out: family. “We were a music-loving family,” he says. “My dad, a stone mason, was an opera buff who entered singing contests. My oldest brother Peter played bass and was into rock and blues and guitarists like Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck. And my brother Roberto introduced me to jazz guitarists like Lenny Breau. Even my cousin David Occhipinti, who also played guitar, used to practice jazz standards with me.”

When considering the seemingly incongruous coupling of jazz and Sicilian folk music, Occhipinti is unapologetic. “Years ago Ted O’Reilly (jazz broadcaster) said to me that nothing in jazz improv is sacred.”

These days Occhipinti, who lives in Bloor West Village with his wife, Cidalia Lopes, and their children Liliana, 5, Gianluca, 8, and Beatrice, 11, is focused on continuing his jazz/Sicilian explorations and the preservation of Sicilian culture and dialect with a new album, due for release in June 2015.

One of the songs, “Lingua e Dialettu,” features the soaring vocals of Italian singer Pilar (Ilaria Patassini). After hearing her voice on a recording, Occhipinti boldly contacted her via Facebook. And, to his surprise, “she agreed to come on board!” Pilar, who sings a number of songs on the new album, will join Occhipinti and The Sicilian Jazz Project this summer for a Canada-wide tour, and participate in Jazz FM’s World Music Series.

Despite a fulfilling professional and personal life, Occhipinti admits to one regret: “My dad passed away, and my mother had a stroke before this project took off. I think they would’ve enjoyed it.”

Photograhy by Frank Nagy

rossing genres and styles is nothing new to Canadian jazz guitarist, composer and impresario Michael Occhipinti. The Toronto native has never been afraid to marry jazz with everything from chamber music and rock and roll, to funk and flamenco. Fusing the familiar and the unfamiliar with an unfailing mind and ear, Occhipinti, 48, has carved out a unique niche in Canadian music. His bold sonic hybrids have garnered him a broad international audience, critical praise, and numerous awards.

So it should come as no surprise, then, that the eight-time Juno Award nominee, who has interpreted artists as diverse as Pink Floyd, John Lennon, and Canadian icon Bruce Cockburn, would inventively tap his Sicilian roots for yet another fearless synthesis. “My parents were born in Modica, Sicily,” he explains.

“When I became interested in Sicilian music I ran across these CDs that The Smithsonian Institute had issued, with recordings made by Alan Lomax in the early 1950s of old blues artists like Leadbelly. After a run in with McCarthyism, Lomax went to Europe and continued recording folk songs. He started in Ireland, moved on to England, Spain, France and eventually worked his way down to Sicily.”

Indeed, in July of 1954, musicologists Alan Lomax and Diego Carpitella came to Modica and made a series of field recordings that replicated efforts to record songs from places like the Mississippi Delta and New Orleans. Lomax and Carpitella’s research culminated in an astounding catalogue of folk songs, dirges and chants. “These were recorded for anthropological reasons,” Occhipinti says. “It was a haunting music with an unmistakable North African feel. Remember that Sicily was always a cultural melting pot, where the European and Mediterranean, Near and Far Eastern worlds met, exchanged ideas, and enriched each other.”

Inspired by the Lomax recordings and the birth of his daughter, Occhipinti visited Modica in 2003 for firsthand exposure to Sicilian folk music. “We actually baptized my daughter Beatrice in a Modica church,” he says. “Anyway, because of that visit, I started up The Sicilian Jazz Project in 2004.”

The result – a genre-bending masterpiece – achieved an authenticity rarely captured in comparable efforts to jazzify folk or roots music. In 2008, the addition of singer Dominic Mancuso (who won his own Juno in 2010) further energized the enterprise. “Dom sat in with us at The Rex Hotel during a gig and sang a few songs in Sicilian dialect,” Occhipinti recounts. “And he nailed it. He sings with that soulful old school rasp. His family is from Delia, Sicily, so he gets it.”

The Sicilian Jazz Project earned a Juno nomination, the Ragusani nel Mondo Award (which Occhipinti and his brother Roberto, also an accomplished jazzman, received in Ragusa), and a Chalmers Award that allowed Occhipinti to live in Sicily from March to June 2010.

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ARTS & CULTURE

A Creative CrossCultural Duo Derek Diorio and Smith Corindia talk about joint production

By Stephanie Grella

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roducing shows has always been a passion for both Derek Diorio and Smith Corindia. Although the two men hail from different parts of Ontario – and had contrasting Italian-Canadian upbringings – they have successfully developed TVO’s first dramatic television show Hard Rock Medical. From writing scripts to editing scenes, the pair demonstrates where perseverance can take you – and how to anticipate what comes next.

While Diorio and Corindia share many similarities, their Italian-Canadian identities are not one of them. Diorio, 58, is a third generation Italian who grew up in Rosemont, Montreal. His paternal grandparents immigrated to Canada from Caserta, located in the Campania region, and his mother’s family was French-Canadian. Although he grew up eating mostly Italian food – he says his mother was an excellent chef – Diorio spoke only English and French, feeling somewhat disconnected from his Italian roots.

“I’m a real anomaly: half-French, half-Italian, but not Catholic. I’m one of the classic Montreal hybrids,” Diorio says. “My grandmother’s dialect was a combination of Italian and English, so for us, ‘back-a-house’ meant the bathroom,” he laughs.

Growing up on the Danforth in Toronto made for a different experience for Corindia, 53. His father immigrated to Canada from Pachino, Sicily, and brought his family over during the 1950s. At that time, the Danforth housed a large population of Italian immigrants, which allowed Corindia to become fully immersed in his family’s culture. “My whole family lived in close proximity to each other, and most of the kids I went to school with were Italian,” says Corindia, who admits that the name ‘Smith’ is actually a pseudonym. “My real name is Antonio, but there were too many Tonys growing up in my neighbourhood, so my grandmother started calling me Smith. It just stuck.”

Although Diorio and Corindia experienced different aspects of what it means to be Italian in Canada, they both aimed to be part of the entertainment industry. Influenced by comedy sketch humor like Monty Python, Diorio began participating in school comedy shows at a young age. His move to Ottawa to attend Carleton University sparked more opportunities, including working at Carleton’s radio station CKCU and eventually co-founding The Ottawa Improv League and The Skit Row Comedy Troupe, among other organizations.

Diorio’s growing career ultimately connected him to Corindia. It was in 1998 that Corindia, an avid writer who had studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City, cold-called Diorio and asked him if he wanted to work together to develop a new show.

“Since Smith first contacted me, we always had a desire to work together,” Diorio says. “Fifteen years later, we finally did,” he laughs.

Hard Rock Medical, co-produced by the duo, is a medical drama loosely based on the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Sudbury. The show premiered in June 2013 with its second season currently running until August 4 on APTN, leaving Diorio and Corindia to work on a third season. With Diorio based in Ottawa and Corindia in Toronto, the pair still manages to share their story ideas and production plans before heading to Sudbury to shoot the show.

“We work well together even though we’re not always in the same city,” Corindia says. “We let each other do what we do best and our plan is to do other shows together on major networks.”

Corindia hopes to pave the way for Italian-Canadian television. He claims that Canadian television and film have not yet explored the lives of Italians, as

From left: Derek Diorio, Hard Rock Medical actress Danielle Bourgon, and Smith Corindia

Italian-American programs have done. According to Corindia, ItalianCanadians are still struggling with their identities. “We don’t really know what ‘Italian-Canadian’ is. It’s not like Italian-American, where that identity has been defined by television shows like The Sopranos or Everybody Loves Raymond,” Corindia says. “Italian-Canadian television hasn’t had that kind of breakthrough yet, but I believe we still can.”

With a strong connection to his Italian heritage, Corindia believes that he can create a relevant, engaging show about Italian-Canadians’ histories and generations to come. “I do have the story,” Corindia admits, then pauses. “But I can’t reveal it just yet.”

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EVENTS

Pioneers in Excellence The most prominent and notable in community development gathered in downtown Toronto on April 30 to commemorate housing-industry giants, the De Gasperis family as well as revolutionary neurosurgeon, Dr. Fred Gentili. Presented by Villa Charities in collaboration with the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation, Pioneers

By Romina Monaco in Excellence recognized the significant contributions made by these individuals.

“When you hold an event in honour of Dr. Fred Gentili and the De Gasperis family, in particular the late Fred De Gasperis, you have the cream of the crop in development, construction and sewers and water main contracting in the Province of Ontario,” says committee co-chair, Sam Ciccolini.

Guests included close friends, business associates and colleagues of the De Gasperis family. “Mainly those who were near and dear to Fred’s heart,” explains Ciccolini, who considered the developer and family patriarch among his closest friends. “He was a visionary who had the courage to act but also had the

commitment to deliver. He was a tremendous asset to the Italian community and to any community he involved himself with. Through this he earned respect from all his peers spanning six decades.”

Ciccolini also praises Dr. Fred Gentili’s pioneering genius and expertise.

“He is the neurosurgeon that has perfected skull base surgery. He’s a leader in his field and people come from all over the world to seek his innovative techniques,” he says.

An astounding $4,280,000 raised by Pioneers in Excellence supports the Chair in Skull Base Neurosurgery, the first of its kind in Canada, at Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network. Proceeds will also be allocated to Villa Colombo Vaughan. “If it wasn’t for Fred it wouldn’t have been built. He believed that the Italian community needed a long-term care facility for those who wanted to finish their lives in an Italian environment,” says Ciccolini, recalling the philanthropic and self-made man who, once establishing an enterprise of astronomical proportions, never forgot his humble origins.

The momentous occasion was topped-off with powerful performances by violinist Daniele Monticelli, jazz artist Luke Maxim, and world-renowned soprano Lucia Cesaroni, who received several standing ovations.

Photos by George Pimentel

From left: Angelo De Gasperis, Dr. Fred Gentili, Jim V. De Gasperis, Leo Goldhar, Tennys Hanson, Rudolph P. Bratty, Sam Ciccolini, Dr. Michael Baker, Nick Torchetti and Pal Di Iulio

June Marks Italian Heritage Month in Ontario In less than two centuries, over 25 million Italians left their homeland in search of new opportunities. Here in Canada, 1.6 million people consider themselves to be of Italian origin and Italian is the third most spoken non-official language in the country. To pay tribute to this courageous and resilient group, the Legislature of the Province of Ontario passed Bill 103 into law in October 2010, declaring the entire month of June Italian Heritage Month.

A milestone for the Italian community, Italian Heritage Month has quickly gained momentum spreading across the country to include other provinces. Not only has it embraced all elements of this culture from music, film, literature, and cuisine to folklore and pop culture, the event has also recognized historical figures and renowned present-day individuals, as well as dynamic contributions made by Italian immigrants.

Capturing the essence of the Italian spirit, festivities have been held throughout the province with a large number concentrated right here in the GTA. Organized by various associations, mainly under the umbrellas of the National Congress of Italian Canadians and the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association, the last four years have been a cultural extravaganza for Italians and people of all backgrounds to enjoy.

Past noted events include flag raising ceremonies at Toronto and Vaughan City Hall as well as Queen’s Park, “Best in Italian Cinema” presented by the Italian Contemporary Film Festival and outdoor celebrations such as the Giovanni Caboto Picnic and MICBA Italian Heritage Street Festival. Some of the more gallant affairs “Castello Italia” held at the breathtaking Casa Loma, the Marconi Gala Dinner, Wines of Puglia Tasting, AMICI Creative Art Show and 56

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Celebrating the raising of the Italian flag at Queen’s Park in 2014

various live performances by Banda dei Carabinieri.

The Italian passion for sports was also celebrated with cycling at the Giro 2014 as well as gatherings for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Soccer. This year’s Italian Heritage Month continues with a wide variety of exciting events taking place throughout Ontario. For event listings visit www.italianheritagecanada.com

Toronto JUNE JULY 49-64_Layout 1 2015-06-01 2:42 PM Page 57

EVENTS

6th Annual Retro Boogie Night Photos by www.gennarino.ca

Ivana and Angelo Virgilio

Draped in disco garb and ready to hit the dance floor, guests of the “Live From Hollywood 6th Annual Retro Boogie Night” received a welcome surprise when they were escorted onto the red carpet by a sultry Marilyn Monroe and a zany Charlie Chaplin. Held in Vaughan on April 18, the ’70s and ’80s inspired video-dance party raises awareness and lifts the stigma associated with Neurofibromatosis (NF) – a genetic disorder disturbing cell growth and causing the formation of tumours on nerve tissue.

Event organizer Ivana Virgilio, who was diagnosed with the NF1 variant (benign growths that are still considered dangerous as they can add pressure, compressing nerves and other tissue), spoke out about her lifelong struggle. “I decided I wasn’t

going to let NF control me,” she says. “It wasn’t going to bring me down. Yes, I had been given a challenge but it was now my job to stand up to it. I decided that I had to do as much as I could, for as long as I could, to bring awareness about NF to all.”

She and husband Angelo Virgilio are determined to eradicate myths regarding NF, help others who are afflicted, and raise funds for research. “My wife is living proof that you can survive and live with this disease,” says Angelo, noting that the event is the only one of its kind in the GTA. All proceeds from the evening benefit Pediatric Neurofibromatosis at the Hospital for Sick Children and the University Health Network’s NF adult clinics at both Toronto General and Toronto Western hospitals.

Joey Conte Foundation Dinner Dance Gala After passing away in a tragic accident at the young age of 25, Joey Conte left behind an extraordinary legacy of goodwill that continues with a foundation created in his name. On April 17, friends and family attended the 4th Annual Joey Conte Foundation Dinner Dance Gala in Vaughan to remember the late, aspiring firefighter and to support causes dearest to his heart. With a committee that comprises Joey’s loved ones and headed by his mother, Rosie Conte, the evening benefited plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children. In just a few short years the charity has raised $100,000, some of which has been allocated to the purchase of equipment essential to the hospital’s Burn Program.

“Because of Joey’s goal to be a firefighter ,we chose to donate funds to the Sick Kids burn unit,” explains Rosie Conte who, four years following her son’s untimely death, is still recovering from the loss. “I do this to keep his memory alive and to give back to the community in his honour. This is my therapy. And as his mother I am still doing something for him.”

Earlier donations included $10,000 to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto where Joey Conte volunteered his time to mentor youth. Although bittersweet, the evening was also fun-filled, with dancing, entertainment and exciting prize giveaways.

Members of the Joey Conte Foundation organizing committee – Frank Conte, Sandra Senatore and Rosie Conte

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EVENTS

Kids Help Phone On May 3, 1,000 Vaughan residents hit the city sidewalks for the 10th Annual Walk So Kids Can Talk. The event raised close to $200,000 for the Kids Help Phone, ensuring this free and anonymous service remains available to young members of the community.

Promoting mental health and emotional well-being through professional counselling, the team at Kids Help Phone assists youth with every issue prevalent today such as online bullying, dating and money management.

“Kids Help Phone receives no financial support from the government and relies solely on donors and sponsorship,” explains Mary Mauti, Chairperson of York Region’s Walk So Kids Can Talk. “The money you give today could be helping one of your kids. You don’t know because it’s all guaranteed confidential. It’s better to get help from a professional than a friend who may not give you the proper advice,” she adds.

Following the 5 km trek, participants congregated at Boyd Park for an afternoon of soothing massages, delicious food, and fun activities for the kids.

On hand to emcee was news anchor Pauline Chan, who introduced Vaughan Mayor Bevilacqua, members of council, and Damon Bennett - formerly of the Holmes on Homes television series.

Supporters come out to Walk So Kids Can Talk. Mary Mauti, Chairperson of York Region’s Walk So Kids Can Talk, is centre

Eda Pietrobon Cucakovich – Celebration of Life Fashionistas and all those who loved the late Eda Pietrobon Cucakovich felt her magnanimous presence at a fashion show held in her memory. The Celebration of Life, held April 30 in Vaughan, managed to capture the Photo by Fotografia Boutique

Organizing committee: Chris McDermott, Denise Neuhaus, Jennifer Parolari, Alessandra Piccolo, Domenic Serio, Nik Cucakovich, Sandra Peca, Rose Francella

creative essence of the former model and fashion show producer who passed away unexpectedly last year. “She was a beautiful, wonderful person and one of the top choreographers and models in her early years here in Toronto,” says husband Nik Cucakovich. “In doing this I wanted to make sure that my wife’s friends, family and associates celebrated her life and achievements.”

Gracing the runways and posing for cameras throughout Canada, Italy and Paris, Pietrobon Cucakovich became a well-recognized face in the ’80s.

Following her successful modeling career she continued in the industry staging fashion events still popular today.

To honour and recognize these contributions, family, friends and professionals joined forces to host a fashion extravaganza befitting her high standards. The evening reflected her signature trademarks from theatrical masks and carefully selected music to accompany specific garments. Young to mature models whom she had worked with or had once mentored participated in a candlelight vigil and strut down the catwalk clad in exclusive designs by Wayne Clark, Domenic Serio and others. “Eda was a spectacular woman who was an angel,” says Serio. “Her spirituality is what drove her. She should be celebrated as an incredible human being and not just as someone who was known in the fashion industry.”

In addition to this tribute, Nik Cucakovich has established a $50,000 memorial foundation benefitting his late wife’s alma mater, Humber College.

Vaughan In Action Participants of Vaughan In Action (VIA) stole the show at the 5th Annual “Family & Friends of Vaughan in Action” Dinner with their dance routines and a magical rendition of the ballad “Imagine.” Held in Vaughan on April 18, the evening celebrated achievements by participating members of VIA – a community day program supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. The lively occasion also raised funds for the purchase of smart technology and other teaching tools with this year’s proceeds going toward a 65-inch touch-screen television as well as iPads and tablets.

“Every person here has a disability. What we do is help turn each disability into an ability,” explains Director of Operations Mary Tucci. In existence since 1996, the organization’s mandate is to empower challenged youth and assist them in community integration following high school. A team of trained professionals teach fundamental skills for independent living such as taking public transit; personal safety and money management are all part of the curriculum as are reading, writing, typing and the Internet.

“Since 2010 we’ve changed our format in order to become more involved in the community,” says Tucci, adding that job training has been instated so participants can develop their work ethic by volunteering at various establishments throughout the city.

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“We also use the services of the City of Vaughan, which gives us access to gym facilities, public libraries and the Bocce centre,” Tucci says, proudly mentioning that VIA’s involvement in Youth Bocce Canada earned them first place in 2015.

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EVENTS

John Cutruzzola Art Exhibit Spring is in the air and welcoming the new season in a kaleidoscope of shades was “Times of Colour,” the exclusive solo exhibit showcasing artist and prominent businessman John Cutruzzola. The show, which ran from April 9 - May 4, was presented by the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery at the Columbus Centre in Toronto, visitors no doubt wondered how the successful real estate developer and recipient of numerous business and civic awards found time to pick up a paint brush and create such beautiful works of art.

John Cutruzzola

“Art really is a necessity – physically and socially. It balances justice and opportunity and moves us forward, joining countries and civilizations. It’s a way of communicating to one another,” explains Cutruzzola, who says his paintings are mainly inspired by social issues. “The artist is the arbitrator – curious and having the ability to see what others generally do not.” Founder of Inzola Construction and a major contributor to the Brampton cityscape, Cutruzzola has also been an advocate for social responsibility. In his lifetime he has completed close

Walking Home, oil on canvas

to 500 works with all sales benefiting charity. Funds raised at this exhibition go toward a memorial honouring labourers of Italian origin, soon to be erected in the garden of Villa Colombo, including programs for the Toronto Azzurri Youth Sports Village. In addition to supporting special causes, Cutruzzola encourages young, aspiring artists to never give up on their dreams. “It’s not about how much profit the art will produce. Instead just think about creating the best piece of art that is beautiful and the best of yourself.

Everything else will follow.”

The Clown, oil on canvas

Beauty, Tragedy and the Artist, oil on canvas

Scuderia Ferrari Club of Toronto 1st Annual Anniversary Gala You don’t need to have a sizzling Ferrari parked in your driveway in order to join the new Scuderia Ferrari Club of Toronto. Gathering to toast its unprecedented global standing, racing fans as well as owners of the luxury sports car met in Vaughan on April 11 for the organization’s 1st Annual Anniversary Gala.

“Our inaugural gala was a resounding success,” says Secretary Lisa Ventura. “All who attended also enjoyed an evening celebrating a first-place finish by Sebastian Vettel at the Malaysian Grand Prix,” she adds.

Established in 2013 by enthusiasts Tony Folino and Domenico La Neve, the duo followed strict corporate regulations and bylaws and flew to company headquarters in Modena, Italy, to be officially sanctioned by Ferrari Scuderia SpA. Ranked by membership, the Toronto faction is now recognized as the lead-

ing Ferrari club outside of Italy.

One of several women involved, Ventura says female interest in the organization is growing fast. “Ferrari has the power to transcend all barriers such as race, gender and status. It’s a unifying force. We have a lot of faith in the brand.

It’s a beautiful piece of art that happens to have a motor.” Besides honouring Ferrari and the Formula One Team, she adds that raising awareness to special causes is also of the utmost importance. “Our club coordinates activities for our members that support our love and passion for the brand along with taking our enthusiasm into the community through our charity events.”

Upcoming fundraisers will benefit London’s Brain Tumour Foundation, Safehaven and the Hospital for Sick Children.

Photography by Gregorio Riccio

Committee members Domenico La Neve, Tony Folino (club president), Charles Sousa (Ontario Minister of Finance) and Vince Luca.

Committee members: Carlo Mirabelli and Lisa Ventura.

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SPORTS

Perfect

By Chelsea Lecce

T

Photography courtesy of Canada Soccer

he 2015 Women’s FIFA World Cup is rounding up fans from all over the world to gather on Team Canada’s turf this summer, and for 30year-old Carmelina Moscato, this is nothing short of a dream come true. “Participating in this home World Cup is the epitome of my career,” she says. “I began my international career in Edmonton in 2002 at the inaugural U19 World Championships and to perhaps play in my last World Cup there, where it all began, well, is quite poetic.”

The 24-team event takes place June 6 to July 5 with matches staged throughout Canada. The ninth-ranked Canadian women kick off the games in Edmonton with a match against No. 13 China.

“The team has been training for countless hours to make sure their performance in the upcoming World Cup makes the country proud to be Canadian,” Moscato says.

Being a professional athlete with all of its glory and privileges comes with a heavy weight of pressure, and very little time for socializing. As the

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SPORTS centreback player on a team that represents her home country, Moscato says she has learned over time to handle the pressure that comes along with playing the game every day. Through all of its ups and downs, she says she wouldn’t change anything about her experiences with the sport. “We are not different than any other person in a high performing environment in the sense that we are expected to be able to deliver more than 90% of our roles and responsibilities,” she says. “All things considered, I believe pressure is a privilege, so I embrace it and use it as a tool to learn more about myself.”

Between the training, games, travelling, and other duties that come with the role of being an athlete, time with friends and family rarely ever gets a slot in the jam-packed schedule. As someone who has spent 27 years with cleats on her feet and the number four on her back, Moscato is well aware that this lifestyle doesn’t promote much balance, but says all the memories and experiences have allowed for her to grow as both a footballer and a person.

All the time dedicated to her athletic career doesn’t mean she forgets about her Italian heritage, and definitely not her mom’s homemade tomato sauce. Even though every Italian argues that their family recipes are the greatest, Moscato swears that her mom’s tomato sauce is to die for, especially when it’s used to make her favourite dish: eggplant parmigiana.

She reminisces about Team Canada living in Rome for four months when preparing for the 2011 World Cup, where her talks with fellow Italian-Canadian teammates were probably more suitable. “The girls know I will speak Italian occasionally to teammates Melissa Tancredi and Selenia Iacchelli, and we do it when we don’t want people to know what we’re talking about!” she says.

As a role model herself, Moscato’s success has not stopped her from continuing to look up to her biggest inspiration, her brother. “I have always looked up to my brother Joe for the way that he stepped into my life at a young age and set me up to have a successful soccer career,” she says.

“He taught me the value of hard work, discipline and believing in myself when nobody else did.”

Pitch

Carmelina Moscato, ready for Women’s FIFA World Cup Moscato, who was raised in Mississauga, is a strong believer in giving back to her community, and does so by hosting soccer sessions and guest training with young players and teams. She believes it’s important to connect with people and lead them to believe in themselves, rather than just focusing on shaping the sessions with the participants to be a representation of perfectionism.

When asked if she had anything she wished for her fans or any aspiring athletes to know, Moscato responded by saying, “I believe, with all my heart, that you have to be your own hero.

You’re the driver of your bus, you decide who is on it, the speed that it’s travelling, etc. With this being said, I have been empowered by knowing that I don’t control what happens to me, but I am absolutely in charge of how I react, what I learn and how I proceed.”

The countdown for the World Cup is ticking faster, but every participant from each international team has been training and preparing for these moments their whole career.

“There is a lot of strategic, physical, mental, emotional and of course tactical preparation that has gone into this World Cup, and we are very proud of that work,” Moscato says. “We hope it’s enough to win and make the country proud!”

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ONE MORE DAY

One More Day with a loved one Severino Orlando My father Severino Orlando was like a kind and gentle bear. But like any Italian father, he would growl at you if you ever stepped out of line! Way back when, he used to have these lamb chop side burns and loved his white owl cigars, especially when we went fishing. I remember him sitting for hours chomping on his cigar until there was nothing left.

After a few hours my brother and I would throw rocks in the river to scare the fish, so we could finally go back home. I laugh now but I remember my dad getting so angry he’d chase us, all the while screaming for us to stop. He’d finally give up, shaking his head. I didn't realize it then but those were some of the best moments of my life with him.

He was a typical Italian father, who worked hard for his family and never showed his true emotions. But the one thing he had was humour. He could make anyone laugh and made us all laugh all the time. He would tell funny stories about his youth or grab us randomly to give us our weekly noogie (knuckles to the head) and tell us it’s ok because he’s really a doctor. He always found a way to make us smile.

If I had one more day with him, I would probably start it just how it ended. The day before he died I held him and said, “I love you Pop.” I would then call my brother and we’d head out to the river for one more fishing adventure, only this time we’d leave the rocks on the ground.

Rolando Orlando, Mississauga

Maria Patricia Brunetti-Burelli If I had one more day with you all to myself, I would do something simple and fun. I’d eradicate the concepts of space and time to let you brush my five-year-old hair straight and then I’d hold your hand and walk back and forth to kindergarten again. I’d scramble in filthy from a day on my bike, for one more taste of your homemade delights. I’d climb out the window to go to clubs and see friends, for one more chance to see you get angry again.

I’d move across the country on that day, so I could feel how far your love spans no matter the space. I’d ask you again to be by my side, when life becomes a crazy ride.

I’d take you to see my photos hung up on the wall, just to hear you say again that I’m in a league of my own. To finish the day, there can be no doubt, I’d hit the streets of New Orleans just months before the end, to watch you dance through the night in the French Quarter again. If I had another day with my mom, my goal would be this: do it all again, exactly as it was.

Sandra Burelli, Ottawa

Antonietta Faccone Lanni If I had one more day with a loved one, it would be with my Nonna. She was the most amazing lady and is so special to me. Nonna Antonietta helped to raise me since birth. She taught me to speak Italian and how to sing and dance. To me, she was a modern Nonna, who loved life like no other and always encouraged me to live life to its fullest. She was part of an Italian association club. She danced, played bingo, travelled and loved the casino! Her charisma, contagious smile and laughter always captured people. If I had one more day with her I would give her the longest hug and thank her for all she’s done for me. She helped shape me into the woman I am today. Without her, there seems to always be something missing. She is greatly missed. I think of her every day and she remains in my heart.

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