TORONTO – “It’s obvious we’d like that our language and culture continues to live on through our children and grandchildren,” says Guido Braini, the president of the Giuliano Dalmato Club of Toronto.Italy and Italianià are terms that especially enthuse Braini, who says that handing down one’s Italian-ness to the next generation is the goal of every organization but difficulties are a common denominator for clubs and associations.“We’re all in the same boat,” says Braini, who’s been president since 1990.  “It’s not easy to involve the new generations. There’s the cultural along with the generational gap. To encourage them to participate we even organized chess tournaments but with minimal results.  The only event they freely participate in is the picnic.  It could be because you’re in open air in a big park, or because of the games and sports activities – it’s a fact that the big summer outing attracts them.”
Braini attempts to analyze why youth don’t care to take part in the organizations founded by their grandparents and parents – societies created from the desire to keep the memory of one’s origins alive.
“The problem, from my point of view, is that with the generation gap that has always existed between parents and children, one can add the cultural discrepancy in the sense that this youth grew up and absorbed a different culture from ours. They speak English, they’re integrated – and rightfully so – in an Anglo Saxon society,” continues Braini.  “The result is that we lost our youth by the wayside.  And forcing them to do something they don’t feel isn’t right.  We’ve tried, and will continue to attempt to spark their interest in our clubs, but they must be the ones who feel the need to participate. We’ve also begun introducing them to English-language books about Italy and especially on the history of our exodus.  Even the voyages to Italy are certainly a winning method of having them fall in love with the Bel Paese.”
Braini’s sons, Roberto, 50, and Mario, 44, participate to a good extent.
“They’re interested and this gives me great pleasure,” said Braini.  “My grandchildren, instead, did not want to attend Italian-language courses.  If the will isn’t there, there’s no use insisting.  However, what angers me a bit is when the young people suddenly have a rediscovery of being Italian when the Italian national soccer team wins the World Cup.  That’s too easy.”
Despite the obvious difficulties, Braini tries to remain optimistic, envisioning a long future for the associations: “I want to think positively so if we manage somehow to adjust our aim and involve the youth, we’ll go forward,” continues Braini.  “As long as we of the old guard are around, the clubs won’t disappear.  But after that I hope that the youth decide to take over and move forward.”