COMITES of Toronto shares views on engaging youth and organizing events

by CONCITA MINUTOLA

The Italian community in Toronto is undergoing a period of transformation as it considers various restructuring approaches. Wednesday evening, advisors and representatives from the associations and federations reunited to discuss the future at a meeting at Columbus Centre organized by COMITES of Toronto (association of Italians Abroad, Toronto district).It was a “brainstorming” session – in the words of Consul General Gianni Bardini who was present at the round table – to identify challenges and issues of generational turnover, and to discuss new proposals such as an Italian day to bring together, celebrate, and promote the Italian-Canadian reality in Toronto with a June 24 Cabot Day, for example.
Italian-Canadian organization presidents are open to dialogue and willing to collaborate in the open debate on modalities of restructuring, amid the optimism and pessimism, to ensure survival of the associations and clubs.
For his part, COMITES president and moderator of the round table, Gino Cucchi, affirmed the availability of COMITES to “act as coordinator, offer space, and share ideas, without judging the decisions taken by associations, which are and must remain independent.”
Cucchi also pointed out there will be follow-up round tables to discuss the future of associations, the role of youth, and events for the community.
Passing the torch to the youth is fundamental, emphasized COMITES member Fulvio Florio. But how?
Italian-Canadian youth are attracted to the Italy of today, attests Cristiano De Florentis, speaking on the success of the L’Altra Italia association which attracts increasing numbers of university and college students.
These are youth who are integrated into the Canadian social fabric, therefore solidarity among immigrants and a sharing of local traditions – which was the basis for the founding Italian associations – today are no longer elements for aggregating. This is the analysis that emerged during the course of the debate.
Cosmo Femia, president of Federazione Giovani Italo-Canadesi (FGIC), reassures us however, in their willingness to create new generations who “know how to speak Italian.”
“It’s not true that associations are finished. They only need to restructure,” says Antonio Porretta, advisor for Lazio region, who invites advisors from other Italian regions of Canada to reunite and discuss common strategies in support of associations and the Italian-Canadian community during this period of transition.
Caroline Di Cocco, president of Federazione Lazio calls for “discussions for a common strategy among federations,” reminding us that the associations are part of Canadian society, and of the importance of opening up and promoting ourselves.
“Times have changed and a round table on the survival is essential for understanding how we, together, can do something for the future,” confirms Di Cocco.
Tony Marcantonio from Campania region also emphasizes the urgency of an analysis.
Also joining the chorus is Franco Sampogna, Molise region advisor and president of the Federazione delle associazioni molisane in Ontario.
“The associations are headed towards extinction. We need to collaborate,” he invites, citing the successful example of the Italian-American community, “because much can be achieved, at least for the youth, by collaborating.”
“This is a positive step,” says Vincenzo Antezza, advisor for Lucania, who questions however how many truly are open to dialogue, and how visible COMITES is.
Tony Silipo of Federazione dei calabresi invited COMITES to join in along with the federations “when it involves taking a position with government or with the Consulate,” and expressed his regret over the absence of the National Congress of Italian-Canadians.
“The Calabrian federation,” he reassures, “is always open to all institutions,” and is in favour of a Cabot Day for June 24.
Roberto Bandiera from Molisani ne Mondo re-proposed the idea of an Italian week, including a big parade but “the problem is to see if the people are prepared to (do the) work,” appealing to such institutions as COMITES and the Consulate to urge the associations to come together.
COMITES councillor Mario Marra confirmed the willingness of his organization, calling for openness, and considers that a Cabot Day in Canada can be similar to Columbus Day in the U.S.A. – a world-renowned event.
“But you have to start with the basics,” he added. “This is the first step – another successful COMITES reunion organized by Mimmo Rizzo confirms that we’ll continue to have success.”
“I marvel at the pessimism,” says Lucia Flaim of Club Trentino pointing out the generation gaps of today, and not only for the Italian-Canadian community. Citing the NEXT (Nuove energie per il Trentino) program, Flaim invites us to look to the future with enthusiasm, giving youth autonomy and having faith in their professionalism.
“We chose the academic route using scholarships,” says Moreno Bernardi (Toscana), who is open to collaboration.
With respect to previous debates, recalls Paolo Natale of Confederazione siciliana, participation has increased but we also need to involve the Congress, and “pass this torch on to the youth.”
For Gino Ripandelli, who invites us to overcome individualism and to unite for initiatives such as la Giornata del sacrificio (day of sacrifice) and the Festa della donna (women’s day), the will for COMITES to cooperate with the Congress is there. “We’re not against it but are always open.”
As an objective outside observer, Consul General Bardini ended proceedings, praising the COMITES initiative, and urged associations to organize youth trips to Italy and commit to safeguarding university Italian departments, such as at Queen’s University.
A team of representatives (Roberto Bandiera, Vittorio Scava, Tony Marcantonio, Franco Sampogna, Moreno Bernardi, Giovanni Addolisio, Cosmo Femia, Caroline Di Cocco, Antonio Porretta, and Domenico Servello) along with Gino Cucchi, will now draw up an agenda. In other words, the debate continues.

Bonanni wants more involvement from Italy

By Mariella Policheni

Recent comments about the need to strengthen the power and scope of Italian-Canadian associations by Consul General Gianni Bardini and former ambassador to Canada Gabriele Sardo hit home for the Italian-Canadian community.
There are those who fully agree with the proposals put forth by Consul Bardini, and those who feel there is nothing new contained in his open letters. Anyone reading between the lines, however, can sense his great affection and hope that the Italian culture and traditions will continue to create a place in Canadian society.
“It’s difficult disagree with what is affirmed by both the Consul General and the former ambassador in Canada,” says Roberto Bonanni, founder of Supino Social Club in 1970 and Coro di Supino in 1994, and COSTI official during the ’60s. “Both outline the fragmentation of our community, as well as the necessity of rejuvenation and unity of intent with the goal of preserving and diffusing our culture and language, especially among the new generations.”
In his open letters, the Consul General also invited the Italian-Canadian community to play a more active role, to act as a bridge between Italy and Canada and strengthen ties, thus obtaining mutual benefits.
“An opinion that most can agree with, though there’s no apparent commitment on his part to solicit the Italian government to invest more for the communities abroad,” Bonanni continues fervently. “In the past, the former ambassador Sardo had already warned us not to expect too much from Rome because Italy was undergoing a period of economic and institutional crisis. Translated into simple words, their argument is that there are many problems, so we have to make do the best we can to save our cultural and linguistic identity in Canada.”
To safeguard and maintain the Italian language and culture, other components of the community have done much in the past, according to the Italian-Canadian.
“Given that the societies, as I see it – no matter how important – don’t represent the entire community, I find it ungracious not to acknowledge how much others have already done and continue to do for our language and culture in the GTA and surrounding area,” continues Bonanni – who came to Canada in the early ’50s. “I’ve personally witnessed firsthand the creation of Corriere Canadese, our true ‘spokesperson’, COSTI, the Italian Chamber of Commerce during the ’60s, the Dante Alighieri Society and CHIN soon after, and the National Congress of Italian Canadians during the ’70s, and then bit by bit also the Italian Cultural Institute, COMITES (committee of Italians resident abroad) with CGIE (general council of Italians abroad), and the various regional federations. And it’s thanks to them that over the years, countless musical and cultural events have been organized, as well as exhibits that promote our language, culture, and traditions.”
What’s missing, according to Bonanni, is the collaboration between various components of the community: “What’s lacking in my opinion is the glue that Bardini talks about, in the sense that they all, in their own way, feel they are spokespersons for the community – with COMITES and the Italian-Canadian Congress leading the pack – but in reality that’s not how it is,” Bonanni says without mincing words. “It’s the community that’s paying for the lack of dialogue among those organizations. I feel then, that a coordinated plan of action by the entire community should be established, to provide a strong and authoritative voice, made up of personnel ready and willing to work – each one contributing their part – although I realize that this would not be an easy undertaking.”
Times are ripe for new initiatives, to look to the future in a new light, and truly include the youth.
“I don’t find it scandalous in any way that the new generations do not nurture any interest at all in dinner-dances organized by the societies,” adds Bonanni. “Interest and love of Italy must come from initiatives such as study vacations in Italy or by providing opportunities to specialize professionally in the Bel Paese, and so on. We need to create a bridge between our community and Italy.”
It’s an approach that can begin with small but significant steps: “One can begin by abolishing the $64 stamp tax that is applied to the Italian passport when that document used for travel to Italy. Then one can proceed by convincing the Italian government to revisit the laws for reacquiring Italian citizenship, to reinstate a concrete dialogue giving way to projects that favour communities abroad, and work towards common objectives so we can feel – although we’re very far – closer.”
With clear ideas, although admitting their fulfillment would be no easy task, Bonanni points a finger towards Rome:
“I was born in a country that boasts a millennia-old civilization,” concluded Bonanni. “I’d like it if the Italian government was more involved with communities abroad, because a collaboration between us and Italy would provide nothing but reciprocal benefits. Investing more in this regard cannot be anything but a positive for all.”

BY MARIELLA POLICHEMI<

TORONTO – “I agree 100% with what Consul General of Italy Gianni Bardini expressed in his open letter,” says Edera Bohman.

Bohman is a member of Comitato Culturale della Federazione dei Club e delle Associazioni Venete of Ontario, and of Club San Marco.

While Bohman is usually very reserved, the issue about strengthening bonds with Italy has ignited her passion.

“The time has come to do something to reawaken our community a bit,” she says. “They are becoming fossilized and they are losing their enthusiasm and will to do. They don’t look to the future. I think that cold and indifferent behaviour doesn’t get us anywhere, and that we must commit ourselves more to maintaining our traditions which we should be very proud of.”

There has always been pride and support for one’s culture and sense of belonging, but today the Italian-Canadian associations are entering a new phase.

“Several decades have passed since the first societies were formed,” says Bohman, who was born in San Donà di Piave in the province of Venice and came to Canada in 1957.  “We’re now in the generational rebuilding phase, but we must find a way to draw in the youth because passing the testimony/witness/eyewitness accounts to them is the only way we have of moving forward with what we’ve already achieved until now.”

The possibility of keeping alive the culture, traditions, and love of one’s own origins from a distance are issues that fall to the youth.

“I feel we need to get them to participate more, involve them, give them tasks within our associations and clubs, let them do things,” says Bohman.  “A group called Next Generation was formed within the Federazione Veneta where Sandro Zoppi, a very good lawyer of Veneta origins, organizes various events including Italian language lessons for children, short tours, and ski trips.”

According to Bohman, there is no magic formula, but something needs to be done, even by trial and error:

“Teaching Italian to our children is already a step forward because the language is often a barrier,” Bohman continues.  “Not speaking to them in Italian is a mistake made by parents who don’t appreciate that knowing more than one language is both a personal enrichment, and in our case, is also a tool for youth for conversing, reading, and discovering the culture of our country – a culture that is envied worldwide.”

Despite the fact that she’s lived in Canada for more than 50 years, Bohman still retains a deep sense of love for Italy.

“My son – who, sadly, died prematurely in 2005 – spoke  perfect Italian because I spoke Italian to him in the home, and whenever he could, he also participated in our federation’s events,” confided Bohman.  “Now I’m trying to get my grandchildren to fall in love with Italy by telling them about the many trips I did with my husband, describing the natural beauty, of the cities of art, of the existence of villages that are like small jewels, of how one can enjoy the wonderful scenery through train windows, and discovery the local gastronomy of places you visit. I show them Italy as seen through my eyes, and the oldest one, Alex, after listening attentively, has already told me that he wants to come along next time I travel to Italy.  Needless to say, I felt immense joy.”

Bohman’s determination to increase the bonds between Canada, her adopted country, and Italy, her native land, has been reawakened:

“Italianità is the respect, the love, the sharing of [one’s] values,” concludes a smiling Bohman.  “Italianità must be in your heart, in your soul.  We must help our youth discover a love for Italy.  I’m certain that once the first step is done, the rest will follow.”

By CONCITA MINUTOLA

“The loss of one’s own origins is a real problem.  If we don’t do something, our culture will disappear,” explains Emanuele Di Lecce, president of Basilicata Cultural Society of Canada.

This is the reason for the existence of Italian-Canadian groups in the community such the one dedicated to Basilicata, and that is their main mission for the youth: “Keeping our culture alive and passing it on from generation to generation,” Di Lecce explains.

This crucial challenge is being tackled thanks in part to scholarships made available for university students.

In this context, if Consul General Bardini’s letter published by Corriere Canadese/Tandem is “a postive start,” there is still some doubt in Di Lecce’s mind about how each idea may produce concrete results.

“It seems the consul general wants to find a reference point for holding activities or community events,” Di Lecce comments.  “We need to see who the others are and how to co-operate.”

The Basilicata Cultural Society includes at least 300 members.

“Many of these,” explains the president, “are also members of other groups such as the Club Palazzo di San Gervasio.”

The Lucani are in turn represented on a national level by the Federazione delle Associazioni Lucane in Canada and by regional Lucani commissions abroad. The invitation to dialogue is a good start, Di Lecce says.

“If the consul general is able to put those proposals into action, I feel it would be useful for the community, but I’m not sure how far it could go because the clubs are quite independent and don’t always share ideas or events.”

From words to action

The consul general, says Di Lecce, has also requested the creation of a central registry of associations.

“The consulate has sent all the clubs a registration form for its website.  We’ve already completed ours,” he says.

Regarding the role of the federations, he says, “There’s the possibility that the relationship between clubs is strengthened, but only if there’s interest on the part of the people.”

The proposal of a central secretariat could also be a positive initiative, but “action is required to set it up.”

He also has some doubts over the proposed Italian festival.

“That too could be a positive, but I don’t know who would be able to organize such a festival. Someone would have to take on this task at some point.”

Di Lecce agrees on the need to improve Italian language study for better student transition from comprehension to conversational ability.  This is something he strongly wishes for younger students since opportunities for him to study Italian in the past were not always readily available.

“I think that people do not have enough opportunities to converse, other than speaking in the home,” he says. “Any initiative to achieve this would be a positive.”

The Basilicata Cultural Society of Canada also attempts to award merit and reawaken youth interest in Lucane roots through a series of scholarships for university students.

“Students who participate must compose a 1,000 to 1,500-word essay on what it means to them to have Lucane and Italian origins,” says the president. “It’s a means of making youth reflect on their origins. We continuously make attempts. The youth today are very busy – we must find the time so they can reflect upon who they are.”

BY CONCITA MINUTOLA

“Strengthening the dialogue between regional federations with a [single] confederation to improve collaboration.” This is the proposal from the Ontario Confederation of Sicily president Charlie Alaimo.

Alaimo enthusiastically welcomed the letter by Consul General of Italy Gianni Bardini that was recently published in Corriere Canadese/Tandem.

Giving the regional federations a larger role in coordinating the activities of the various cultural, religious, or township clubs is “an excellent idea. It would require a dialogue among the associations and federations.”

But he goes further – suggesting that a single group be responsible for the coordinating function: “Each small club could belong to a regional association. For example, our confederation brings together 15 Sicilian clubs. But that requires a pyramid structure that first unites all the clubs under regional federations. Attempts at this have been made in the past.”

He also likes the idea of a shared secretarial function: “Columbus Centre would be the ideal location for meeting and discussing these initiatives,” says Alaimo, “and laying the foundations of creating a strong confederation.”

Alaimo also calls for cooperation between federations and the Congresso nazional degli italocanadesi, in the Toronto district as well as in Ontario and across Canada.

“To obtain the best results,” maintains Alaimo, “these three entities would have to cooperate. And having headquarters at Columbus Centre would allow us to organize monthly meetings. The realization of this idea would be beneficial for all regional federations.”

And regarding the idea of a shared calendar for coordinating events, he says, “It is an initiative that was also discussed in the past.” He adds that the Sicilian confederation is already implementing it within its network.

Alaimo explains, “What I ask club members is to send me a schedule of all events and parties for 2010 at the beginning of the year to avoid scheduling conflicts. Planning ahead is beneficial to all clubs.”

But is such a calendar possible for the entire community? Alaimo’s answer is yes, “but the collaboration and participation of everyone is needed.”

He is also in favour of the proposed Italian festival on a date that already has some significance in Toronto, i.e., the Festa della Repubblica (Italian Republic Day).

“In Toronto, we already get together at the CHIN Picnic during the first week of July, but an Italian festival that does not conflict with other community events could be the best thing. I participated at the Alzabandiera [flag-raising] ceremony this year – it was a special moment. A festival could be organized that involves all the associations for the Festa della Repubblica: an entire day to celebrate Italy.”

Alaimo is originally from Delia, in the province of Caltanissetta, and he has been involved since the foundation of the Club di Delia in 1963.

“I’m among the founders. During the early ’50s, our community was scattered. We’d get together at each other’s homes every so often. Then came the idea of creating this society, which is currently one of the most active.”

As well as reunions, the Delia social club organizes theatrical activities coordinated by Prof. Salvatore Bancheri, in addition to scholarships for students involved in theatre arts.

“This attracts the new generations,” explains Alaimo. “The years go by for everyone – it is now the youth who must participate more. Their absence is a problem for all the clubs. In Canada, even if youth have common origins, they don’t get to meet because of the distances.” Having a central headquarters, therefore, would be useful.

“Being Italian makes us proud; it’s in our DNA,” says Alaimo, “and we’ll try to transmit our traditions to the youth as well. You feel Italian-ness in your blood – you express it in how you live.”

So the community does have a future?

“Yes, there is a future – the existence of so many successful entrepreneurs confirms it. Recently we hosted a reunion of the Confederazione siciliana of Nord America, and rewarded entrepreneurs such as the Coppa brothers and Tony Fusco, who organizes successful concerts at Columbus Centre each month.”