"Us eye-talians eat it": A Look at Italian-American Food Traditions

Photo credit: Todd Coleman

Every time my family and I get together, there is a spread of food. I always seem to ask why some certain dish or food is eaten. The answer is always the same, “Us eye-talians eat it.” The one gathering and spread of food I have always wondered about is the Christmas Eve meal.

My family, like other Italian families, only eats fish on Christmas Eve, and if you count the number of different fish, it always comes out to seven. As I went through high school and became more and more interested in Italian culture, I looked into the reason as to why only seven fish are eaten. What I have come across is that Italian-American families only eat fish on Christmas Eve because of the belief of abstaining from eating milk or meat products, which comes from the Catholic Church. This is the same as during Lent when meat is not eaten on Fridays or Wednesdays, though that is practiced by all Catholics, not just Italians. The number seven is believed to represent the “seven sacraments” in the Bible.

The tradition is very popular in Italy as well as in America. My family traditionally eats calamari, clams, crab, shrimp, baccalá (cod fish), sometimes some type of lobster, and salmon.

Of course there are other dishes that my family eats. For an appetizer, we sometimes have anise and oil. Anise is a type of plant that has a licorice- like flavor. To eat it, you dip the anise in the oil. There is also risotto, a type of rice that is cooked a creamy consistency in broth. There is of course the ever so popular “macaroni and gravy.” My family, along with several Italian-Americans in the Boston area, call it gravy, but it’s actually a red tomato sauce that is slow cooked with meatballs and pork inside. These dishes are traditions brought over from Italy by my Mastrocola ancestors about 75 years ago.

Food is one of the biggest Italian traditions that my family still keeps up with. There are of course other little things, but we mainly stick to food. My family comes from a small village in Abruzzi, so our traditions may differ from other Italian-American families.  I have already learned so much about Italy, but I continue to learn more from my family and from my grandfather.

by Katelyn Mastrocola

Fashion Schools in Italy

Italy is known for many things such as its beauty, art and fashion. I have never been to Italy personally, but I would love to have the chance to visit at some point in my life. Even though I think that I would be in love with the country as a whole, something I am looking forward to in particular is its diverse and creative fashion.

We hear all the time that Europe has some of the best fashion out there, and from the looks of it (what I see on television and in magazines), the rumors appear to be true. It is not a surprise that several great fashion schools exist in Italy due to the many famous fashion icons who have hailed from Italy.  Some examples are: Dolce and Gabbana, Georgio Armani, Gucci, and Roberto Cavalli. People travel from all over the world to experience the amazing opportunity of studying fashion in Italy. There are many schools there that offer the program.

Accademia Italiana has campuses in both Florence and Rome and offers their students a 3-year bachelors degree, international university degrees accredited by U.K universities, master courses, and semester exchange programs with the U.S and several other countries around the world.  This school is actually one of the most prestigious university level institutes for fashion, design and photography.  Within the fashion degree the classes consist of: Fashion Illustration, 
History of Costume, 
Collection, 
Experimental Projects, Industrial Pattern Design
, Prototyping, 
Tailoring Techniques, 
Clothing Samples, 
Color Techniques, 
Textile Technology, 
Computer Aided Design (CAD), and Marketing and Business.

Another school in Italy that offers fashion is Polimoda International Institute of Fashion Design and Marketing. This school is located in Florence and offers both undergrad and graduate degrees. The undergraduate fashion courses that Polimoda offers are: Fashion Design, Footwear and Accessories Design, Fashion Technology, Business of Fashion, Fashion Product Management, Fashion Communication, and Fashion Visual and New Media.

Domus Academy, which is located in Milan, is different from the other two schools in the sense that this one strictly offers only Masters Degrees. It was the first postgraduate fashion school in Italy when it was founded in 1982. Within this postgraduate school there are several programs and classes for fashion such as: Accessories Design, Fashion Design, Fashion Management, and Fashion Styling and Visual Merchandising.

After researching and finding interesting information about each of these schools, I am actually considering attending one of them myself. I have always been interested in fashion but did not pursue a degree in the field because I mistakenly thought you had to sew the clothes rather than learn about fashion as a whole. I would also like to write about fashion, which would be a dream career of mine. Visiting Italy at this time of my life is probably a long shot because of my lack of funds, and I would like to finish school here before flying to another country. However, when the time does come I will definitely consider attending one of these great schools.

To explore these fashion schools, click the following links: 

Accademia Italiana

Polimoda International Institute of Fashion Design and Marketing

Domus Academy

by Nicole Branco

Sacco & Vanzetti; On and Off the Stage

Left to right: Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti

Two curriers transporting the payroll for Slater-Morill Shoe Company in Braintree, MA were robbed and killed. Their names were Alessandro Berardelli and Frederick Parmenter. The robbers made off with almost $16,000. Sacco, Vanzetti, and several other men went to pick up a car that the police suspected to be the get-away car of the robbery. The police had set up a trap at the garage, and Sacco and Vanzetti were the only two arrested. The others fled and made it out. They were found to be carrying guns, ammunition, and anarchist literature. Their weapons took the same caliber bullets as the ones that killed the two curriers.

During these times, crime scene investigation did not have the technology we have today. Since the two men were carrying weapons that took the same ammunition as in the crime, people’s minds were made up fairly quickly. They could not prove that their weapons did not fire the fatal shots, and with the amount of Italian racism present at the time, not many people would listen. Most people remained closed minded. It was also implied that Vanzetti stole one of the guards’ revolver during the shooting, as the guard’s holster was found empty.

An ex-convict also on trial for murder, Celestino Madeiros, wrote a confession that he was involved in the Braintree crime and denied Sacco and Vanzetti’s involvement. But after questioning Madeiros’ credibility, Judge Thayer denied the motion for a new trial. The Supreme Court Justice denied the Madeiros appeal.

Two weeks ago I acted in the world premiere of the production “(Sacco-Vanzetti) Vince, Al & Teddy” by Bruce J. Robinson, a play which references these events. The play is about a fictional Italian family living in the 1920’s during post-World War I Italian oppression. The father, Vince, is an immigrant who is a big follower and supporter of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti and their anarchist movements. Teddy is the oldest son who is trying to break out of the Italian stereotype so his family may not be persecuted for their anarchist beliefs.

Over the course of rehearsing for this production, we learned a great deal of history about this time and the Sacco-Vanzetti trials. The trials were incredibly biased against the two, even though certain evidence submitted proved their innocence.

I played the role of Bartolomeo Vanzetti. When the play starts, Nicola Sacco and I have already been in prison for around five years. For most of the play we are in separate cells and only communicate by reading our letters to each other. Our only scene where we are together and have direct dialogue with each other is in the second act. It is during the Clemency Appeal and I am trying to convince Sacco to support and sign the petition, which I eventually fail to do. None of our trials are seen.

Our characters conflict with each other throughout the show. I am very optimistic and full of hope that we will eventually be free. I constantly try to fill Sacco with the same idea, but it’s not so easy. Sacco is very stubborn (and I suppose I am too) in his belief that there is no hope in being freed. He is sad because he cannot be with his family and for the heartbreak his wife is experiencing. Sacco has a more realistic idea of what is going on. He knows the justice system will not favor them, and they will ultimately be put to death.

           

It was a pleasure and an unforgettable experience working on this production. Being the first people to produce a show, especially one with such a strong message, is always very exciting. It was like history in the making. This was also my very first production. Getting such positive feedback from the director, writer, and audience has made me want to continue in acting on stage and in film. I see a new future ahead of me.

For more information on the play, visit playwright Bruce J. Robinson's website by clicking the link below:

Bruce J. Robinson

by John Ardini

Andrea Bocelli

photo courtesy of www.bocelli.de

If you happen to know any Italian singers, it’s probably—like me—only a couple people. For me, the one that stands out is Andrea Bocelli. He sings everything from opera to pop– and he does it all blind, with a voice that could very plausibly be from some other planet. His voice seems to come quite effortlessly from his mouth. He is enough to make even the hardest of people soften up – if only just a little. When he sings “The Prayer” or “Because We Believe,” it’s more than enough to bring some to their knees, and give the rest a serious case of goosebumps.

He’s an extraordinary talent that has been recognized in American culture as well as Italian. This is probably because of his pure voice, and the fact that in so many of his songs, he mixes both Italian and English lyrics. His use of both languages seems to help bridge the gap in cultural differences. But with that voice it wouldn’t matter if he was singing in his own made-up language; it would still sound beautiful.

Much of the American audience was not familiar with his career until he met up with David Foster, showed up on American Idol, or sang at the closing ceremonies when the Olympics were hosted in Italy. Despite this, his rise to fame actually started when Zucchero (an Italian Rock Star) was looking for someone to fill in for Pavarotti on a song he was doing. It seems a little strange to think that someone so huge now was simply trying out to substitute for Pavarotti when he was really discovered. After that, Bocelli’s rise to fame was pretty quick. By 1994 he was performing at Pavarotti’s benefit concert, and by Christmas of that year, he was singing for the Pope. Of course, taking the man’s voice and incredible power, the fact that he rose to fame so quickly couldn’t really be all that much of a surprise.

What might come as a surprise to some is the fact that Bocelli wasn’t originally on the track to become the great singer that he is today. He studied law for years, and even worked as a lawyer. This was surprising to me at least, as I could not really picture him as a lawyer. It’s strange, it seems that “professional singer” has about the same respectability as a career goal in Italy as it does in America. The expression “Better get a day-job, kid” doesn’t seem to fit when it comes to Bocelli though. If you have never heard him sing, and have yet to look him up on YouTube, you should probably do so now. It’s strange to see that a man so clearly born to do one thing was at some point told that he should “get a day-job”. I guess that is something that Italy and America, and most countries have in common – difficulty noticing and realizing true, raw talent when they see it—or in this case, hear it.

To check out his music, click the following links:

Andrea Bocelli's Official Website 

YouTube Video of "Because We Believe" with English lyrics

"Chronicle." www.bocelli.de. N.p., n.d. Web. Apr. 2013.

by Abbie Rosen

Photography in Italy

From left to right: a portrait by Dose Frederich and a portrait by Eolo Perfido

The best way to capture life’s sweetest moments is through photography. Photography is an art, no matter how commercial or professional, and is therefore universal, with no language barrier. There is no shortage of photographers in any country, and Italy’s beautiful landscapes and culture provide an endless amount of subject matter.

Italian photographer Eolo Perfido has a naturalness to his portrait, fashion, and street photography, and an extremely high-end appeal to his commercial work. There is nothing better than to be able to travel and photograph. Perfido’s photographs of real people on the street demonstrate the vast variety of people roaming the streets of Italy. These photographs show more of Italy than what we see in movies or on TV. Perfido’s work features advertisements for popular brands like Samsung, and his portraits dive deep into his subjects’ absolutely beautiful selves.

However, you don’t have to be well known to capture life’s beauty. The great thing about the internet is that photos from anywhere in the world can be shared with the entire world in an instant. There are a number of photography related websites that allow photographers of any level of experience to be part of the photographic community. Photographer Dose Fredrich of Veneto, Italy is a younger photographer who does it for fun and passion. His portrait work is simple, yet gives his subjects character, and we are able to learn something about that person or animal from that photograph.

           

Another great, not so known website, is FotoAmore. This website features photographs from all over Italy, and even some from France. The photographs on the site feature some of Italy’s most famous landscapes and regions, all composed beautifully as to properly convey what the photographer or photographers want to share. But by opinion, the best photographs on the site feature areas and things not so well known, that most people may miss on a trip or visit. These beautiful photos are rich in color, and make you want to try and find these secret treasures. The website also allows you to buy photographic prints of the images on the site, so you can have one of these pieces of Italy for yourself at home.

As much as most people think that photography is only an art form, photography has actually played a crucial role in history—especially Italy’s history. In the book Photography and Italy by Maria Antonella Pelizzari, she looks at the role of photography in the structuring of Italy’s national identity during its history of political struggles. She demonstrates how when most people focused on the land and buildings, there were those who documented the changing times through their lenses, and portrayed the political heroes of the times. This book features a collection of photographs that were never released to the public prior to this book’s publication. As you can see, photography has played and continues to play a large role in Italian life.

For more information, click the links below:

Eolo Perfido Photography

Dose Fredrich via ModelMayhem

FotoAmore

Photography and Italy by Maria Antonella Pelizzari

by Jillian Cormier, Kiera Coskran, and Kyle Daudelin 

Per Studenti, Di Studenti: Living in Italian America

This photo of La Gondola is courtesy of TripAdvisor 

According to the US Census Bureau, it is possible that every 1 out of 10 Americans have some sort of Italian ancestry.  About 15 million citizens identify as Italian-American, all of whom make up a part of the fifth largest ethnic group in North America.  There are countless statistics on the presence of Italian blood in the United States. To learn more, you can visit the website for The National Italian American Foundation here.

http://www.niaf.org/research/contribution.asp

According to the NIAF, the states with the highest Italian American percentage demographics are as follows: 

California -1,500,000

Connecticut -650,000

Massachusetts - 845,000

New Jersey - 1,500,000

New York - 2,900,000

Pennsylvania - 1,400,000

Rhode Island - 200,000

Florida - 800,000

Illinois - 730,000

Ohio - 640,000

Michigan - 412,000

Texas - 314,000

Maryland - 253,000

Here, two girls from New England offer their take on growing up Italian American.

Victoria:

I grew up in Providence, Rhode Island--easily one of the most authentic Italian-American communities in the Northeast.  There are countless eateries (such as the five-star restaurants on Federal Hill), but the bakeries, pizza parlors, and cafes all serve some of the best pastas, pizzas, and zeppoli a person could want. Venetian-style gondolas float up and down the river daily. The local radio stations refer to Italy as “the old country,” when discussing its national news. This shows how many residents identify with the culture and its name. 

Courtney:

I am a third generation Italian-American born and raised in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.  My great-grandfather, Augustino Giacomozzi, came to America in 1918 and started a new life right here in Fitchburg.  The area of Fitchburg that he settled was made up of predominately Italian immigrants and their families and was known as “the patch.” The patch revolved around St. Anthony Church.  My great-grandfather and other Italian immigrants built the church and eventually a school as well.  The Italian culture was still very rich during this time period because everybody that lived in this patch was either Italian, or of Italian decent.  It was a very close-knit community where everybody knew each other.  In those days you could walk down the street and say “Ciao!” to everyone you saw. 

Most Italian-Americans started their own businesses when they came to America, such as, bakeries, tailor shops, and convenience stores.  My great-grandfather, however, found a job working for the city of Fitchburg instead of starting his own business. These businesses were a hot spot for the Italian-American community.  People would stop by these shops just to socialize because that was the kind of community that existed there; everyone was friendly and everyone knew each other. 

I feel as though the people of the patch were so close because they all shared a common characteristic of being from Italy. It was as if they knew each other their whole lives, and not just from the time they moved to America.  There were even sections of the patch divided up by what region of Italy the families were from.  Mi famiglia is from La Marche, and the majority of the area in which they lived was made up of other Marchigians. There’s even a social club called the Marconi Club right behind St. Anthony School that was established for local Marchigians to gather. The community that existed in Fitchburg which was created by the Italian-American culture was truly something of la dolce vita. 

A picture from the Feast of the Madonna della Cava celebrated by members

 of the St. Anthony de Padua Church in the heart of “the patch”

by Andrew Oughton, Victoria George, and Courtney Brooks

They say Italy is the country that taught Europe how to eat...

Italians are famous for knowing how to eat, and how to eat well.  They have some of the best meals in the world.   When I think of an Italian dinner, I think of fresh, homemade dishes, natural ingredients, and lots to go around.  I think of comfort and flavor.  I think of home.  I think of a whole family gathered together to enjoy themselves and the food laid out in front of them, people passing around dishes and compliments, talking about their lives, talking about their cooking.  This is the point that Italy brought to the rest of the world.  Food is a centerpiece!  Good food is something to gather around.  It’s the center for conversation, for bonding, for relaxation and enjoyment.   It’s the most important part of the day.

But today these traditions are being lost.  Today, we don’t take the time to stop and fully enjoy our meals.  We tend to eat while we’re on the go, or on the road.  We might throw something together quickly for lunch, or pop something in the microwave while we have the time.  The majority of our food is shipped to us from all over the globe.  It’s grown from genetically modified seeds and then packed with hormones and preservatives.  This food isn’t ours.  Italy is the first to make a stand against it.  It’s fitting that this country with its rich culture of beautiful food would be the country that reminds the world how to eat again.

It’s called the Slow Food Movement, and it originated in the northern regions of Italy.  It’s a movement that strives to turn away from fast food, and essentially, to slow down to take in a meal.  The movement aims to encourage everyone to understand their food and where it comes from, to understand the time that went into its creation and therefore, how it became so delicious.

It starts simply:  eat locally and naturally.  The pride of Italy’s recipes starts with its regions.  The south cultivates the best vegetables and is one of the largest producers of olive oil in the world.  Central Italy’s soil is perfect for producing the best truffles, and its farms produce the best cheeses.  Every area of the world has its own unique agriculture.  That’s where great recipes originate.

Secondly, Italian food isn’t famous for being imported and store bought.  It’s all homemade!  There’s nothing better than fresh, hand rolled pastas and pesto made from scratch.  There are no better ingredients than fresh, naturally grown veggies from your own neighborhood.  Traditionally, recipes are handed down from generation to generation.  Every family has different skills to share.  So, Slow Food also encourages young kids to learn cooking and farming skills while they are still in school.  Sometimes it seems like a lost art, but knowing how to cook is just as essential as learning to read and write. 

Finally:  Pull up a chair.  Make yourself comfortable.  Use this time to go home and sit down with friends or family.  Take a break from the stress of the day and enjoy yourself.  Your food should be the center of talk and laughter, not something you shove in your mouth while driving to work.

So check it out!  You don’t have to travel to Europe to experience this.  Food appreciation is something you can start right at home.  Take a tip from Italy and look into the Slow Food Movement.  Maybe you can learn how to love what you eat, because it really is just so good.

To explore the Slow Food Movement, visit Slow Food International or Slow Food USA by using the following links. 

www.slowfood.com

www.slowfoodusa.org

 by Grace Linstrom

Milano

Italy has many historical places. One of the most popular is Milano, also known as Milan. Milano has been around since approximately 400 B.C.E when it frequently changed rule due to its location at the beginning of the Italian peninsula. Milano gained its name when it was conquered by the Roman Empire. After the Edict of Tolerance was passed by Constantine the Great, many of Milano’s famous churches were built. Milano expanded by declaring war on other cities, and in 1200 it became a feudal society. For a period of time different families and countries ruled Milano until 1859 when Austria was pushed out and Milano became part of the Kingdom of Italy. The Fascist Party developed in Milano in 1919, and the idea of socialism grew until they lost in WWI. With its position at the top of Italy, close to the rest of Europe, the city is home to commerce, finance, fashion, and many other international businesses.


Fashion
Milano is one of the world’s fashion capitals and is home to many high-end couture designers, including Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Valentino, and many more. If you like high-end designers, but not the price tag, there is a belt of outlet stores and factory stores offering high discounts on the fashion you love.


Architecture
Milano also has a lot of architecture that history buffs can enjoy. Mansions from the 17^th to the 19^th centuries line the city streets. Many of these ancient homes have been converted into museums like Museo Bagatti Valsecchi. Many of the streets are for pedestrians only, making the city a great and safe place to get around on foot. This allows you to take in the scenery and feel of the beautiful city.


Transportation
Other ways to get around the city include taxis and the extensive metro. As you can see, the metro is very convenient and has many stops with interconnecting lines. The new metro line is fully automated and has no driver. It is currently the most sophisticated in Europe and currently includes seven stops while quickly expanding.


Art and Entertainment
The city is also home to famous art by artists like Leonardo da Vinci including the Last Supper. There is also the famous opera house, Teatro alla Scala which has held performances by famous singers and musicians since 1778. There is also a museum dedicated to the opera house where you can see props, costumes, and other memorabilia. For more entertainment, there are wine tastings from local vineyards, hot clubs, world renowned restaurants, casinos, and soccer games.All in all, Milano is an exciting city to visit with many things to do for all types of hobbies and interests. It has the old architecture of an ancient city but the transportation and cleanliness of a new metropolis.

by Stephanie Brundige, Katrina Compagna, and Casey Mello


"About Milan, Your Tourist Guide to Milan, Italy." History of Milan. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Apr. 2013. "Fashion District." A View on Cities. A View on Cities, n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2013.
"Metro Map." Where Milan. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2013.
"Milan as You’ve Never Seen it Before." Where Milan. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2013.