READER’S CORNER

JOIN OUR GROUP, ITALIAN AFICIONADOS

Milano in northern Italy is the large city where I was born and brought up many years ago by a mother from the region of Tuscany and a father from an Italian-speaking village in the Swiss Alps.

When I was young, I would never have expected to spend almost a third of my life in Canada. But in 1988, my husband and I bought a home on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia, and here we have been residing since 1999. Thanks to our knowledge of the English language, we adapted very fast to this wonderful province and were lucky to find unbelievably friendly people.

I also found ICCA, the Italiancanadian Cultural Association of Nova Scotia located at 2629 Agricola St., in Halifax. Becoming a member of ICCA, and making friends with Italian immigrants, I often felt like being again in my home country.

Then COVID appeared. The continuous restrictions forbidding human contacts paralyzed ICCA and brought it near to extinction because a cultural organization like ICCA, lacking in governmental support, doesn’t survive thanks to the membership fees, but to the active participation of the majority of its members. Unfortunately, the Italians who created ICCA are getting old and tired and the younger generation — with some exceptions — are too busy and not interested in keeping ICCA alive. I therefore believe that Canadians who like Italy, its culture and its inhabitants should be invited to become ICCA members. Important to know: to become a member of ICCA, it’s not necessary to be Italian or to speak Italian.

What is Italian culture? Of course, not only the famous Italian food or the Italian language and literature, it is also the Italian way of behaving. You probably have noticed that most Italians talk a lot, laugh easily and — I must admit it — are not always very diplomatic. But they work hard, are tough and are very reliable.

What does ICCA offer? Let’s start with the food. During the winter months, ICCA organizes Sunday dinners at very moderate prices. If you and your family like Italian dishes, you won’t be disappointed.

Italian food can also be enjoyed at various larger events, such as the Hunters’ Feast at the end of January, the San Martino dinner in autumn and the cenone (big dinner) on Dec. 31.

Another yearly event is the Italian weekend in September. To anyone who wants to cook like in Italy, ICCA offers cooking lessons.

The Italian language is a very important part of culture, too. At ICCA, there are language courses for children and for adults. These courses were very well attended, even during the pandemic.

A further incentive for Canadians to become members of ICCA is the possibility to get to know Italians who live in Nova Scotia and obtain their help when organizing trips to Italy. Italy is a fascinating country thanks to its geographical position in the Mediterranean, to its history and to its inhabitants who warmly welcome visitors.

Before COVID’S restrictions, senior members got together once a week in the afternoon to play games, do gymnastics, simply chat or even help decorate the premises for upcoming events. It was fun. I hope that now, with the regained freedom, these activities will start again. For me, ICCA is my family. Become a member, too, and join ICCA’S family.

Would you like to know more about ICCA? Please contact ICCA, the Italian-canadian Cultural Association, at icca@eastlink.ca or get in touch with me at kollerfanconi@eastlink.ca.