Luciano Pradal In Memoriam

10-12 Luciano Pradal In Memoriam

By Tony Lofaro

It would be easy to call Luciano Pradal a renaissance man.

Luciano Pradal was a familiar figure every June during Ottawa’s Italian Week in Little Italy. Luciano led tours of Preston Street and the surrounding “Village”, artfully explaining the historical aspects of the area. His presentations on the Art of Guido Nincheri and the stained glass windows and frescos in St. Anthony’s Church were legendary. Luciano was also a co-founder and President of the Associazione Trevisani di Ottawa, as well as a contributing writer to L’Ora di Ottawa, Il Postino and La Voce magazine. He also tended to the beautiful gardens at Villa Marconi.

Pradal was probably best-known as the “Chestnut Man” and for many winters stood outside La Bottega Nicastro in the Byward Market, roasting chestnuts for tourists and passerbys on his homemade portable fornella (chestnut roaster). He was a tireless supporter of Ottawa’s Italian Week and the Italian-Canadian community at large. He loved talking about its history and the Italian experience in Canada and happily shared his vast knowledge with everyone. For Luciano, there was always a new idea or project that would have benefitted the community.

“I love the Italian community of Ottawa. I love being part of it and at every occasion that presents itself to me. I make myself available to promote the culture and the values of the community,” Pradal once said in an interview.

Born on June 11, 1942 in Vittorio Veneto, north of Venice, he immigrated to Ottawa in 1966 and worked as a stationary engineer. He quickly became immersed in the cultural fabric of the city, becoming an “unofficial ambassador” at many Italian community events and with traveling delegations. He was instrumental years ago, in collaborating on the wellreceived Italian cultural exhibition “Presenza” at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

Pradal died peacefully on February 2 at the age of 79. He leaves his wife Claire, daughter Sophia, son Enrico, granddaughter Beatrice, a nephew and cousins in Italy.

A memorial mass will be held Saturday, June 11 at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Church.

Pinocchio

Enjoy the fresh air and bring the whole family for a special outdoor screening of the film Pinocchio! This free event takes place June 11th at 8:30 p.m. in Plouffe Park. Snacks will be available for purchase.

Matteo Garrone’s rich world of mystery and wonder stars Academy Award winning actor Roberto Benigni as Geppetto, the old woodcarver whose puppet creation, Pinocchio, magically comes to life with dreams of becoming a real boy, in this modern retelling of the classic Italian fairy tale. Easily led astray, Pinocchio (nine-year-old Federico Ielapi) tumbles from one misadventure to another as he is tricked, kidnapped and chased by bandits through a wonderful world full of imaginative creatures — from the belly of a giant fish, to the Land Of Toys and the Field Of Miracles.

June 11, 2022 | Plouffe Park | 8:30 PM FILM SCREENING

MASTERCLASS Creating an Authentic Italian Charcuterie Board

Good food has always been an integral part of social gatherings, and what better way to showcase that than with a charcuterie board…Italian Style! Join award-winning Chef Pino Posteraro as he leads you through the unique traditions of salumi from multiple regions of Italy!

June 12, 2022 | Sala San Marco | 7:00 PM

ABOUT CHEF PINO POSTERARO

Italian-born Chef Pino Posteraro brings with him a wealth of awards and accolades. His Vancouver restaurant Cioppino’s is a mainstay for fine dining. Over the years, he has amassed a stunning array of awards, including: 50 Best Italy – Best Top 50 Italian Restaurants in the World – 2022, 2019; Vancouver Magazine Hall of fame 2021; and Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence” a stunning 14 times since 2005.

Strega Nona Takes A Vacation

Our always popular Strega Nona series returns, presented in collaboration with the Dante Alighieri Society. Join host Teri Loretto-Valentik for the exciting adventure, Strega Nona Takes a Vacation (read in English).

Registration is required at italianweekottawa.ca to receive an exclusive link to this FREE event.

June 13, 2022 | Online | 7:00 PM

ABOUT TERI LORETTO-VALENTIK

Teri Loretto-Valentik is an award-winning actress, writer and director with a background in stage and production management. She has written for magazines, newspapers, online formats, theatre and film. She is the co-artistic director of Plosive Productions in Ottawa and works regularly for CBC Ottawa on both radio and television as a producer, writer and host. She has many theatre directing credits and she has produced and directed over a dozen shows at The Gladstone Theatre in Ottawa. After a recent 23 and me test...it turns out she IS partially Italian.