Panoram Italia Toronto Oct-Nov 2013

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2013 Volume 3 Number 5

EDITORIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 LIFE & PEOPLE

50

Rosa Graci . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Bernadette Morra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Operation Husky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 I Partigiani emigrati in Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Future Leader: Joseph Procopio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

WINE 2013 WINE GUIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

22

FOOD Suspended Coffee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 How to Make Potato Gnocchi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

LIVING ITALIAN STYLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 FASHION: Woven Wonders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER AND EDITOR Tony Zara

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Filippo Salvatore

EDITORIAL DEPUTY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Adam Zara MONTREAL WEB MANAGERS MANAGING EDITOR Gabriel Riel-Salvatore Gabriel Riel-Salvatore TORONTO MANAGING EDITORS Rita Simonetta Viviana Laperchia

PROOFREADERS Aurelie Ptito

ART DEPARTMENT ART DIRECTION David Ferreira

PHOTOGRAPHY Gregory Varano Michel Ostaszewski

GRAPHIC DESIGN David Ferreira

MAKEUP Desi Varano

ADVERTISING VENEZIA

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Exploring Venice and Its Secrets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 The Enduring Traditions of Venice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Venerable Venetian Cuisine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Cover Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Waterfront Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Venice Canals and Streets 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Regata Storica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Venice’s Struggle for Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

VICE PRESIDENT – MARKETING & SALES TORONTO Earl Weiner

ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE David De Marco

CONTRIBUTORS Sabrina Marandola • Carmine Ferrone • Giuseppe Continiello Alessia Sara Domanico • Vanessa Santilli • Fabio Forlano Valérie Vézina • Claudio Ortu • Rosanna Bonura • Alain Raymond Franca Mazza • Daniela DiStefano • Stephanie Grella Amanda Fulginiti • Sarah Mastroianni

ARTS & CULTURE Il ponte di Ognissanti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

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EVENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

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EDITORIAL

By Filippo Salvatore

Silvio Berlusconi, who served as Italy’s prime minister three times, has been facing a string of trials since leaving office in November 2011. And his legal problems have unfortunately been dominating Italy’s daily life at a time when the country is undergoing great economic turmoil. With his recent indictment in the Mediaset trial, his control of the country’s political life might be once again on the brink of collapse. But like the phoenix that continuously rises from the ashes, Berlusconi has not yet said his last word.

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ince the February 2013 elections, the alliance between the two traditional political opponents has been on shaky grounds. For the last five months, Berlusconi’s personal vicissitudes have had a direct impact on the life of the government. Prime Minister Enrico Letta has tried to sound reassuring, especially at the international level, claiming that Berlusconi’s personal problems should not impinge on the life of Italy’s government. President Giorgio

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Sunday Dinner with Chef Daniel: A behind the scenes look at one of Toronto’s most promising Italian chefs as he prepares Sunday dinner for his pals.

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EDITORIAL

d Personam

g Silvio Berlusconi Napolitano also urged the country to stay calm. “The country needs to rediscover serenity and cohesion on vitally important institutional matters that have for too long seen it divided and unable to enact reforms,” he said.

Berlusconi has been claiming for years that he is the victim of an incredible series of accusations and trials that have nothing to do with reality. He described the 41 court cases he has faced as “genuine judicial harassment that is unmatched in the civilised world.” Soon after his final conviction, Berlusconi, in a speech in Rome, claimed, “I am innocent, and I am not giving up.”

On August 1, 2013, the country’s Court of Cassation, or Supreme Court, convicted Berlusconi on tax fraud. After the court’s decision, he said, “I never devised any system of fiscal fraud. No false invoice exists in the history of Mediaset.” His lawyers claim there are “solid reasons” why their client should have been acquitted, and they would “evaluate and pursue any useful initiative, also in Europe, to make sure that this unjust sentence is radically reformed.”

Since then, Italian political life has acquired the contours of a melodramatic soap opera. The Severino law, passed in December 2012, obliges any parliamentarian who has been sentenced to more than two years in prison to give up his or her seat.

Berlusconi, a senator, has been fighting tooth and nail to avoid being expelled. He claims that the Severino law is unconstitutional because it is retroactive, although he himself and his party voted for it. How can he now claim the opposite?

Berlusconi’s legal problems and attempts by his lawyers to buy time have dominated Italy’s daily life at a time when the country is being hit very hard by the economic crisis. Threats to sink the right-left coalition government of Prime Minister Letta have been discussed widely in the media.

On September 17, the Supreme Court further hit Berlusconi by ordering his Fininvest holding company to pay damages of 540 million euros ($721 million) to the CIR firm owned by the family of business rival Carlo De Benedetti, over a disputed takeover battle for publisher Mondadori. The Ex-PM’s former lawyer was convicted in 2007 of bribing a judge to rule in favour of Fininvest.

A special Italian Senate committee voted on September 18 to expel Berlusconi from parliament over his conviction for tax fraud, but it may still take weeks to reach a conclusive decision. In his September 18 video message, Berlusconi stuck to a conciliatory line and tried to sound like a statesman, although his message also contains a rancorous tone. He followed the line suggested by the PDL party doves like Gianni Letta and business advisors like his daughter Marina, who heads the family’s $6.6 billion business empire. The hawks had pushed him towards forcing a snap election. Berlusconi was persuaded that bringing down the government in the midst of Italy's worst post-war recession would backfire for the centre right and damage his media interests.

Berlusconi claimed that he will continue to be involved in politics even without a seat in the Senate, because a true leader, he reckoned, needs only the people's support. The implications of this statement are incredible and dangerous.

Berlusconi is inviting Italians to do away with the legitimate constitutional order.

He presented his revamped Forza Italia 2.0 as a return to the future. He focused on his legal persecution by politicized magistrates (Magistratura Democratica); insisted upon the need to reform the judicial system and reduce the power of magistrates and judges and make them accountable. He also spoke about the need of a truly “liberal” society with less state intervention and reduced taxes. Berlusconi's TV video sounded like a new beginning for an old, known formula – his own. This begs the question: How can this new political manifesto be reconciled with Prime Minister Letta’s left-leaning policies? The future of the “governo di larghe intese” is indeed on shaky grounds and is bound to fall sooner rather than later. If there is a political crisis in Italy in the near future, a crucial role will be played once more by President Napolitano. The way he handles the situation will indicate the road to follow and help find a solution. Will it be a new government with Letta again as Prime Minister? Will it be a left-leaning government with the indirect support of Grillo's M5S? Or will President Napolitano simply oblige parliamentarians to change the Porcellum, the present electoral law, and call for new elections? Only time will tell.

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Evviva la nuova identità Forging a deeper Italian-Canadian identity

By Carmine Ferrone

“Questa è la regione più bella del mondo (this is the most beautiful region in the world),” declared our vivacious, brilliant tour guide, Angela Tomei. We all laughed at this bit of hyperbola. However, as we travelled to each of the regions of the scheduled Panoram Italia tour, which included Veneto, Toscana, Liguria, Umbria, Lazio, and Campania, Angela kept repeating and applying this extravagant claim to each region.

To me this refrain became a poetic metaphor symbolizing the unique beauty of each region and the deep pride of its residents. Because of Italy’s long history of divided city-states competing for supremacy, Italians are very partial to their hometown and region. For 15 intense days, forty travellers, mostly Italian-Canadians, including my wife, came from Toronto and Montreal to learn about this great Italian pride of homeland. Indeed, like thirsty sponges we quickly imbibed its rich cultural and religious history, beautiful landscapes and coastlines and, most importantly, world-renowned gourmet foods and wines. till, for me, as it did for the majority of the tour group, coming to Italy took on an even greater significance. It was a kind of homecoming. It gave me my first opportunity to explore and deepen the Italian side of my identity. In fact, the timing of this trip was like a ‘perfect storm.’ A couple of days earlier, I had picked up my new Italian passport confirming my new citizenship. As well, my mom agreed to go ahead of me to her hometown of Bella in Potenza so she could show me where she and my dad grew up. And finally, with Panoram Italia, I was about to visit nine of Italy’s greatest locations. Ultimately the convergence of these three major events profoundly deepened my Italian-Canadian identity.

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Becoming a new Italian citizen My Italian homecoming started about two years ago. While meeting with a patronato on behalf of my dad who was trying to claim his Italian Military Service Pension, I was told that since my parents were still Italian citizens when I was born, I was eligible to apply for my Italian Citizenship Jure Sanguinis (by right of blood relation). At first I dismissed this suggestion because I could not think of a practical reason for it. But as I thought about it more, it occurred to me that it was my ‘birthright.’ Regardless of its practical value, it was still worth pursuing – if for no other reason than that it would affirm and deepen my Italian-Canadian identity. I submitted the completed application to the Consulate General of Italy in Toronto on November 7, 2012. Seven months later, I received confirmation. When I finally had my passport in hand, I was filled with elation. Yes … I was now an official Italian citizen!

The Panoram Italia Tour of Italy What initially attracted me to the Panoram Italia Tour of Italy was its clever design. It had a nice mix of obvious and not so obvious places to visit with just the right amount of structured and free time. By the end of the trip, I also came to appreciate the tour’s smart historical-geographical mapping of its route. Geographically, one can think of 14

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Town of Bella, Potenza

our route as following along the mountainous central back spine of Italy. Our tour began in the northern region of Veneto where we visited the city of Venice and its neighbouring islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. Then we travelled centrally south into Tuscany visiting the medieval towns of Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, and Montecatini Terme, followed by the Cinque Terre National Park in Liguria. Next we entered into Umbria, visiting the town of Assisi made famous by St. Francis, followed by the region of Lazio, exploring Rome the “eternal city” and, finally, Campania, stopping in the seaside town of Sorrento.

Homeward bound to Bella, Potenza Knowing that we would have five days of free time in Sorrento and were close by, my wife and I decided to use part of this time to finally make our first ever visit to my parent’s hometown of Bella, which translates as “the beautiful city.” It is 159 km away from Sorrento, directly east of Napoli. In fact, during the Middle Ages, Bella was part of the Kingdom of Napoli – a kingdom that for most of its history was a battleground for French, Norman and Spanish rule. It was during the Spanish rule of the Aragonese that the town of Bella was founded. It sits high up on a mountaintop like a queen’s royal diadem. All around it is lush green forests and rows of fertile ploughed farmlands. I suspect the town was named after Queen Isabella, the reigning first lady at that time. However, my pet theory is that when the Spanish noble family built their castle, strategically placing it at the highest point in the area, they looked around themselves and could not help but be overwhelmed by the beauty of their surroundings. Surely the only words that could come out of their mouths were “Que bella (in Spanish).” What beauty!

Our homeward pilgrimage started with my cousin Roberta and my niece Katrina coming all the way from Bella by train to pick us up from the Sorrento train station. Given the complexity and confusion of taking Italian trains, I was very appreciative of the extra efforts they made to get us safely to Bella. Taking the commuter train actually gave me yet another perspective of Italy. We did see some junky backyard scenery mixed in with lots of impressive vistas of the hilly countryside and aqua blue Tirreno coastline. It once again reminded me that every place in the world has its share of eyesores too.

Seeing Bella for the first time, perched high up on the mountaintop, from the veranda of my cousin’s country house, which was directly below it, was spectacular and emotionally overwhelming at the same time. That day it had rained. So as the day was clearing up, a carpet of clouds was still circling the base of the town, literally making it look like a ‘castle in the sky.’ And then to add to this fairytale scene, a colourful double rainbow appeared to the right of it as if to give it an exclamation mark. Very impressive!

As could be expected, the next couple of days moved in quick succession. First my mom introduced me to our extended family and countless cousins; next she showed me the very narrowly spaced honeycombed stacked apartments where she and my dad were born, grew up, fell in love and resided until they immigrated to Canada in their early 20s; and then finally she brought me to the local cemetery where for centuries my forebears and relatives have been buried. The experience there was like an intensive course in genealogy. Within a matter minutes, I could envision our whole family tree: its glory and moments of shame. By the way, who knew that there were so many men that bore my same name? This is a very rare finding for me in Canada. On top of all this, of course, we were treated to outstanding southern Italian cuisine and wines. By the third day, however, we could not take another mouthful and were ready to make our way back to Sorrento.

As I left Bella, a small part of me began to mourn. Mysteriously, I felt as if I was leaving home. For a few brief moments, as I watched Bella rapidly fade in the background, I could actually feel what my parents must have felt when they left their hometown for good. It also dawned on me, as my wife so insightfully pointed out, that too often we think of what our parents gained by immigrating to Canada and neglect to consider what they lost by leaving. I daresay the loss is as great as the gain.

One last time “Questa è la regione più bella del mondo” readily comes to mind as I once again think about my visit to Bella and each of the other places on my tour of Italy with Panoram Italia. Admittedly, the sights, sounds and smells of this extraordinary peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea, while a first for me, were still strangely familiar having grown up in an Italian-Canadian household. It was a kind of homecoming for me, made even more meaningful by my new friends – the tour’s group of warm-hearted, fun-loving, generous Italian-Canadians and lovers of Italian culture. In fact, what occurred to me in the midst of this family-like, group adventure was that in discovering our family’s native land, we better understood who we were. As individuals, I firmly believe that each one of our identities is very complex: we are many selves, not one. On this trip, however, it was especially nice to be able to discover and deepen our Italian selves.

Evviva la nuova identita Italiana! Hurrah for our new Italian identity!

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LIFE & PEOPLE

Rosa Graci Capturing Italy through art

By Stephanie Grella

Since immigrating to Canada at the age of four, Rosa Graci has preserved her Italian heritage the best way she can — through art. From illustrating and painting to spotlighting international artists, the J.D. Carrier Art Gallery director continues to bring captivating art to Toronto, infusing the Italian-Canadian community with artistic expression. orn in Peschici, Italy, Graci’s Italian way of life quickly changed when she and her family moved to a Toronto neighbourhood scarcely populated by Italians.

Although her family had little Italian connections in Canada, Graci brought her culture with her into the classroom. “In kindergarten, I remember first drawing my house in Italy, which was a circular home unlike any Canadian house,” says Graci. “But that was just me. To this day, I have a passion for drawing my hometown in Italy.”

Graci studied fine arts and art education at the University of Toronto, later receiving a creative arts degree from Sheridan College and studying drawing and painting at Ontario College of Art. After working in advertising and having four children along the way, Graci revived her artistic ambition by volunteering at her children’s elementary school, where she worked with students in after school programs and taught art history classes. In 2005, Graci was offered the position of art director at the Carrier Gallery.

“It has rekindled my love for Italians in Toronto,” Graci says about her position at the gallery. “For me, it’s an honour to work with such great artists.”

Established in 1987 by Toronto businessman Joseph Carrier, J.D. Carrier Art Gallery is Toronto’s third largest gallery with 21,000 square feet of exhibition space and 750 linear feet of wall space on all three levels. “The gallery has been considered a miniGuggenheim,” says Graci, “and my job is to make the walls beautiful with paintings.”

Working outside the gallery’s walls, Graci and a group of 19 artists and several Italian students premiered their artwork in Spoleto, Umbria in 2009. As a gift to the many admirers of their work, each student left one of their artworks in the gallery where they will be permanently held. Graci is hoping to plan another art-inspired tour of Italy this upcoming year with the gallery. “I become alive when I go back to Italy; the colours of the landscape inspire my drawing and painting,” says Graci. “There’s something different and something amazing to see in every region and town of Italy.”

Although much of the Columbus Centre’s demographic is Italian, the Carrier Gallery reaches out to a wide variety of cultures, promoting Toronto’s multicultural community and its strong ties to visual art. From Hungary and Israel to China and Nigeria, Graci encourages a vast range of cultural art for diverse audiences. “Every show is different because I am open to all styles of art; I don’t like to stick to one kind,” says Graci. “Everybody has different tastes, so you always bring in a different crowd of

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admirers. Art is subjective, that’s all there is to it.” Graci has also included three-dimensional installations, including woodwork art and handmade jewelry imported from Italy. While multicultural art captivates audiences, Graci has always noticed a universal appeal in Italian-based art. An artist she currently works with is a prime example of artists’ fascination with Italy. “He is from Nova Scotia, but loves Italy and has completed an exhibit solely on the country,” says Graci. “Multiculturalism happens naturally here, but there is so much passion for Italy and the arts.”

Each year, Graci showcases Italian artists for the whole month of June in honour of Italian Heritage Month. Through this annual initiative, Italian-Canadians in Toronto can relish in their heritage and take pride in their roots. Whether an exhibit is from Italy or produced by a local Italian, a communal appreciation for il bel paese can be shared at the gallery. For Graci, Italian heritage exhibits particularly show her how art can connect people internationally and locally. “Art does not lie; it’s like exposing yourself for the public to see,” says Graci. “I’m really lucky to do what I do and promote so many great artists’ work. It’s nice to see what the Italians are doing in the art field right now.”

With several art exhibits to direct each month and exhibit openings booked until 2016, Graci hopes to continue on this promising path. From her past eight years at the gallery, she vividly recalls one Italian student who has compelled her to continue her work in Toronto’s Italian-Canadian art community. “One student from Italy approached me and, in Italian, said, ‘you know, it’s really sad for us because you have managed to keep our Italian heritage more than we have. We lost our Italian way, and you’ve kept the things that we’ve lost.’ That’s a genuine achievement,” says Graci.

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Bernadette Morra

LIFE & PEOPLE

Getting up close and personal with the icons of fashion Inspired by her grandfather's love of music, FASHION Magazine editor-inchief Bernadette Morra initially thought she wanted to be a music critic.

By Vanessa Santilli

“My

grandfather was a musician who came from Monteleone (di Puglia) in the 1920s and he went to New York City to try to get work,” says Morra, who worked at the Toronto Star for 20 years as a fashion writer and then fashion editor. “But as many Italian-Canadians know, at that time Italians were discriminated against and it was very hard for them to get work.”

He eventually settled the family in Bracebridge, Ont., where he found a job as a band leader. “I grew up in a very musical household,” says Morra, who was born in Toronto and received an arts degree from the University of Toronto, followed by a media writing diploma from Sheridan College.

Morra was set on writing about music until an editor at The Canadian Press suggested she write on a soon-to-be very familiar topic. “He said he’d like me to write about fashion and this little light bulb went off over my head as a chill went through my body,” she recalls. “I thought, ‘wow, that's exactly what I should be doing.’”

Since then, she's interviewed countless designers and fashion icons including Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, Gianni Versace, Michael Kors and Victoria Beckham. “Being able to meet those incredibly talented people is always fascinating,” says Morra.

But amongst the most memorable was her encounter with the iconic Audrey Hepburn. “My knees were shaking like crazy,” she says of their conversation in the late ’80s/early ’90s. I thought, ‘I’m with the Toronto Star newspaper, I have to try to get a quote from her.’ So I sort of hovered around her and when the moment was right I jumped in and started talking to her. I guess she saw I was young and maybe sensed how nervous I was. She was completely and utterly charming. It was quite a moment.”

In Morra’s role at FASHION Magazine, she finds the most satisfaction in being able to help young designers develop their budding careers. “They get a lot out of it both personally and, through that greater awareness, helping them from a business point-of-view.”

Day in and day out, Morra enjoys the fact that everyone in both the editorial department and art team are experts in fashion or are really interested in fashion. “That makes for a really fun day because you are with people who are into it as much as you are and who work as hard as you to produce the best possible product.”

A mother to teenage twins, she does her best to balance work and family. How does she do it? A lot of espresso and a very supportive husband, she says. As well, she tries not to do too much travelling. “I cut back,” she says. “When I was with the Toronto Star, I was travelling to fashion weeks in Milan, London, Paris and New York. And when I had my

boys in 1998, I cut back on my travel to do just the New York shows because I didn't want to be away from them for so long.”

From her Italian heritage, the value of hard work was instilled in her, she adds. “The immigrants that came over just worked so hard, so I think that's something that was passed down through our family,” she says. “That good, strong work ethic that you just absorb and turn around and do the same thing. It comes naturally.”

Also, she appreciates the earnestness and authenticity of Italians. “It's a desire that goes right back to our desire to feed people and make people happy in the most simple ways – even if it's just with a steaming hot plate of pasta.”

Morra believes there's something about being Italian that is all about connecting with people and pleasing people. "And I think that's something that's been handed down to me."

PA N O R A M I TA L I A . C O M

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LIFE & PEOPLE

On Sicilian Soil 70 Years Later Operation Husky commemorates Canadian soldiers who fought in Italy during World War II

Travelling to Italy is always a memorable and special experience.

But for Sheridan Atkinson, his trip to Sicily this summer filled him with deep pride, immense gratitude, and emotional memories.

By Sabrina Marandola the age of 91, Atkinson travelled from his home near London, Ontario, to Sicily to mark a special anniversary: 70 years since he first stepped foot on Italian soil as a Canadian soldier to help liberate Europe from the Nazis. “I was 21 years old, and Sicily looked like a third-world country. The Germans stripped it of everything,” Atkinson recalls. “We were able to provide food, supplies, medical care, and they needed it badly.”

Atkinson was one of 25,000 Canadian soldiers to land in southern Sicily on July 10, 1943.

The mission was coined Operation Husky. It marked the first independent role for Canadian soldiers in World War II. The Allied invasion included British and American soldiers, but the Canadians left their mark.

The Canadian division marched along 300 km of mountainous terrain under Sicily’s scorching sun, and swiftly defeated the Germans.

Germans nicknamed the Canadian soldiers the “red-patch devils” in reference to the red maple leaf sewn on the side of their uniforms.

Still, the battles were intense – in just 28 days, 562 Canadians were killed and buried in Sicily.

In spite of this, there is virtually no information about Operation Husky in any history book or encyclopedia.

That’s what Montrealer Steve Gregory discovered when his 11-year-old son wanted to do a school project.

“In 2006, we met a veteran who told us about Operation Husky and the battle of Assoro. It was an amazing battle, and my son wanted to do a project on it, but he couldn’t find any information about it,” Gregory says.

Gregory spent two weeks himself doing research, but he came up empty-handed. “These men fought for liberty and peace, and set the foundation for the liberties Italy has today…These men had been forgotten, and it was wrong. It got under my skin,” Gregory says. “It was unjust, and we had to fix it.”

So Gregory spent the next seven years working to coordinate a very special event for 2013. His goal was to mark the 70th anniversary for all the Canadian men who fought and liberated Italy.

As president of the Quebec chapter of Canada Company, a charitable foundation that works with the Canadian Military, Gregory started his own campaign called Operation Husky 2013.

At

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“These men fought for liberty and peace, and set the foundation for the liberties Italy has today…These men had been forgotten, and it was wrong.”

He raised funds to get Canadian soldiers and veterans to arrive in Sicily on July 10, the way they had done 70 years earlier.

World War II veterans and some current Armed Forces travelled there together, and walked along the same battlegrounds they had in 1943.

They stopped at the Agira Canadian War Cemetery, where 490 of the 562 Canadian casualties lay buried. They called out each name…one by one. Hundreds of locals attended the roll call too.

It was a moment Gregory will never forget. “For seven years, I have had in my mind and felt in my heart that our men were buried very quickly, alone…with no

ceremony and no recognition,” Gregory says. “In that moment a name is called out, you are burying him again.

There were many tears. Seeing all these people in the cemetery, I felt our men would have been very happy and that somewhere in heaven they were smiling.”

Along their journey through the towns of Pachino, Assoro, Agira – and all the other towns the Canadians captured during the war – 91-year-old Atkinson would say a few words on behalf of his 25,000 comrades who fought by his side there 70 years ago. Nothing scripted, all from the heart. “There were elderly people, middle-aged people, children…I was absolutely surrounded. In almost every case, people wanted to shake my hand to thank me for liberating their country,” Atkinson says. “I played a small part, along with 25,000 other people. I realized why they were grateful, and it was all worth it.”

One moment will stay with him forever. After a ceremony, a man approached Atkinson with a chocolate bar in hand and said to him: “‘I was 12 years old when I met you. You gave me chocolates. So I’m giving you a chocolate bar today,’” Atkinson says, adding that he feels partSicilian. “It was an honour. I got so much respect from these people. I got more than I gave them.”

Sheridan Atkinson and Steve Gregory

Gregory is still smiling now, knowing the Canadian veterans got the acknowledgement they deserve – even if it is 70 years later. “We were not there to brag or celebrate the Canadians’ victories, but to remember,” Gregory says.

“We were successful in communicating to our Sicilian fratelli that we remember their men and ours.”

Gregory is busy now, writing hundreds of ‘Thank You’ notes, while Atkinson is still reflecting upon his unforgettable Sicilian summer. “We put Operation Husky in its rightful place in history.”

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PA N O R A M I TA L I A . C O M

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LIFE & PEOPLE

Ci sono storie...

Giuseppe Continiello

I Partigiani emigrati in Canada Ci sono storie che attestano determinazione, capacità organizzative e spirito di sacrificio. Sono quelle, tanto simili, per tanti aspetti, di coloro che raccontano gli orrori della guerra, il coraggio della Resistenza e la scommessa dell'emigrazione. I protagonisti di quelle narrazioni sono i tanti reduci e partigiani che, finita la guerra, deposte le armi, si sono fatti una famiglia, hanno cercato di ricostruire quell'Italia tanto amata e per la quale hanno combattuto e che con loro è stata così poco riconoscente che non hanno avuto altra via che quella dell'emigrazione, in cerca di un futuro migliore per la loro famiglia, per i loro figli. Il Canada, per quelli, rappresentò l'avvenire. Più della vita, è stata la Storia a riservare i dolori più grandi a quegli uomini, testimoni e protagonisti di un secolo, il Novecento, i cui orrori la generazione alla quale appartengono non ha certo potuto schivare. Allora, per questi eroi tranquilli approdati in cerca di fortuna dall’altra parte del mondo che ha dato loro tutto, la scommessa è vinta: sono sempre stati, infatti, fedeli a loro stessi. Non hanno mai smesso di lottare, dopo tanto resistere. Prima per la libertà, poi per la dignità del lavoro. Dapprima per il riscatto morale di tutta una nazione, poi per sé e per la propria famiglia.

elle tante storie di coloro che sono andati rapidi incontro al futuro, portando con loro molto del loro passato, quelle di Pietro Piscina, emigrato a Montréal, e di Primo Di Luca, emigrato a Toronto. Uomini del “detto fatto!”, deciso, sicuro, fermo. Due esistenze che ci insegnano il senso del coraggio, del credere nella vita, nella lotta per i propri ideali: tutto ciò ha permesso loro di realizzare, con naturale semplicità, tutto quello che avevano progettato.

Dopo anni di guerra, dopo i tributi di sangue, Pietro Piscina, così come molti altri, per poter sopravvivere dignitosamente, decise per la via dell'emigrazione. Classe 1921, ultimo di sette fratelli, Alpino della Divisione Julia, fu reduce di tanti fronti europei (nell'aprile 1941 fu in Yugoslavia, quindi in agosto in Albania e poi in Grecia), tra i quali quello russo (nella campagna di Russia, tra il 1942 e il 1943 partecipò un Corpo d'armata alpino composto dalle divisioni: Cuneense, Tridentina e Julia. Questi reparti, esclusivamente attrezzati e preparati per combattere in montagna, furono impiegati nelle steppe tra il Don e il Donez. Fu un grave errore e costò immensi sacrifici). Dopo l'8 settembre 1943, fu partigiano e, nel maggio del 1944, fece parte della Brigata Partigiana Julia, con il nome di battaglia di “Fra Diavolo”. Nel 1957, la scelta di emigrare in Canada per vivere un'avventura di successo, irrimediabilmente fiducioso nel futuro.

Quest'anno, Primo di Luca ha tenuto l’orazione ufficiale in occasione della Giornata dell’emigrante partigiano, importante occasione di riflessione e di ricordo, organizzata a Porzus (località del Friuli orientale vicino a Udine) dall’Associazione partigiani Osoppo. Primo Di Luca emigrò in Canada nel 1954. Dopo aver lavorato come manovale in un’impresa edile, solo tre anni più tardi, cominciò l’attività in proprio come fondatore di una società di costruzioni. Oggi è il Presidente di un impor-

D

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tante gruppo attivo in tutto il Nord America. Accanto all’attività lavorativa, Primo Di Luca si è sempre impegnato nel sociale, fedele ai valori della libertà, della dignità e della solidarietà.

Mito fondativo della Repubblica, la vicenda della Resistenza italiana è stata oggetto di un processo di profonda revisione storiografica. Per “Resistenza” si intendono le azioni di guerriglia e di sabotaggio che, durante la Seconda guerra mondiale, accanto al conflitto vero e proprio tra eserciti contrapposti, furono condotte dalle popolazioni civili contro il nazifascismo. Essa prese avvio ufficialmente dopo l’8 settembre 1943, quando il maresciallo Pietro Badoglio annunciò l’armistizio dell’Italia con gli anglo-americani. Allora, le potenze alleate erano già sbarcate in Sicilia (luglio 1943) e il governo Mussolini era caduto (25 luglio). Con l’armistizio il re e lo stesso Badolgio fuggirono da Roma e l’Italia centrosettentrionale fu occupata repentinamente dai tedeschi. Nel Nord Italia fu creata, sotto lo stretto controllo dei nazisti, la Repubblica sociale italiana (la Repubblica di Salò) e in quella parte del Paese sotto controllo degli alleati fu istituito un “regno del Sud” che, in ottobre, dichiarò guerra alla Germania e che, in seguito, diede vita a governi di coalizione tra partiti antifascisti, guidati prima da Badoglio (1943-44) e poi da Ivanoe Bonomi (1944-45).

Il maggior contributo alla Resistenza lo diedero i giovani delle classi richiamate alle armi dalla Repubblica sociale italiana, i quali scelsero di unirsi alle brigate partigiane e alle altre organizzazioni di lotta.

Le loro storie, come quelle di Pietro e Primo, raccontano l'epica della felicità quotidiana, la costruzione di esistenze godute nelle piccole cose di ogni giorno, che poi sono le uniche per le quali vale la pena battersi e per la cui edificazione è sempre necessario credere nell’eroismo della normalità.

Toronto OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 13-10-01 9:12 AM Page 21

Treasures ofItaly Tour

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You can win this trip for 2 by subscribing to Panoram Italia!

See page 9 for details.

Toronto OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 13-10-01 9:12 AM Page 22

FUTURE LEADER

Photography by Gregory Varano

Joseph Procopio A young and rising talent behind the lens

By Rosanna Bonura

Joseph Procopio is a name you'll want to remember. The 19-year-old Vaughan resident has already written and directed 12 short films, and in 2011, Maclean's Magazine named him as one of Canada's “Top 10 under 25.” rocopio began experimenting at the age of eight on a Sony Handycam and using basic editing software. By the time he was nine, he directed his first short film, Nine Times Eight. The film was screened at festivals worldwide, winning several awards and accolades. Since then his films have screened at numerous other festivals including Raindance UK, Little Big Shots in Australia, YoungCuts Montreal Film Festival, and the CIFEJ Kids4Kids festival in Italy, just to name a few. He was the youngest director ever invited to the prestigious Palm Springs Shorts International Film Festival.

For most of his life thus far, Procopio has been hard at work writing, editing, producing, directing, and even starring in his own films. And supporting him every step of the way has been his family. “They've been the most important thing that has happened to my career,” he says. “They've always been the ones to push me to go forward.

I've always had my own aspirations and goals, but they often keep me grounded and point me in the right direction.”

Adding to his list of successes, Procopio’s latest short film, Sundae, won the 2013 Gerald Lamoureux Award at the Rhode Island Film Festival. Based on true life events, it tells the story of two friends who discover their relationship has bloomed into love.

The film was recently screened at the LA Shorts Film Festival, making its West Coast premiere. “It’s an honour to screen at that venue because they have a very prestigious list of films that premiere there,” says Procopio.

The young director is also taking on new film territory – his first feature. He is currently busy writing not one, but three feature screenplays simultaneously. One will be his directorial feature film debut, the other his second feature debut, and he intends to make his third screenplay a higher budget studio film. With multiple short films to his credit, Procopio says he’s definitely ready to take on a feature. Now in his second year at Ryerson University, where he is enrolled in the film production program,

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Procopio hopes to apply to a Masters program in Los Angeles after graduation.

Although he says moving to the U.S. isn't necessarily the only way to become successful in the industry, he acknowledges the advantages it offers in building connections and getting representation.

Being in a highly competitive industry, Procopio notes that the biggest challenge young filmmakers face is that gap between being a professional filmmaker or someone who does it for sheer fun. “It takes a lot of patience. I've been doing this for nine years and I haven’t even come close to the cusp of breaking that feature film barrier.”

His advice for other young aspiring filmmakers? “Learn how to tell a good story.

It doesn't matter what you shoot on, how many talent or production crews you have, or how much money you have to spend. It all boils down to how good your script and your story are,” he explains. A strong script also stems from great and relatable ideas, and Procopio’s films have been fine examples of that, earning him a positive reputation in the industry. “I've spent all of my childhood trying to decipher how to write a story. The key to my success has definitely been how to tell the best story.” This often includes touching upon real life experiences. “I feel all good writers have to personalize the script a little bit and personify themselves in their script in order for them to make it real for the audience,” he says.

Although he has tried his hand at all aspects of the filmmaking process, Procopio’s heart is in directing, which allows him to be in command of the story. It also enables him to look at the bigger picture. “In the director position I'm able to stand back and explore the screenplay that’s in front of me. I basically become the sculptor sculpting the film and have the opportunity to make sure it comes out the best possible way.” With a passion that is evident through his work, a contagious energy and humble nature, the talents of filmmaker Joseph Procopio will surely continue to be noticed as his flourishing career sets new highs.

Toronto OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 13-10-01 9:12 AM Page 23

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WINE GUIDE

Legend DOCG: Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita DOC: Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata IGT: Vino a Indicazione Geografica Tipica

Types of wine

Service

Notation

Price Ranges

Red wine

Ready to drink

☆ Ordinary (75-79)

0 to $15

White wine

☆☆ Good (80-84)

Sparkling wine

Ready to drink or keep until indicated

Liqueur

Keep until indicated

15 to $20

☆☆☆ Very good (85-89)

20 to $25

☆☆☆☆ Excellent (90-94)

25 to $30

☆☆☆☆☆ Sublime (95-100)

30 to $60

♥ Personal favourite

$60 +

N.B.: The prices incidated are subject to changes relative to the LCBO price policy. The wines are rated according to a universal scale system.

Italian Wine

Puglia

Sangiovese 2012

Guide 2013

Pasqua Puglia IGT $10.95 LCBO#441428

PRICE RANGE

About wine critic Gabriel Riel-Salvatore Managing Editor and resident wine expert at Panoram Italia magazine, Gabriel has been working in the wine industry for over 10 years and has travelled extensively to various wine regions of Italy.

0-15$

Faint bouquet of red cranberries.

Smooth, fairly watery body of medium intensity. ☆☆ 81

From 2008 to 2010, he served as president of the Montreal Slow Food Convivium, organizing numerous gastronomical and wine tasting events.

Piemonte

Sicilia

Toscana

Violante 2009

Barbera d'Asti 2010

Cusumano Syrah 2012

Santa Cristina 2011

Rivera Castel del Monte DOC $17.90 LCBO#327833

Castello del Poggio Zonin Spa Barbera d'Asti DOC $17.95 LCBO#250498

Cusumano Sicilia IGT $14.05 LCBO#145490

Antinori Toscana IGT $15.45 LCBO#76521

Nose displaying rich plum and blackberry aromas filled with nice flowery undertones. Rich, tangy red wine with muscular, yet well tamed tannins. ☆☆☆ 86

Tangy red berry bouquet with smooth red liquorice undertones. Sharp, vibrant mouth with a slightly green finish. ☆☆☆ 85

Delicate red berry nose with streams of red roses. Vibrant, slightly pungent body with chunky tannins and a warm, peppery ending. ☆☆ 83

Soft red berry aromas with a hint of cinnamon spice.

Sharp, tasty red wine with a lively fruity body and a vibrant, tangy ending. ☆☆ 84

Veneto

Veneto

Veneto

Pasqua Pinot Grigio 2011

Pasqua Soave 1.5L 2012

Famiglia Pasqua Passimento 2010

Puglia

2016

Pasqua Delle Venezie IGT $12.95 LCBO#213496 Citrusy bouquet displaying pear and white peach aromas. Sweet, peachy flavours linger on a fresh, vibrant finish. ☆☆☆ 84

Sicilia

24

2015

Pasqua Soave DOC $15.95 LCBO#82636 Soft, fruity bouquet with hints of yellow plum aromas and honeycomb undertones. Light, accessible Soave with a faint, short finish. ☆☆ 82

Sicilia

2016

Pasqua Veneto IGT $14.45 LCBO#141952 Sweet, concentrated bouquet of raspberry jam intertwined with soft floral undertones.

Fruity and juicy mouth with a warm, suave finish. ☆☆☆ 86

Toscana

2016

PRICE RANGE

15-$20

Trentino-Alto Adige

Zisola Mazzei 2010

Sedàra 2011

Poggio Badiola 2011

Pinot Grigio 2012

Marchesi Mazzei Sicilia IGT $15.45 LCBO#303925

Donnafugata Sicilia IGT $18.20 LCBO#900274

Marchesi Mazzei Toscana IGT $18.95 LCBO#662197

Santa Margherita Valdadige DOC $18.95 LCBO#106450

Nice, meaty bouquet with loads of blackberry aromas and inviting violet undertones. Tasty, mouth filling wine with streams of fresh tobacco hovering on a fresh, smooth finish. ♥ ☆☆☆ 88

Soft bouquet recalling plum with hints of cedar. Vibrant, tangy medium bodied red wine with nice chewy tannins. ☆☆☆ 85

Racy nose with silky blackcurrant aromas and hints of cedar. Fruity and savoury medium body red wine with a smooth, sweet finish. ☆☆☆ 87

Lovely nose displaying peach and mango aromas. Crisp, lively mouth with a fruity, peachy finish. ☆☆☆ 86

PA N O R A M I TA L I A . C O M

Toronto OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 13-10-01 9:12 AM Page 25

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WINE GUIDE Veneto

2016

Serego Alighieri Possessioni Rosso 2011 Masi Agricola Veronese IGT $16.95 LCBO#447326 Silky plum and fresh fig aromas with lovely streams of thyme. Soft, round medium body red wine with a lush vegetal finish. ☆☆☆ 86

Veneto

2015

Veneto

Veneto

Masianco Pinot Grigo Verduzzo 2012

Bonacosta 2011

Prosecco Val d'Oca 2012

Masi Agricola Valpolicella DOC $16.95 LCBO#285585

Val d'Oca Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG $15.60 LCBO#340570 Lively, soft sparkling wine with fresh mineral and citrus aromas. Vibrant, zippy fruity Prosecco with a sharp tangy finish. ☆☆☆ 85

Masi Agricola $16.95 LCBO#620773 Appealing citrusy bouquet with hints of yellow plum and fresh hay undertones. Vibrant, lively white wine displaying a crisp, fizzy finish. ☆☆☆ 85

Veneto

Tangy bouquet mixing raspberry and sandalwood.

Soft, fruity mouth with a warm vibrant ending. ☆☆☆ 85

2015

Piemonte

2017

Secco Bertani 2010

Arele 2010

Pian Balbo 2011

Bertani Valpolicella DOC $18.65 LCBO#12443

Tommasi Parziale Appassimento $19.95 LCBO#224188

Poderi Colla Dolcetto d'Alba DOC $20.30 LCBO#285494

Rich, savoury bouquet combining plum aromas with smokey, vegetal undertones. Soft, classical Valpolicella of medium intensity evolving on a slightly vegetal finish. ☆☆☆ 86

Piemonte

2016

Castello di Neive Barbaresco 2009

Soft, floral feminine bouquet with notes of cherries and rose petals. Fluid, medium-body affordable Barbaresco with a nice spicy structure and chewy tannins. ☆☆☆ 87

Toscana

Fresh, lovely nose of suave red berries with streams of floral and sweet oak undertones. Gourmand, mouthfilling, inviting red wine with sharp, lively red fruit flavours. ♥ ☆☆☆ 89

Piemonte

2016

La Lus 2009

A.A. Cantine Castello di Neive Barbaresco DOCG $20.50 LCBO#160143

2018

Banfi Monferrato DOC $23.95 LCBO#291575 Smooth, delicate bouquet mixing soft notes of blackcurrant with fresh tobacco undertones. Silky medium body red wine with round tannins and a nice fresh liquorice finish. ☆☆☆ 88

Veneto

2018

PRICE RANGE

25-$30

Puglia

2017

Rivera Castel del Monte DOC $20.45 LCBO#305276 Intriguing nose mixing sour black cherry and savoury cured meat aromas with hints of clove spice. Rich, fluid mouth filling red wine with a sharp spicy finish. ☆☆☆ 88

Veneto

Valpolicella Ripasso 2011

Antinori Chianti Classico DOCG $24.45 LCBO#606541

Masi Agricola Veronese IGT $20.95 LCBO#155051

Pasqua Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore DOC $22.95 LCBO#203968

Piemonte

2019

Toscana

2018

Suave, inviting bouquet of chocolate ganache mixed with raspberry and cherry blossom. Sweet, jammy accessible red wine ending on a warm, gourmand finish. ☆☆☆ 88

Toscana

2019

Barolo 2009

Fonterutoli Mazzei 2010

Rocca Guicciarda 2010

Batasiolo Barolo DOCG $29.40 LCBO#178541

Marchesi Mazzei Chianti Classico DOCG $25.70 LCBO#977629

Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico DOCG $27.45 LCBO#943613

Attractive, ripe red berry aromas intertwine with lovely hints of rose petals and sweet vanilla undertones. Juicy, mouth filling Chianti with a vibrant, tangy finish. ☆☆☆ 88

Lofty bouquet displaying rich scents of field strawberry, floral undertones and streams of cedar.

Charming, vibrant Chianti with sharp muscular tannins and a soft floral finish. ♥☆☆☆ 89

Nice, ethereal nose with notes of kirsch, red roses and underbrush. Smooth, silky Barolo with a warm peppery finish. ☆☆☆ 89-90

PA N O R A M I TA L I A . C O M

2016-9

Il Falcone Riserva 2007 Rivera Castel del Monte DOC $24.45 LCBO#177295 Charmin and elegant aromas of plum and blackberries intertwine with hints of vanilla, menthol and sweet spice. Full, mouth filling red wine displaying lovely acidity and chunky tannins. ♥ ☆☆☆☆ 91

2017

Campofiorin 2009

Silky red berry bouquet with hints of fresh thyme and toffee. Smooth, juicy super Venetian wine with a soft refreshing finish. ☆☆☆ 89

Soft raspberry bouquet with hints of liquorice and cedar aromas. Lively, vibrant Barbera displaying chunky tannins and a slightly spicy finish. ☆☆☆ 87

Puglia

Cappellaccio Aglianico Riserva 2006

Pèppoli 2010

Soft, lofty nose of red berries with streams of sweet oak and nutmeg.

Elegant and fruity mouth with coating tannins and a lively harmonious ending. ☆☆☆ 89

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2015

Veneto

PRICE RANGE

25-$30

Toscana

2020

Farnito CabernetSauvignon 2005 Carpineto Toscana IGT $28.20 LCBO#996553 Deep, appealing bouquet of black berries, sweet liquorice and eucalyptus.

Warm, full bodied super Tuscan with a lofty, harmonious ending. ☆☆☆☆ 91

Toronto OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 13-10-01 9:12 AM Page 27

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WINE GUIDE Toscana

2021

2019

Brolo Campofiorin Oro 2009

Antinori Chianti Classico DOCG $29.75 LCBO#512384

Masi Agricola Veronese IGT $27.95 LCBO#976092

Complex nose mixing rich plum and red berry aromas filled with nice streams of violet and ground coffee.

Charming, well balanced mouth with a smooth, tasty lingering finish, ♥ ☆☆☆☆ 92

2019

Toscana

Complex, savoury notes of sweet raisin and plum combine with smokey, fresh tobacco aromas. Round, appealing red wine of great depth and character. ♥ ☆☆☆☆ 90

Toscana

2020

2020

Piemonte

Barbaresco Tenuta Roncaglie 2008 Poderi Colla Barbaresco DOCG $43.50 LCBO#715763

PRICE RANGE

Rich, elegant bouquet displaying lofty kirsch accents supported by fine notes of rose petals and truffles. Powerful Barbaresco revealing a decidedly masculine complexion with chalky tannins and a long lasting finish. ☆☆☆☆ 90

30-$60 Toscana

2020

2019

Toscana

Val di Suga 2007

Badia a Passignano 2008

Castello di Brolio 2008

Pian delle Vigne 2007

Tenimenti Angelini Brunello di Montalcino DOCG $45.75 LCBO#713719

Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG $42.00 LCBO#384552

Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico DOCG $49.25 LCBO#942607

Antinori Brunello di Montalcino DOCG $50.75 LCBO#651141

Inviting, racy fresh berry aromas cleverly combine with soft, floral accents and cedar undertones. Powerful, fullbodied Chianti of great character and impressive depth. ☆☆☆☆ 92

Deep, suave ripe bush berry and plum fragrances mix with lofty accents of sweet oak and violet. Smooth, sapid Chianti of remarkable depth evolving on a nice refreshing menthol finish. ☆☆☆☆ 93

Evocative bouquet of sweet field berries mixed with complex gamy and eucalyptus undertones. Warm, inviting mouth displaying a smooth, velvety character and a savoury long lasting finish. ☆☆☆☆ 94

Complex and inviting vegetal aromas cleverly combine with fig, plum and bush berry fragrances. Sapid and filling Brunello of great overall balance. ☆☆☆☆ 92

Toscana

2021

Piemonte

2022

Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia 2011

Parusso Barolo Bussia 2006

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC $59.75 LCBO#606194

Parusso Armando Barolo Bussia DOCG $97.00 LCBO#105130

Lofty blackcurrant fragrances elegantly intertwine with soft, floral accents and complex menthol undertones. Silky, charming mouth-filling red wine of impressive pedigree. ♥ ☆☆☆☆☆ 95

Toscana

28

Veneto

Marchese Antinori Riserva 2009

2024

PRICE RANGE

Elegant, complex bouquet mixing soft kirsch accents with rose petals, cedar and underbrush aromas.

Powerful, coating Barolo with lofty tannins and a distinguished, wellbalanced finish. ☆☆☆☆ 93

$60 +

Toscana

2025

Toscana

Toscana

2024

Luce 2009 Luce della Vite Toscana IGT $99.75 LCBO#685263 Classy, appealing nose filled with ripe blackberry, hints of violet and eucalyptus undertones. Lofty, mouth-filling super Tuscan with rich plum, chocolaty flavours, powerful chalky tannins and a nice peppery finish. ☆☆☆☆☆ 95

2025

Guado al Tasso 2009

Tignanello 2010

Ornellaia 2010

Antinori Bolgheri Superiore DOC $100.00 LCBO#986380

Antinori Toscana IGT $99.75 LCBO#986786

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore DOC $185.00 LCBO#722470

Luscious blackcurrant fragrances cleverly intertwine with complex balsamic undertones and lofty menthol accents. Refined, velvety mouth-filling Bolgheri of amazing depth and character. ☆☆☆☆☆ 96

Clean, appealing bouquet of ripe red berries displaying hints of cedar and sweet vanilla undertones. Sapid, complex tangy mouth with savoury mineral accents lingering on a warm, longlasting finish. ☆☆☆☆ 94

Ontario

Ontario

Ontario

Ontario

Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Bollicine 2012

Rose Brut 2012

Aglianico 2011

Vieni Estates Wine and Spirits Vinemount Ridge VQA $24.95 private sale/collection

Vieni Estates Wine and Spirits Ontario VQA $24.95 private sale/collection

Vieni Estates Wine and Spirits Ontario VQA $29.95 private sale/collection

Vieni Estates Wine and Spirits Vinemount Ridge $29.95 private sale/collection

Intriguing bouquet of lime aromas combined with hay and fir tree undertones.

Sharp, crispy grassy sauvignon with lingering fresh lime flavours. ☆☆☆ 86

Nice bouquet of dry goldenberries with yeasty, nutty undertones. Suave, fruity sparkling wine with a fresh, crispy finish. ☆☆☆ 88

Delicate red cranberry aromas intertwine with soft floral undertones. Sharp, tangy slightly tannic sparkling rosé of fine perlage lingering on pink grapefruit flavours. ☆☆☆ 88

Intricate bouquet mixing mulberry and elderberry aromas with soft mineral undertones. Nice, warm mouthfilling red wine with robust tannins lingering on a tangy finish recalling sour cherries. ☆☆☆ 87

PA N O R A M I TA L I A . C O M

Rich and distinguished blackberry aromas graciously mix with complex smokey cedar undertones. Dense, luscious, velvety red wine with powerful well-tamed tannins and a warm persistent spicy finish. ☆☆☆☆☆ 96

CANADIAN WINES

2017

Toronto OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 17-32_Layout 1 13-10-01 9:12 AM Page 29

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FOOD

Caffè Sospeso / Suspended Coffee Next time you’re in line for your morning double double, how about buying a cup of coffee for someone you’ll never meet?

It’s a freshly brewed trend with old Italian roots that has been spreading across Canada.

By Daniela DiStefano uite fittingly the tradition of “caffè sospeso,” or “suspended coffee,” as it’s known, dates back around the time of the Second World War in Naples – a city that prides itself on excellent coffee. A customer at a café would pay for two cups of coffee – one for himself and one for someone less fortunate who happened to come along. The baristas would keep a log and serve a cup of coffee to anyone who would enter and ask, “Is there anything suspended?”

In Italy’s boom years the beautiful custom began to dwindle, but as unemployment continues to rise and small businesses keep closing in recent tough economic times, the humble tradition has been revived for Italians who can no longer afford the national beverage. The old Neapolitan custom has even secured its own holiday – “Suspended Coffee Day” – on December 10, with the support of community organizations and generous coffee purchasers. Social media campaigns have also brought the movement back to people’s attention, and the Suspended Coffees global Facebook page launched in March has garnered over 110,000 likes.

It has since spread to other countries in the European Union such as Bulgaria, Spain and France, and now across the Atlantic as a stylish way to show generosity. In an anonymous act of caffeinated kindness the donor and recipient never meet, but the simple gesture leaves them with a better outlook on life even if it’s just for the time it takes to drink their beverage.

Here in Canada, a number of coffee shops in Quebec, Ontario and Alberta have had customers paying it forward with coffees for unsuspecting patrons, proving the giving spirit continues to be contagious. This past summer, anonymous customers at Tim Hortons coffee shops in Toronto, Ottawa and Edmonton bought coffees for the next 500 people in line, and the media attention to these acts has spurred hundreds more to pay for a coffee or two at their local java shop.

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“It’s a small gesture that goes a long way for someone who may be having a rough day and could use a little pick-me-up to brighten their mood,” says Christina Crupi, who is a regular “pay it forward” coffee purchaser at her local coffee shop in Woodbridge. “At the same time it also provides the person buying the coffee the same lifted spirit. It really makes your day.”

So what exactly are they putting in coffee? Whatever it is, it’s making a lot of us more generous. A prepaid cup of coffee has become a symbol of human solidarity in a society that’s become increasingly disconnected from community interactions. Whether you choose to pay for the Americano of the car behind you in the drive thru line or put $10 towards a coffee shop’s suspended coffee list, a little extra pep in your step for the day is almost guaranteed.

At the Homegrown Hamilton coffee shop, the Italian tradition has been embraced to support the local community. “The movement really matched what we already believe in,” says owner Mike Pattison, whose shop has been promoting the initiative since the spring. When customers stop by they can purchase a hot beverage or even food to be added on the suspended list. If someone forgets their wallet, is in between paychecks or out on the street, they are welcome to come in and ask for something suspended.

“The word spread fairly quickly, and people who had never visited us before began coming in just to take part in the movement,” says Pattison. “We had one woman who drove here just to purchase 20 coffees because she was so impressed with the idea.”

Pattison says it’s hard to sum up the experience of being part of the suspended coffee initiative and the feeling of paying it forward, but it’s a tradition he hopes will keep its positivity and integrity. “Amidst all the negativity there’s still good in this world.” Just look into your cup of coffee to find it.

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AUTHENTIC A UTHENTIC

INTRODUCING

ARANCINI

SSTONE TONE BBAKED AKED CR CRUST UST

AUTHENTIC RICE BALLS

MARGHERITA

/PIZZAVILLEINC /PIZZA AVILLEINC /PIZZAVILLE /PIZZAVILLE

736 36 36

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FOOD

How to Make Homemade Potato Gnocchi Recipes by Chef Franca Mazza

Photography by Michel Ostaszewski

Gnocchi were created in the 16th century thanks to the introduction of potatoes on Italian soil. Since then, they have remained practically unchanged, and today they are commonplace throughout Italy.

T

hese small, round pieces of dough can be either boiled in water or broth and served with a number of sauces. While the dish has a doughy, uninspired look, its appearance belies its taste.

Although gnocchi are usually made with mashed potatoes, they can also be prepared using several types of flour or foods such as wheat, rice, bran, tubers or various green vegetables such as spinach or green peas, depending on the region. Gnocchi are especially esteemed in Rome, where they are made solely from flour.

The dish can be prepared in various colours by simply adding a few ingredients such as a spoonful of tomato paste, squid ink or boiled spinach.

Preparation 90 minutes

Tools • Gnocchi roller board • Potato ricer or vegetable mill • Cooking knife

Ingredients (Serves 6-8) • 2 pounds (1 kg) russet potatoes (about 6 potatoes) • 1 egg • 6 cups (780 g) all-purpose flour and more for rolling • 1 pinch of salt *some cooks add either pepper, nutmeg or olive oil to the mix.

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Instructions After scrubbing the skins of the potatoes, boil them whole in salt water for about an hour or until tender (or until their skin breaks). Drain potatoes but do not cool them. Then peel them while they are still warm by holding a rag. Pass potatoes through a vegetable mill or a potato ricer onto a clean pasta board that’s been covered with flour. Discard potato peels right away, as they get really sticky and hard to clean afterwards.

Mound the potatoes on your work surface (marble or granite is best). Make a well in the centre, sprinkling all over with flour (make sure to use all the flour). Add the egg and salt into the well and beat the egg using a fork or your fingers. Gradually incorporate the flour and potatoes into the egg mixture from inside the inner edge of the rim, expanding the well and making sure it retains its shape until the dough starts to form. Add more flour if it seems too sticky, but watch out not to add too much or the gnocchi will be overly dry.

Once the dough starts coming together, knead gently until a ball is formed. Knead for another 4-5 minutes until your ball reaches a firm consistency and is dry to the touch.

Divide into three to four pieces and roll each ball into 1-inch (3 cm) wide cylinders of about 12 inches (30 cm) long, adding a pinch of flour every time. Let the cylinder

form by gently rolling the dough with the palm of your hand, not your fingers as it will stick to them. Your dowels should be neither too soft nor too hard. Cut them into 1-inch (3 cm) pieces or bigger, depending on whether you prefer big or small gnocchi. Lightly knead the resulting small gnocchi by sprinkling them with flour before rolling and slightly pressing them on a fork or a gnocchi roller board. Don't worry if the pieces are not all the same. Then set them aside on a floured plate or pan to prevent them from sticking to one another.

If your sauce is ready, simply throw your gnocchi into hot salted water and boil for 2-3 minutes. Your gnocchi are cooked when they start rising to the surface. *The dough softens as you go along, so you have to hurry to roll your whole batch as quickly as possible. *If you want to keep or freeze your gnocchi, boil them until they float to the surface. Then quickly put them in a cold-water bath for about five minutes.

Transfer to a pan, drizzle with olive oil and put them straight into the freezer, as they will be easier to store afterwards in food freezer bags.

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FOOD

Gnocchi and Tomato Sauce Tomato sauce ingredients • 1 chopped onion • 4 chopped garlic cloves • 12 vine-ripe red tomatoes • Fresh basil to taste • 4 tbsp. (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil • Coarse sea salt to taste • 18 oz. (500 g) fresh gnocchi

Instructions Start boiling gnocchi. In a skillet over high heat, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil for 2-3 minutes.

Add tomatoes and salt, reduce heat, and cook for 15 minutes. Run sauce through a food mill until smooth (optional). Place sauce in pot and cook for 5 more minutes. Top with fresh basil. As soon as the gnocchi are ready, transfer them to the pot and coat with sauce.

Potato and Green Pea Gnocchi with Sage, Butter and Pecorino Tartufato Ingredients • 1/2 pound (225 g) of butter • 5 oz. (150 g) grated pecorino tartufato • Sage to taste (3 to 5 leaves) • 18 oz. (500 g) gnocchi • 2 pounds (1 kg) russet potatoes (about 6 potatoes) • 1 egg • 6 cups (780 g) all-purpose flour or more for rolling • 18 ounces (500 g) frozen green peas • 1 pinch of salt

Instructions Purée frozen green peas in a blender and set aside. Once potatoes are ready, slowly start incorporating purée to the mashed potatoes adding flour as you go along. Knead the dough uniformly and start rolling and cutting your gnocchi a bit at the time until done.

Start boiling water. In a pan, slowly melt butter at low heat. When butter is half-melted, add sage leaves. As soon as the gnocchi are ready, transfer them to the pan and coat with melted butter, cover with grated pecorino tartufato, and add salt and pepper to taste.

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LIVING ITALIAN STYLE

Go to panoramitalia.com and click on “Living Italian Style” to submit your profile!

Romina Colabufalo Occupation: Teacher at Christ the King Catholic School Age: 26 Generation: Second Dad from: Minturno (Latina), Lazio Mom from: Roseto (Foggia), Puglia Speaks: English & Italian Raised in: Toronto Clothes: J brand jeans, Talula, Aritzia top, BCBG jacket, Expression boots, Michael Kors watch.

Favourite designer: Alexander McQueen and Gucci.

Fashion idol: Jennifer Lopez Passion: Fashion, beauty, fitness and travel.

Goal in life: To be happy, healthy and make a difference.

Pet peeve: Bad drivers Favourite dish: Pasta e fagioli Best pizza in Toronto: Libretto Best caffè in Toronto: La Casa Dolce Type of wine: Brunello Italian saying or quote: My Nonna would say: “Mangia, che ti fai grande.”

You know you are Italian when or if: When you clean your plate with a piece of bread (“scarpetta”).

Favourite Italian city: 36

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Positano and Venice Best Italian song: Giulia by DJ Lhasa Italian soccer team: Juventus Sexiest Italian: El Shaarawy and Sebastian Giovinco.

Best way to feel Italian: Visiting St. Clair during World and Euro Cup What you like most about Panoram: Panoram is a great way for Italian-Canadians to be presented with information that unites and renews all that our heritage has to offer, and it joins our culture through its focus on contributions, history, diversity, beauty and more.

Best memory growing up ItalianCanadian: Getting to lick the spatula after Nonna has just prepared biscotti.

My favourite Italian dessert: Tiramisù and Bomba

Claudia Scali Occupation: Marketing Age: 27 Generation: Second Mom & dad from: Reggio Calabria, Calabria Speaks: English, French and a little bit of Italian Raised in: Toronto Clothes: Marciano dress, Lady Dutch jacket, Sam Edelman shoes.

Favourite boutique: Tinge Favourite designer: Gucci Fashion idol: Jennifer Lopez Passion: I am very passionate about health, fitness, family and food!

Goal in life: Start my own business, be a wife and mother and never stop pursuing my dreams.

Thing about you that would surprise most people: I am a fitness competitor/model and recently came in the top 20 at the Miss Universe Canada pageant.

Restaurant: Joso’s Favourite dish: Anything from Nonna’s kitchen Best pizza in Toronto: Queen Margherita Best caffè in Toronto: Dark Horse Best panino in Toronto: Fusaro’s Kitchen

Type of wine: Del Dotto Pinot Noir Italian saying: “Vivere senza rimpianti.”

You know you are Italian when or if: In all your childhood photos you had Italian socks on up to your knees.

Last time you went to Italy: Summer 2011 Favourite Italian city: Rome and Sorrento Best Italian song: Con Te Partirò

by Andrea Bocelli Italian soccer team: Inter Sexiest Italian: Fabio Cannavaro Best way to feel Italian: Taking a stroll along College St. and having a gelato.

Best memory growing up ItalianCanadian: Making homemade sauce in the garage with the entire family.

Toronto OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 33-48_Layout 1 13-10-01 9:16 AM Page 37

LIVING ITALIAN STYLE

Chiara Palandra

Mathew Marrelli Occupation: Product Advisor at Oakville Toyota Age: 23 Generation: Second Dad from: Montalto Uffugo (Cosenza), Calabria Mom from: Dryden, Ontario Speaks: Italian & English Raised in: Oakville, Ontario Clothes: Pal Zileri jacket, Hugo Boss shirt and belt, RA-RE pants, Johnston & Murphy shoes.

Fashion idol: Roberto Cavalli Passion: Anything with four wheels.

Goal in life: Living a long, healthy, and happy life while impacting everyone I meet in a positive way.

Thing about you that would surprise most people: I’m a big country music fan.

Pet peeve: People who don’t give you the wave when you let them in your lane.

Restaurant: Marcello's Favourite dish: Osso Buco Best pizza in Toronto: Peppino Oven Best caffè in Toronto: The espresso machine in my kitchen.

Favourite vino: My Nonno's Italian saying: “Del male non fare

e paura non avere.”

Last time you went to Italy: Last month Favourite Italian city: Milan Best Italian song: Albachiara by Vasco Rossi Italian soccer team: Inter Milan Sexiest Italian: Giorgia Palmas Best way to feel Italian in your city: Heading to a café on a Sunday, watching the soccer games with an espresso and cannoli.

What you like most about Panoram: How it brings local Italian businesses together and creates a great sense of community.

Best memory growing up ItalianCanadian: Watching other kids take out there boloney sandwiches at school and pulling out an oil soaked brown bag with a fresh pepper sandwich.

Occupation: Student in Child Development at Seneca King Age: 20 Generation: Third Dad’s side from: Monteleone (Foggia), Puglia Mom’s side from: Pachino (Siracusa), Sicily Speaks: English Raised in: Richmond Hill Clothes: Dynamite blazer, blouse and jeans, Steve Madden boots, Pandora and Michael Kors jewelry.

Make up: Sephora & MAC Boutique: Dynamite, PINK Designer: Michael Kors Fashion idol: Mila Kunis, Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez.

Passion: Working with children Goal in life: To be a positive influence in children’s lives Thing about you that would surprise most people: I’m an Italian that doesn’t like tomatoes Restaurant: Joia Favourite dish: Penne alla vodka Best caffè in Toronto: Aroma Espresso Bar Best panino in Toronto: St. Lawrence Market Favourite aperitivo: Antipasto con prosciutto e melone Describe your ideal night out in Toronto: Dining and dancing on

College Street with friends.

Italian saying or quote: “Che sarà, sarà.”

You know you are Italian when or if: Your cantina is filled with tomato sauce, wine and homemade prosciutto.

Best Italian song: La vita è by Nek Italian soccer team: Juventus Sexiest Italian: Aren’t we all?

Best way to feel Italian in Toronto: Having a cannoli from Francesca’s bakery.

How long have you been reading Panoram? Since 2011 What you like most about Panoram: It’s a magazine that entertains all ages.

Most common name in your family: Matteo (8+) Best memory growing up ItalianCanadian: Watching and celebrating Italy’s world cup win in 2006.

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FASHION 1.

2.

3.

4.

9.

5.

6.

10.

12.

11.

13.

14.

8.

18.

15.

16.

17.

L E G E N D

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1. Dior Fall Winter 2. Dior Fall Winter 3. Dior Fall Winter 4. Salvatore Ferragamo 5. Salvatore Ferragamo 6. Bottega Veneta 7. Fratelli Rossetti 8. Guess by Marciano 9, Corto Moltedo 10. Salvatore Ferragamo 11. Bottega Veneta 12. Andrea Ledaro 13. Bottega Veneta 14. Bottega Veneta 15. Loewe 16. Bottega Veneta 17. Roberto Cavalli 18. Dior Pre-Fall

Woven Wonders A look at the art of Venetian leather weaving

By Alessia Sara Domanico

The artisan shops that illuminate the narrow streets of Venice offer one of the only glimpses most people will ever get into the top secret laboratories of the local craftsmen. With their long tradition in manufacturing fine, handmade goods and accessories, Venetians are famously elusive, safeguarding their personal methods and staying mum on where they create those conversation pieces that tourists take back home in their luggage. ne particular Venetian tradition that forged a global reputation for itself is the art of antique Venetian weaving. This practice owes particular fame to luxury brands such as Bottega Veneta, the famous brand founded by spouses Vittorio and Laura Moltedo whose name literally translates to “Venetian Shop.”

Formed in the 1960s and based in the city of Vicenza, in the Veneto region, the luxury goods purveyor is best known for its signature leather-weaving technique known as intrecciato. The technique now extends to other materials such as satin, silk and cotton throughout the fashion industry.

When Bottega Veneta first began manufacturing this style, the Moltedos didn’t have sewing machines in their workshop that were designed to work with leather, only cloth. In order to master the effect, the artisans would have to use super fine leather along with a needle and thread, weaving it into the intrecciato pattern. This practice made the material stronger and more durable, as is seen today.

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The windfall experienced by Bottega Veneta prompted more and more local Venetian artisans to either adopt or increase their use of the intreccio weaving technique, as it is popularly known. As opposed to hand execution, intreccio is sometimes performed with the same loom that is used for carpet weaving. Thin strips of leather are woven together with cotton thread canvas of the same colour, making it a timeless and effortlessly chic piece.

From handbags to trolleys, shoes and smartphone cases, the top, high-end fashion houses from Hugo Boss to Gucci and Brioni have adopted the winning combination, often in the classic sense with fine leather and meticulous craftsmanship. It’s a true work of art that is perfect for the fall and winter season with accessories such as belts, bags, jackets, footwear and hats. Don’t keep it limited to leather either, ‘tis the season for woven wools and cashmeres!

Toronto OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 33-48_Layout 1 13-10-01 9:16 AM Page 39

ADVERTORIAL

By Rita Simonetta

Statement Outerwear Craftsmanship marks the work of acclaimed Toronto fashion designer Dominic Bellissimo. In a fashion world of mass production and cutting corners, Bellissimo’s craftsmanship stands apart. The internationally recognized outerwear fashion designer has built his reputation on value.

“It’s

about keeping a level of quality, craftsmanship, style and being on trend,” Bellissimo says about his philosophy on outerwear fashion. His coats are created from the finest imported fabrics from Italy or from the finest Spanish merinos, in fact, Bellissimo and his team travel to Europe regularly to scour through Italian mills and Spanish tanneries in pursuit of luxurious materials.

And it’s what Bellissimo is able to do with these fabrics and skins that make him so highly regarded.

“Even in shearling, yes, you’re dealing with a skin but a skin can still be fluid,” he explains. “It doesn’t have to be traditional. That’s been my whole career: I always look at something and think, ‘How can I make this non-traditional?’”

Craftsmanship is also essential to Bellissimo, who has been in the fashion business for over 32 years. All of his garments are hand-cut and only the finest supplements are used to complement each garment.

And it’s this passion for detail and quality that have made both clients and the fashion world take note. His collections are sold at high-end retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Hudson’s Bay, and, his designs have been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Flare, and Fashion magazines, among a slew of others. And there have been plenty design awards including the Premier’s Award.

But perhaps one of the best accolades comes from knowing that his designs are appreciated and enjoyed by customers the world over. Celebrities like Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere have donned Bellissimo outerwear, but the designer gets as much kick out of seeing his collections on the streets of Toronto, New York or Berlin by ordinary men and women. “I just tell them I love their coat,” says Bellissimo about approaching his customers on their fashionable outerwear. “I don’t tell them I’m the designer,” he says, “but I do compliment them.”

And his success story has a link to Italy, a country that he frequents on his business trips and which is the homeland of his parents. Bellissimo’s mother and father were born in the small town of Vallelonga in Calabria, and they moved to Toronto in 1957.

He says that the need to invent was innate more than inspired by any one person or thing. “I was always creative,” says Bellissimo. “It was always in me.”

But fashion was not his first choice. When he was in high school, he considered a career as an architect. But by the time he attended the Creative Arts and Design program at Sheridan College, he had changed his mind. “My love for fashion won over my love for buildings,” he says with a smile.

And in fashion, there are moments of perfect pairings, such as the case when Bellissimo joined Hidesociety. Hidesociety was founded in 1975 and evolved to become the largest and Premier Shearling and Leather fashion house in North America.

Dominic Bellissimo In 2011 Hidesociety acquired Mallia, a design and coat manufacturer that was founded in the 1970s in Toronto with the philosophy of producing finely tailored coats. “We wanted to expand and it was the perfect opportunity. Mallia was a great company that was already established and highly regarded in Canada as the Premier Cloth Coat manufacturer,” says Bellissimo.

With Bellissimo at the helm, the label continues to offer customers a continued tradition of excellence. Every coat is manufactured at the head office in Toronto, situated near Keele Street and Lawrence Avenue.

Even after more than three decades in the business, Bellissimo is as passionate and enthusiastic as when he first began.

“Inspiration can come from anywhere,” he says. “It could come from watching people on the street and thinking, ‘Oh, I’ve never thought about that’ or even just taking two elements and putting them together that you wouldn’t think go together.”

And these inspirations always have an ultimate goal for Bellissimo. “I think the woman who buys a Dominic Bellissimo coat wants to make a statement. She wants to make an impression either walking into the room or leaving the room.”

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By Valérie Vézina

Exploring Venice and Its Secrets Venice – a one of a kind town if there ever was one – has always exuded an aura of mystery. Whether touring it by foot or by boat, there is something utterly uncanny about its total absence of automobile traffic. Nowadays, the unreal silence associated with the absence of engine noise throughout its narrow streets definitely gives the city an air of luxury. No wonder Venice is referred to as “La Serenissima”!

So

tion of a bridge across the lagoon, linking the Venice-Santa-Lucia (1850) train station to the European continent, greatly facilitated the emergence of mass tourism, as has the beautiful Marco Polo Airport, more recently.

Commercial capital to cultural capital While the old city of the Doges made its fortune in maritime trade, it is by tourism that it thrives today.

A city of seafarers, Venice had perhaps the world’s largest shipyard during the Renaissance: the Arsenale. At the height of the Republic, between 13 000 and 16 000 people were employed in the production of the famous Venetian galleys, once the cornerstones of La Serenissima’s economy. The bordering Giardini – large public gardens located in the Castello sestiere (neighbourhood) – serve today as an annex of the famous Venice Biennale. This contemporary art festival, which occurs in odd-numbered years, is certainly better than the old Carnival in terms of glamour and international appeal.

Founded in the fifth century, Venice was built on 118 small islands in the middle of a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. Thanks to its strategic position, the city was long a rival of Genoa and Constantinople with respect to port activities, even surpassing the latter at its peak. However, with the discovery of America, it gradually lost its lustre. Its fleet, ill-suited for use on the high seas, was slowly relegated to oblivion; in the process, the city lost its standing as the nerve centre of trade on the old continent.

Ruled for five centuries by the Doges (Dukes reigning atop Venice’s governing class), this once fiercely independent city-state has long been admired as a magnet for culture. Though tourists only discovered the islands in the eighteenth century, they had already become a mainstay by the nineteenth century. The 1846 construc-

So much to see and experience The best way to see Venice? Take the time to lose yourself in its maze of narrow alleys, with just a guidebook on hand. The capital of the Veneto region boasts 177 channels, 120 islands, 455 bridges and 84 churches. Notice the patina of subtly coloured exterior and interior walls that line the city’s many palaces and the beautiful arching windows through which the residents of this ancient port city have looked out into the world for centuries.

Addresses in Venice are liberally set according to neighbourhood. So, good luck finding your way around through the maze of alleys and bridges, as street numbers regularly break sequence. It is very common to walk around for an hour in one direction only to magically find oneself right back where one started from!

La Serenissima is also full of must-see secret spots, such as San Sebastiano church, located a little off the beaten track in the Dorsoduro district. The church is known for its gigantic frescos by the renowned painter Veronese, adorning its ceilings, and for its intricate altar, carved by this same artist, whose remains are interred just to the right of the organ.

The Dorsoduro district borders the Grand Canal on its left bank and extends to the former headquarters of the Punta della Dogana, today transformed into an exhibition hall for wealthy French tycoon François Pinault’s contemporary art collection. This beautiful area is also home to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, located in Palazzo Venier dei Leoni on the edge of the Grand Canal.

The famous Piazza San Marco and its campiello, located in a district of the same name, are needless to say mandatory stops. But, be warned that in addition to tides of pigeons, it is not uncommon to find this vast square flooded with the “aqua alta” (i.e., water from the rising tide of the lagoon).

Moving along on the city’s right bank, the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Cathedral stand out as two supreme examples of gothic Venetian architecture; be prepared to face

how was this city built from scratch on top of water? Well, the buildings are erected like houses of cards on top of poles driven into sandy riverbeds, and boats are used as taxis! And, when crossing a "street”, known as “calle” or “rio”, it is either done walking across one of the city’s 400 bridges or perhaps boarding a vaporetto – a kind of marine bus operating throughout the system of canals. As for traditional gondolas, of which there are no more than 425 in operation, these tend to be too costly for daily commutes and are mostly chartered by tourists.

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VENEZIA

crowds and long queues to enter. Adjacent to the palace is the famous Bridge of Sighs, whose name comes from the prisoners who used to cross it on their way to a “New Prison” nearby. From the adjacent Riva degli Schiavoni, one can enjoy the view of the San Marco basin, the Punta della Dogana and San Giorgio Maggiore church, designed by Andrea Palladio. This striking vista is perhaps the most photographed in Venice.

To escape the turmoil, the Castello district to the northeast offers the opportunity to discover the daily life of Venetians through its various “campielli.” These pretty little city squares are especially bustling during aperitivo (cocktail) hour.

The sestiere Cannaregio is known for its quiet streets and the laid-back attitude of its residents. It once infamously housed one of Europe’s first Jewish ghettos, which Napoleon put an end to during the First Empire. Worth discovering in its vicinity are the

hidden gardens of Savorgnan palace, built in the seventeenth century, as well as the church of San Geremia.

The sestieri of Santa Croce and San Polo, where one finds the Rialto Bridge, the Mercato del Pesce (fish market), and the beautiful church and the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, are the most lively and popular areas for tourists.

But unquestionably, Venice’s most impressive attraction remains the Grand Canal, which Flemish chronicler, Philip Commynes, described in 1495 as “the most beautiful street in the world, surrounded by the most beautiful structures”. To this day, many of the palaces that line the area bear the prefix “Ca”, which remind us of their aristocratic origins, such as Ca'Rezzonico, Ca'Dario, Ca'Pisani or Ca'd'Oro, the latter being arguably the most famous of them all.

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By Stephanie Grella

The Enduring Traditions of Venice Venetian streets are filled with historic mementos that are a testament to its status as one of Italy’s most remarkable cities.

Each artistic wonder and long-standing tradition comes with a story imbued with the triumph and passion that continue to entice tourists to this maritime republic.

Venetian masks

The Horses of St. Mark

The Winged Lion of Venice

“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask and he will tell you the truth.” – Oscar Wilde.

From the thirteenth century until 1797, the tradition of Venetian masks reflected Wilde’s notion of concealed identity. During this period, the Veneto Republic upheld its reputation as one of the wealthiest regions in Italy. Venetian masks were luxuries that allowed citizens to choose their own identities, despite their social standings.

“When customers try on the masks, they feel different, and the mask quickly changes their character,” says Marta Tuscher, Venetian mask artist at Spirit of Venezia in Toronto. “That’s how it was in Medieval Venice: whatever mask people chose, they tried to embody that persona. It’s incredible how much of a lifestyle these masks created.”

However, with hidden identities came mischievous behaviour, including gambling and theft. Due to continuous criminality, the Venetian government eventually outlawed the wearing of masks. It wasn’t until the 1970s that a group of students revived the tradition in Venice, bringing back the mystery and excitement of Venetian masks.

Made of gilded copper, the Horses of St. Mark, also called the Quadriga, stand tall atop San Marco Basilica. Acquired by the Republic of Venice in 1204 after Western European armies ransacked Constantinople, the four life-sized horses are constant reminders of Venice’s global connections. “To me, the horses are both a symbol of Venice and of the violence of history,” says Pietro Giordan, Chair of the Department of Languages, Literature and Linguistics at York University. “Since Venice played the role of cultural bridge between Europe and the Middle East, the horses represent that kind of (close) otherness that played such an important role in the construction of Venetian culture.”

And part of this culture remains within the transient history of the Quadriga; the horses were taken to Paris from Venice under Napoleon’s reign, and then repatriated to Italy in 1815. From the First World War to the next, the horses were protected in various parts of Italy until they were permanently placed in the museum of San Marco Basilica for conservation.

Since 1977, replicas of the Quadriga have replaced the originals atop the Basilica.

The Winged Lion of Venice honours the city’s Patron Saint, Mark the Evangelist. Legend holds that Venetian merchants stole the body of the apostle Mark from Egypt, and on their return home, St. Mark himself appeared to the captain and saved the merchants from a vicious storm. In thanks for this miraculous rescue, the city bestowed St. Mark as Venice’s patron saint. An alternative legend tells of an angel who appeared in one of St. Mark’s dreams, indicating that one day, Venice would become his resting place. Despite contentious beliefs, the emblematic Winged Lion is a ubiquitous reminder of St. Mark’s role as protector of Venice.

Beyond the legends associated with religion, there are also other societal and political motivations for the famous statue, according to Dr. Sarah Rolfe Prodan, Fellow at the Centre for Renaissance and Restoration at the University of Toronto. “The lion came to symbolize authority and the political ascendancy of Venice’s expanding dominion over the Italian mainland. By the fourteenth century, Venice had grown to be a powerful maritime republic.”

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Venerable Venetian Cuisine

By Amanda Fulginiti

10 of the most popular dishes in Venice The mythical city of Venice – unique in location as it is in its cuisine. For a lover of seafood there is no better place to sample a wide range of underwater catches since Venice relies heavily on the bounty collected from its lagoon. The Rialto Market is overflowing daily, from tiny snails called bovoleti to razor clams called cape longhe. For those faint of stomach, fret not. Venetian cuisine is varied and the well-known tradition of sampling small bites over big meals will allow you to dabble rather than commit. The following list presents 10 of the most popular and typical dishes to be found in Venice. Evviva la cucina Veneziana!

1. Cicchetti Nothing signals aperitivo time like cicchetti, small snacks unique to the bars of Venice. This is an excellent way to sample a variety of Venetian specialties without breaking the bank: ranging from about 1 to 3 Euros. Sometimes, however, you will pay extra for your drink and the treats are served buffet style at the bar. Choices vary from one bacari (small, local bars) or osteria (a small, simple restaurant) in Venice to the next. As fish is a staple of the Venetian diet, there are usually many seafood offerings options like fried smelts, shrimp or calamari. Traditional salt cod, baccalà, may be prepared as a salad or spread for toast.

Other popular cicchetti items include small sandwiches, plates of charcuterie, meatballs, marinated olives or grilled vegetables, fried cheeses and rice balls called arancini. One could make a whole meal out of cicchetti nibbles, and it will probably be cheaper, better and done in a more local atmosphere than any restaurant in Venice.

Servings start around 6 pm so get your cicchetti crawl on!

2. Ombra & Spritz Don't forget an ombra or small glass of wine to go with your cicchetti (the word “ombra” literally translated means shadow/shade). The tradition dates to when a portable wine bar scooted with the shadow of the Campanile bell tower across St. 44

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Mark’s Square. Stick with a vino bianco, vino rosso or prosecco and simply enjoy the basic house offerings that only cost a Euro or two each. Or, you might want to try another truly Venetian experience: a Spritz. This refreshing aperitif consists of wine or prosecco, sparkling water and liqueur, typically Aperol or Campari. Cin cin!

3. Seppia al nero Cuttlefish in black Seppia al nero is a classic first dish in Venice.

Chefs take the ink sack of the cuttlefish and pour it directly into the sauce where it will then turn a deep black colour. Venetians often grill the meat of the cuttlefish, which is sweet, and serve it on either a bed of linguine or risotto. It’s perhaps not the best dish to order on a date as it turns your entire mouth black and stains your teeth a bit.

4. Sarde in saor Marinated sardines This is a typical first dish and definitely the most popular in Venice. After the sardines are cleaned and fried, they are placed in a simple agrodolce (sweet and sour) marinade of vinegar, onions, raisons and pine nuts. The combination of sweet and sour put canned versions to shame.

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5. Fegato alla venesiana Venetian liver Known for its simplicity, Fegato alla venesiana is enjoyed even by those who do not typically like eating liver.

It consists of finely sliced calf liver that is cooked together with chopped and gently stewed onions, and usually served with polenta.

6. Baccalà Mantecato Mantecato cod fish A common delicacy served throughout Venetian cicchetti bars, baccalà is codfish that’s boiled, skinned, and literally beaten to a pulp. As an antipasto it is spread on fresh bread, or over grilled polenta, another staple of the Veneto diet.

7. Granseola Spider crab Arranged delicately on your plate, pasta is served with a light, fresh tomato sauce from the spider crab’s shell. Not only is this plate delicious, but it makes for some great artistic photos.

8. Folpetti consi Boiled baby octopus For the adventurous foodies, these small young octopuses are boiled typically with carrots and celery until tender, and then seasoned lightly with oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

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9. Carpaccio di tonno Tuna carpaccio This is an excellent light lunch or first dish option.

The original version is made with paper-thin slices of beef drizzled with a light balsamic vinaigrette, but since fish is at its freshest in this historic city it is quite common to use steak-like fish such as tuna or swordfish.

10. Tiramisù There are many who would say you cannot leave Venice without indulging in this dessert, as it is argued that tiramisù was first created here. The original recipe called for custard and only recently has Mascarpone cheese been substituted. The basic ingredients are eggs, mascarpone cheese, Savoiardi cookies (or ladyfingers), cream, espresso coffee, and sometimes liquor like brandy, marsala, and rum. The whole thing is topped with a little bit of sugar and cocoa or shaved chocolate. Creamy and delicious, this treat will definitely give you the energy needed to endlessly wander the labyrinth that is Venice!

Where to go • For a real fish inspired cichetti experience head to Il Paradiso Perduto.

Fondamenta della Misericordia, 2540 Venice, Italy +39 041 720581.

• Whether you want to enjoy some aperitivo while admiring the Rialto or sharing a romantic dinner with that special someone, Taverna del Campiello Remer is a true gem of Venice.

• Be sure to hit up Cantinone gia' Schiavi. This 19th century bacaro is most known for its wine cellar! They have some of the most wildly inventive cichetti like smoked swordfish!

• Charming and intimate, Osteria ai 4 Feri is as authentic as it gets when it comes to local cuisine. Try the pesce fritte.

• If you are dying to try Seppia al nero then head to Al Profeta. Better known for its delicious, large pizzas, this restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes for both the adventurous and cautious of customers. Best part: you can eat underneath the stars of Venice in their backyard courtyard.

• Serving up an abundance of varied cicchetti is the famous Alla Vedova.

Do not miss out on the polpettine (little meatballs) or their sepe roste (roasted squid without its ink) and their folpeti consi (baby octopus boiled with vegetables).

• Off the beaten tracks, Osteria La Bottega ai Promessi Sposi serves one of the best sarde in saor – perfect blend of acidity and sweetness.

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COVER STORY

Veneto Two different experiences, the same sense of belonging

By Vanessa Santilli

Clara Ceolin and Sandro Zoppi both feel a connection to the Veneto region. While Ceolin immigrated to Canada from Venice when she was a teenager, Zoppi was born in Toronto and lived in his family’s hometown of Paese for one year. But while different paths brought these “Veneti” to Toronto, they both share a sense of belonging to their northern Italian heritage. or Ceolin, the many decades that have passed since her arrival in Canada with her family in 1951 don’t diminish the strong emotions that always take hold when returning to her roots in the Veneto region. “Especially when I get to Venice, I feel really emotional,” says Ceolin, the cultural coordinator at the Veneto Centre based in Woodbridge, Ont. “We’ve arrived sometimes by boat on a cruise, we've arrived by airplane – different ways – but every time I see it, I get very emotional."

Her father, who was a tour guide, and her native land, gave her a strong appreciation for art and “things that were done centuries and centuries ago.”

“Having had my father as a guide, as a child I often went with him and groups of people so I really appreciated Venice very early on in life...Being able to visit all sorts of buildings and seeing what they contained – it's mind-boggling.”

From the beautiful St. Mark’s Basilica with its five domes and Byzantine mosaics to famous works of art by artists from the region including Tintoretto and Giovanni Bellini, the cultural treasures of Venice are many.

“The older I get and the more I learn about Venice, the more I am in awe of all the things that they did 1,000 years ago or even earlier,” says Ceolin, of the city that was built to last. “The downtown area has not changed in the last century. It's stayed the same.”

What has changed, though, is the economy. “With the (economic) crisis all over the world, the last few years have not been good,” she says. “The people that finish university are trying to go somewhere else.”

And although Ceolin is a fountain of knowledge on her native Venice, she is still learning more about her roots through her work on the Veneto Centre’s program on CHIN Radio called Ciacoe Venete (which translates to talking about Veneto). The radio show is now in its ninth year. “I’m constantly doing research for material on Venice and I usually come up with certain things I didn't know.”

Sandro Zoppi, who was born in Toronto, has found his belonging to the Veneto region through the community at the Veneto Centre.

He recalls studying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in law school and learning about Canada being made up of two distinct societies: French and English, along with mention of the aboriginal peoples. “It didn't mention anyone else,” says Zoppi, who lived in his parents' hometown of Paese during his Grade 9 year. “I remember thinking to myself, then who am I? Which team do I belong to? And I went and I joined the Veneto Centre.” He found what he was looking for. As a bonus, it was through being a part of this cultural hub that he met his future wife.

Returning to the Veneto region over the years, he’s noticed quite a few changes including significant growth in the city of Paese, where his parents grew up as next-

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door neighbours. “There is no longer any farmland between Treviso and Paese and it is all one,” he says.“When I was younger, everyone would come home, wait for two hours and then go back to work,” says Zoppi, of the typically longer European lunch breaks Italians are so accustomed to. “Now they’re not coming home for lunch.”

He has many fond memories of his family’s homeland, such as learning to ride a bicycle. "To me, it seemed the whole world moved on bicycles at the time."

Most of the traditions from Veneto they're carrying on today centre around the kitchen, he says. “You've got your baccalà that's made on Good Friday and Christmas Eve and crostoli are made around carnival – but my mom makes them all throughout the winter.”

Looking forward, to keep the next generation interested in the cultural hub, Zoppi says they have organized events geared to young families, including a Christmas breakfast and an event for young children where carnevale costumes and masks are explained.

A board member for many years, he started the Veneto Cycling Club, which has soared to 130 members, most of whom are in their 30s and 40s, he says.

“Next month, a couple of us are going to go over to scout a route in Veneto because next year we'd like to do the Giro del Veneto on our bicycles. We're specifically going there because we're Veneti and there is a connection. We'll wear the Veneto Cycling Club badge on our jerseys.”

Top: Clara Ceolin Next page: Sandro Zoppi On the cover: Sandro Zoppi, Clara Ceolin and Manuela Hanley of the Veneto Centre.

Photography by Gregory Varano

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COVER STORY

Veneto Due esperienze diverse, stessa appartenenza Clara Ceolin e Sandro Zoppi sono entrambi legati al Veneto. Da Venezia, Ceolin è emigrata in Canada quando era ancora adolescente. Zoppi è nato a Toronto e ha vissuto nel paese d’origine della sua famiglia per un anno. I due veneti sono arrivati a Toronto per due strade diverse, ma è lo stesso senso di appartenenza che li lega alle loro radici del Nord Italia. onostante i tanti anni trascorsi dal suo arrivo in Canada con la sua famiglia nel 1951, è sempre una grande emozione per Ceolin tornare in Veneto.

“Specialmente quando vado a Venezia, è davvero emozionante – dice Ceolin, coordinatrice culturale del Veneto Centre di Woodbridge, in Ontario – A volte siamo arrivati per mare con la nave, a volte con l’aereo. Modi diversi, ma ogni volta che la vedo, mi sento molto emzionata”.

Suo padre, una guida turistica, e la sua terra natia, le hanno trasmesso la passione per l’arte e per “quello che è stato fatto secoli e secoli fa. Con mio padre come guida, da bambina sono spesso andata con lui e con gruppi di persone, quindi ho potuto apprezzare Venezia sin da giovanissima. Ho potuto visitare tanti tipi di palazzi, vedere cosa c’era dentro... È straordinario!” Dalla bellissima Basilica di San Marco con le sue cinque cupole e con i mosaici bizantini, alle famose opere d’arte di artisti della regione quali Tintoretto e Giovanni Bellini, i tesori culturali di Venezia sono innumerevoli.

“Più invecchio e conosco meglio Venezia, più sono strabiliata da tutto ciò che hanno fatto mille o più anni fa – dice Ceolin della città costruita per l’eternità – Il centro non è cambiato nell’ultimo secolo. È rimasto lo stesso”. Quello che è cambiato, tuttavia, è l’economia. “Con la crisi economica in tutto il mondo, gli ultimi anni non sono stati buoni – dice – La gente che ha finito l’università prova ad andare altrove”.

Ceolin è una fonte di sapere quando si tratta della sua Venezia. È attraverso il suo programma di CHIN Radio per il Veneto Centre, intitolato “Ciacoe Venete (ovvero, parlando del Veneto), che sta imparando di più sulle sue origini. Il programma ha già nove anni. “Cerco costantemente del materiale su Venezia e, di solito, finisco per scoprire cose che non sapevo”.

Sandro Zoppi, italocanadese nato a Toronto, ha scoperto il suo legame col Veneto attraverso la comunità del Veneto Centre. Ricorda di aver studiato la Carta Canadese dei Diritti e delle Libertà presso la facoltà di legge e di aver imparato che il Canada è composto di due distinte società: quella francese e quella inglese, con un accenno alle popolazioni aborigene.

“Non v’era menzione di nessun altro – dice Zoppi, che ha vissuto nel paese d’origine dei suoi genitori durante la prima superiore – Ricordo di aver pensato, “allora chi sono io? A quale gruppo appartengo?” e fu così che mi sono associato al Veneto Centre”. Aveva trovato quello che cercava. In più, è stato grazie al centro culturale che ha incontrato la sua futura moglie.

Tornando in Veneto nel corso degli anni, ha notato parecchi cambiamenti tra cui una crescita significativa del paese, dove i suoi genitori erano cresciuti nell’atmosfera di un piccolo vicinato. “Non ci sono più le fattorie tra Treviso e il paese, è tutt’uno” dice.

“Quando ero più giovane, tutti tornavano a casa, ci restavano per un paio d’ore e poi tornavano a lavoro – dice Zoppi a proposito delle lunghe pause pranzo europe a cui gli italiani sono tanto abituati – Ora non tornano più a casa per pranzo.” Zoppi ha cari ricordi della tua terra natia della sua famiglia, come l’aver imparato ad andare in bicicletta. “Mi sembrava che il mondo intero si spostasse in bicicletta all’epoca”.

La maggior parte delle tradizioni che oggi i veneti portano avanti girano intorno alla cucina, dice. “Il baccalà si fa di Venerdì Santo e per la Vigilia di Natale e nel periodo di Carnevale si fanno i crostoli. Mia madre, però, li fa tutto l’inverno.”

Guardando avanti, per mantenere vivo l’interesse, Zoppi dice che il Veneto Centre ha organizzato degli eventi specifici per le giovani famiglie, tra cui la colazione di Natale e un evento per i più piccoli, per spiegare le maschere e i costumi di Carnevale. Membro del comitato da ormai molti anni, Zoppi ha fondato il Veneto Cycling Club che ha raggiunto una quota di 130 membri, la maggior parte dei quali hanno tra i 30 e i 40 anni, dice. “Il prossimo mese due di noi andranno in Veneto per scovare un percorso perché il prossimo anno vorremmo fare il Giro del Veneto con le nostre bici. Andiamo proprio lì perché siamo veneti e c’è un legame. Indosseremo lo stemma del Veneto Cycling Clumb sulle magliette”.

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VENEZIA

By Alessia Sara Domanico

Waterfront Properties The lowdown on the most renowned Venetian palaces of the Grand Canal “A realist, in Venice, would become a romantic by mere faithfulness to what he saw before him.” This observation by British poet Arthur Symons is expressed each and every day by thousands of newcomers whose gaze skims across the narrow waterways, Byzantine piazzas, picture perfect bridges and arguably the most astonishing of all: the Grand Canal and the countless “palazzi” that line either side of it.

ach of these buildings has a story (many in fact) behind its front door, all of which can be reached exclusively via boat. Today, many of these structures are accessible to the public where they house museums, modern art collections, public institutions and luxury hotels. Other buildings have remained in private possession, seldom seen from the inside, but notorious nonetheless.

Once you’ve tried on a few masks, picked up those Murano glass trinkets, admired the Tintoretto paintings of Saint Mark’s Cathedral and had an overpriced cappuccino in the main square, don’t leave Venice without a foray onto the Grand Canal, which is by far one of the most enchanting Venetian experiences to be had.

Hop on the vaporetto (the local water form of public transit) at S. Zaccaria and go palazzo hopping down the Grand Canal. Your guarantee: endless surprises and views that will take your breath away, not a bad deal if you ask us! As the vaporetto makes its way along the C-shaped canal into the heart of Venice towards the Rialto Bridge, make a point to snap a few photos and take note of these five must-see palazzi…

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Palazzo Grassi Home to a significant chunk of billionaire and philanthropist François Pinault’s eccentric and ever-growing modern art collection, construction on Palazzo Grassi began circa 1745. The affluent Grassi brothers obtained the property for its prized panoramic view and position on the Grand Canal, which at the time, was comprised by a cluster of small houses by the Campo San Samuele. The project is attributed to Venetian Giorgio Massari, an Italian Baroque architect responsible for many mid18th century civil and religious buildings in Venice.

The construction of the Palazzo was executed in a trapezoidal form that is formed around a classical courtyard, which has since been closed off by a marble floor and sunroof, incorporating it with the palazzo’s interior. The façade features a sober and elegant composition, contrasted by the opulent interiors such as the monumental staircase embellished with frescoes that leads up to an open loggia.

The deed to Palazzo Grassi has passed through many hands, it was a hotel for a

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short period and at one time belonged to Giovanni Stucky, a Swiss industrialist who would go on to build the famous mill-turned-Hilton hotel on Venice’s Giudecca island. The most significant transformations started in 1857, ordered by a wealthy banker who renovated the palazzo with Austro-Germanic accents and demolished several neighbouring houses to build a garden.

In the 20th century Palazzo Grassi would begin to serve as a cultural space for art collections and exhibitions. When the Pinault Foundation acquired Palazzo Grassi, it appointed award-winning Japanese architect Tadao Ando to simplify and salvage the building’s architectural elements and create a neutral space for a functional museum design.

Ca’ Rezzonico Just across the way from Palazzo Grassi, with its own stop on the Vaporetto line, Ca’ Rezzonico was commissioned in the late 17th century by the aristocratic Bon family and designed by Venice’s most renowned Baroque architect Baldassare Longhena. The structure’s originators never did get the opportunity to enjoy the final result – Longhena passed away before its completion and the Bon family fell upon financial hardship and were forced to sell off the property.

Several decades later, Giambattista Rezzonico, a merchant and banker from Lombardy, purchased the palazzo and commissioned the aforementioned Giorgio Massari to complete it. The impressive façade and second floor are credited to Longhena whereas the ornate land entrance, extravagant ballroom and ceremonial staircase are the works of Massari.

The building was completed in 1758 when Rezzonico’s cousin Carlo, the Bishop of Padua, was elected Pope under the name Clement XIII. By the early 1800s there were no surviving members of the Rezzonico household to safeguard the property and so it was sold off to various owners among the years, including the famous painter Robert Barrett Browning who used it as a residence for his father. It was sold to the Venice Town Council in 1935 and has since become home to an 18th century art collection, making it a veritable time capsule for one of Venice’s most decadent periods.

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VENEZIA

Palazzo Grassi

Ca' d'Oro

Ca’ Dario Feared and revered by local Venetians and one of the subjects of Claude Monet’s Impressionist paintings, Ca’ Dario is not open to the public, and perhaps that’s a good thing considering its track record… History recounts that every owner to reside within the Canal-front palazzo has either died a violent death or come upon financial ruin. First commissioned by merchant and notary Giovanni Dario as a wedding present for his daughter Marietta, Ca’ Dario is built on an ancient burial ground which gives it a slightly tilted look when observing it from the water. The structure is Gothic with a stunning Gothic Revival balcony, while the façade is appointed with Renaissance touches such as marble polychrome. The base of the building first featured a Latin inscription that read VRBIS GENIUS JOHN DARIVS: Giovanni Dario, in honour of the genius of the city.

Defined as a “cursed mansion,” its first intended inhabitants all perished in dramatic circumstances – Marietta Dario committed suicide in the palazzo under the duress of her merchant husband’s bankruptcy, her husband was later murdered and their son died in war. The second half of the palazzo’s inscription was thereby altered to read “under an insidious destruction.”

A long list of ill-fated instances followed: Count of Turin Lanze Filippo Giordano was killed there by his male lover; Kit Lambert, former band manager of The Who died from a bad fall down a flight of stairs; wealthy siblings Fabrizio and Nicoletta Ferrari respectively went bankrupt and died in a freak car accident and financier Raul Gardini committed suicide in 1993 while he was under questioning for economic wrongdoing. It seems however that history has not deterred all new buyers, the magnificent façade is currently covered by scaffolding – word has it that an American woman has snapped up the property for over 20 million Euros and renovations are underway. Best of luck lady!

Ca’ Foscari Situated along the widest curve of the Grand Canal, Ca’ Foscari enjoys a double exposure onto the Canal of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Grand Canal. A typical

Ca' Dario

example of a noble Venetian home, the palazzo is now a public university. A former Byzantine palace that served as the residence of important captains of the Republic stood in its place before it was later sold to the Doge (Leader) of Venice, Francesco Foscari.

Foscari had the original structure demolished and a Venetian Gothic-style building constructed in its place, moving it slightly forward onto the canal bank.

Foscari would not however get to enjoy the spoils of his project as he was disgraced in 1457. King Henry III of France would later occupy the second floor of the building. The main land entrance of Ca' Foscari is ensconced within an attractive rectangular courtyard made of Istrian marble and features several student cafes for a quick bite.

Ca’ d’Oro The 15th century Gothic “House of Gold” no longer has the gold leaf accents that earned it its name, but its lacy façade, featuring intricate designs done in marble and semiprecious stone, is still considered the best in Venice, bearing a strong resemblance to the much larger Doge’s Palace in St. Mark’s Square. Different architects have put their mark on the structure, the first being the father and son team of Giovanni and Bartolomeo Bon. The ‘vera di pozzo’ well in the courtyard by Bartolomeo Bon is one of the most precious examples of a well head, which is an essential part of the traditional Gothic palace.

Many aristocratic families have lived in the Ca’ d’Oro, as well as personalities such as the Italian-Swedish ballerina Maria Taglioni who is responsible for one of the most controversial renovations to the palazzo. Taglioni ordered the removal of the original Gothic stairway and the courtyard balconies. Subsequent owner, Baron Giorgio Franchetti later restored both and donated the palazzo to the city of Venice in his will. Today, the second floor is home to the Franchetti Gallery, which boasts an extensive art collection that includes precious Venetian pieces that had been stolen by Napoleon. Highlights include Andrea Mantegna’s Saint Sebastian and Pietro Lombardo’s sculpture of the Madonna and Child completed in Carrara marble.

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Venice Canals and Streets 101 Ah, the beautiful sights of Venice! A city of hundreds of islands and endless canals where getting by on water is a daily routine.

By Rosanna Bonura nd soon, armchair travellers will able to explore Venice from the comfort of their home, thanks to technology and Google. A Google Gondola project, which is currently in the works, uses a device to photograph Venice from a boat as it floats through canals. The 360 degree panoramic images will be added to the current Street View option.

On dry land, Venice’s streets, squares and alleys were also mapped out back in the spring using the Street View Trekker, which includes a camera device mounted on a backpack. These photos are expected to appear online by the end of 2013. The muchanticipated Venetian canal images will follow.

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In the meantime, those planning a trip to Venice could benefit from brushing up on the local parlance associated with Venice’s canals and streets.

Although all streets in Venice today are paved, the term is still used.

Lista: Another historic term, this refers to a street or area where there used to be an embassy, such as Lista Dei Bari in Santa Croce and Lista Di Spagna in Cannaregio.

Strada: This simply means street in Italian. However, in Venice the only street known as strada is Strada Nova in Cannaregio. The long, shop-lined street is a must-see.

Via: Another Italian term for street. Like strada, there are very few of these in Venice.

One example is Via Garibaldi in the Castello district.

Rio Tera: A canal that has been filled in to make a street. If you look at the ground closely when walking along one of these Venetian streets, you’ll note the original sides of the canal, as different types of stones were used.

Ruga: A street with numerous shops.

Calle: The term for “street” (calli in the plural form).

Ramo: A small street leading off a larger calle.

Calle Stretta: A narrow street, which in Venice is pretty much every street. The term calletta is also used to describe an even narrower street or alleyway. Some streets stretch to only 65 centimeters wide!

Canale: A large canal. Some include Canale Grande, Canale Cannaregio, and Canale della Giudecca.

Calle Larga: A wide street.

Riello: A small canal.

Calle Lunga: A long street.

Ponte: A bridge. There are more than 400 bridges in Venice. Only 4 span the Grand Canal.

Sottoportego: A covered passageway between two buildings.

Fondamenta: A street that runs alongside a canal.

Salizzada: A term with a bit of history associated with it; salizzada refers to a street that in the olden days used to be paved, unlike the calli that were just compacted earth.

Riva: A street that runs alongside a quay where boats are anchored.

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VENEZIA

I colori del Canal Grande Claudio Ortu

La Regata Storica di Venezia La Regata Storica è un evento, tra i più importanti di Venezia, in cui lo sport è immerso nella storia. Si svolge ogni prima domenica di settembre e attrae migliaia di turisti da tutto il mondo.

hanno notizie certe del suo svolgimento sin dal XIII secolo e a partire dagli anni Cinquanta del Novecento si suddivide in due fasi: il Corteo Storico, prima, e le gare sportive, poi. Il Corteo è considerato il momento più emozionante per i Veneziani, e non solo per loro.

E’ composto da decine di imbarcazioni a remi, ricche di decorazioni e ornamenti tipici della tradizione veneziana, con vogatori e figuranti in costume d’epoca. Tra i costumi più amati ci sono certamente quelli del Doge e di Caterina Corner, regina di Cipro, che nel 1489 abdicò cedendo l’Isola alla Repubblica di Venezia. Il corteo rievoca l’accoglienza che la Serenissima riservò alla ormai ex regina al suo arrivo a Venezia.

Le barche sfilano dal Bacino di San Marco per tutto il Canal Grande fino al Rio della Croce, dove si gira al paleto, e poi si ripercorrere a ritroso lo stesso tragitto fino al punto di arrivo delle regate.

Le gare sono quattro, divise per età e imbarcazione: Regata dei giovanissimi su Pupparini a due remi; Regata delle donne su Mascarete a due remi; Regata delle Caorline a sei remi; e Regata dei Gondolini a due remi.

Nell’ultima edizione, disputata il 1° settembre 2013, hanno assistito cento mila spettatori e hanno gareggiato duecento atleti di ogni età, dai piccoli rematori di 10 anni agli adulti di sessanta. Le competizioni, che si svolgono rigorosamente tutte nella stessa giornata, sono disputate nel luogo simbolo della città lagunare: il Canal Grande.

Da lì si toccano i punti conosciuti dai turisti: i giardini di Sant’Elena, dove tutte le gare hanno inizio dallo spagheto; i Giardini di Castello; il Bacino San Marco; il Ponte Rialto; San Stae; Punta della Dogana; la Stazione Santa Lucia, dove si gira al paleto; per terminare con il traguardo alla machina, un grande palco galleggiante che ospita la tribuna, posta davanti al meraviglioso Palazzo Ca’ Foscari, sede dell’omonima università.

“Chi gira per primo al paleto, vince”, questa è sempre stata la consuetudine diventata ormai tradizione nella storia della competizione. E anche quest’anno, dopo la vittoria nel 2012, si è aggiudicato la gara più attesa, la Regata dei Gondolini, l’equipaggio marrone, composto dai fratelli Vignotto, Igor e Rudy, che ha girato per primo alla Stazione Santa Lucia. I due atleti sono arrivati alla machina con solo mezza imbarcazione di vantaggio, ma questo è stato sufficiente per portare a casa la bandiera

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rossa, prestigioso riconoscimento che spetta ai primi classificati.

E se per i primi la bandiera è rossa, quella dei secondi è bianca, dei terzi verde e dei quarti blu. La Regata Storica è una vera esplosione di colori sul Canal Grande. Non solo le bandiere ma anche le barche sono colorate. In ogni gara ci sono nove natanti, ognuno di un colore diverso e i rematori portano una fascia in vita e una sulla testa del colore della propria barca. Ogni anno, però, cambiano: ciascuna imbarcazione viene ridipinta con un colore diverso da quello dell’anno precedente, per evitare che si crei una relazione scaramantica tra un colore e l’equipaggio vincitore. Ovviamente, per nove barche ci sono nove colori: bianco, giallo canarino, viola, celeste, rosso, verde, arancio, rosa e marrone.

E a proposito di cabala e numeri, non si sa perché le barche siano precisamente nove, ma un cronista de Il Gazzettino di Venezia, nel 1935 ipotizzava che “il motivo è forse legato alla somma dei sei sestieri e delle tre isole maggiori”.

La particolarità delle barche è legata anche ai modelli, esempi tipici della tradizione navale veneziana. La più famosa nel mondo è la gondola, tradizionalmente nera prima per l’applicazione della pece, come agente impermeabile a protezione del legno, poi per imposizione da parte del Senato veneziano per fermare la competitività di sfarzo della nobiltà veneziana. La gondola, adibita al trasporto di persone, ha anche dei rigidi parametri di costruzione. E’ lunga 10,75 m e larga 1,38 m e la metà di destra dell’imbarcazione è più stretta di quella sinistra di 24 mm.

Legata alla gondola, perché ne ha il nome e la forma, ha un ruolo fondamentale nella Regata Storica il gondolino. Introdotto nel 1825, è utilizzato solo per la competizione. Le caratteristiche di manovrabilità e velocità spiegano le sue misure leggermente ridotte rispetto alla gondola.

Il gondolino è stato una delle ultime innovazioni accettate nella millenaria storia di Venezia.

Così come la sua città, la Regata è elegante, raffinata ed emozionante. E così come la città, la Regata si muove sulle braccia dei rematori. Entrambe vivono mal volentieri i motori e la velocità frenetica dell’era moderna. L’uomo a Venezia si adatta alla città, la popola distante solo la misura di un remo. Venezia e la Regata Storica si vivono così, lentamente, al ritmo delle vogate dei gondolieri.

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VENEZIA

By Sarah Mastroianni

Venice’s Struggle for Survival Throughout the course of its lengthy history, Venice – the city on the water – has become home to innumerable artistic, architectural, and cultural treasures, as well as historical figures such as Marco Polo, Antonio Vivaldi and Giacomo Casanova. But despite the city’s illustrious past, present-day Venice is in trouble. It’s only fitting that such a unique city should face an equally unique array of problems. The rising water levels, increasingly frequent occurrences of “acqua alta,” sinking foundations, a falling local population and ever-increasing throngs of tourists, have the city both literally and figuratively fighting to stay afloat.

arie Ohanesian Nardin, writer of the blog Italy to Los Angeles and Back and long time resident of Venice, weighs in on the city’s water-related struggles, commenting, “All too many times a year Venice’s residents must deal with high tide invading ground floor homes and entryways, their shops, restaurants and schools. They must prepare for such, and though the high tide may entertain tourists, it is no light matter for the locals.”

It’s during these times that sirens sound a warning throughout the streets and locals can’t do much except wait for the high tides to abate and hope that the damage is minimal.

“But Venetians are resilient people,” Nardin continues, “and take living with high tide as part of their culture; they just wish it didn’t happen so often.”

It’s looking like Venetians might actually get their wish.

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The aptly named Progetto MOSE (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico), which is currently in progress, is expected to accomplish in Venice what Mosè (Moses) did in biblical times: save the people from the water around them.

How will it reach its goal? The Progetto MOSE, governed by the Consorzio Venezia Nuova, consists of a series of electromechanical gates, which are being installed underwater at the three mouths of the Venetian lagoon: Chioggia, Malamocco and Lido. The gates will exist to effectively close off the lagoon from the sea during high tides or extraordinary weather conditions in order to prevent the water level from reaching dangerous heights within the city’s canals.

Clara Ceolin, Cultural Coordinator at the Centro Veneto in Toronto, was born on the Lido and returns to Venice regularly with her family. On a recent trip she visited one of the MOSE construction sites to get a better idea of just how a man-made

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VENEZIA machine might be able to “fermare il mare,” (stop the sea). “They’ve been working on it for years,” says Ceolin, “but they had problems with money.”

After many years of planning and numerous setbacks along the way, the project is currently more than 60 percent completed. The much-anticipated MOSE should finally become operational sometime in 2014, but there’s still a catch.

“There are many people who say that it won’t be useful at all,” reports Ceolin. Unfortunately, this might actually be true: there is still much speculation as to whether the gates will actually be capable of living up to their purpose, since, to date, a project of this kind has never been used in any other comparable situation in the world. Despite the widespread worry, “We have a lot of hope in the project,” she says.

But Venice’s water level issues aren’t the only ones that make it an increasingly difficult place to live.

“The Venetian people feel their city is slipping from their fingers and being monopolised by a tourism industry that both provides the livelihood of many locals and strips the city of the quality of life that only Venice can offer,” Nardin says.

Project MOSE: How it works

1. Barrier stays on seabed until high tides and storms are forecast

3. Gates move independently, allowing the barrier to absorb the force of rough seas

2. Air is pumped into each hollow gate to raise barrier

Venice Adriatic Sea Lagoon

The love/hate relationship that Venetians have with tourism is a complex one, not caused by one element but by a combination of issues that negatively impact the daily life of those who reside in the city. On a very simple level, Venetians don’t appreciate the flood of visitors – upwards of 9 million in 2012 – who, at times, lack respect for their city and treat it as if it were an amusement park instead of home to real people with jobs, lives and families.

As if that weren’t enough, Nardin explains that the cost of living in Venice is very high, with average household spending in the Veneto reaching 2835 euros per month (the third highest of Italy’s 20 regions), a number which is being driven higher by the ripple effects of the city trying to cater to millions of tourists.

Unable to make a living or enjoy their city, many locals are leaving Venice in search of work and respite from the flooding that assails their city, both in the form of tourists and high tides. In 1961, there were 137,150 residents; the number dropped to 58,991 in 2011.

What future is there for Venice with all her problems? Similarly to Ceolin, Nardin has hope for the Progetto MOSE and reaffirms her love for the city, tourists and all. “Being in Venice is living in history: when I step through her calli (alleyways), I can’t help but wonder about those who have followed the same route for centuries before me. And for someone like me […] Venice will always be home.”

Barriers

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ADVERTORIAL

Milessa Modules

By Sarah Mastroianni

Housing for the future “Large houses will soon go the way of large cars,” predicts architectural designer Carlo Milessa, referring to the recent shift in consumer preference towards compact, environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient vehicles. In his opinion, housing will follow the same trend with future homebuyers wanting their homes to be three things: compact, affordable and environmentally friendly. When this happens, he’s got just the thing to pique homebuyer interest.

nter Milessa Modules, a revolutionary hexagonal housing cluster concept based on a geometric theorem that Milessa himself conceptualized and copyrighted in 1965.

“The theorem just appeared in my head. I was probably looking at some honeycomb at the time,” remembers Milessa. But what does a honeycomb have to do with the future of housing?

At the time, Milessa had been asked to design the plans for a clubhouse and summer camp for a Toronto-based Italian cultural club. After considering the list of all of the things the club wished to include in their new facility, such as sleeping space, gardens and a pavilion for dancing, the idea of a hexagonal modular setup was born.

“The idea is to have six hexagonal buildings arranged in a larger hexagonal shape and connected by outside walls, with a seventh building in the centre of the courtyard,” Milessa explains.

With this type of setup, one cluster of buildings could easily be linked to another to create a honeycomb network of self-contained spaces where each modular building could be customized for a different function. Milessa cites 1 to 4-bedroom housing units, greenhouses, holiday rentals, a summer camp setup or retirement villas as some of the many possible configurations for the modules.

One of the various advantages to Milessa Modules, Milessa explains, is that “this type of modular building could be massproduced, and even disassembled and reassembled. If you can build one, you can build many.”

Mass-production of the modular buildings would significantly lower the cost compared to traditional housing options, which make the modules appealing not only to Canadian markets but abroad as well.

Milessa also believes that the units’ hexagonal shape allows for more efficient use of space, thereby reducing the size of the unit needed to comfortably adapt to any function, including housing.

Add to that Milessa’s emphasis on keeping things green, and you’ve got a winning alternative to traditional housing models.

“Unlike regular housing projects, here you’re taking a certain amount of space from nature and actually giving back more green,” says Milessa. He

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cites the use of gardens, rainwater collection systems, solar panels and the widespread use of natural light options to keep things eco-friendly and to keep costs down.

“You could cover the courtyard with a canopy of plants, and in the summer what you get is shade and good quality fresh air,” Milessa explains. He continues, “The spaces between rooms are glass enclosures. On sunny days in winter you have natural heat. You don’t spend money on heating. In the summer you have shade, and no use for the air conditioner.”

Milessa first built a prototype of the modular building on an island in Northern Ontario in 1967 as proof of his geometrical theorem. The prototype was used as a summer camp by a Toronto-based Italian club, and then as a cottage by Milessa and his family, before its eventual sale to a private buyer.

Recently, international traffic on the Milessa Modules website has greatly increased (30,000 hits in the month of July alone), and Milessa has been in talks with companies in China, Malaysia and India regarding possible furnishing options for the modules.

Additionally, a book on Milessa Modules, which Milessa himself authored, can be found in various university libraries, including the University of California, Los Angeles.

For more information about Milessa Modules and for the referral of clients to accredited architectural firms, please contact Carlo Milessa either by telephone at 416-653-1778 or by email at islandp42@yahoo.ca.

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ADVERTORIAL

Eco-Condo A personalized way of living

By Rosanna Bonura

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The old adage that location is an important factor to consider when it comes to buying a home is certainly true, but of even greater importance is how that property is managed. In the growing world of condo living, the role of a property manager is vital. If anyone knows this best it’s Eco-Condo Management Services Inc.

ed by Leonora Frangella, RCM, President and Property Manager and the mother of two remarkable children, and Rose Moscone, Accounting Manager, a wife and mother of three amazing girls, business has been going strong for many years. As the company name suggests, one of their top priorities is to provide a safe, environmentally-friendly atmosphere where residents can live with peace of mind and comfort.

“We developed a company that is based on effective, economical, energy efficiency,” says Frangella. Eco-Condo provides a long list of services that encompass all aspects of property management including eco retrofitting of residential and commercial facilities, accounting and expense management, housekeeping and grounds management, construction plans and suite renovations, emergency preparedness and safety plans, just to name of few. These services ensure that a building is run smoothly, securely and successfully. With a wonderful support team of energy consultants such as Terra Energy Management Services Inc and IT security specialists Tristora Ltd, Eco-Condo is at the forefront of efficiency and security.

Primarily working with older condo buildings in Brampton and Toronto, EcoCondo is now ready to take on the booming condo market in Vaughan. Since both Frangella and Moscone are long-time residents of Vaughan who are now raising their own families in the city while maintaining close-knit relationships with their extended families, they are confident it’s a community they can easily and proudly be a part of. “We understand the Vaughan community with its changing demographics, differing religious beliefs and traditions. This is essential for us,” says Moscone. “It's a growing sector to be in.”

Since both women share an Italian background and are able to speak the language fluently, they have an added advantage to better cater to Vaughan’s large Italian speaking community. With years of experience working with seniors and empty nesters that have moved from a home to a smaller condo, they are wellequipped to take on similar situations as well as to accommodate growing families.

What has led to Eco-Condo’s years of success in the property management field has been their approach. Both Frangella and Moscone personally meet with a prospective client, eliminating the often “corporate” feel that many residents have to deal with. With Eco-Condo there is no “behind closed doors” service. Knowing very well that a home is likely the biggest investment their clients have made, Frangella and Moscone want to ensure that Eco-Condo is the right fit for their clients. “Most of our clients have put all or most of their money into this investment so we take it very seriously,” both women say.

For Eco-Condo, residents of a building are not simply just a number, as is often the case. “We make sure every resident is taken care of and they are able to get a hold

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of us at any time. We're an open book with all of them so we can help with whatever they may need,” adds Moscone. Getting to know the residents on a friendly level gives Eco-Condo that edge other property management companies lack, and more importantly, it creates a more personalized way of living. “It allows us to work better, faster and more effectively.”

What also sets Eco-Condo apart is the implementation of a five-year plan. The goal is to improve a client's investment and run a building more efficiently within a five-year window of time. “When we go to that first meeting with a client we ask them what their wish list is and what they think they really need in their condo," says Frangella. The condo building is reviewed from top to bottom in order to determine areas that need improvement, all while making sure enhancements implemented are kept within budget and don't impose financial stress on residents. They also work with the board of directors to build the Reserve Fund and make sure the condo is financially healthy. “We specialize in energy efficiency; we come in and do an assessment and provide the board an entire report of the building,” says Frangella.

In an industry where turnover is extremely high, maintaining the board of directors of a building for over ten years is unheard of, yet it’s an accomplishment Eco-Condo has been able to attain.

Currently specializing in older buildings and retro-fits, Eco-Condo would welcome the opportunity to take on the new developments growing in Vaughan. “I am not a stranger to new condo development,” says Frangella. “Most of my experience was in new construction; I was one of the pioneers.”

Along with genuinely caring for their clients, it is Frangella and Moscone’s passion and perseverance that have led to the success of Eco-Condo and will surely be the catalyst for many more successful years ahead.

“We love what we do,” say both women. “Every day is a different day; it's not routine. Every day we meet new people who enrich our lives and there’s always a new problem and new solution. At the end of the day, we know that we've been a part of their lives and that is very fulfilling.”

Leonora Frangella

Rose Moscone

1 855 326-2663 7500 Highway 27, Unit 1 Vaughan, Ontario L4H 0S2 info@ecocondos.ca ecocondos.c a

trusted expertise you can rely on

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Fabio Forlano Photography by Carolina Echeverri

ARTS & CULTURE

Il ponte di Ognissanti nella tradizione italiana

Dolci tipici e vecchi rituali prima e dopo l’avvento di Halloween Due giorni per celebrare i santi e commemorare i defunti. Il primo e il 2 novembre rappresentano tappe fondamentali della liturgia dei paesi con tradizione cristiana. Appuntamenti fissi nel calendario onorati da più parti con riti antichissimi, diversi nella forma ma identici nello spirito.

egli ultimi anni tutto il mondo occidentale ha fatto propria la festa di Halloween. Zucche, caramelle e travestimenti bizzarri sono entrati stabilmente nel patrimonio culturale dei più giovani. In paesi come l’Italia, tuttavia, accanto alle nuove tendenze di stampo americano, resistono rituali che si perpetuano da secoli. Pietanze tipiche e celebrazioni religiose che si tramandano di generazione in generazione e restano un punto fermo nello scorrere inesorabile delle stagioni.

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Un po’ di storia Già intorno al III secolo le prime comunità cristiane erano solite celebrare una festa in onore dei santi. La ricorrenza arrivò a Roma il 13 maggio del 609, quando papa Bonifacio IV dedicò il Pantheon alla Vergine Maria e a tutti i martiri. Lo spostamento al primo novembre, invece, risale al pontificato di Gregorio III che decise di far coincidere la solennità cristiana con il capodanno celtico. L’intenzione del Papa era di far perdere di significato i riti pagani ma, a distanza di quasi 1200 anni, il vecchio All Hallows’ Day e soprattutto la All Hallow’s Eve (da cui Halloween) restano due momenti impregnati di mistero e magia.

La Commemorazione dei defunti, invece, fu istituita nel 998 dall’abate benedettino Odilone di Cluny, il quale dispose che, dopo i vespri del primo novembre, le campane della sua abbazia dovessero suonare con rintocchi funebri. La solennità fu istituzionalizzata da papa Gregorio IV e, per volere di papa Sisto IV, fu estesa a tutta la Chiesa d’Occidente nel 1474.

Oggi in Italia solo il giorno di Ognissanti è considerato festivo a tutti gli effetti.

Il 2 novembre, di solito, rientra nel “ponte” solo se in prossimità del weekend.

Tradizioni popolari “Paese che vai, usanza che trovi”, recita un vecchio detto italiano. E così sembrano andare le cose anche quando si parla di Ognissanti e Commemorazione dei defunti.

Le tradizioni sono tante. Molte si stanno perdendo, altre resistono nonostante tutto.

Di solito sono i più anziani a rinnovare antiche credenze e rituali, mentre i più giovani sono disposti a seguirli finché restano bambini. In alcune zone del Paese (in particolare nelle aree rurali di Friuli, Piemonte, Trentino, Veneto, Abruzzo e Puglia) nella notte tra il primo e il 2 novembre si è soliti lasciare un lume acceso, dell’acqua fresca e finanche del pane per permettere alle anime dei morti in “visita” al mondo terreno di ristorarsi. In Val d’Aosta, invece, le famiglie più rispettose della tradizione lasciano la tavola imbandita mentre sono in visita al cimitero. Nelle campagne lombarde si sistemano coperte e lenzuola, affinché i defunti possano riposarsi in tranquillità.

Mentre in Sardegna, proprio come succede per Halloween, i bambini girano di porta in porta per chiedere delle offerte per i morti e ricevono in dono pane, fichi secchi, mandorle e dolci.

Dolci e cibi tipici Per la ricorrenza di Ognissanti, sulle tavole italiane non mancano mai alcuni elementi tipici della tradizione culinaria del Bel Paese. Fave, castagne, mandorle e fichi secchi sono tra gli alimenti più gettonati. Ma i veri protagonisti sono i dolci. Innanzitutto ci sono le Ossa di Morti: biscotti ripieni di mandorle e nocciole. A seconda della zona 56

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questi deliziosi dolcetti possono essere chiamati Stinchetti dei morti (Umbria), Dita d’Apostolo (Calabria) oppure Fave dei Morti (se confezionati con la forma dei legumi).

In Campania, in questi due giorni, nessuno si sogna di fare a meno del Torrone: quelli del beneventano sono di gran lunga i più buoni e si possono trovare di gusti e consistenze diversi.

In Sicilia, infine, il 2 novembre è una festa particolarmente sentita dai bambini.

A loro sono riservati dolcetti e cioccolatini che, si dice, siano portati personalmente dai defunti. I più comuni sono i Pupi di zuccaro (bamboline di zucchero) e la Frutta martorana, preparata con la pasta di mandorle, detta anche pasta reale.

‘A livella Nella letteratura italiana i riferimenti alle feste dei primi due giorni di novembre sono numerosi. Uno, però, è entrato stabilmente nell’immaginario collettivo: ‘A livella, poesia scritta in dialetto napoletano da Totò. L'opera è ambientata in un cimitero, dove inizia un discorso tra le anime di due defunti: un marchese e un netturbino. Il primo si lamenta perché non vuole essere seppellito accanto al secondo. Ma questi gli ricorda che davanti alla morte, gli esseri umani sono tutti uguali.

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EVENTS

Prime Ministers Harper and Letta find common ground Photo by bianconero.ca

“It is your first time in Canada as Italy’s prime minister but you are already among friends,” said Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper as he addressed Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta at a gala dinner on Sunday, September 22.

The evening, which was celebrated at Paramount Conference in Vaughan, kicked off Letta’s official two-day visit to Canada, which included a meeting to discuss trade on September 23.

Harper, who peppered his speech with some Italian much to the audience’s appreciation, said that Italians who immigrated to Canada in the ’50s and ’60s “seized the opportunity and built upon it.”

He highlighted the strong trade and investment ties Italy and Canada share, but he also talked about the more emotional bonds such as Operation Husky, a World War II campaign in which thousands of Canadian soldiers died while fighting to liberate Sicily, and Canada’s efforts to help rebuild the earthquake-ravaged city of L’Aquila in 2009.

Italian Prime Minister Letta also mentioned these two significant events in his speech and told the Italian-Canadian guests, “On behalf of all of Italy, I thank you.” “…You are the best ambassadors of Italy.”

He took a moment to allude to Italy’s difficult economic situation, and while the country is not yet out of the woods, it is on its way to recovery, he said. Letta then highlighted the mutual benefits both Italy and Canada will enjoy as a result of the CanadaEuropean Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which both he and Harper will discuss at length during his visit.

The gala, which was hosted by Minister of Veteran Affairs Julian Fantino, was made possible through the hard work and dedication of the National Congress of Italian Canadians (NCIC).

Michael Tibollo, the president of the NCIC, told the audience that regardless of ethnic origins, “We share a patriotic passion for our country.”

He said he was proud to present both Harper and Letta with a first draft copy of a Canada-wide school curriculum that focuses on the contributions of Italians to the country’s development. The project was coordinated by the NCIC, and it is scheduled for completion by March 2014. (Rita Simonetta)

From left: Enrico Letta, Prime Minister of Italy, Michael Tibollo, president of the NCIC and Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada.

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Toronto artist Shary Boyle to represent Canada at the Venice Biennale Italy is well known for its art, so it is no surprise that the oldest cultural event in the world of contemporary art takes place there. The prestigious Venice Biennale is the most widely recognized event of its kind and the only international visual arts exhibition which Canada sends official national representation to. Selected this year is Toronto artist Shary Boyle. Considered as one of Canada's most innovative artists, her eclectic work includes sculpture, drawing, painting, installation and performance. Boyle's multimedia installation titled “Music for Silence” is on display at the Canadian Pavilion of the 55th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale until November 24, 2013. “This was a privilege and a great responsibility, being offered such a forum for my personal voice as an artist,” she tells Panoram. “I wanted to make something sublime, beautiful and inclusive, to champion the underdog, celebrate quietness, and share a lonely wonder about the universe.” (Rosanna Bonura) 1 and 2: The Cave Painter, 2013. Courtesy the artist and Jessica Bradley Gallery, Toronto. Photo Copyright Rafael Goldchain.

3: Ophiodea, 2013. Courtesy the artist and Jessica Bradley Gallery, Toronto. Photo Copyright Sebastiano Pellion di Persano.

4: Onus Opus, 2012. Courtesy the artist and Jessica Bradley Gallery, Toronto. Photo Copyright Rafael Goldchain.

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EVENTS

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Canada and Italy came together to honour the philanthropic spirit of beloved Italian priest Padre Pio through Una Voce Per Padre Pio. The three-day celebration kicked off on Thursday, September 12, with a gala dinner and reception in Vaughan. Then it was off to Brampton’s Powerade Centre for a star-studded benefit concert on Saturday, September 12. Hosted by well-known Italian TV personality Massimo Giletti, the concert featured a who’s who of talent from Italy such as Al Bano, Ricchi e Poveri, and Orietta Berti, as well as American star Michael Bolton.

Concert funds are earmarked for a village in the Ivory Coast, ensuring that the community has access to clean water, food, education and housing. The three-day event came to a finale on Sunday, September 15, with a mass at St. Padre Pio Church in Vaughan. (Rita Simonetta)

Photography by Cristian Dossena

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EVENTS

Il cinema italiano al TIFF è quello dei giovani registi emergenti Photography by Lubin Tasevski

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1. Director Roberto Minervini (Stop The Pounding Heart) 2. Director Fabio Mollo (Il Sud è Niente) and actress Miriam Karikvist 3. Director Daniele Luchetti (Anni Felici) - Courtesy of ICE 4. Director Jerry Ciccoritti

“Il TIFF non è solo per i nomi più conosciuti, ma per le generazioni future, con la speranza che continuino a fare film”. Queste le parole di Noah Cowan, direttore artistico del Toronto International Film Festival e grande appassionato di cinema italiano, presente al TIFF Italian Party di quest’anno. La festa di inaugurazione dei 7 film italiani presentati al TIFF, organizzata dall’Istituto per il Commercio Estero (ICE) in collaborazione con l’Istituto Luce Cinecittà e tenutasi lo scorso 9 settembre al Gardiner Museum, vede ospiti di fama internazionale quali Daniele Lucchetti (Anni Felici) e Paolo Sorrentino (La Grande Bellezza) sfilare sul tappeto rosso. Sono però i nomi di Roberto Minervini (Stop The Pounding Heart) e Fabio Mollo (Il Sud è Niente) quelli più attesi da pubblico e critica.

Minervini, marchigiano, ha esordito a Cannes con un lungometraggio in stile documentario girato in Texas che vede la partecipazione di gente reale, non attori professionisti. “È un cinema dell’osservazione – spiega – un cinema verité senza la partecipazione del regista. È molto più difficile perché richiede un bagno d’umiltà e una perdita di controllo sul risultato finale.” Un genere di tendenza, spiega

Minervini, degli ultimi anni, eredità della tradizione Rosselliniana che, eliminando l’attore come intermediario, porta il film più vicino al pubblico.

Ed è prorio l’emozione a trionfare nel primo film di Fabio Mollo, regista calabrese, che ha deciso di esordire con un film impegnativo, semi-autobiografico e dal titolo provocatorio.

“Per anni ci hanno fatto credere che questo sud fosse niente, che non valesse la pena lottare per cambiarlo. Per una volta, le nuove generazioni stanno crescendo con una luce diversa nei loro occhi. Per me era importante fotografare questo momento” dice Mollo. La scelta della giovanissima Miriam Karikvist come attrice protagonista sta proprio a testimonianza della fiducia che Mollo ha nelle nuove generazioni; fiducia che ha portato un piccolo film indipendente sotto i riflettori della critica internazionale.

A sostenere l’importanza del cinema italiano al TIFF è anche Jerry Ciccoritti, regista italocanadese vincitore di diversi premi in Nord America, che del festival apprezza soprattutto le emozioni che i film trasmettono. “La mia speranza – dice – è che il festival continui a promuovere il cinema italiano e a mantenerlo vivo nel mondo.” (Viviana Laperchia)

Peperonata Lane: 15 anni di tradizione e una strada per ricordarla Nella Little Italy torontina settembre è sinonimo di Peperonata ma quest’anno la festa è raddoppiata. Infatti, l’evento social-culinario più atteso della stagione ha compiuto 15 anni lo scorso 15 settembre. Per l’occasione, il vialetto che da Harbord St. percorre una lunga serie di garage sul retro di Montrose Ave. è stato dedicato alla Peperonata, tradizione che da anni viene mandata avanti dalla famiglia Gallè. Ad aprire la cerimonia di inaugurazione dell’insegna è stato Mike Layton, consigliere della zona di Trinity e Spadina, seguito dal duetto Jerry Caringi e Roberto Occhipinti (rispettivamente alla fisarmonica e al contrabbasso) che marciando verso il garage dei Gallè, ha dato inizio alla grigliata e alla pelatura dei peperoni arrostiti come da tradizione calabrese. “Eravamo 20 persone. Ora siamo 120 perchè è una cosa così semplice e questo è il bello.” È così che Francesco Gallè ha presentato l’evento, ringraziando tra gli altri anche il fratello Carmelo, addetto all’arrostitura e la sorella Rosa, coordinatrice. “Senza mamma e papà – conclude Gallè – tutto questo non sarebbe mai stato possibile. È merito loro, che hanno portato la tradizione dal loro paese e dalla “lane” l’hanno diffusa ovunque.” Come sempre, la Peperonata ha radunato media, artisti, amici e parenti nell’atmosfera di festa che la caratterizza dal 1972, questa volta affermandosi come vera e propria istituzione non solo della comunità italiana, ma dell’intera città di Toronto che da anni vi partecipa con entusiasmo. (Viviana Laperchia)

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SPORTS

Forza Alfa Romeo!

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By Alain Raymond

“Every time I see an Alfa Romeo pass by, I raise my hat,” Henry Ford once said. A century later, the cars from Milan still garner passion and enthusiasm.

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ecades before Maserati and Ferrari and half a century before Lamborghini, there was Alfa Romeo. The Socièta Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili was founded in Milan in 1910. The company traces its origins to the Socièta Anonima Italiana Darracq, a subsidiary of the French Darracq company. In 1909 Darracq went bankrupt and its assets were taken over by a group of investors. Dropping the word Socièta, the company became known as Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili, ALFA. The first Alfas were large and powerful and the company immediately went into racing and introduced its first Grand Prix car in 1914.

Nicola Romeo One year later, a daring industrialist by the name of Nicola Romeo gobbled up Alfa’s assets following its bankruptcy and changed the company’s name to Alfa Romeo. The new patrone knew that racing would not only “improve the breed” but also serve as a formidable publicity tool. Hiring the best available engineers and drivers, Alfa Romeo met resounding racing success stretching from 1920 to 1940. The first Alfa contender was the 6C 1750 Gran Sport (1930) powered by a 6-cylinder engine designed by the brilliant Vittorio Jano. It was followed by another classic, the 8C 2300 Spider (1931), which boasted an in-line 8-cylinder coupled to a supercharger. The road-going car gave birth to a series of Grand Prix racing cars that dominated the European scene in the mid-thirties, winning the formidable 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1931 to 1934.

Trusted expertise you can rely on.

Leonora Frangella Rose Moscone 1 855 326-2663 7500 Highway 27, Unit 1 Vaughan, Ontario L4H 0S2 info@ecocondos.ca ecocondos.ca

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SPORTS Lovely Giulietta In the years immediately following World War II, European companies struggled to get back into production. Alfa Romeo introduced the 1900 range of cars that helped ease financial problems and led the way to ‘Project 750,’ an entirely new small car. At the heart of this effort was the all-new 1300 cc engine with aluminium block, head and crankcase. This modern and beautifully designed engine found a home in a four-door sedan and a two-door coupé, both named Giulietta, a reference to Shakespeare’s Juliet and a fitting ‘companion’ for Romeo. Launched in 1954, the Giulietta Sprint, a two-door coupé penned by Bertone, was a runaway success. The next spring, the four-door sedan joined the Sprint, followed in 1956 by the Giulietta Spider. Great looks, affordability, good handling and a superb engine ensured Giulietta’s success, with the Spider making great inroads in America, notably in sunny California.

In the early sixties, the beloved Giulietta gave way to a more potent successor, the Giulia, powered by a 1600 cc version of the original engine. The topless version first called Duetto then Spider was made famous in the 1967 film The Graduate with a young Dustin Hoffman. In a recent contest chaired by the world’s top five designers, the Duetto was selected as the most beautiful convertible of all times, a fitting recognition of Pininfarina’s design maestra. The Spider remained in production for nearly three decades with minor mechanical and cosmetic changes.

Declining fortunes By the 1970s, struggling Alfa Romeo started seeking a new partner. Several suitors showed up, including Nissan and Ford, but Fiat eventually won the day, merging Alfa Romeo and its rival Lancia in 1986 to form Fiat's Alfa Lancia Industriale S.p.A. Models produced in the 1990s combined Alfa's traditional virtues, but the initial Alfa ‘soul’ seemed lacking in several models. Competing against Germanmade sports sedans, Alfa lost ground and the removal of the brand from North America in 1995 did nothing to improve the situation.

Renaissance at last?

Today, Alfa Romeo is struggling again with few models in its lineup. Alfistis have been promised a return to North America for the past three years. The new Alfa Romeo 4C is expected to land here before the end of 2013… maybe. Will the striking 4C signal a revival of the House of Milan? We certainly hope so. In the meantime, here’s a word of advice to all Alfa Romeo owners: keep the faith, keep your cars in tip-top shape and running and keep them as original as possible so as to safeguard this historic brand for future generations.

Clockwise from left: The future of Alfa Romeo? The stunning 4C is hotly awaited by Alfistis worldwide.

Photo by Alfa Romeo

The Alfa Romeo Duetto, recently chosen as “the most beautiful convertible ever built.”

Photo by Pininfarina

The beautiful Alfa Romeo Montreal owned by Montrealer Germain Cornet was built for the 1967 Montreal World Expo.

Photo by Germain Cornet

Built in limited numbers, the 2007 Alfa Romeo 8C signals the new styling theme as seen on the soon to be launched Alfa 4C. Photo by Alain Raymond

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Construction on this illustrious community is set to commence in the beginning of October 2013. The sales office will be relocating to the Thornhill Square Shopping Centre at John St and Bayview Avenue, Unit #500.

The new location will be open Monday to Thursday from 1pm to 7 pm, weekends and holidays 12 to 5 p.m., and Fridays by appointment. For more information, call 905-884-8885 or visit www.mhob.ca.

Toronto OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 49-64_Layout 1 13-10-01 9:20 AM Page 63

th e n e w

Q50 is

here, and soon...

so will the new 401 Dixie Infiniti coming november 2013

Michael Cornacchia General Manager p. 905.238.5500 f. 905.206.1810 c. 416.357.5334

m_cornacchia@401dixieinfiniti.com www.401dixieinfiniti.ca www.infiniti.ca

5500 Dixie Road 401 Dixie Auto Mall Mississauga, Ontario L4W 4N3 Canada

Toronto OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 49-64_Layout 1 13-10-01 9:20 AM Page 64

Introducing wireless TV Now, for the first time ever, you no longer need to plug all your TVs into a cable outlet to enjoy your television service, thanks to our new wireless receiver.1 Only your first receiver needs to be wired.

Your additional TVs – up to five – are connected through our new wireless receiver, which means you can put them just about anywhere you want.2 Fibe TV was already the best TV service.

Now, it’s the only one to bring you wireless TV.

Call today for a special offer: 1 855 429-9465

Current as of July 8th, 2013. Available to Bell TV customers in Ontario where access and technology permit. Requires subscription to Bell Fibe Internet (5/1 or 15/10). Where applicable, monthly prices include a fee to fund Bell’s contribution to the CRTC’s Local Programming Improvement Fund (LPIF); see bell.ca/LPIF. (1) Wireless from the modem to the receiver. The wireless receiver needs to be physically connected to the TV and to a power outlet. Customer responsible for use of wireless receiver; do not expose to heat sources, rain or damp and temperature extremes.

Range of wireless signal may vary due to electromagnetic interference, home construction material, obstructions and other environmental factors. (2) Each additional TV requires one HD receiver ($7/mo. rental or $199 purchase). Fibe is a trademark of Bell Canada.