VIVA ITALIA THE DANTE ALIGHIERI SOCIETY OF AUCKLAND The Dante Society in Auckland is a branch of the Dante Alighieri Society headquartered in Rome. Founded in 1889, the society’s principle aim is to promote Italian language and culture in the world by reinvigorating the ties that link Italians abroad with their country, and by encouraging a love of things Italian among non-Italians. The society is named after Italy’s most illustrious poet and author. Born in Florence in the 13th century, he chose not to write his famous work in Latin, but used a new language, Italian, based on the regional dialect of Tuscany with some elements of Latin and other regional dialects. The Auckland branch, based at the Freeman’s Bay Community Centre, is headed by President, Cav. Sandra Fresia. For nearly 20 years Sandra has pursued the aims and objectives of the society, running language courses which she teaches, holding holiday programmes for children and adults, promoting the language and culture of her native Italy. You will have noticed the Cav before her name above. This is her Italian government’s Knighthood for services to Italy abroad. Cav is the abbreviation used for the honour, Cavaliere. Ponsonby News went to the Dante centre and met and spoke to a group of Italian women who now live in New Zealand. A photo of those women is shown attached to this article. New Zealand did not get the influx of Southern Europeans that Australia did in the 1950s and 60s. Australia has thousands more Italians and Greeks than New Zealand. Many, but by no means all, of the Italians in New Zealand followed their spouse who got work in New Zealand. Some, like Fiorella Kirwan, married New Zealanders, eventually finding themselves at the bottom of the world, even though many, including Fiorella, had lived outside of Italy before.
L to R: Alessandra, Monica, Fiorella, Sandra, Flavia and Martina The Dante Society is a great meeting place for Italians in New Zealand, Flavia agrees, but it is also a magnet for lovers of Italian language and culture. Flavia told us there are a good number of Asian students at Dante classes. The classes attract a melting pot of people from around the world. Flavia and I have something in common, we have both owned Fiat Bambinas. Flavia left hers at home when she came to New Zealand, and she loves them referred to as Bambinas. In Italy they are Cinque Cento (500s). These women are a decided asset to New Zealand. They are dedicated to their own language and culture, and happy to share that with Kiwis, but, they have also embraced life in New Zealand. Alessandra jokingly told us that when she tells people she has an Italian husband they often say “wow”, as if she owns a Ferrari. Have a look on the Dante Alighieri Society website or visit them in Freeman’s Bay. There is still a sense of glamour and old world PN charm about Italy and things Italian. F www.dante.org.nz dantealighieriauckland.blogspot.co.nz
There are daunting challenges for anyone living in a new land with a new language and culture, without the support of family and friends. The women we spoke to were not immune from those challenges. But they all stressed the importance of the Dante Alighieri Society, where they could meet with fellow Italians, bring their children to speak Italian together, and share their stories of adjustment to a new country. As Alessandra Zecchini told us, “they come here after work, they walk in and relax. They almost feel back in Italy. The Dante Society is a home away from home.” I asked these women about the similarities and differences between New Zealand and Italy, their biggest challenges, the pros and cons of living in New Zealand. While there were points in common, there were also big differences in how each found New Zealand. Some have found New Zealand more open, less rigid and structured than Italy, a pioneer country where one doesn’t have to conform to centuries old norms, whereas Fiorella was surprised at the New Zealand habit of feeding kids early, shipping them off to bed, and seldom inviting them with their parents to parties. She felt friends may be sometimes more important than family. She favours, and so do I, the whole family eating together. As to be expected, she and John cook and eat mainly Italian food. She believes New Zealanders are well organised, have everything planned, do everything by the book, whereas she thinks Italians are more prone to the “she’ll be right mate” attitude we often attribute to Kiwis. One of the youngest of the group I met was Flavia. She and her Italian husband holidayed in New Zealand just over two years ago. They returned to Italy, but they had been so taken by New Zealand, her husband , an engineer, sought a position in New Zealand, and they came back four months later. They love New Zealand, the openness, the lack of rigid traditions, the young pioneer nature of New Zealand, no one tells you how to dress, how to live, but Flavia admits to missing her close knit family back home. “It is so far from the other side of the world.” Flavia’s husband loves surfing, and New Zealand lamb - much better than Italian lamb according to Flavia. She now cooks roast lamb every Sunday. So these two have certainly embraced the New Zealand way of life. They enjoy New Zealand wine too. PN (JOHN ELLIOTT) F
38 PONSONBY NEWS+ March 2014
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)