Italians reclaim heritage in Vancouver

Here is the piece I wrote for The Thunderbird.

Ladies enjoy an evening at Roma Hall playing cards and doing what women do best- chatting !!

It took over a month and countless trips to research this article. I am extremely grateful for the generosity of all the vibrant and amazing people I interviewed for my article.

Thank you very much for talking to me for endless hours and tirelessly posing for the photo gallery. A very special thanks to Rino Bellini, President of Roma Hall in New Westminster and his lovely wife Linda for introducing me to these larger than life characters .

I would have never come across these lovely personalities without your cooperation. Now they remain infinitely chronicled in this piece of writing.

I would also like to acknowledge the participation of Caelan Griffiths, Curator of The Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver for taking me on an eye opening journey down the historical avenues of Italian immigrants.

I remain eternally thankful to everyone for your graciousness, patience and participation.

Read on:

http://thethunderbird.ca/2009/05/05/little-italy-in-vancouver/

Photo Gallery:

http://thethunderbird.ca/2009/04/10/photo-gallery-all-things-italian/

Italian Cultural Centre looking for artifacts

So being Italian is not only about drinking endless cups of espresso or enjoying a slice of the thin crust pizza. It is about culture and understanding this established immigrant community that has embraced Canadianism to the fullest. 

Vancouver boasts to have the largest Italian Cultural Centre in Canada. The ICC has a library, Bocce Courts, restaurants and community hall. The most interesting addition to the ICC is the ilMuseo, Museum of Italian Heritage that opened doors to public in Oct 2008.

Caelan Griffiths, curator of the museum is always on the look out for new addition to the exhibits.

” If you are not Italian but think you have something that might help tell the story of Italian immigration, please feel free to bring it to us. We welcome it.” Griffiths said.

There are many intriguing displays including a manual sewing machine that was orginally bought from Italy.

You can contact the ICC for more information at (604) 430-3337.

A wonderful fusion of cultures….

On November 22, 2008 the lush green lawns of Old Orchard Park, Port Moody were buzzing with impressively dressed guests awaiting the renewal of vows for Aimy Wang and Krzysztof Szczurowski. Aimy is originally from China while Chris is Polish, but the beautiful couple met in Vancouver.

Aimy and Chris on their wedding day

” It feels very globalized,” Aimy says about her marriage to Chris, ” to be together here as a couple miles away from our own countries. This is the part I enjoy about being a Canadian.”

The ceremony was graceful complete with champagne, three-tiered cake, flowers and a lavish spread of food for the guests.

As the day ended the guests left with memories of a sweet wedding and wished the couple years of happiness and togetherness.