Ciao a tutti! I am back with the second blog of my “La Mia Vita in Italia” series (part 1). As I have continued to reflect on my experiences in Italy, I realized that Naz gave me the opportunity to uncover my roots before I even went to Italy. I am half Italian, but I have always identified as Italian-American because of the traditions that were upheld in my house. Cooking and sharing meals together as a family has always been of the utmost importance. For instance, every Easter my family and I bake the traditional “Pane di Pasqua,” which translates to “bread of Easter;” it is a raisin bread with colored, hard boiled eggs garnishing the top. My family originates from Calabria and Sicily, and came to the United States in the early 20th century. Studying at Nazareth College has helped me dive deeper into my heritage.
I mentioned a bit about Casa Italiana in my first blog, but it is truly a hidden gem on campus. Located across the parking lot from the Arts Center, Casa Italiana serves as a cultural center for the Nazareth and Rochester communities. Dr. Vitti, who is in charge of the Italian department and Casa Italiana hosts countless events- from weekly films to guest speakers at the Casa. Before even setting foot in Italy, I was studying the culture and language with Dr. Vitti, as well the natural beauty of the country. This continued to fuel my passion for learning more about my ancestors. The following photos were taken from the city that one part of my family originates from- Palermo, Sicily. Exploring the land that my ancestors came from was unlike anything I had ever experienced. These photos will hopefully give you a taste of what it was like to “journey to the past.”
These photos are from Mondello Beach, which is about an hour away from the city center of Palermo. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been in my entire life.
These photos are from The Garden of Giulia and in Palermo. It originated in the 18th century and boasts of lush, green gardens, marble statues, and tranquil walking paths. Being surrounded by nature and being so close to where my family comes from was a profound experience for me.
The Praetorian Fountain is in the center of the city. It was built in the 16th century and is surrounded by 48 marble statues. Walking around the fountain in the city center made me envision what it was like when my family was here many years ago.
These photos were from Teatro Massimo, which is the third largest theater in Italy. Being a music major, this was one of the highlights of my trip to Sicily. It was a joy to learn more about the theater and to see first hand how important music is to Italian culture.
