NCIC - Carlo was the founding president in 1979
and is the current president of the
National Congress of Italians in Canada, Edmonton
District
-put on variety shows at the Citadel and at the Jubilee Auditorium
-donation of fountain at Convention Centre for Edmonton's 75th anniversary (1979)
-instrumental in creating Piazza Italia - senior citizens' home
Santa Maria Goretti Community Centre - was
involved in its construction and was its 3rd
president
Il Congresso newspaper - general manager of Il Congresso newspaper - does it all -"tutto
fare"
-Il Congresso is a 'child' of NCIC, Edmonton District; started March 1983
because a need for this kind of publication was perceived;
-Carlo feels that the Italian community is well educated
due to the existence of schools like Dante, and newspapers like
Il Congresso.
-more reporting of community events as opposed to Il Nuovo Mondo which stresses news from Italy
-offices in Edmonton & Calgary
exec. director of the Canada Praeneste Society - involves religious pastors with university backgrounds
and brings people (tourists) to Palestrina [in the
Lazio region of Italy]
Alberta Heritage Council; Sab Roncucci encouraged
Carlo to become involved and he was a member for 4
years
founding of Jr. Appennini Dancers
Teatro Libero - acted in "Natale in Casa
Cupiello", a Neapolitan play by Eduardo De Filippo
Community and Self-identity - Carlo and Lina take
pride in contributing to and sharing their best values
with Canada; "best way to build the country".
-perception of Italian immigrants has changed from
'layers of bricks', or laborers, to professionals. Educational opportunities for the children of the immigrants has allowed this to happen.
new perception also owes a lot to the Charter of Rights
"What happens to the Italian community now?" - in the new
millennium it's going to be a different community, but there'll always be a search for one's roots.
it's nice to have symbols of Italian culture still in place - music & cuisine being main identifiers (although there is a fear that they might disappear with future generations)
Carlo feels that the church will stay as an institution in the Italian community
He also feels that Italians do well in the mainstream of society
there's always 'a bit of Italy' in the children of Italian immigrants
world is becoming a global village - ethnic communities living together, sharing cultures
recent policy in Italy to reinstate citizenship to emigrants with voting
privileges. Carlo is concerned about what the new political situation over there will do to the community here.