Friends of Italian Americans donate rare antique fire truck to Portsmouth Fire Department
The Portsmouth Fire Department is now home to a rare fire engine that's more than 100 years old. A founding member of the local nonprofit Friends of Italian Americans, who also owns Bayberry Vintage Autos in Hampton, donated the 1920 American LaFrance engine. They donated it to mark the city's 400th year and to honor the vibrant history of Italians...
The North End: A Boston neighborhood guide
With its Italian flavor and massive summer festivals squeezed into narrow streets, the North End is often called a little slice of Europe in Boston. It's also one of the oldest parts of the city, filled with historic stops like Old North Church and the Paul Revere house. Then there are the restaurants: The North End is brimming with places to eat....
Springfield Sons of Italy Host First Annual Italian Gala
The Springfield chapter of the Sons & Daughters of Italy, St. Padre Pio #3013 will be hosting the first Annual Italian Gala at the Sheraton’s Grand Ballroom in Springfield on Saturday, October 28th 2023 at 6:00pm. The Gala will feature a five course Italian dinner, along with live music, dancing, and awards presentation. The black-tie optional affa...
New Haven's Wooster Square monument to Italian immigration nearing completion
The clay sculpture for the new Wooster Square monument that eventually will replace the Christopher Columbus status that once stood in Wooster Square Park is nearly finished and ready to go to a Massachusetts foundry to be cast in bronze. Meanwhile, fundraising has reached $320,000 toward a $400,000 goal, said Bill Iovanne Jr., co-chair of the Woos...
The Italian Language Week in New England
The Italian Language Week has two main thematic strands: sustainability linked to a great intellectualot the 20th century, Italo Calvino (ante litteram environmentalist writer) and democracy through the contribution made by renowned Harvard former professor Gaetano Salvemini (an intellectual historian committed to the struggle for democracy). Both...
Italian Heritage Month is a chance to promote cultural vibrancy
As we reflect on October’s Italian Heritage Month, the Center for Italian Culture (CIC) at Fitchburg State University is proud to continue its strong commitment to promoting cultural diversity and fostering global understanding among its students and the community. The CIC was established in 1999 through a gift from Fitchburg State alumna Amelia V....
Johnston unveils disputed Christopher Columbus statue
The unveiling of the Christopher Columbus statue at its new home in Johnston drew mixed reactions on Monday morning. People in favor take pride in the statue, saying Columbus is a symbolic figure of Italian heritage. “Our heritage is still here. Most of the people that live here are Italians… the old Italians, they live here,” said Lucy DaLessio of...
Columbus Defenders Call For Statue’s Return
A half-dozen members of a group called the Italian-American Defense League gathered in Wooster Square Park to celebrate Columbus Day — and to renew their call for a return of the long-gone statue depicting that federal holiday’s namesake. The group charged with coming up with a new Italian heritage-celebrating sculpture for that same spot of Wooste...
Christopher Columbus honored in Springfield as legislators propose eliminating Columbus Day
Italian Americans in Springfield, Massachusetts, gathered on Columbus Day Monday to honor its namesake. Some of those present said they oppose an effort to get rid of the holiday. The ceremony was held at a statue of Christopher Columbus in Springfield's South End and was hosted by the local chapter of the Sons and Daughters of Italy. Salvatore Cir...
'Celebrating Italian heritage': Worcester's Italian community celebrates at annual parade on Shrewsbury Street
Shrewsbury Street was transformed into little Italy Sunday afternoon as community members enjoyed the second annual Italian Heritage Parade. The Worcester neighborhood was covered in red, white and green as dozens of floats, cars and marchers worked their way from the top of Shrewsbury Street all the way down towards Washington Square. This year's...
Westerly-Pawcatuck Columbus Day parade returns after three-year hiatus
After a three-year hiatus, the Westerly-Pawcatuck Columbus Day parade is back. Hundreds of people gathered to participate and watch the return of a community tradition that goes back more than 70 years on Sunday afternoon. “Community tradition is the most important thing," Jeff Frenette, the parade committee's vice president said. "We thought you k...
Italian Consul General Minuti Helps City Observe Holiday, Honors Fiorentini’s Service as Mayor
Italian Consul General Arnaldo Minuti joined Haverhill officials and the public Friday in observing Columbus Day, in honor of explorer Christopher Columbus voyage of America 531 years ago, as well as October’s Italian Heritage Month. Massachusetts is one of 16 states that observes today exclusively as Columbus Day. Minuti, however, focused on honor...