Happy birthday, Sciascia!
HAMILTON – On Saturday, January 10, the Fratellanza Racalmutese Club in Hamilton hosted the third annual “La Passeggiata”, organized collaboratively by the Sicilian Cultural Society of Hamilton, the Fratellanza Racalmutese Club, and Sicilia Canta. The event celebrated the birthday of renowned Italian writer Leonardo Sciascia, offering a rich blend of music, literature, entertainment, photo exhibitions, and community festivities.
Despite a downpour and a forecast of freezing rain, the event drew a strong turnout. Organizers adapted to the weather by moving entirely indoors, creating an imaginative simulation of the walk originally planned, with selected readings from Sciascia presented at each “stop” along the route.
Guests were welcomed by the President of the Sicilian Cultural Society of Hamilton, Sam Cino, who provided a detailed history of the Society and its community projects in partnership with Racalmuto, Sicily. Highlights included the installation of a Leonardo Sciascia statue at LiUNA Station Immigration Square in 2017, the commissioning of an authentic Carretto Siciliano as a gift to the community in 2019, and financial support in 2021 for the renovation of Sciascia’s Racalmuto home (purchased by Pippo DiFalco) – now the Casa Sciascia museum. A video tour of the museum was shown to attendees.
Selected readings were performed by Joe Baiardo, Co-Chair of Sicilia Canta, and the evening continued with the singing of “Happy Birthday”. Guests enjoyed Sicilian musical selections by Joe Baiardo, cannoli birthday cake from Sam’s Queenston Bakery, and the uniquely Hamilton-made Sciasciatelli Taralli by Sil Cino.
Overall, the evening was a memorable celebration of one of the 20th century’s greatest literary figures. Leonardo Sciascia would have turned 105 on January 8, and the event successfully honored his enduring legacy through culture, music, and community.
Below is a photo gallery of the event: the pics show Sam Cino and Joe Baiardo during their speeches, Sil Cino and Maria Baiardo serving the “Sciasciatelli” and the birthday cake for Leonardo Sciascia, and various moments of the initiative (photo: Sicilia Canta)
