Racalmutesi’s philosophy: when life is tough, roll up your sleeves
TORONTO – The Sicilian Cultural Society of Hamilton and the Fratellanza Racalmutese Club of Hamilton, as part of Festitalia’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, put on a delightful “Awards Gala” at the Liuna Station banquet facilities, Friday night. The intent was a part of an ongoing effort to showcase the fruit of their unique culture as Sicilians, Italians who relocate abroad, Canada in this instance, enrich their host culture in so doing, and preserve their own enhanced identity.
In preparing for the event, I happened upon an unpretentious video, exceptional in its quality and content, produced by Joe Baiardi and Sam Cino, in 2020, about Racalmutesi in Hamilton. It is a unique account of resiliency and success of a Diaspora worth watching (here below).
What follows is a summary of spotlights in that trajectory, though a series of profile pieces would be more a’ propos. I am sure that Baiardo, Cino and friends will help.
For now, at a minimum, we can credit the achievements of a long-time friend, Gary Pillitteri, former mayor of Niagara-on- the-Lake, Vintner par excellence, MP and, together with his wife Lena of 62 years, travelling companion to the Orient, in the nineties, on a Parliamentary Committee, to open markets and explore trade friendships with an emerging China. Gary arrived here in 1948, from Racamulto, equipped with dreams and drive. Now he is an oft-decorated, patriarch of a family of three children (and their own extended families) partnering in the production and global trade of Canadian VQA wines.
Joe and Mary Martorelli – yes, they have been married since 1972 – are no less impressive deserving of the award as creators, developers and exporters of an intergenerational dance troupe of friends and relatives promoting the song and dance of Sicily. They continue to generate pride for the rich and varied 4,000-year-old history of the island’s precious culture as experienced through the lives of the Racalmutesi from Hamilton. The Martorelli are also cousins of Leonardo Sciascia, European parliamentarian and renowned twentieth century thinker and author. His statue graces the lawn of Liuna Station a similar original commemorate him in Racalmuto which, incidentally, is twinned with Hamilton.
The third recognition went to Charly Chiarelli, educator, screen writer and celebrated award-winning movie producer – see internationally acclaimed Road to the Lemon Grove. I was struck by the unassuming camaraderie which seemed to exude from his public persona while [he was] intermingling with his fellow Racalmutesi, as if he/they were still all trying to make ends meet in the “old town”, and not the successful Canadians from Hamilton that they had become.
It is an infectious quality they appear to offer to all individuals and people open to them. For example, local councillor Esther (Ferri) Pauls was accorded the honour of introducing the evening. Long serving municipal political figures like former Mayor Larry Di Ianni and Joe Pantalone (from Toronto) were given due recognition; and, “pride of place” in closing formalities, along with an award for merit, was given to the Hon. Filomena Tassi, former MP and Cabinet Minister for her role in securing a formal apology from the Government of Canada for the unjust internment of Italians during WW II which had affected many Racalmutesi in Hamilton.
Here below is a photogallery from the event (photos: Corriere Canadese and Sicilian Cultural Society of Hamilton)
