Town to celebrate all things Italian
Published on August 30th, 2000
All things Italian will be celebrated throughout the month of October, and one local group is working on something for all of Stoneham to enjoy.
Thanks to efforts of Italian- Americans around the state, Governor Paul Cellucci signed a bill last year designating the month of October as Italian Heritage month.
And as always, Stoneham is front and center, ready to put plans into action with its own celebration of Italian culture.
On the heels of the celebration's inaugural year, the Italian Heritage Committee of Stoneham, chaired by Fatima Road resident Rocco Zizza, is building on the success of last year, with events planned throughout the month and a grand festival slated for Oct. 15.
"I think this thing is going to grow," said an enthusiastic Zizza regarding last year's success and the plans for this year.
While various areas of Italy will be featured this year, including Campania, a region which includes the city of Naples, Calabria, Sicily, and Abbruzzo, the region of Puglia is this year's highlight, with a special inauguration of the Puglia Association, a group which will work closely with Stoneham in the coming years.
Puglia is commonly described as located at the heel of the boot that is Italy and, according to Zizza, plans are in the works to establish Puglia and Stoneham as sister cities and to develop cultural exchange programs between the two.
"I think it's an exciting concept...We can really expose our kids to different cultures and open their minds," said Zizza. "I would love to see this with other cultures."
Returning this year is the Brown Bag Opera Company, performing music from the opera Carmen. What Zizza enjoys most about this group is its approach to opera.
"It is a teaching group...It gets kids to participate and introduce them to classical music and opera."
Exhibits, videos, food and live regional music will be enjoyed throughout the event, beginning at 3 p.m. on Oct. 15 at Stoneham High School.
Tickets for the event are $7 each and will be available at the door.
Other programs throughout October that the committee continues to work on include lectures, an Italian film festival and more.
Guests scheduled to visit Stoneham, on the 15th as well as various times throughout Italian Heritage month of October, include the Italian Consul and the director of the Museum of Lecce, in southern Puglia, to lecture on the baroque cathedrals in Puglia.
Anyone interested in donating to the Italian Heritage Celebration, or sponsoring a specific exhibit, is encouraged to contact Rocco Zizza at 438-6070.
The goal of the Italian Heritage Committee of Stoneham is to not only bring a cultural celebration to all people of Stoneham, but to also give back to the community in the form of a scholarship to a deserving student or students.
The Italian Heritage Committee of Stoneham is excited about bringing back the October celebration this year. But it has other things to concentrate on too.
September is shaping up to be a busy month as the committee is preparing its Town Day exhibit and float for Parade 2000, scheduled for Sept. 16 and 17 respectively.
Zizza is excited about the cultural opportunities coming to Stoneham.
"We are sitting on a gold mine here," he said.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!