Despite last winter’s attempt to remove it from the list of official holidays observed in California and to replace it with the Native American Day, the historic Columbus Day has been saved, and it will be celebrated next Monday by the Italian American community in Los Angeles within the special framework of 2013 – Year of the Italian Culture in the United States.
In the 19th century, Italian immigrants to the United States started considering and commemorating Columbus Day as a tribute to the Italian heritage, being Christopher Columbus native of Genoa in Northern Italy. But only in 1934, U.S. Congress and President F. D. Roosevelt proclaimed it a federal holiday falling on the second Monday of October.
Nowadays, observance varies from State to State, and a few of them even don’t recognize it. California boasts one of the oldest traditions in celebrating this festivity with a large parade organized in San Francisco by the local Italian American community since 1868.
Nevertheless, Columbus Day has always been very controversial, mainly due to the impact that the European colonization of the Americas had on the life and culture of indigenous populations after Columbus’ discovery. This reason for opposition, supported by indigenous groups, has been asserted more and more vehemently since the late 20th century.
In January 2013, a proposal was submitted by an assemblyman of one of Los Angeles’ Districts to change the name from Columbus Day to Native American Day “in order to recognize the genocide inflicted upon Native Americans […], and to acknowledge their numerous contributions to California and the Nation.” Yet, thanks also to the heartfelt support of the Italian community, the Bill was amended and the festivity preserved. So next Monday, October 14, an estimated 16 to 26 million Americans of Italian descent will pay homage to their native culture by honoring one of the greatest navigators and explorers of all times.
Several initiatives and events are taking place in these days, organized by many local Italian American associations including the Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation (OCAIRF) together with the Italian Cultural Arts Council of the Bowers Museum; the United Lodges of Southern California, Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) and Federated Italo-Americans of Southern California; the Club Italia; and the Families of Italian Lineage.
On Sunday, October 6, representatives of the Italian institutions and community dignitaries gathered together in the courtyard of the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana to commemorate the discovery of America. The museum hosts the Christopher Columbus Monument, a bronze sculpture by world-renowned artist Domenico Mazzone, donated by OCAIRF on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage. The Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation is committed to preserve the Italian American heritage in the area, and it annually organizes the Columbus Day celebration, this year in conjunction with the Italian and Mediterranean Family Festival on schedule at the museum.
The ceremony – introduced by Commendatore Frank J. De Santis, President of Italian Arts Council, Past State and National President OSIA, and OCAIRF founder – featured color guards, Italian and American national anthems, wreath laying at Columbus’ Monument, traditional Italian songs, a puppet show for the kids, and Flamenco dancers.
In the official proclamation read by Commendatore De Santis, the Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation and the Italian Cultural Arts Council of the Bowers Museum were congratulated by the Orange County Board of Supervisors “for their continued efforts to bring the heritage, history, contributions, and legacy of the Italian people to the forefront in Orange County”, and October was pronounced as Italian Heritage Month.
In addition, the Columbus Award was presented to retired professional football player Vince Ferragamo by State President of the Grand Lodge and Foundation David A. Prisco, to recognize his professional achievements which give prestige to Italy, and his praiseworthy service to the community.
Among the leading figures who attended the festive occasion were also Consul General of Italy Giuseppe Perrone – who thanked the organizers as well as all the Italian institutions and local associations for their efforts in keeping alive the ties between the U.S. and Italy throughout the years -, State President Grand Lodge of California Lynn Lawrence Murphy, Ambassador to Capistrano’s sister city Vicky Carabini, L’Italo-Americano publisher Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Barbera.
Next weekend the celebrations will continue with two dinner dances honoring Christopher Columbus, promoted by the social group Club Italia and the association Families of Italian Lineage respectively at St. John Eudes Church in Chatsworth on Saturday, September 12, and at Mission Viejo Country Club in Orange County on Sunday, September 13, featuring exquisite food and live music entertainment.
Last but not least, on Sunday from 12:30 p.m. the Casa Italiana in Downtown Los Angeles will host the annual Columbus Civic Ceremony and Family Festival presented jointly by the United Lodges of Southern California, OSIA and Federated Italo-Americans of Southern California. The commemoration will include special guest speakers, live music entertainment provided among others by the Franklin Elementary School of Glendale, and fun activities for the whole family. A morning Mass in Italian will also be officiated at adjacent St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
Columbus’ endeavor represents the very basis of today’s relationship and exchange between the U.S. and Western Europe, and it made possible the immigration of millions of Italians who have widely contributed to the development and progress of the American Continent throughout the centuries. Our shared responsibility is now to continue that journey towards the future, in the name of mutual discovery and respect.
Photo credit: Kathy DeSantis
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