Patrons of Italian Culture Return from Annual Retreat

The Patrons of Italian Culture Board of Directors and several invited members returned from their ‘annual’  4 day Board Retreat  in Vancouver, B.C. Canada, Oct. 18-21. This was the first Board retreat held outside of the United States and proved to be the start of a dynamic collaboration with our northern amici, reports Paul Romano, Patron President.  Previous retreats have been held in San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Barbara, Napa & San Diego, Ca.,  Phoenix, Az., and Santa Fe, N.M. among others.

 

The Patrons were very pleased with the historic Sutton Place Hotel, located  in the heart of Vancouver and the courtesy extended during their visit. The hotel is highly recommended if you are visiting Vancouver.

 

Following their conferences with the Consul General of Italy, Sig. Fabrizio Inserra, Mr. Luigi Sarno, Director- Istituto Italiano di Cultura, and  Prof. Chohre Rassekh’s Italian language classes at the impressive Simon Fraser University on Burnaby Mountain, the Patrons completed their Retreat with two days of discussions, meetings and Galas at the Italian Cultural Center, located at 3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver.

 

The ICC is a most impressive collection of buildings located just east of downtown Vancouver, and operates under the direction of President, Michael Cuccione. In the many months leading up to their arrival, President Cuccione assembled two full days of exciting exhibitions and discussions. Visits to the ICC’s ‘bambino’ language classes, their extensive Italian cultural Library and historical Museum were just amazing. Memorabilia of the Italian migration and settlement in Western Canada were most enlightening.

Most impressive was the ‘full size’ Venetian Gondola presented to the ICC by the delegation after the closing of the Vancouver Olympics. It is housed in a “glass enclosure” in the center of the ICC complex.

 

A morning panel discussion with several members of the Italian Canadian Writers Assoc, (ICWA) was yet another highlight of the retreat. Past ICWA President, Anna Foschi, led a spirited discussion of the early issues and hardships faced by the early Italian settlers. The Patrons received copies of many of their publications and in return distributed copies of several books that the Patrons sponsored, including the recent “Confetti for Gino” republication. Patron member and L’Italo-Americano Publisher, Robert Barbera also promised a steady supply of the L’Italo-Americano to the Center for their library. 

 

Clearly a highlight of the Retreat was being invited as “honored Guests”  to a Gala reception by President Cuccione, and hosted by the “Unione Pugliesi Nel Mondo”.  More than 400 persons attended and a dozen big screen T.V’s reflected the evening event throughout the massive entertainment and cultural pavilion. A magnificent catered dinner, with music and entertainment, was followed by dancing and a lovely ‘showcase’ of regional foods and merchandise was assembled by the Pugliesi members. This truly memorable event capped off one of the best Retreats in recent years.

 

For Membership application or more information about the Patrons of Italian Culture, and their 50 years of promoting  Italian Culture throughout Southern California, contact them at: P.I.C.,  P.O. Box 3465, Burbank, Ca.  91508-3465. The P.I.C. is a non-profit 501c-3 Corporation.