I was born in Vicenza and I have been working for thirty years for the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in promoting the Italian language and culture abroad. At the moment I am the Director of the Italian Institute of Culture (ICC) of Los Angeles and the Coordinator for North America (USA and Canada). In 1980 I founded the IIC of San Francisco and up to now I have been the director the ICCs of Toronto - Vancouver, Chicago and Los Angeles.
In 2006 I created the Los Angeles Delegation of the Italian Academy of Cooking and in 2007 the Los Angeles ICC, under my direction, was recognized as the Institute of Culture, among the 89 Italy has in the whole world, that was able to create the best interaction with business and entrepreneurs.
Who is for you the migrant?
A migrant is someone who leaves his/her own country of birth and moves to another nation bringing along traditions and customs impossible to forget.
Name two or your favorite dishes, one from your own tradition/culture and another from a tradition/culture different from yours.
Among the traditional recipes of my home town of Vicenza I love "risi e bisi", which is a special risotto with peas grown in the small village of Lumignano; eggs with the famous white asparagus of Bassano del Grappa and “baccalà alla vicentina” codfish cooked in milk with polenta (corn meal). Thinking about a food tradition different from my own, I love the recipes from Puglia especially orecchiette pasta with small broccoli and pecorino cheese.
Tell us one of your personal experiences related to migration.
My brother moved to Melbourne, Australia where at the moment he lives with his family and he is perfectly integrated. I deeply respect every one that has the courage to make such a brave choice.
What products of your culinary tradition do you miss the most when travelling?
Chestnut-marmalade, apple mustard with ginger, mandorlato (an almond sweet) and mascarpone made in Cologna Veneta.
The theme of the first edition of IMAFestival is Food and Migration. What images, sensations, memories and emotions does this theme bring to your mind?
Food is culture, emotions and memories. How can I forget the apricot marmalade pie made with the fruits from my own garden? When I was a child and I was coming home after my afternoon excursions with friends in the countryside, I could smell the aroma of this amazing homemade sweet even before opening the main door.
