Tag Archives: Carlo Vaniglia

Exciting news! Italy is reaching out like never before to reconnect with people of Italian heritage living throughout the world. Dubbed “Italea,” the program promotes “roots tourism” to the descendants of the great Italian diaspora. The local announcement of the program brought together leaders of the Chicago-area Italian-American community through the invitation of Italian Consul General Thomas Botzios; Com.It.Es President Carlo Vaniglia; and Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans President Ron Onesti. The June 14 reception was hosted by the JCCIA in the beautiful private dining room of the Des Plaines Theatre. Flying in to make the presentation was Luigi …

Società Santa Fara di Cinisi attracted more than 300 guests to its annual dinner dance on Dec. 3 at Allegra Banquets in Schiller Park. The theme of the event was “Building Bridges to Cinisi,” the town in Sicily to which many of the members trace their roots. The gathering was attended by Cinisi Vice Mayor Aldo Ruffino; town Assessor Marina Maltese; and Padre Antonio Ortoleva, pastor of Santa Fara Church in Cinisi. Vice Consul General Marina Balestra also attended, presenting the society with a congratulatory letter. “Since there are very few Italian immigrants nowadays, it’s important that the younger generation …

Last year, Società Santa Fara di Cinisi successfully lobbied the city of Chicago to name the stretch of road outside of their clubhouse on Addison Street Honorary Via Santa Fara di Cinisi. The society was presented with an extra sign at the time, which it shipped to the mayor of Cinisi, Sicily, to display outside their town hall. The sign was installed in Sicily on July 10 during the Feast of Santa Fara. “This was done to keep the lines of communication open between the town of our birth and the Cinisensi of Chicago,” says society President Carlo Vaniglia. “It …

Comitato per gli italiani all’estero took part in a pair of vigils for Diego Damis, an Italian citizen who was murdered while walking home from his job at the Cove Lounge in Hyde Park on Feb. 25. Friends and co-workers of Damis held a candlelight vigil on March 4 at the site of the attack, and Com.It.Es hosted a vigil of its own on March 6 at Piazza Italia on Taylor Street. “Diego’s family flew in from Italy for the events. They thanked us for honoring their son and were very moved that our community remembered him,” says Com.It.Es President …

Società Santa Fara di Cinisi has been a beacon of italianità at Addison Street and Oleander Avenue in Chicago since the organization opened the doors to its social hall and chapel on the northeast corner of the intersection in 1985. The society’s light shines a little brighter now that the city has named Oleander from Addison to Waveland Avenue Honorary Via Santa Fara di Cinisi. “We approached [36th Ward] Alderman [Nicholas] Sposato with the idea, and he was more than happy to help,” says society President Carlo Vaniglia. “We need to be proud of our heritage and show that pride …

During a typical summer, Carlo Vaniglia attends patron saint celebrations almost every weekend. With most of them cancelled due to the coronavirus, Vaniglia has hatched a groundbreaking way to spend his newfound free time. “I thought, ‘Why not gather in front of the Columbus statue in Arrigo Park to show our support for our monuments and answer questions people might have?’” Vaniglia explains. And so, Coffee With Columbus was born. Vaniglia has attracted groups of between 20 and 60 people each Sunday morning simply through word of mouth, and the feedback from passersby has been largely positive. “We’re not there …

At a moment in our history when conflict is rampant and emotions are running high, Chicago-area Italian Americans are charting a decidedly different course. They’re building coalitions, employing quiet diplomacy and reaching out across the divide to build support for their causes. The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans has been at the forefront of this strategic sea change, beginning with a more inclusive approach to the Columbus Day Parade. Historically a celebration of Italian pride, the parade has become increasingly multicultural, with last year’s event boasting nearly a dozen floats representing a variety of African, Hispanic, Asian and white …