Rocco Maragna, Vice-Chair of the Italy Advisory Council in 1997, at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, was instrumental in formulating the Welcome Italia event.
The aim of Welcome Italia was to expand awareness of the richness of Italian culture and to recognize the close ties between Italy and Canada, characterised by the presence in Canada of an important collectivity of Italian origin, whose labour and creativity contributed greatly to the construction of this Country.
The event took place in the new location of the National Trade Centre from 15 August to 1 September 1997. Welcome Italia was constructed around a virtual town square, “la piazza”, representing the vibrancy of Italian life, in which the images and sounds of Italy accompanied the visitors.
Various facets of contemporary’s Italy were presented around the square: the beauty of nature, art and architecture, traditional performances and objects. Last but not least, the great tradition of Italian gastronomy.
During the course of the Exhibition, visitors had the opportunity to visit the exhibitors’ pavilions and partake in various performances, such as the spectacular Human Chess Game of Marostica, a tradition deriving its origin from the challenge which, in 1454, involved two Knights, Rinaldo d’Angarano and Vieri da Vallonara who competed, in a chess game in which the entire population of Marostica participated, for the hand of Dama Lionara di Marostica. The costumes of the era, the court parade, the movements of the players, all immersed the public in an enchanted atmosphere, which replays itself every two years in the small Venetian city of Marostica.
Following this, the Sbandieratori of Siena exhibited their traditional renaissance art: rapid movements, the elaborate choreography, the vaulting of the flags, the sparkling colours, the drum rolls and the blaring trumpets, bringing the public back to Italy of the renaissance.
And from Venice the Murano Glass Blowers represented interactively the great tradition of Italian artisanry, taking the public through Italy of the 1800’s, from which many Italians set out for the Americas, leaving behind the memories of traditions, trades and costumes, and of community life in their birthplace. The event also showcased the many contributions made by those who migrated from Italy to Canada.
The highlight of the event was the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Giovanni Caboto sailing an English ship, the Matthew, across the Atlantic Ocean to ‘new found land’. The recognition of the Italian mariner’s arrival, the first European of the modern age to set foot on the Canadian soil and being met by native people raised awareness among the visitors that this land was inhabited.
As Queen Elisabeth II’s address at the reenactment of the arrival of the Matthew at Bonavista, on June 24, 1997:
“Minister, Premier Tobin,
I am delighted to be here to mark the anniversary of an historic event, the completion of the voyage of Giovanni Caboto, as he was in his native Italy, to Canada. Prince Philip took similar pleasure in seeing the Matthew of today sail from Bristol earlier this year.
In 1947, when vast regions of the world were still uncharted, John Cabot crossed the Atlantic Ocean from England hoping to find the Western passage to Asia. Instead, he sighted this very coastline, a “new founde land” forming part of a country known as Canada.
So Newfoundland became the link between the old and the new worlds. It represents the geographical and intellectual beginning of modern North America. That extraordinary voyage of discovery was the beginning of the affectionate relationship that has existed between Great Britain and Newfoundland and Labrador ever since…
John Cabot’s dreams came true. In the shape of Newfoundland and Labrador, and of Canada, the dreams of countless thousands of Canadians are still coming true…”
The fact that Her Majesty used the Italian name of Giovanni Caboto in Her speech was the result of the request made by Rocco Maragna in his letter to Her on April 23, 1997. Because of that, The Italian President of the Republic Luigi Scalfaro, nominated Rocco Maragna as “Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana” on June 26, 1997.
Rocco Maragna received a copy of the speech and was invited to the dinner in Toronto on June 28, 1997 with Queen Elisabeth II. That was the occasion to meet Her Majesty.
This was the spark that gave birth to the idea of the Gallery of Human Migration.With the movement of people from one place to another increasing at rapid pace, the challenge of appreciating and accommodating cultural distinctness is becoming a universal challenge. The convergence and interplay of different civilizations in Canada can provide insight and spark debate that will contribute to the public policy decision-making process and strengthen the quality of the public policy decisions made by governments, citizens, and institutions. One of the most important resources that Canada has and the world needs is an understanding of how pluralistic society, evolved from a multicultural process, is created and nurtured. The full potential and importance of this process needs to be explored, defined, and commemorated from the Gallery. The story of migration applies to all, it is common, and Canada has made commonality a thing of greatness.
Interview with Rocco Maragna on the Corriere Canadese. July 8 2024 – https://www.corriere.ca/omaggio-agli-italiani-dalla-sua-altezza-reale/