|
Tricentennial cont. from page 5
The Italians who settled in Louisiana in the 1800s developed importexport trade routes between Palermo, Sicily and New Orleans bringing citrus fruits, figs, and olives to the Crescent City.
Following Italian unification, many Sicilians from small towns around Palermo immigrated to New Orleans on the same shipping routes that the early Italians had established.
They found jobs on sugar plantations, strawberry farms, and the
|
docks.
So many Sicilians settled in the French Quarter that it was often called Piccolo Palermo.
Between 1880 and 1920, nearly 100,000 Sicilians immigrated to Louisiana.
Today many Louisianans joke they aren’ t Italian, but Sicilian! Did you know that you can reconnect with your ancestors by obtaining Italian dual citizenship?
Call Alessandro at the AICC( 504- 522-7294) to learn more.
- Megan Celona
|
ST. JOSEPH’ S DAY
Saint Joseph’ s Day is held annually on March 19. It is a day of remembrance and celebration here in Louisiana.
Many centuries ago in Sicily, there was a terrible famine and the Sicilians prayed to Saint Joseph for help. The fava bean was one of the first crops to grow and helped sustain the people.
To show their thanks, the Sicilians created an altar in the piazza for Saint Joseph. When Sicilians came to New Orleans, they brought this tradition with them and today, many churches, families, businesses, and schools create their own Saint Joseph altars.
As a visitor to the altar, one receives a few cookies, a prayer card, and a lucky fava bean.
- Megan Celona
MARDI GRAS
Mardi Gras has its roots in Italy’ s Carnevale which was first celebrated in Venice in 1094 and has been officially sanctioned by the city since 1296!
Carnevale spread from Medieval
|
Italy to the French House of the Bourbons and eventually France’ s colonies including Louisiana. Bienville established Mardi Gras in New Orleans in 1718.
The holiday was celebrated with elaborate balls; the parades didn’ t begin until the 1830s; throws weren’ t created until 1870; and it wasn’ t until 1875 that Mardi Gras became a legal holiday.
When Sicilians arrived in Louisiana they were not allowed to join the secretive, exclusive Mardi Gras Krewes.
In 1935, Dr. Emile A. Bertucci founded the Krewe of the Virgilians, a predominantly Italian American krewe. The annual balls were extremely elaborate and involved many scenery changes. Each year, Dr. Bertucci went to New York to find costume jewelry to give as a favor.
The krewe held their final ball in 1964.
While there is no longer a singular Italian krewe, Italians are now involved in krewes throughout the city.
A recent, Italian edition to Mardi Gras is the throw cup!
Corrado Giacona II created the
|