La Vita È Bella / Life is Beautiful
WELCOME TO FESTITALIA 2019
The mission of Festitalia Corporation is to develop and promote, in the City of Hamilton, a festival of significant impact that shares and promotes Italian culture and heritage with the community-at-large.
Festitalia also contributes to the economic development of the Region through a strong central volunteer driven organization that collaborates with other community groups in celebrating Italian culture and heritage and through direct links to Italy.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 2019
It is my honour to bring greetings on behalf of FESTITALIA for 2019. As FESTIITALIA enters our 44th year, the Board of Directors is already working hard on planning for our 2019 calendar. Since its inception in 1975 as the Italian Affair, this inaugural event evolved into FESTITALIA the next year and has left an impact on the community with art, music, literature, film, language and of course food. Our continued goal and strategic vision is to continue to promote the Italian culture is any way possible in the Hamilton area.
Our 8th Annual Italian Heritage Awards take place on Tuesday June 4th.
The FESTITALIA Italian Heritage Awards of Distinction recognizes the leadership of men, women and youth of Italian ancestry or Italian affiliation who contribute to the development and well-being of others and the overall improvement of the community. While the promotion of Italian Heritage is not necessarily a deciding factor in the awarding of this distinction, the contributions made by award recipients bring honour and recognition to individuals of Italian ancestry who, as a whole, have made significant contributions to the betterment of the community at large.
My roots are deep in Hamilton and my commitment to the Italian and broader community is my focus. Preserving the culture by any means possible is my commitment. Engaging a younger generation to participate in our activities and efforts is one of my goals and wishes.
As an Abbruzzese and Pugliese, my exposure to the culture started at a very young age. I can remember as a child the festivals at Gage Park and then the first few festivities at the James Street Armouries are memories I will never forget, in fact I’m sure I won a spaghetti eating contest one year.
September 2019 marks the 44th year of our month long festival where we start at the top of Italy and work our way all the way down to the south with our renowned regional dinners and many other events to satisfy every level and interest of Italian culture. Please visit www.festitalia.ca where our calendar is updated regularly with events and exciting news.
Let's all continue to embrace that La Vita E Bella – Life is Beautiful.
Sincerely,
Pat Mostacci
Chair
