Italian identity at York

University cultural events achieve two goals with students

The defense and promotion of Italian culture and the maintenance of links with Italian tradition and roots within the world of university are the main purposes of the Italian Association of York University (IAYU), a group formed in the '80s and grown through over 20 years of history. "With the passing of years, the interest in our association has been constantly growing among York University students," told us 20-year-old Stephanie Daniele. "Last year we had a membership of over 500 students, and this year we have already passed 400, and we are confident of repeating and even passing last year's figure."
The work of IAYU spans numerous fields. In addition to promoting Italian culture within the university, the group organizes specific events that have developed into yearly occasions: from Cultural Days to Fashion Shows, from student parties to trips to other Canadian cities. All the initiatives are charitable, as all the funds raised are given to charities.
"In this way we manage to achieve two important goals," adds Jennifer Naccarato, 19 years old; "on the one hand we get an opportunity to present the culture of our country of origin to other university students; on the other we can give our small contribution to worthy causes."
For several years, the funds raised have gone to the Breast Cancer Society and the Children's Wish Foundation.
Within the university, a student association also serves as a meeting place, possibly among people belonging to different cultures and national origins. "This is also a very important element," continues Stephanie. "Any encounter with difference is an occasion for growth: our own association has some 25 percent of its members having a non-Italian background. We have Poles, Greeks, Hispanics, Hungarians, Africans. Many of them associate with us out of simple curiosity for Italy, its traditions, its culture; others because they have some exams of Italian in their academic plans."
The two students emphasize that the interest for things Italian is on the rise even from an academic standpoint. The Department of Italian Studies at York University runs yearly courses and exams on Italian history, Italian language, and Italian migration. The latter subject holds particular interest from Italian-Canadian students, who thus get an opportunity to learn the history of their parents or grandparents, the reasons that sent generations of Italian overseas on a quest for a better life in another country.
Canada in general and Toronto in particular have guaranteed for the last decades that Italian culture and identity might thrive here. People could be Canadians without giving up their pride of being Italians. "From this standpoint, Toronto is an exceptional city," says Stephanie, "because tolerance and respect are granted to different ethnic and cultural identities. Canada is the land of opportunities, where people can truly feel free to express themselves without fear of being judged for this."
One of the most interesting events of each year is the Cultural Day, a day devoted to rediscovering Italian origins. "During the Cultural Day we try and recreate an Italian atmosphere," explains Stephanie. "We prepare dishes taken from Italy's gastronomic tradition and listen to Italian music."
The proud defense of identity through the rediscovery of one's cultural and linguistic roots are the association's leitmotifs, which marked its 20-year-long history. "During the Cultural Day we screen videos about Italian cities," continues the proud student; "images of Florence, Venice, Rome, truly unique places that every country envies Italy for. It's a fresh emotion every time."
One of the keys for understanding the spirit of this association is the encounter with other realities. With this spirit, the group has been organizing a trip to Montreal with the goal of spending a weekend learning about this Francophone city. As both students confirmed, IAYU also intends to establish links with other student organizations active in Italian universities.
Membership fees are minimal: $5 for a year. Also in this case, the funds collected are given to charities.
Just like any other group, the Italian Association of York University has problems of its own. "We've had a hard time finding sponsors," admits Stephanie. "We hope that things will improve in the near future. Ours is a not-for-profit student group, relying mostly on the generosity of the community. For this reason we'd like to invite anyone wishing to support us and our initiatives to step forward: as we said, all funds raised during our events go to charities."

The next event is a Halloween party, organized for Saturday, October 30, at Guvernment, a disco located at 132, Queens Quay East.

Publication Date: 2004-10-31
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=4558