Italian link celebrated at Ardross
THE close links established between Scottish and Italian communities down the years is highlighted in an entertaining ands poignant performance coming to Ross-shire next week.
Italia ‘n’ Caledonia by Mike Maran and Philip Contini tells the story of their grandparents — the Italians who left their sunny hillsides and emigrated to Scotland at the beginning of the 20th century.
The production, which will be in Ardross Hall on Monday, June 20, includes priceless colour movies of the Italians gathering for their "big picnics" in the 1930s.
These Italian families carved a niche for themselves in the Scottish community opening cafes all over Scotland. By the time of the second world war there was an ice cream café or fish and chip shop run by an Italian family in nearly every town and village in Scotland – a door opening onto a southern Mediterranean culture in almost every Scottish High Street.
This cheerful success story came to an abrupt end on June 10, 1940 when Mussolini declared war on Britain. Overnight the Italians became "enemy aliens" and were interned or deported for the duration of the war. Those who were deported on the Arandora Star lost their lives when that ship taking them to Canada was torpedoed by a German U-Boat in the Atlantic Ocean. Most Italian families in Scotland lost a father or husband. Philip Contini’s grandfather, Alfonso Crolla, the founder and owner of Valvona & Crolla in Edinburgh was among those who perished.
The post war years were a time of reconciliation and reconstruction as the Italians renewed their place in the Scottish community and Scots and Italians resumed their friendship.
Those early immigrants are the ancestors of today’s Scottish-Italians. Some of them still make excellent ice cream but more are found working in the health service, in high tech industries, or, like Mike Maran, in the arts.
Italia ‘n’ Caledonia is a celebration of the contribution the Scottish Italians bring to the politics, economics and cultural life of their new Scottish homeland.
Songs especially written for the production by Mike Maran, and David Vernon brings a splash of Italian colour to the production on the accordion from his wide repertoire of Italian music.
As part of a Scottish tour the show will be at Ardross Hall on Monday, June 20 at 8pm. Tickets cost between £7 and £10 and can be booked by telephoning 01349 880591.
