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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-03-23 Daily Xml
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UNIFICATION OF ITALY

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:28): It is my pleasure today to talk about the events that have occurred thus far involving the Italo-Australian community celebrating the 150 years of the unification of Italy. Whilst many important events occurred leading up to 1861, the 17th March 1861 is the date Italy officially united under a parliament that proclaimed Vittorio Emanuele II as the first King of Italy.

Prior to unification, Italy was fragmented, comprising a number of kingdoms dominated by various royal families of Europe, Papal States and republics. Over many centuries many of the states were lost and gained in various battles. For example, the region where I was born was part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies ruled at various times by Spanish and French royal families. The unification of Italy, or Risorgimento, as it is known in Italy, is widely credited to three people: the ideologist, Giuseppe Mazzini; the politician, Count Camillo Benso di Cavour; and the revolutionary, Giuseppe Garibaldi. Of the three, Garibaldi is an icon widely respected by Italians everywhere as a nationalist revolutionary hero and leader in the struggle for Italy to gain independence and become a unified nation. 'Hear, hear!' from the Hon. John Gazzola.

Whilst a couple of important cities were not included at the time, a united Italy was established in 1861 after Garibaldi had delivered Naples to Vittorio Emanuele II of the House of Savoy and ruler of the Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia, who was then subsequently proclaimed King of all of Italy.

As a focus of the 150 year unification celebrations, we saw visits earlier this year from both Assessore (Minister) Nappi from the Campania region, as well as Mayor Dr Enzo Testa from the community of Roccabascerana, along with Father Albert Mwise, the parish priest of several towns near Benevento. Father Albert brought with him greetings of support and best wishes from the Archbishop of Benevento.

It was pleasing to hear Mayor Testa, on several occasions, stress that celebrations for the unification should not just be about those in Italy but should also recognise the Italian diaspora that left for a better life. He was particularly pleased to be here in Adelaide, from where sometimes half of the population of a town had left to join family and friends in Adelaide.

Minister Nappi and Mayor Testa strongly believe in the importance of acknowledging that part of Italian history. Both paid enormous tribute to those migrants who took their leap of faith and, no doubt, made it easier for those who were left behind. It was pleasing to hear such comments when there are nearly 100,000 people of Italian heritage in this state.

The overseas visitors were here at the time of Carnevale, another great success, with many thousands flocking to the Wayville Showgrounds to share in celebrating all things Italian. The visitors were full of praise for the manner in which multiculturalism is celebrated in our state.

Last week, I joined many others in the community at the Marche Club in Campbelltown to be part of an evening that celebrated unification. A forum discussion was led by Dr Marcello Costa, Professor of Neurophysiology from Flinders University, who is also a great historian, along with Dr Ignazia Nespolo, the education officer from the Italian Consulate.

The Acting Consul, Mrs Orietta Borgia, gave a short address, as did Cavaliere Vincenzo Papandrea, the president of Com.It.Es. Minister Grace Portolesi gave the best wishes of the Premier and the parliament. The evening also included the screening of a period film made in 1954 called Senso. Whilst a work of fiction, it manages to depict with great pathos and realism the turmoil of families caught up in the unification process, as kingdoms were lost and a new nation was developing.

Another focus to help celebrate the unification came from the Dante Alighieri Society in South Australia, which late last year hosted a national conference of Dante societies throughout Australia. As a member of the society, I was pleased to be at the reception evening of a most successful conference. A decision was made to establish a national council, which will voice the concerns of all states for the future of the Italian language and culture.

The society will also be hosting a social function in the middle of the year. Many events are taking place throughout Italy this year to celebrate the unification. I am pleased that this state's Italo-Australian community is also remembering and celebrating its history.

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