a Bellwether of Cultural Progress
The precedent-setting IAFL Conference has reached its endpoint. Syracuse was well represented by Jared Saya, Syracuse, Jackie Antonacci, Town of Onondaga, and, Dominick Ciciarelli, Town of Salina. Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO) VP John Viola is setting the stage for a new wave of leaders to uphold our heritage, elevate our culture and promote our history – starting with Columbus.
Conference organizers were struck by the impassioned and highly insightful remarks by delegates that mirrored the viewpoints of elder generations concerning the importance of ancestry and traditions, and the negative effects of pervasive stereotypes.
Hollywood directors Joe and Anthony Russo highlighted how their Italian American upbringing played a critical role in shaping their lives and careers. The Russo Brothers encouraged attendees to take up the torch and celebrate their heritage.
“Our family emigrated to the U.S. from four small hill towns in the Abruzzo and Sicily. We feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel to those places and connect with our roots because we love and value the role our Italian cultural heritage has had in our lives,” said Anthony Russo.
COPOMIAO President Basil Russo’s motivational keynote address set the tone and was enthusiastically received by the delegates.
Russo spoke about the significant contributions Italians have made to world civilization, the need for younger Italian Americans to assume the mantle of leadership in the IA community, the challenges facing the younger generation of Italian American leaders, and his faith that younger delegates will get the job done.
