Bob's Father and Grandparents were born in the Trentino Region of Northern Italy. There are Trentino Clubs in most major cities of the world, and also Southern California. The association of Trentino Clubs of North America (ITTONA) held their bi-annual convention in Trento Italy. Some 600 Americans and Canadians, along with many Italian 'cousins', attended. This event was four days of wonderful friendship, life stories, tours, cultural activities and above all, great Italian food, entertainment, music and hospitality. The Trentini nel Mondo (Trentino people of the world) organization from Trento were our hosts, and did a wonderful job in every respect.
About 25 members of the Southern California Trentino Club were in attendance and all clubs brought their banners. Participants held several parades in Trento.
Sunday June 23rd participants registered and attended the welcoming dinner. Monday morning, the next opening activity was to parade to the Duomo and be welcomed by the Archbishop of Trento.
Next stop was visit to Castle Del Buonconsiglio to meet local officials and people of Trentino.
People of Trentino are of Italian, Tyrolian, Austrian and German origin.
One of our Italian hosts was Umberto Foradori (Left below) and in conversation, Bob found he was a first cousin of Mama Lina, wife of Antonio Zambanini of Sclemo. Right photo is Ada Zambanini of New York, and a descendent of Zambanini family from Tovodo, near Sclemo.
At the left below, Ada Zambanini is shown with her cousin Annie Zambanini Campbell. Photo at right is Yvonne Fabro Sipe, a sister of Bob's close USAF friend, Frank Fabro. Fabros have grandparents from the Trentino region.
Some highlights of the tours were............................
Riva Del Garda Castle
The beautiful church in Rovereto and downtown Rovereto.
Lunch at a real Bocce Ball Club and visit to Memorial for those killed in WWII.
Most Trentini came to the US to be coal miners at the turn of the century, but a large number were skilled in knife sharpening and associated industrial applications. The memorial (left) to sharpeners is in the town of Pinzola. Right is Nardis Falls in National Park.
We gathered at the Duomo for the opening.
The Cardinal arrived from Milan and led a parade through the streets of Trento. The Festival was concluded with a spectacular fireworks show for San Vigilio along the River Alto Aldge River.
Next ITTONA convention will be held in San Francisco in 2004.