Tag Archives: Italian heritage

Aug 16, 2018 · 11:35 am

conca d’Abruzzo in Australia…

Received this lovely gift from a reader, Augusto (who doesn’t mind me sharing that he lives in Australia, was born in Fossa, Abruzzo and was pleased to discover the books). At 80, for the first time he’s learnt copper smithing and made me this little, copper conca and ladle, like those larger ones traditionally used in Abruzzo to collect water (women like my bisnonna Maddalena carried them on their heads).

Thank you to Augusto, such a beautiful kindness. I will treasure it always! And many thanks to all who’ve connected through messages and letters. It’s such a pleasure to hear from you. What most drives me to write is to preserve experiences of ‘everyday’ people and their often overlooked yet I believe significant parts of history. Thank you for your interest (and I’m working hard on the next book!!) xx

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Filed under books + writing, italy

Tagged as Abruzzese history, Abruzzesi heritage, Abruzzo, Abruzzo history, Apennine Mountains, Aterno Valley Abruzzo, conca, conca d'abruzzo, copper, copper conca, copper smith, Italian ancestry, Italian heritage, water vessel

Aug 1, 2018 · 3:37 pm

Looking out from Fossa to the Apennines and nearby towns…

When I think back to first leaning on these railings more than two decades ago, the unexpected sense of belonging to a place that until then I’d only heard about, amazes me even now. Such a beautiful landscape in all it holds, its timelessness, change, ancestry, scars, history and splendour. xx

“Nonno Anni’s face creases in smiles when I join him. He leads me out to Piazza Belvedere and we lean on the railings taking in the magnificent view of the Aterno Valley. Nonno Anni straightens and takes a big breath. He slaps his chest, encouraging me to take some deep breaths of the pure mountain air with him.”

from Mezza Italiana

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Filed under italy

Tagged as Abruzzo, Apennine Mountains, Aterno Valley Abruzzo, belonging, family history, Fossa, Fossa L'Aquila Abruzzo, Italian ancestry, Italian heritage, Italian hilltop towns, Italian history, Italy, Piazza Belvedere

Mar 1, 2018 · 10:32 am

My Nonni from Abruzzo….

Life in Abruzzo is currently doing a series called, My Nonni from Abruzzo that looks at how such migrant heritage may reach well beyond its original Italian borders to other areas of the world through the influence of grandparents. Such a pleasure to be asked to contribute and be among these family stories.