From Puglia to America The Story of Italian Migration

Embark with us and our esteemed guest, Anna Riggs, on a journey spanning continents and generations, as we trace the deep roots of her Italian lineage back to the quaint town of Ceglie Del Campo. Hannah’s intimate narrative is more than a globe-trotting adventure; it’s a heartfelt homage to her family’s odyssey from Italy to Venezuela, and finally to the United States in 1955. Wrapped in the nostalgia of a Catholic school’s corridors and the sanctity of orchard-laden convents, Hannah’s tales are a mosaic of cherished memories. Her lilting school song transports us back in time, revealing the inevitable transformations of places once familiar.

Savor the episode’s gastronomic expedition that contrasts Italian and American culinary traditions, where the simplicity of ingredients is a testament to Italian authenticity. Anna’s insights reveal how a plate of pasta can tell stories of cultural adaptation – sometimes sweetened for American palates but always steeped in the legacy of its origins. We meander through the daily rituals of Italian marketplaces, with their unforgettable fish freshness and the symphony of regional dialects, offering a slice of life in Italy that’s as rich and varied as its cuisine.

Finally, we journey through the evolution of banking from the 1950s to present day and uncover the challenges of preserving Italian heritage amidst the bustling modernity of Santa Clarita. The Italian Catholic Club’s communal heartbeat echoes through our discussion, underscoring the importance of Italian cultural societies In America. And in a captivating revelation, we pay tribute to the ingenuity of Baldassare Forestiere with an exploration of Fresno’s Forestiere Underground Gardens, a subterranean marvel hand-carved from the earth – a testament to the enduring legacy of Italian immigrants in America.