A Celebration of Italian-Canadian Voices

Photo courtesy of Sofia Romano Milne

More than sixty writers of Italian heritage presented their work at the 19th Biennial Conference of the Association of Italian-Canadian Writers (AICW).

The conference, titled The Vines of Diaspora: Italian-Canadian Literary and Artistic Cultures, took place on September 27 and 28, at York University and the Columbus Centre, and featured emerging as well as established writers and academics. Abril Liberatori, who is the Mariano A. Elia Chair in Italian-Canadian Studies at York University and a historian by training, presided over the opening session at Founders College.

In the words of conference organizer Rosaria Moretti-Lawrie, “the works presented over the two days by 60 distinguished creative and critical thinkers truly represent the evolution of the Italian and Italian-Canadian community.”

Moretti-Lawrie’s lecture, titled “Cultivating Identity: Italian Migrant Gardens in Toronto,” analysed the rituals around gardening by Italian Canadians. The presentation was accompanied by captivating photographs by eminent photographer and writer Vincenzo Pietropaolo. Also the keynote speaker, Pietropaolo discussed the power of the photographic image and the disruptive power of new technologies. During his address, Pietropaolo also unveiled his forthcoming photo-literary book with poet Liana Cusmano that will feature figures in the Italian-Canadian queer community.

Left: Vincenzo Pietropaolo; right: Frank Moyo, at 2024 AICW Conference (Photos: Anna Romano Milne)

Among the conference’s other highlights were a panel discussion with Steff Juniper Mendolia, Nicole Haldoupis, Domenico A. Beneventi, Liana Cusmano and Elio Iannacci, inspired by the recently published Here & Now: An Anthology of Queer Italian-Canadian Writing; and a screening of the short film For Nonna Anna by Luis De Filippis, which features a transgender teen caring for her octogenarian grandmother suffering from dementia. The film received the Sundance Special Jury Prize in 2018.

“The talent at this conference goes beyond the usual definitions of diversity,” said Christine Sansalone, president of the AICW. “We had new writers and first-time presenters sharing their forthcoming work alongside celebrated novelists and academics.”

Acclaimed Toronto singer-songwriter and guitarist Frank Moyo closed the event with an all-too-brief live solo performance in the atrium of the Columbus Centre before an enthusiastic audience.

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