Italian links reinforced at festival
The Hamilton Italian Festival gave locals a chance to connect with Italy, although many already had links.
Waikato is a world away from Italy, but Hamilton Gardens had a distinctly Italian feel on Sunday.
Hamilton’s first Italian Festival showcased icons of Italian culture in a family-friendly setting, and under a Mediterranean-strength sun.
The project of the Circolo Italiano (Italian Society) drew more than 2200 locals, many of whom had a connection with Italy.
Anna Livingstone was at the stall for the Circolo Italiano.
“My nana was one of the… original members. She came out as a war bride from Italy.”
A three-month boat journey brought her to her new home.
Italian culture was maintained in Livingstone’s family, so it was important to her to visit her grandmother’s town, Arpino.
“After high school, I took a year off, and loved it so much I stayed for seven years.”
Now living in New Zealand, she was hanging out for two things: “Mozzarella. I definitely, definitely love mozzarella, and the gelato is very good.”
In the lengthy queue for woodfired pizza were Emilie Smithson, 10, and her mother, Trish.
Emilie was given Elisabetta as a middle name by her Italy-mad parents.
“I just love anything Italian,” said her mother, as the pair waited for the pizza Emilie crafted to emerge from the oven.
Not far away was Lauren Kerr-Bell, for whom the festival was a must see.
Her Italian mother ensured she grew up eating food from the homeland.
She planned on “just being a part of [the festival] and supporting the culture.”
It was not only ethnicity which linked Hamilton’s people to Italy, but also leisure interests.
Maurice Toon, of Hamilton East, is a two-time Paralympian in boccia – a game like bowls and petanque, developed to be accessible for people with disabilities.
Its similarities to an Italian game, bocce, got Toon and his silver medal from Athens an invitation to the festival.
Boccia is on the rise in the Waikato, and the local club recently had to change premises so there was space for all the players.
Another physical activity for outgoing festival visitors was dancing mazurkas and tarantellas, instructed by Fiona Murdoch of Dance Folkus.
Murdoch has taught folk dances for over 25 years, and was pleased to give lovers of Italy the chance to try a dance as well as the food.
For some Hamilton locals, the festival was the first brush with Italian culture.
Jody Williams and her family had tried chocolate, salami, pastrami, and biscuits but still planned to join the queue for pizza.
Williams appreciated the family-friendly atmosphere, although she still managed to taste some limoncello (lemon liqueur).
“Very tasty. I was quite surprised.”
