Co-creators of Italian Walk of Fame prepare for September event
By Letizia Tesi

There is a lot of pride in Jimi Bertucci’s and Marisa Beaco-Lang’s words. When they left Italy — Bertucci was born in Calabria; Beaco-Lang is from Friuli — they were just children, but they’ve never forgotten their land of origin.

And it’s that very pride in their roots that motivated them to create the Italian Walk of Fame, an international acknowledgment for Italians who have distinguished themselves in various fields ranging from medicine to science, and from the world of entertainment to business. Stars recognized last year were Giancarlo Giannini, hockey legend Phil Esposito, singer Connie Francis, former OPP chief Julian Fantino, businessman Rudy Bratty, and CHIN founder Johnny Lombardi.

This year’s stars, who will be honoured on Monday Sept. 6, are actors Armand Assante, former judge Frank Iacobucci, singer Dean Martin, former president of Paramount Studios Frank Mancuso, and actor Enrico Colantoni.

The event will be held in front of CHIN on College Street, in the heart of the city that is home to one of the world’s largest Italian communities, in that mosaic of streets where the first immigrants bought a home or went to live with a brother, a cousin, or an uncle.

Bertucci, chair and co-founder of the Italian Walk of Fame, along with Beaco-Lang, was raised in Little Italy. And it is on that sidewalk, just steps from his house – resplendent since last year with the stars of six famous Italians – where he envisioned the idea of an Italian Walk of Fame.

“We were having an espresso at Diplomatico about four years ago,” says Bertucci. “I grew up on Grace Street, just a short distance away. I was six when we came to Canada from Serra San Bruno, the small town in Calabria where my parents are from.”

He recounts facing a hostile world speaking a different language when he first arrived, and having no point of reference outside the family perimeter.
“At first it was a cultural and linguistic shock. I had to deal with all the same difficulties facing new immigrants, but I managed, and I succeeded in realizing my dream, which was to become a musician. During the ’70s, my band and I sold millions of records and toured the world – something that I continue to do today as well.”

But Bertucci has never forgotten his roots and the place where his musical adventure began.
“When Johnny Lombardi played “Bye Bye bambino occhi blu” on the radio, he launched us into the Italian community. We were a pop band who sang in English and that was our first Italian song. That’s when we realized that people liked our way of making music. I’ve received very much from the Italian community,” Bertucci continues.

“They gave me support, appreciation, and the faith to go forward in the belief that anything I wanted to achieve was possible. They’re the ones who made me a star.”
And it’s not by chance that the idea of rendering homage to Italians who have distinguished themselves in the world arose on College Street. “That day I was feeling so proud of our cultural heritage and I started thinking how I could give back to this wonder city and wonderful community part of what I received.”

“We wanted it to have an international appeal,” explains Marisa Beaco-Lang, co-founder, president, and CEO of the initiative. “There are many acknowledgments for Italians, in fact: all kinds of awards from organizations, clubs, and communities of all types. But few are able to capture the attention of a vast public that goes beyond our community and especially beyond the national boundaries.”

Bertucci and Beaco-Lang initially considered an Italian-Canadian Walk of Fame, but eventually decided it was more important to render homage to Italians not just from Canada or Italy, but from any latitude.

“Italians are usually humble persons,” says Beaco-Lang. “And that’s why we wanted to create something that everyone could see and with which people could learn more about their history and what Italians have achieved.”

“Our community is growing,” adds Bertucci, “and maybe not all second- and third-generation youth are familiar with the history of their land of origin. They certainly know that Columbus and Cabot were Italian, but they don’t know about our other countrymen who have brought honour to Italy in many sectors.”

Among the selection criteria, however, as well as being famous and having attained significant achievements in their sector, is the humane aspect: “It’s important that those we offer our recognition,” specifies Beaco-Lang, “gave back some of what they received from their community – it doesn’t matter whether it was the Italian community or not – because humanity always comes first.”

Beaco-Lang and Bertucci have received much from the people of Little Italy.

“When we first started speaking about this project,” says Beaco-Lang,” people were enthused, but few believed we’d be able to realize it. Last year, on the day of the inauguration, the excitement and joy was overpowering. We were overcome by the enthusiasm of the people. It was much more than we had hoped for.”

“I feel,” says Bertucci, “we’ve been re-compensated for having appreciated our cultural heritage, and for us it was a confirmation that what we were doing was the right thing.”

For Beaco-Lang, the Italian Walk of Fame is also a way of saying thanks to the first immigrants, like her parents, who with their sacrifice gave their children the opportunity to create a better future. “I’m very proud of my Italian roots. My children were born here in Canada, but it’s important that they do not forget where they came from and the sacrifices made by preceding generations.”

There is no one thing in particular that she identifies Italy with: it is those values and traditions she acquired growing up, giving her a sense of belonging, which she wishes to convey to her children.

Family comes first for Bertucci as well, along with a good mortadella panino, he jokes.

“I’m a father and grandfather and I’d like to convey our values to my grandchildren, in the hopes they too will transmit them to future generations, so that this magical tie to our land is never broken.”

News Source: TandemNews.com