Two countries geographically distant but close in heart. There's a bond special that unites Italy and Argentina. We have often talked about the deep roots that bind the two countries. And in our network there are many blogs born in the cities Argentina which have more links with Italy. So let's try to retrace the steps that led to the birth of this affinity, which has deep historical roots. Union which is also witnessed by the institution of an Italian Emigrant Day, which is celebrated every year on June 3.
The special bond that has its roots in history
If today Argentina has a very high population of Italian emigrants, the reason is due to what many of our compatriots did at the end of the nineteenth century. It is estimated that between 1870 and 1960 there were over 2 million Italian citizens who moved to Argentina. In the peninsula it was the period of greatest difficulty, wars, famine, poverty. Argentina seemed like an ideal destination to reach for a new life. Also because Argentina needed hands to populate and cultivate its vast territories.
The Italians who emigrated to Argentina came mainly from Northern Italy, Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy, Veneto. But in the twentieth century many Italians from Calabria, Sicily and Campania also moved.
The Italian origins of many Argentines and their special bond
And this is how studies today estimate that about 60 percent of the Argentine population claims Italian origins. But if Italian culture has fully entered Argentine culture, the same cannot be said of the language. Not everyone speaks Italian. But no doubt many words are similar. And therefore it is easy to understand. It may also be because the same passion and warmth that belongs to the peoples of the Mediterranean flows in the blood between the two peoples.
Famous people
Sports personalities, but also various Argentine politicians, actors, models, have Italian origins. The Italian community of immigrants in Argentina is second only to that of Brazil. And how can we forget the many Argentines who made their fortune in Italy. From the musician Astor Piazzolla and its tango notes. Not to mention the sports champions from Omar Sivori a Claudio Caniggia, Gabriel Batistuta, Javier Zanetti, Esteban Cambiasso, Lionel Messi, Mauro German Camoranesi and the great Maradona. And then it cannot be forgotten Papa Francesco.
Common food and gastronomic traditions
Italy imports many products from Argentina that are part of the gastronomy. Such as wheat, soybeans, frozen shellfish, pears and beef. While Italy exports machinery and medicines, fashion and food products. And then the pasta. In fact, in Argentina there are “tallarines” (fettuccine), “ravioles” (ravioli), “ñoquis” (gnocchi), “lasañas” (lasagna). And then the “fainá” and the pizza, of Neapolitan origin and topped with tomato and muzarella. Among the desserts the shortcrust pastry, and liqueurs such as chitronchelo (limoncello) and grapa (grappa).
A bond also strengthened by the institutions
Recently, the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella on a visit to Argentina has strengthened this deep bond. "Italy and Argentina are countries whose bond is unique in the world”Said Mattarella, a mutual collaboration to be made to grow with renewed and intense enthusiasm. The relations between Italy and Argentina, therefore, are characterized by a solid human component. And there is the perception that the Italian heritage is a constitutive part of the Argentine cultural heritage. Over the years, exchanges have also increased between schools and universities.
Like the "Italy in 24" project launched last year by the Embassy in Buenos Aires to foster collaboration with the 24 provinces of the South American country. Aimed at defining initiatives that can increase tourist exchanges with particular attention to tourism from the roots.
Roots tourism with the italiani.it project
The project promoted by the italiani.it Foundation, which we want to remember, is based precisely on the desire to be able to discover one's roots. "Conflicting forever"Is the project that next year will allow two young Argentines to reach Italy and the country of Conflenti to learn about traditions and culture of a place dear to their family, but which they have never visited. And who knows maybe the opposite may not happen too. A trip to Argentina for Italians is much more than a normal travel experience.
The special bond, we could say of blood, has its roots precisely in the proximity between the two countries. And amicably, the Italians are called by the Argentines "Tano" or "Tana", an abbreviation that derives from "Napoletano / a". Who knows then what is the origin of this special bond. We have tried to explain it to you. But the reasons will be many others. It will be a question of character, of passion, of heart, the Argentines have something special and the Italians know it. But the thing is undoubtedly mutual.
