Vittoria Gioffre, responsible and representative of italiani.it in Argentina!

We want to tell you the story of Vittoria, a woman who built her life around her pride in being Italian. Her grandparents, originally from Gioia Tauro, emigrated to Argentina in 1958, bringing Vittoria's young father with them. After fifteen years, the family returned to Calabria, driven by the call of their native land. In 1973, Vittoria was born in Desio, near Milan, to very young parents, but her mother's nostalgia for Argentina brought them back overseas in 1978. There Vittoria grew up, studied and got married. Life brought her back to Italy in 1990, to Desio, where she worked and her children, Mauro and Paola, were born. In 1998, a new return to Argentina marked her story: her children studied, graduated, and she completed high school, which she had interrupted years before. A life between two worlds, always in search of roots.

Vittoria, would you like to tell us how your family arrived in Argentina and what reasons pushed your ancestors to leave Italy?

My grandparents left Italy in search of other opportunities: the post-war period was a difficult one and they decided to come to Argentina because they already had relatives here. My grandmother and her three young children arrived and, in Argentina, two more were born.

How did Italian traditions influence you during your childhood? Are there any episodes or memories that remind you of your origins?

Of course, there are many traditions that are preserved. For example, at home one had to learn how to do household chores, and girls were taught to behave and present themselves “like a lady”, to cook certain typical dishes, to knead dough, to help in general. Even just making coffee, which was usually drunk after lunch, was a ritual.

Have you kept the use of Italian in your family? What does it mean for you to communicate in the language of your roots?

I have never abandoned my native language. There was a period, from the age of 5 to 12, when I arrived in Argentina, in which I spoke very little Italian, even though my parents continued to use it at home, especially so as not to be understood by my younger brother. At the age of 12 we returned to Italy for a vacation and to visit my grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. There I started speaking Italian again. I still speak it regularly today, also because I teach it to other people. From 2000 to today I have had about two thousand students, perhaps even more, between in-person and online courses.

Is there a large Italian community in your area? What kind of activities or events do they organize to keep traditions alive?

Yes, there are many descendants of Italians from different regions. When they arrived at the port of Buenos Aires, they were often hired to work in the fields or on livestock farms, initially in exchange for room and board. Then, over time, they were paid and were able to buy land on their own, bringing other family members and increasing the population of this town, Roque Pérez. This place is named after Dr. Roque Pérez, who saved many citizens from a serious yellow fever epidemic. I am part of an association where I teach Italian language and culture. We organize dinners, monthly meetings on various topics, sometimes we show films, we have “Italian-style” afternoons, and we organize cultural visits to Buenos Aires, especially to the neighborhood of La Boca (historically linked to many Italians, especially Genoese), where you can visit museums and concerts and relive the traces left by our ancestors.

Italian cuisine is famous all over the world. What Italian recipes or dishes are still passed down in your family? Do you have a “special” dish that you prepare during the holidays?

There are various recipes. At Easter, for example, we prepare the colomba; at Christmas the panettoni; then there are the “cuddruriaddri” (Calabrian fritters), homemade pasta (such as cannelloni, tagliatelle with ragù, lasagne). There is never a shortage of slow-cooked sauces, very tasty, nor of roulades and roasts.

Do you have any family anecdotes, stories or legends that have been passed down from generation to generation and that concern Italy?

Unfortunately, my grandparents didn't talk much. My grandfather only shared a few memories of the war, sad stories like when we fought over eating rats, the only food available in the cells. They were starving. And when we children refused to eat something because we said we didn't like it, he told us this anecdote. I also remember when he took me on his bike to the tobacconist, where he played the Totocalcio cards and bought me chips or sweets. These are memories I will never forget.

In what way do you carry on, or would you like to carry on, the traditions and values ​​inherited from your Italian family?

I try to continue spreading values ​​and traditions in various ways. For example, I believe a lot in the “given word”, which is worth more than any contract. I try to help those in need and, above all, I teach the Italian language and culture. Together with other descendants, I founded the association “Raíces Italianas en Argentina” to organize activities and give support to the community in the area. I would also like to include the teaching of the Italian language in high schools. A few years ago, for a couple of years, Italian was taught, but the teacher passed away and was not replaced. I tried to talk about it with some Italian authorities, but I did not get any results. It is a real shame, because young people are the future and should be able to continue to carry forward the “Italianness”.

What advice would you give to an Italian-Argentine who dreams of visiting Italy?

I would say to make this wish come true, because visiting Italy will allow you to recognize and understand many things about your origins, and to live experiences that you could not have elsewhere. Nothing can be compared to the sensations you feel when you return to your places of origin. You have to do it at least once in your life. Over the years I have encouraged more than 250 people to make this trip and they have all come back enthusiastic.

Have you ever lived a period of your life in Italy or have you ever thought about moving there permanently?

Yes, we moved there with my family in 1990 and stayed until the end of 1999. My children, Mauro and Paola, were born there. Sometimes I think about going back to live there permanently, but my daughter is in Argentina, while my son is now in Italy. My heart is literally torn in half. I think I will continue to go back and forth as long as God allows me. Also, if I were to move permanently to Italy, how could I continue to keep Italianity alive in Argentina? There are few “real” Italians here anymore.

To conclude the interview, do you have a message or advice for all the Italians in the world and the descendants who are reading us?

Yes. Life is a precious gift and must be lived to the fullest. If we have a dream, we must find a way to make it come true: never say "I can't do it". Today there are many opportunities to go to Italy, you just have to look for them. I am also ready to suggest the best solution, whether it is to travel alone, with friends or with family. If you have Italian origins, you must allow yourself the joy of discovering Italy at least once, because it will help you understand many things about your history and your being. You will find answers to many questions that you have always asked yourself. Life is beautiful and having Italian blood is a source of pride and an honor.