A plaza dedicated to Italian immigrants was inaugurated in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles this week. The space, called Piazza Miramare, is the first public space in California officially dedicated to Italy.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the local government, members of the Italian-American community, and Italian authorities. The chosen location has strong symbolic significance: it is situated opposite the main commercial port of the United States and marks the entrance to an area officially recognized as... Little Italy 2019 since.
The square pays homage to the history of the Italians who settled in the region at the beginning of the 20th century, especially those who came from... campania and the Sicilia, attracted by the fishing industry. Today, San Pedro is home to approximately 30 Italian-Americans.
The central monument in the square is the Fishermen's Fountain, dedicated to the workers of the sea. The space was designed as a meeting point and place for cultural celebrations in the community.
During the inauguration, the Italian Consul General in Los Angeles, Raffaella Valentini, stated that the place “celebrates what Italy best expresses: the pleasure of being together, conviviality, and the capacity to welcome,” she said in an interview with Ansa.
The contrast with the situation in Italy is evident. While the country creates laws that make it difficult to obtain Italian citizenship, Italian descendants around the world continue to celebrate their origins.
