100 Years for an American Dream: The Foundations

By Salvatore Gerardo Traficante

In this book, you will find the foundations of a hard and true story of a humble emigrant family in search of their destiny.
Around the backbone of family history, I will narrate our principles and philosophy of life, cultural basis, family concept, the importance of religion, the need for respect for laws and authority, respect and love for our predecessors, the importance of having dreams and the attitude and strength to carry them out—in short, the different components of a scale of values, which, used with conviction, balance, and intelligence for each situation, can help us to travel with honor and pride the path to our fulfillment and happiness, both in our material life and in our spiritual life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664134997

Salvatore Gerardo Traficante

Hi, friends, thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell you a little bit about me, because this story will be written in first person and because you will know me much better with the reading of this book and the following that will complete the work. I was born in Potenza, Italy, and spent the first years of my childhood in Campomaggiore, then when my parents immigrated to Argentina, they took me with them and that is where I grew up, studied, formed my family, and above all, worked intensely since I was very small, with the aim of turning around a long history of deprivation. I received primary education at Domingo F. Sarmiento School, in Vicente Lopez. In high school, I had the privilege of receiving a scholarship in the ENET Henry Ford (Ford Motor Arg.), having the honor of being part of the first promotion of tecnicos mecanicos. Then I studied mechanical engineering at the UTN, and countless training courses in the technical and humanistic area. I had a scholarship in several areas of Ford Motor Arg., and I have worked in the engine plant in quality control, as well as in product engineering, in design. My spirit of freedom and independence led me to give up and found my own factory of auto parts, to which over time I have been adding other companies of different activities. I have always had the restlessness and the curiosity to travel and to know other cultures, to open the mind continuously to direct knowledge. In the year 2000, I made, of my own will, another great decision, that of immigrating again, this time to the USA, to close a circle that started with my grandparents 100 years ago! Salvatore Gerardo Traficante Buenos Aires, 2008

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Copyright © 2021 by Salvatore Gerardo Traficante.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Rev. date: 07/12/2021

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CONTENTS

My Childhood in Italy

Introduction

First Part: The Foundations

Why They Decided To Return To Italy

Why Gerardo Antonio Traficante Returned To Italy From The Usa

Origins of Campomaggiore

Work Organization

How was Campomaggiore Populated?

How can we Get There?

The Palaces of Campomaggiore

The Classic Old Front Doors of Campomaggiore

My Family’s Life in Campomaggiore

The Life of the Traficante Family In Campomaggiore

The Years of World War II

The Life of the Zito Family in Campomaggiore

Michele S. Traficante and Anna Zito (Wedding)

The Church and its Relationship with Children Between 1940 to 1950

The Diet of the Inhabitants of Campomaggiore

The Most Popular Proverbs in the Culture of Campomaggiore

Some of the Typical Crafts and Jobs in Campomaggiore

How Emigrations Differed from Each Other

Typical Clothes Worn by the People of Campomaggiore or Lucania

The Family

Means of Transportation in Campomaggiore

My Life in Italy

Why did the Second Emigration Begin?

Winter

Religious Festivities and Celebrations

au%20photo.jpg

Hi, friends, thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell you a little bit about me, because this story will be written in first person and because you will know me much better with the reading of this book and the following that will complete the work.

I was born in Potenza, Italy, and spent the first years of my childhood in Campomaggiore, then when my parents immigrated to Argentina, they took me with them and that is where I grew up, studied, formed my family, and above all, worked intensely since I was very small, with the aim of turning around a long history of deprivation.

I received primary education at Domingo F. Sarmiento School, in Vicente Lopez. In high school, I had the privilege of receiving a scholarship in the ENET Henry Ford (Ford Motor Arg.), having the honor of being part of the first promotion of tecnicos mecanicos. Then I studied mechanical engineering at the UTN, and countless training courses in the technical and humanistic area.

I had a scholarship in several areas of Ford Motor Arg., and I have worked in the engine plant in quality control, as well as in product engineering, in design.

My spirit of freedom and independence led me to give up and found my own factory of auto parts, to which over time I have been adding other companies of different activities.

I have always had the restlessness and the curiosity to travel and to know other cultures, to open the mind continuously to direct knowledge.

In the year 2000, I made, of my own will, another great decision, that of immigrating again, this time to the USA, to close a circle that started with my grandparents 100 years ago!

Salvatore Gerardo Traficante

Buenos Aires, 2008

MY CHILDHOOD IN ITALY

S orry if you find some translation or interpretation mistake, from the original language (Spanish) to English! And the poor quality of the old photos makes it almost impossible to appreciate the beautiful landscapes and the colors of the excellent Lucan cuisine!

INTRODUCTION

T here comes a point in our life, when we all feel the time is ripe to realize a lifelong ambition or dream that, for one reason or another, we have been postponing.

In my personal case, my dream was about nothing less than writing my first book.

There were several reasons for this procrastination. Among them, mainly, were the need to overcome inertia, the fear of not knowing how to start the narrative or of being unable to express my ideas with absolute clarity, using the quality language typical of a writer or a philosopher.

In addition to all this, I was genuinely afraid to face the fact that once I embarked on the realization of my project, I would plunge headlong into it with all the passion and devotion I put into everything I am determined to do.

Then, would I have enough time to carry out all the necessary research, especially in Italy, to meet the requirements of such an important task as the one I had in mind?

In short, the reasons—or rather, excuses—multiplied.

It is common knowledge, however, that things appear to be harder to accomplish in our imagination than in the real world. And as soon as one plucks up courage to engage in one’s venture, the difficulties involved gradually disappear or are reduced to manageable proportions, making the much-dreaded task far easier to deal with than anticipated.

On the other hand, had I not written this book, I would have failed to be the person who was taught and encouraged to be dauntless, to attempt whatever he felt like doing, to go a step further, provided things are always done with absolute honesty, without restraints and with total freedom of thought.

In Argentina, my friend Guido always told me that in life, it is important to have three things to be a whole person: the heart to love, the brain to think over, and the balls that give you the courage to confront the situations and the people that give you damage!

If we lack courage or daring in our life, on reaching adulthood and looking back, we may discover that, above all, we regret the things we failed to do rather than those we did wrongly or unsuccessfully or things that did not always happen as intended.

In the final analysis, only each and every one of us is responsible for and the master of our fate, depending on the right or unwise decisions we make, consciously or not, throughout our life.

I am prepared to run the risk of being judged harshly by my friends or by the readers who are now holding this book in their hands, either because they consider it extremely realistic or anachronistic perhaps, or simply because they do not share the opinions expressed in it. If so, there is nothing I can do about it. Occupational hazards exist. But then, it goes without saying that the aim of a book of these characteristics is never to engage in controversy over ideas or ways of being and acting.

In fact, the book has its own physiognomy. And this is my story!

These are my personal experiences, my appreciations and, first and foremost, everything my elders taught me and instilled in me as a young boy.

Every reader should feel free to share or take issue with my own or my ancestors’ views. They may be accepted, dismissed, or eventually found useful according to each reader’s own principles, convictions, truth, scale of values, or the context in which they are immersed.

As it could not have been otherwise, I have written this book from my own perspective, with total freedom of thought. Should we allow fear to invade our heart or prophets of doom to delude us into thinking we cannot do this, we shall be incapable of doing that, when deep down, we look forward to committing ourselves to our endeavors, whatever they may be, we will undoubtedly have failed before we even start.

Unless we acknowledge our innermost wishes and rule fear out of our life, we shall never make our dreams come true. There is no other feeling as paralyzing as fear. It gives rise to new fears that will forever hold us in their grip. We shall be defeated before even taking the first step.

We must not allow this to occur. This is the only life we have, and it is far too short to live it partially.

The golden rule is not to accumulate fears and let them dominate us. Instead, we must brace ourselves to delve into our souls in order to find what is yet to be discovered, that which we have always sought out and never dared achieve.

At no time should we be afraid to take risks. They are invigorating and motivating. It is the thrill of risk that leads ordinary people to commit themselves to projects once unimaginable. If you seek success wholeheartedly, be undaunted by risk. Just respect it.

Take no heed of pessimists and of those who have always refrained from taking chances. Imagine ourselves in a theater. All the lights are out. No one can see us. We cover our ears with our hands so as not to listen to the sharp tongues around us.

Let us not yield to the contentment of being just one more member of the anonymous audience in the dark. Let us look for our own light and become the leading actors in our lives.

If we succeed, we shall savor the sweet taste of victory. If we fail, we should regard our failure as just another experience and a lesson to learn from. Let us get ready to start over. And the next time, the invaluable lesson learned will guide us closer toward our cherished goal.

In pursuit of our inner self, we should never deceive ourselves but run the risk of paying the price of feeling free. The strength of our truth is the basis of our freedom, the supreme feeling a human being can experience in the society in which he or she has chosen to live.

It is well worth the risk!

We should never be pressured to do anything against our wishes since we will end up regretting it deeply.

Whoever does what he pleases, just as whoever does what he does not want to do, will have to pay a price. Nothing in life is ever free of charge, and there is always a price to pay for everything.

It is impossible to be successful and not be envied for your success.

It is impossible to have a beautiful girlfriend whom no one covets.

It is impossible to be famous and enjoy anonymity.

It is impossible to live in the best place and drive the best car without suffering the effects caused by those who mistrust us.

It is impossible to be bold and not be regarded as irresponsible.

It is impossible to dream and not be taken for a madman.

It is impossible to be honorable and not be taken for a fool.

It is impossible to fly without running the risk of falling.

It is impossible to love without running the risk of not being loved back.

It is impossible to be generous without running the risk of ingratitude.

It is impossible to work hard and not feel tired.

It is impossible to bet on success at all times and never fail.

It is impossible to be loyal and never be wounded by betrayal.

It is impossible to harbor hopes and never experience disappointment.

It is impossible to think and act as an employee and enjoy the benefits of being an entrepreneur.

It is impossible to think and act as an entrepreneur and enjoy the benefits of being an employee.

It is impossible to commit ourselves to an objective without those around us sometimes ignoring our efforts.

It is impossible to do our best without feeling that sometimes people do not understand us.

It is impossible to succeed unless we place all our bets on success.

It is impossible to choose the easy road and expect extraordinary results.

It is impossible to be irresponsible and achieve goals or make dreams come true.

It is impossible to obtain concrete results just by expressing good intentions.

It is impossible to waste our time and energy on vague objectives and, at the same time, expect to achieve specific goals.

It is impossible to fantasize about always having a good time and, on the other hand, expect to be productive at work.

It is impossible to be a man assuming all the responsibilities and duties as such and, at the same time, enjoy the advantages and benefits that women have.

It is impossible to be a woman assuming all the responsibilities and duties as such and, at the same time, enjoy the advantages and benefits of being a man.

It is impossible to believe that after accomplishing every goal, there should not be a beginning full of new dreams and renewed energy.

It is impossible to have dreams unless we devote time to dreaming.

It is impossible to live and not run the risk of dying.

These have always been and forever will be the two sides of the same coin.

This is simply the way things are, and regardless of our actions, there will always be a positive and negative outcome at every turn. Therefore, why not ignore the negative side and only focus on our dreams and goals? Let us no longer be afraid of making mistakes and thus take no action.

Or worse still, miss the chance to fulfill our potential in life for fear of dying.

It is up to us, and us alone, to choose which team to join in the game.

By choosing the winning team, we shall reap its benefits. However, we must also bear the brunt of the struggle, of the difficulties involved, of the lack of time, of the accumulation of stress. Moreover, we should be aware of the fact that, in all probability, we will be envied or bitterly criticized by whoever is determined to destroy us out of spite, resentment, or simply because we are winners and they are not.

Conversely, we may decide to lead a life of contentment, devoid of excessive responsibilities, and join the losing team. We should then be prepared to pay the price of constant personal frustration since we shall never attain our aims, and in all likelihood, to justify our fears or incapacities, we shall lay the blame on others for our failures.

There are obvious pros and cons in each team as benefiting from both positions is out of the question in life. We either opt for a positive, responsible attitude or a negative, irresponsible approach to our existence.

This can be applied to each and every one of the situations we are confronted with in love, friendship, family, business, and work. The choice will be our exclusive responsibility without exception.

So the decision is simple. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. And considering that there is a price to pay, let us pay for what we really want and not for an option resulting from fear.

To be worthy of the adventure of living, no matter what our social background, class, or roots may be, making capital out of life is by far the most exciting venture God has granted us.

He wants us to use and administer it in the best possible way until He summons us to account for our deeds, in the hope that we have made the best of the talents He has endowed us with as well as the chances He has placed within our reach.

Bearing all these principles in mind, what could prevent our lifelong dreams and memories from flowing freely while seeking our own identity? An identity which, as such, may sometimes seem nebulous or utterly contradictory, transparent and pristine, complex and agitated occasionally, or whatever we might wish it to be.

The same applies to the reality that surrounds us, into which we sometimes integrate, or from which we appear to be so dissociated, depending on the mood of our inner self and its vision of the outside world, the strength of the signals we issue and receive from around us, on how coincidental they are with the feelings and views of those who live with us or influence us. More often than not, despite our best efforts, we are likely to fail in our attempt to transmit our innermost essence.

It is then that, confronted with these experiences, we should grow stronger than ever to protect that essence, so as not to stop being ourselves despite the bitter disappointments caused by the crude reality, even when the premise that truth is the only reality proves correct. When there is enough evidence that we cannot modify this reality, we should assume an intelligent, positive attitude, come to terms with the new conditions, and regard them as a new starting line. This will be our reality from now on, which we will amalgamate with our inner self, accepting it as another experience, turning it into fortitude to make us sturdier than before.

After that, the relentless search for our truth, for our inner self, and for our scale of values should continue.

Sometimes, in order to attain our goals, we will find it necessary to turn a deaf ear to ill omens, to pessimists, and above all, to those who envy us and show us their ingratitude.

In so far as we strike a balance between our inner strength—easily detectible, provided we are at peace with ourselves and our conscience—and the conviction, stronger each day, that we are on the right path, we shall be closer to our true identity and the real knowledge of ourselves. This will be the starting point of whatever we are intent on doing in our life.

The more crudely we know ourselves, fully aware of where and who we come from, the clearer the path we need to take becomes, and the easier it will be for us to live freely, spontaneously, with as much dignity as possible.

This will help us overcome our fears and deal with the endless queries that assail all human beings when the time comes to decide on crucial matters, and they feel at a loss.

After analyzing our options as exhaustively and as swiftly as possible, we should focus on the most convincing alternative and go ahead decisively, passionately, full of perseverance and the will to accomplish our ideal.

If we take too long to make up our minds, we will fail to see our options from the right perspective and end up losing them all.

Even for those who excel at making decisions, infallibility does not exist.

Decisions entail risk, which means that we can never have absolute certainty as to the outcome of our choice.

Once we have made up our mind, there is no turning back.

It’s no use crying over spilt milk or having regrets, for at that point, there has been a change of scene and we have missed our opportunity.

That is why it is of vital importance that we should know ourselves intimately without deluding ourselves, so as to be aware of who we are and what we really want at each moment or in each circumstance of our life.

If we achieve this and act accordingly, with honesty and determination, we will have discovered the full significance of knowing ourselves deeply, with our virtues and shortcomings.

This will enable us to measure as accurately as possible how much we can or cannot accomplish during our lifetime, trying to show coherence between our thoughts, sayings, and actions.

Thus, we will have proved the following statement right: He who forgets, is ignorant of, or shows no interest in his past is unlikely to have a prosperous future.

In no way does this mean that we should be anchored to the past, which is impossible to change.

We can only alter what tomorrow will be the past by doing something better and different for today’s present.

The sole purpose of learning about the past is to use this knowledge as a basis of a more auspicious future. We should get used to making quick decisions constantly, relying on our power of analysis and our ability to carry out our projects.

Then we shall come to understand that ultimately, decision-making as well as the acquisition of knowledge—an endless task—lends support to the saying The more I know, the more I realize how little I know.

It is a sort of training, and as such, the more knowledge we acquire, the more chances of success we shall have, which, without any doubt is man’s main pursuit in every aspect of life. Success is what human beings wish for themselves and their loved ones, with a view to striking a balance between material and spiritual needs, in line with their scale of values and their conception of happiness.

Make decisions, always make decisions. Therein lies, in fact, the significant difference between the winners and those who are not cut out to be winners.

Decision-making, being productive at all times in one’s personal, spiritual, love as well as working life, is the key to success. Hesitation, lack of initiative and courage, together with conformity will eventually crush us spiritually and emotionally, turning us into irresolute, useless individuals, causing us to waste our potential.

On the other hand, we should not expect others to take action or comply with our duties on our behalf.

It is always up to us to make things happen. Nothing is the result of chance or magic. Every action has a consequence which is, without exception, the result of our responsible or irresponsible behavior.

The same applies to the difficulties that arise on the way.

In order to face them, it is essential that we live our life fully, according to our scale of values. Thus, we will get a better understanding of ourselves and the world around us, with its virtues, flaws, and rules of the game.

This perception will enable us to envisage the future more accurately. We will try hard not to commit the errors of the past, for our own and our ancestors’ sake.

Scenarios change constantly. Situations and experiences are irreproducible.

That is why all we can do is prepare and train ourselves through making decisions so that when scenarios and circumstances change, we shall be ready to deal with the new state of affairs as soon as possible.

And should we be destined to start over, we will know this is part and parcel of the rules of the game in which we own no assets other than determination, courage, and the ability to learn how to live our life.

With the perspective that time and experience should give us, it will all look like a game in the nebulae of life—or might it actually be a game? And the boldest and most imaginative human beings will want to take it to extreme levels so as to gain a better understanding of themselves, discover how much they are capable of, and admit how exciting to be aware of this can be.

The harder the task, the better, and the more satisfaction to be gained from the aim achieved. And as a result of their training, their imagination and fantasy will already be setting a new goal. So this ends up becoming not just a game but an incredibly invigorating motivation for creativity as long as we passionately commit ourselves to making our most cherished dreams come true, throw ourselves heart and soul into the pursuit of our ambitions, and are ready to pay the price all this entails, since nothing in life is for free.

From this point, nothing is just imaginable, but everything becomes feasible.

All we need is conviction, zeal, resolution, and a positive attitude.

And embarked on this game of life, we may even believe that we can feel the intangible, that is, perceive that whatever we have imagined is materializing before us and we can touch it, that what was invisible even in our mind is now in our possession; it means that the impossible can be attained in all aspects of life.

If we manage to administer the tremendous energy that both success and failure—two sides of the same coin—generate in us, if we are capable of steering the feelings that these instances arouse in us in the right direction, hand in hand with our genuine scale of values, imbued with the true, undying conviction that we must not give up for as long as we live, the impossible will be attainable despite the painstaking efforts, the wounds that are sometimes bound to undermine our energy and drive us to the limit of our strength as human beings.

For ultimately, what is life? Just sensations!

Providing I am absolutely convinced that everything is possible if I really want it and that what is important is to carry out my projects, and produce, produce, produce, why not write a book if that is one of my innermost wishes?

Why not? Even if I have never written one, in spite of the mistakes I am likely to make, all that is immaterial when weighed against the frustration of not attempting to do it.

To my advantage is the fact that I am utterly critical of and strict with myself, that I consider myself a keen observer of history and its characters, a good analyst of other people’s experiences, of their successes and failures, from all of which I can learn and turn them to good use, even if I know that by nature, it’s always easier to advise or judge others than myself. That’s why if I make mistakes, I apologize before I start.

All this will contribute to my being as incisive and yet as equanimous and fair as possible in my appreciation of other people’s attitudes and actions. In addition to this, my own experience of life, the wise and wrong decisions I have made, will guide me to relate and illustrate to the best of my ability the teachings, sacrifices, examples, dreams, frustrations, and accomplishments of the main characters of this life story, the members of my own family, with all the emotion my deepest feelings can pour into this narrative.

Therefore, let’s get down to work!

Since, rather than the time to do this, what has come over me is the urge to throw open and fumble in the chest of precious memories in search of my own and my ancestors’ roots and experiences in order to put them in black and white.

It is our history, mine as well as of those who lived before me, particularly my parents and grandparents.

By writing this book, I fervently wish to pass on to those who come after me the same eagerness that has motivated me, to transmit this history to their descendants.

It is a way for them to take their ancestors’ experiences, of their own free will and to the best of their understanding, and use them to their advantage in their attempt to become freer, more optimistic, stronger individuals, real fighters, and above all, better human beings.

In order to achieve this, it is vital to keep the family unit imbued with our scale of values, which will be dealt with and explained to the reader in the course of this narrative.

It is the same scale of values handed down by our ancestors, who struggled hard to keep it alive and intact despite the passing of time.

It is the same scale of values which, even if just to suit our convenience, we sometimes say it is worthless nowadays because it is part of a world that no longer exists.

This argument can be refuted by the honest and absolutely selfless reflection upon what we believe is best for our children and grandchildren’s future. Then we can no longer deceive ourselves, for their life is our future.

What’s more, bearing in mind what life may have in store for them, we must distinguish with absolute sincerity between what may be convenient for us and what is the proper thing to do. Should both instances coincide, all the better for everyone.

If we choose to stand up for the genuine scale of values, taking great care to sift the wheat from the chaff, undoubtedly, we will have opted for a far rougher road to travel along rather than glide down the gentle slope of permissiveness, ambiguity, lack of commitment and permanent acquiescence.

Who can deny that it is much easier to consent rather than object to someone’s constant demands, for fear of losing their favor? To be at the service of both God and the devil, never set limits, invariably express good intentions and lay the blame on others for our flaws, unable to take action so as to finally carry out our projects or realize our dreams, will always be easier and far less hazardous than to assume our responsibility and take risks.

This book should have been written while my mother was still alive. Like anyone who has gone through great hardships in life, she had a vast and vivid array of recollections and experiences, which remained intact in her memory. She belonged in that category of human beings who, thanks to their fortitude of spirit, never look defeated or broken perhaps because they so passionately believe that devotion and effort will always be the key to succeed in whatever enterprise they undertake.

The mere idea of failing to achieve a goal is, in itself, an insurmountable obstacle. Whoever has this outlook on their projects has been vanquished before even embarking on them and, without any doubt, will never attain their objectives.

In all likelihood, on account of the great sufferings and deprivations that both my grandparents and my parents suffered, they unconsciously tried to teach me to be spiritually strong. This inner strength would enable me to cope with the difficulties and possible failures I would encounter, and turn them, devoid of any feeling of shame, into simple experiences. It would also help me not to lose my bearing, my courage to face life, my determination to make decisions, or my capacity to be sensitive to my most cherished dreams and make them come true.

My grandmother Teresa, a woman of profound and convincing ideas and great conversational power, was mainly responsible for sowing many of the seeds that took years to begin to germinate in my mind. Each and every one of her teachings has, without exception, proved useful to me in due course. Although she did not live to see it, there is no doubt in my heart that she is extremely happy to see how her love and devotion bore fruit.

In my view, the rich experiences passed on to me by my grandparents and parents have given me the possibility to live a thrilling life of constant changes. I have endured penury, deprivations, want, absences, disillusion, frustrations. My life has been full of passion, honor, courage, love, energy, freedom, surprises, the will to live and discover new sensations, expand my horizons, accept new challenges, make new friends, be ready to leave things behind and begin again, start a family, have projects, nurture dreams—in short, a life full of life.

And this is, by far, the most wonderful of all sensations, for if we were to live our short existence deprived of the possibility of loving, feeling, suffering, enjoying all or most of these sensations, it would mean that we have not lived at all. And the worst thing that can happen to us in life is not to live it!

If we understand how life works, if we learn the lessons it teaches us, we shall come to realize it is far too simple and thrilling to miss the chance of living it fully, with the positive and less favorable things that this entails. And at the end of the day, what we shall gain from all this is the possibility to grow stronger to take part in the great adventure of living!

Equipped with the baggage that I have been carrying since my birth, made up of good and less positive experiences, I shall attempt to develop a story, my own story, which is, after all, the one I know best.

This will be the story of a family of emigrants, quite similar to so many other families of our town or of other towns not different from ours, who were forced to leave their birthplace by the circumstances of life, and sometimes became eternal travelers in quest of new horizons, unable to put down roots anywhere.

Their deep and heartfelt feelings are illustrated in the words of the emigrants’ songs, appearing below first in Italian and the second in our dialect, provided to me by the local residents of my hometown:

Ti saluto, paese mio! E’giunta l’ora, ti lascio vado via. Ma che colpa ne ho io, se qui non c’é lavoro? Il lupo esce dal bosco sospinto dalla fame, io m’allontano per guadagiarmi il pane. Porto nel cuore tutti i bei ricordi: La tua bellezza. La freschezza d’aria che ancora oggi si respira su questa fragile collina. Nelle mie valige ho sistemato: usi, costumi, le belle serenate, l’armonia domenicale delle strade. Parto, paese mio, con la speranza di non dirti: Addio.

(I salute you, my country! The time has come, I’ll let you go away. But what fault am I, if there is no work here? The wolf comes out of the woods, driven by hunger, I go away to earn my bread. I carry in my heart all the good memories: Your beauty. The freshness of air that can still be felt on this fragile hill. In my suitcases I have arranged: uses, customs, the beautiful serenades, the Sunday harmony of the streets. I am leaving, my country, with the hope of not saying goodbye to you.)

Ah, se sapisse come chiange o core, lassú u paise ié tanta luntane, sbatteno attorno senza chiú o calore de amici, de parinti e de paisene. Te facivi na bella cameneta a’via d’a cava, all’albero d’argento addó i suspiri de li nnammurete movene e fronne e l’albero ie cuntento. Se vai pu corso, a piazza Zanardelli sop u segrato, a via d’u camposanto ié tutto na delizia, ia tutte belle, ié na consulazione a tutte quante. Poi c’é u paise vecchie, n’ce a’Serra, a’ via d’a croce, sopa a la capella, nuie da uaglioni dá facimme ‘a guerra, so cose ca lu timp non cancella. Te puie scurdá l’addore d’e ienestre e a specialitá de Cammasciore? Ié robba nosta si, chedda menestre fatta d paparul e pmmdor. E i gnummiridd’? Sint che profumo! Che gas! stanno propio i carvun; a piazza e o’ corso só chini de fum, peglie nu spito e i magne a uno a uno. Vide u’ passeggio de ste uagnastredde; che se dice, Cicci? Felí, che fei? Camí, iamene a fe na passgget, pegliet u bun iurn quann ll’eie. C’é n’aria fin m’inz a sti muntagna, come a nu zito frisc t’accarezza, e minz a tanta gioia sint o’lagno di chi l’anna lassé tant ricchezz. Aggiri o’ munn senza truvá pace; se n’ce fosse u lavoro sop o’posto. Pé guadagná nu solto che se face . . . Abbasta la metá, ma a casa nostra. Quanno venimm ent’a u paise, che pecca iurne di libertá, assemegliene ai giargianes, son chi, on lí, o ies, o ia. Se n’cera a fatiche e chi s muvev? Ma l’emigrante chi o’vol fé? Ne confessem, mo, nnant a Dio: Nisciun u paies lu vol lassé.

(Ah, if you knew how the heart cries, up there the country that is so far, turning around without having the warmth of friends, relatives, and fellow villagers. You had a nice walk along the way of the quarry, to the silver tree, where the sighs of lovers move the leaves and the tree is happy. If you go along the corso, in Piazza Zanardelli in the churchyard, the Via del Camposanto is a delight, everything is beautiful and a consolation for everyone. Then there is the old town, there is the greenhouse, the way of the cross, the chapel, where we used to play war as children, these are things that time does not erase. Can you forget the smell of gorse and Campomaggiore specialties? It’s our stuff, yes, the soup made of peppers and tomatoes. The ignomirelli? [rolls of lamb livers] Feel what a scent! What gas! The coals are exactly; the square and the course are full of smoke, take a skewer and eat one at a time. See the walk of the girls; what do you say, Cicci? [Francesco] Felì [Felice], what are you doing? Walk, let’s go for a walk, take the good day when you have it. There is a fine air in the middle of these mountains, as a fresh groom caresses you, and in the midst of so much joy, you hear the lament of those who will leave so much wealth. Travel the world without finding peace, if there was work on site. To earn a penny that you make . . . Half would be enough, but at home. When we come to the country, for a few days of freedom, they resemble the giargianesi [foreigners]: son chi [I’m here], oh yes, oh ja. If there had been work, and who had moved from the village? But who would want to do the emigrant? We confess now before God.)

Probably, our family members, who have emigrated on so many occasions, are still in quest of their fate. And perhaps, while engaged in that search, they will end up thinking that the adventure of seeking their destiny is part and parcel of the adventure of living, and that they are gradually amalgamating their own and other people’s experiences in order to shape their own destiny.

DIVIDED INTO THREE STAGES

In three different countries, three different languages, three different idiosyncrasies, three different lifestyles, three different attitudes to life—in short, a strong blend has made my life what it is today, which, undoubtedly, together with my travels to different countries, has helped me to avoid locking myself up in that small world or comfort zone that each and every one of us seeks and believes they have.

On the contrary, I have always tried to keep an open mind so as to understand a little better each day how our beloved planet works, with all the races that live on this earth, their history, their religious beliefs, their civilizations, their different scales of values, their virtues and shortcomings, in an attempt to take in and adopt the very best of what I have learned and will continue to learn, even though the well-known saying The more I know and learn, the more I realize how little I know and have learned will inevitably prove true.

I have selected a famous quote from each of the countries I have lived in so far that springs to mind every time I think about them.

1. MY CHILDHOOD IN ITALY—THE FOUNDATIONS

It represents the roots and basis of my upbringing and the unwavering love that we should feel for our birthplace, our homeland.

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Quote: Apritemi il cuore e dentro vi troverete scritto: ¡ITALIA! (Browning)

Open my heart, and inside you will find written: ITALIA!

2. MY YOUTH IN ARGENTINA—THE LIFE

It represents my life, as it was here that I grew up and became a man, a businessman, and above all, where I started a family of my own.

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Quote: When brothers fight among themselves, they are soon eaten up by strangers. (From the book Martin Fierro, by Jose Hernandez)

3. MIDDLE AGE IN AMERICA—THE DREAM

It represents the realization of a dream, cherished by our family for a whole century, in the land of freedom, democracy, and opportunities.

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Quote: Freedom is not free!

THE FOURTH STAGE REMAINS A MYSTERY AS I STILL DO NOT KNOW WHERE IT WILL DEVELOP!

This narrative and the description of the places where it is set are by no means the result of any scientific research as to dates, venues, chronological sequence of events, or characters. In this respect, there already exists extensive and excellent bibliography about Campomaggiore written, for the most part, by the parish priest of the town, Father Giuseppe Filardi. It does not need rewriting.

In this bibliography, I have been able to corroborate some of the facts and events related to the story I wish to narrate, which I got to know about in the bosom of my family, that is, through my grandparents, my parents, my aunts and uncles, and even my older cousins.

I am also ever so grateful to the residents and my friends from Campomaggiore for their patience, their interest, and mainly, the love and passion shown whenever I have turned to them to bring back memories of the past, whether their own or those related to my family.

It is all this that will constitute the right context in which most of the events and experiences of my family developed in Italy.

The aim of this book is simply to be a summary of my own memories, those of my relatives, and those of the people of my hometown. I have looked back on these recollections from the perspective given by my emotions, by distance and time—the fifty years that elapsed since I first left my birthplace—though deep down, it feels as though I have never actually departed.

It may be that my childhood experiences, apart from my frequent return visits to Italy in the company of my wife and children, have left such a vivid impression on me that the images keep coming back to my mind as if I were a permanent spectator of the past.

In addition to this, everything I heard and the lessons I permanently learned at home as well as the good memory of all the people who have shown such selfless interest in helping me have contributed to this account of the events and the people that have exerted a great influence on my life and my scale of values—values deeply rooted in principles that will gradually appear in this story and fall like drops of dew as we analyze the events of the past, the sayings, attitudes, and experiences of the residents of Campomaggiore, my family’s, and my own.

This is an account of the different situations that these people lived through in the last century and how they reacted to them.

I shall try to recount and illustrate the historical facts and the stories related to my family, with the support of numerous photographs that I have