Italian Earthquake Appeal

Many people have asked how they can support the victims and families caught up in the Italian Earthquake. With this in mind Italian Scotland as a registered charity has set up an option which allows you to make a donation by bank transfer.

All money raised will be passed directly to the Caritas in the local area to ensure it reaches the most needy. Make your donation to:

• Italian Scotland SCIO (no 2 Account)
  
• Clydesdale Bank
  
• Bath St Glasgow Branch
  
• Sort Code 82 47 07
  
• Account No 80278855

Bench on the Road

"We are all immigrants" Vero?
Bench on the Road is a rich piece of musical and visual storytelling exploring women's experiences of immigration in Scotland between 1850-1950. Based on hundreds of true stories collected over 30 years, the stories are told of Scottish and Italian women divided, yet united, in the battle for identity and belonging. It is one of the most important Scottish-Italian cultural events of recent years.
Weaving together folk music, poetry and prose from the Scottish and Italian tradition, the women's stories are told - stories of acceptance and rejection, confrontation and collaboration.

TOUR DATES:

Mass for Italy
Following the devastating earthquake which struck central Italy, Archbishop Tartaglia offered a special "Mass for Italy" on Monday August 29 at 1pm in St Andrew's Cathedral in Glasgow.

In addition the Archbishop has written to the Bishops of Ascoli Piceno and Rieti (the dioceses of the stricken territory) to express the support and sympathy of the people of Glasgow and beyond to all those affected by the earthquakes. The text of the Archbishop's letter follows (with English translation)

Eccellenza Reverendissima,
Dalla città e dall’arcidiocesi di Glasgow in Scozia, Le mando questo messaggio di solidarietà e di sostegno. Partecipo al lutto e alla sofferenza che hanno colpito gli abitanti della Sua diocesi, con la preghiera e la vicinanza di affetto a tutte le persone conivolte in questa tragedia, e soprattutto ai bambini, ai giovani e agli anziani.
Appena saputo della tragedia ieri mattina, ho celebrato la Messa per le vittime. Come potrà capire dal mio cognome, sono di famiglia italiana anch’io, e sento molto personalmente il dolore del popolo afflitto.
Lunedi’ celebrerò nella cattedrale di S Andrea a Glasgow una S Messa per l’Italia sofferente alla quale invito tutti i fedeli scozzesi e italiani, e anche le persone di buona volontà di questa città dove la presenza italiana è numerosa e molto apprezzata.
Faremo molto volontieri anche una raccolta di fondi per aiutare le popolazioni colpite, che faremo arrivare a voi.
Colgo l’occasione per esprimere di nuovo il mio dolore e quello di tutta l’arcidiocesi di Glasgow a Lei, Eccellenza, e al Suo popolo così colpito. E rinnovo la mia promessa di preghiere e di aiuti concreti nei prossimi giorni che saranno così dolorosi per tutto il popolo della Sua diocesi.
In Domino

+Philip Tartaglia
Arcivescovo di Glasgow

_________________

Your Excellency,
From the city and the Archdiocese of Glasgow in Scotland, I send you this message of solidarity and support. In prayer I participate in the mourning and the suffering which has struck so many people of your diocese. I express my closeness and affection to all involved in this tragedy, especially to the children, young people and the elderly most affected.
As soon as I heard news of the tragedy, yesterday morning, I offered Mass for the victims. As you will be able to discern from my surname, I too am from an Italian family, and I feel very personally the pain of those who have been afflicted.
On Monday I will celebrate in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Glasgow, a special “Mass for Italy” in its moment of suffering, to which I am inviting both the Scots and Italian faithful and all people of good will from this city where the Italian presence is strong and much-appreciated.
We will also take up a collection of funds very willingly which we will send to you to assist the stricken peoples of your diocese.
May I take this opportunity to express once more my own pain and that of the whole Archdiocese of Glasgow, to Your Excellency and to your people who have been so sorely afflicted. I renew my promise of prayers and concrete support over the coming days which will be so painful for all the people of your Diocese.
In the Lord

+Philip Tartaglia
Archbishop of Glasgow

Statement from the Ambassador

The Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom has issued a statement in the following terms, on the subject of the referendum of 23rd June:

"As declared by the British Prime Minister David Cameron, the situation for European Nationals living in the United Kingdom will not change in the immediate future, at least for another two years.

Paolo Gentiloni, the Italian Foreign Minister, has stated that the Italian Government will make sure that in the immediate future and in the framework of the United Kingdom’s negotiations to exit the European Union, the acquired rights of Italian nationals will be safeguarded."

You may also be interested in the ambassador's appearance on Italian television to discuss the implications of the United Kingdom voting to leave the EU.

New book
The highly respected author and academic Terri Colpi has written a book which accompanies both the exhibition and the 1933 Census of Italians in Scotland. The Title of the book is "Italians' Count in Scotland: The 1933 Census, Recording History".

The book will provide a fascinating insight into the lives of so many Italian families in pre-war Scotland and readers are likely to come across well-known names in the history of the Scots Italian community.

Italian Library

Good news for lovers of all things Italian! The Italian Library (with books and DVDs) which was formerly housed in the Single End Rsetaurant is now reopened in Strathclyde University. With around 500 titles there is something for everyone, including many beginner's language guides.The Biblioteca Italiana will be based just 5 minutes from George Square in Room GH223B - Graham Hills Building - 40 George Street - Glasgow.
It will be open every day from 9am to 4pm.

Do pop along and check it out. More information from Giuseppe Riato at giuseppe.riato@ic24.net

ItalianScotland on Social media
In the era of Facebook and Twitter it makes sense to keep in touch via social media. Our Italian Scotland Facebook page is updated almost daily with news and events or interest to members and friends of the Scots Italian Community.
Just look up ItalianScotland on Facebook and click “like”.
We are now into the third year of our Facebook presence. It has almost 1500 signed up followers. Posts can reach 6000 people in less than 24 hours! Our Facebook page engagement has shown a more than 200 per cent increase on last year, which shows the importance of us using social media to communicate.
Remember to follow us also on Twitter @ItalianScotland