FILÒFILÒ

A Journal for Tyrolean AmericansA Journal for Tyrolean AmericansWinter 2015Winter 2015

Imagine you can count on computer services so flexible they can be created to match your bank’s profile. Phoenix solutions are dynamic systems that grow and evolve with you, helping you make important decisions when competition gives you the stimulus you need to grow.

FLEXIBILITY,PRECISION, CONTROL.

Phoenix: solutionsfor innovation

Software development,Technical assistance & System management.For our latest innovations, visit www.phoenixspa.itSocietà Cooperativa a responsabilità limitata

GRAFFI

2

3

An Introduction . . . An Introduction . . .

The Filò is to be published and distributed on a quarterly basis and is targeted to the chil-dren of our immigrant parents. The Filò (pronounced fee-lò) was the daily gathering in thestables of the Trentino where the villagers met and socialized. The intent is to provide asummary of our culture, history, and customs in plain English to inform and provide youwith the background of your roots and ancestry.. If you wish to contact us, call LouBrunelli at 914-402-5248. Attention: Your help is needed to expand our outreach to fellowTyrolean Americans. Help us identify them, be they your children, relatives or acquaintanc-es. Go to filo.tiroles.com and register on line to receive the magazine free of charge. Youmay also send your data to Filò Magazine, PO Box 90, Crompond, NY 10517 or fax themto 914-734-9644 or submit them by email to filo.tiroles@att.net.

Front Cover: Mosana di Giovo

4

Introduction to the Val di CembraIntroduction to the Val di Cembrahe Val di Cembra takes itsname from that of its maintown, namely Cembra. It isone third of a long valley tra-

versed by the Avisio, a river which riseson the slopes of the Marmolada in Val diFassa. From there, the Avisio runsthrough the Val di Fiemme and flowsinto the Adige, that great river whichbisects the whole Trentino-Alto Adigeregion (also known as the Sudtirol) fromnorth to south. The Cembra valley isdeep and about 33 kilometers in length.On the right slope are small terracedvineyards, held up by stone walls. Hereare cultivated the grapes from which two good wines are

made - the white MuellerThurgau and the redSchiava wine. The leftside of the valley is onevast open quarry, whereporphyry is excavated.Porphyry is a red stoneused in paving blocks forroads and courtyards. Atthe end of the valley, theAvisio enters a deep'throat' or canyon whichat many places is less than

4 meters wide. The widest spots are 20 meters across.The mountains along the Avisio in the Cembra valleyreach a maximum height of 1800 meters. In a side valleywhich unites the Cembra Valley with the Pine` plateau,soar the earthen pyramids

known as the 'omeni (men) ofSegonzan'. They look like primitive menwith a large stone for a hat. This phe-nomenon was caused by thousands ofyears of erosion - wherever there was alarge stone, water ran around it washingaway the clay which was less dense.

The towns of the valley lie on flat areasat mid altitudes. They are crossed by tworoads which join Trento with Cavalese.On the right slope a road starts at Lavisand traverses Giovo, Lisignago, Cembra,Faver, Valda, Grumes, Grauno andCapriana. On the left flank, another road

leaves Civezzano, entering the valley at the lake of Lases,and then proceeds toward Molina di Fiemmes-Cavalese,passing through the towns of Lona, Sevignano,Segonzano, Sover and Valfloriana. The Cembra Valleyhas a population of 11,235 people with a median age of40.8 years. Of these, 3601 are 29 years or younger and1490 citizens are 70 or older. To these must be added 70'ancients' ranging in age from 90 to over 100. Of the 11communities in the valley, only four have more than 1000residents - Giovo, Cembra, Segonzano and Albiano. For many years, the smaller villages have been home toforeign workers. In those towns where porphyry is quar-ried and worked, there is the largest concentration ofemigrants in the whole Alpine range. In the communityof Lona-Lases, the foreigners make up 23% of the pop-ulation! Written by Alberto Folgheraiter, originates from the Valdi Cembra and writes extensively about the Trentino, itshistory and people.

TT

Pyramids of Sengonzano

Castle of Sengonzano and the valley’s vineyards Terraced Vineyards

Folk Costumes of Cembra’s History

5

6

etween 1871 and 1900, 21 million persons leftEurope, bound for the Americas, both Northand South. Another 80 million left between1915 and 1945, at the rate of 700 thousand a

year. Between 1870 and 1887, about 24 millionn leftfrom the Tyrol alone.Notwithstanding this drain, thepopulation of the province exceeded 315,000 in 1880and grew to 349,000 ten years later. But with the growthin population came the scarcity of arable land. And thiswas true for the Val di Cembra. There were seasonalmigrations to the Adige valley to work as peasants andothers went to work in the cotton mills of Voralberg inAustria. But the men soon turned to the United States,and to Colorado in particular, where there were jobs forminers and lumberjacks. Like links on a chain, one emi-grant called for another - a brother, a relative, or a friend.They would take the train at Lavis to the ports in north-ern France or in England, then embark on ships boundfor New York. From there, therewould be more days of travel toColorado or New Mexico orPennsylvania. In the cemeteries inthose areas, one can find the crossesbearing the names of the men fromCembra who died and were buried farfrom home. At Silverton, Ouray,Telluride and in the ghost towns leftafter the mines closed, the tomb-stones read Andreatta, Mattevi,Dallapiccola, Della Valle, Nones,Antonelli, Giovannini, Moser,Franchini, Giacomozzi, ... all familynames still common today in the Val di Cembra. Many ofthese died because of diseases

contracted in the mines. But there were also many whosuccumbed to the great epidemic of 1918, the 'Spanish"flu. This epidemic spread from a county in Texas andwas carried to Europe by the American troops fighting inthe First World War. At Silverton, in the Red Mountainsof Colorado, there are dozens of tombs of miners fromthe Val di Cembra who died in the great epidemic which

caused millions of deaths around theworld. Other miners emigratedbetween the Wars to the Lorraine val-ley in France. There, in the village ofFontois the descendants of the min-ers from Grumes and Valda still live.The gravestones there bear the namesof their fathers and grandfathers -Faustini, Zendron, Pedot, Cristelli...There is not a family in the wholeTrentino region, and particularly inthe CembraValley that cannot recall atleast one relative who emigrated. Forthat reason, lately, in addition to mon-

uments to those fallen in war, monuments to the emi-grants are being erected. At Grumes a monumentwrought of iron from France, was erected in memory ofthe emigrant miners. It is similar to a memorial erectedtwenty years ago at the entrance to the cemetery inSilverton, Colorado. These memorials serve to remindthe people not only of who they were and who they are,but also remember those who went away but left a lega-cy of generosity and nostalgia for their land.

Written by Alberto Folgheraiter whotraveled extensively in the Colorada areadetailing many of the history and storiesof his fellow Cembrani in his BeyondTime

Land of ImmigrantsLand of Immigrants

BBSilverton, Colorado-1800's-Destination of Cembra Immigrants

Cembra Minor- Tomboy Colorado

Ellis Island Display of Immigrants' Baggage.What stories they could tell!!!

7

he Tirol remembered their emigrants with great love and affection while its sons and daughter kept theTirol in their hearts, souls and memories in their kitchens…and even at their grave sites where they wereburied in fields and pastures with wooden crosses and no longer along side their village churches withstone markers. The Coro della Valle sings of this sadness of the miners who were taken out of the Tirol

but the Tirol was never taken out from them. The song will be found on the Filò website.

Remembering them . . . Remembering them . . .

TT

Ellis Island- Portal of Immigrants-wherethey were often quarantined

1907-Silverton-House & Family ofEgidio & Maria Bazzanella –Val di Pinè

Silverton Cembrani Residents 1907 Silverton-1907-Maria Gloseffi Bazzanella– Cook of Cembrani & Pinetani miners

Salvatore Nones di Maso Bait di Sover ,25, died in a mining accident. This picture

is all that the family had in the Tirol

Silverton-Cembrani Coal Miners

Monument to Tyrolean MinersSilverton Cemetery

8

9

Our Music: El Ceston: The BasketOur Music: El Ceston: The Basket

Su ragazze alzatevi dal letto che è ora!C’è la mamma che vi chiama ad uscire dal lettoPer andare in campagna con la gerlaIn campagna o in montagna a lavorare con la gerla.

Benedetta Val di Cembra con la gerlaNon si vede mai nessuno senza la gerla.Tutti al mattino presto si avviano con la gerlaE vanno a lavorare tutti con la gerla

Incontro una prima persona e mi saluta: ha la gerlaIncontro una seconda persona e fa lo stesso: ha lagerlaIncontro una terza persona: è il mio innamorato,moro di capelli, e senza gerlaNon mi ha neppure salutata: che sofferenza alcuore!

Get out of bed, girls. It is time!There’s your mother who calls you from bedTo go to the fields with the basket.To the fields or mountains to work your basket.

O blest Valley of Cembra with the basketOne never sees anyone without the basket.Everyone in the morning quickly goes forth withthe basket.

And everyone goes to work with the basket.The first person I meet: he has his basketThe second does the samedoes the same

I meet a third person: he is my boyfriend, darkhaired and with no basket.He did not even greetme: how my heart aches.

he “gerlo” or the Ceston is the large basket carried on their backs by the people of the Val di Cembra asthey pursued their work not on plain and level fields but the steep inclines where the grapevines weregrown. It represented the only way to pursue the arduous and fatiguing work. The song relates the reluc-tance of a young girl to rise from bed and perform the difficult work of the day. As she leaves the house,

she encounters friends and neighbors all carrying their “gerlo”. She encounters her young man (so moros) withouta gerlo, an indication that he is about to depart as an emigrant or is pursuing anon-agricultural work with no need for a gerlo. He does not even greet her andin his dissociation, she grieves with her heart ache. The song and singing untilWWII was very part of a every day life be it in their homes, fields, at work or theosteria. It was concluding part of the nightly filo` in their stables. In Cembra,there were special choirs at Christmas singing carols. Emigration was also atheme: Silverton dobiamo rivar, a destination of so many Cembrani. There weresongs recalling their Tyrolean history of 1796: Tirolesi, Tirolesi veniteall`armi;ecco i francesi...Tyrolean to arms...the French are coming. Finally, therewere many love songs tender and spirited: Vieni biondina e companieme.

TT

CORO LA VALLECoro la Valle was formed in 2003 at Sover in the Val diCembra. They have performed in over 400 concertsthroughout the Trentino, France, Poland, Switzerland,Belgium, Austria and Brazil. They have often appearedon Italian television and radio. They research the folkcustoms of Cembra and publish books about Cembra’slegends and folkways. Website : www.corolavalle.com.Conducted by Roberto Banzanella, the choir has 30choir members as well as young people’s section. Thesong is on the Filò website: filo.tiroles.com.

Coro la Valle

EL CESTON: THE BASKET

10

Minestra d’Orzo . . . Orzet Minestra d’Orzo . . . Orzet here is nothing more characteristic of the homes of ancestors than i profumi dela cuzina…the aromas oftheir kitchens which typically included a pot of minestra’s e minestrone’s simmering on the stua, stove.Into these soups went their vegetables, grains, the crusts of their hard cheeses..mmmmmmmm. Well,among these minestra’s of these poor peasants was the Minestra d`orzo…barley soup also called Orzet.

Today still you can find this wonderful combination in rifugi up in the mountains as well as formal restaurants. Let’senter the virtual kitchen… let’s make Minestra d`Orzo. It is relatively easy to make. Time is needed to prepare eachof the individual ingredients.

TTIngredients:250 Grams of Pearled Barley1 LeekThick Slice of spaeck*Half Onion2 Carrots2 PotatoesClove of Garlic2 ZucchiniParsleyOlive Oil

Soak the barley in water for 2 hours.Rinse. Use a 100 grams of speck orsubstitute several slices of thickbacon. Cut into cubes. Slice the linkinto thin disks. Cut the zucchiniinto disks. Chop the onion, garlic,the carrots, celery, the potatoes, andthe parsley. Place the ingredients ina pot, cover with water and cookuntil the barley is tender. Drizzlesome olive oil and add gratedparmesan cheese

The Cembrana Renata Bazzanella. was our consultant for the Minestra d`Orzo as well as the, host and proprietor ofthe lovely Pensione Maria Turismo in Piscine of Sover. Besides the Pension with its lodging and culinary hospitali-ty, she manages the “bottega storica del Trentino” 1840…the history food store of the Trentino that offers a greatvariety of local food products. Visit her website: mariaturismorurale.it

Renata Bazzanella, Proprietor and hostof the Pensione Mariaturismorurale Pensione -Mariaturismorurale

11

es, indeed the kids..those ancestors of ours…despite their poverty and a multiplicity oftasks and chores to survive…played. Here aresome glimpses of them at play…The

Museum of the Customs of the Trentini, at San Micheleall'Adige has but one small toy on display - a small bal-ancing figure of wood and wire in the shape of a balleri-na. It is discolored and slightly the worse for wear, it justrocks and spins. But many years ago, it was probably asource of wonder for a little girl, inspiring her dreams -and all without batteries or electricity!

There were many other such simple toys, most carvedfrom wood by parents or grandparents - tops, small fig-ures of domestic animals, dolls, small versions of utensilsand tools. These last served to familiarize the youngsterswith everyday tasks. The toys and games of the past werefew and simple, but they were treasured by the children,precisely because of their rarity. Some toys might beacquired from itinerant peddlers who went door to door,selling them along with other wooden objects such asbowls and large spoons. Indoor entertainment includedcard games. The museum has one game, dating from1929, which belonged to a girl who had received it as aprize for her excellent school work. The interestingaspect of this game is that the backs of the cards wereinscribed with the words of 'great Italians', praising thenew Italy as a unique people - the purpose being to instilla sense of being Italian in these young who just a fewyears earlier had been students in the Austro-HungarianEmpire. Another indoor game was one called 'Diefliegende Hute' or the Flying Hats. It consisted of a num-ber of fragile vellum 'hats', each with a small metal but-ton, which were to be tossed onto a grid of metal pegs -a sort of target practice. Other games were played out-doors, in the courtyards, piazzas and roads - no fear

of traffic then! One game was a sort of bowling, withwooden cylinders as pins, to be struck down by ballsmade of rags. And there were tambourines, usuallyplayed by the bigger boys. Another game, requiring atleast one partner and favored by the girls, required twosmall sticks per player and some rings made of twistedwillow branches. The rings were tossed by one player tothe other who attempted to catch them with the sticks,only to toss them back to the first player, round andround. There was skipping rope and a variation of hop-scotch, in which the players hopped along a patterndrawn on the pavement, while reciting the days of theweek. Marbles were shot along the ground, as were metalcaps which had to be launched along the ground with twofingers, earning points as the rules specified. A similargame involved shooting nuts or peach pits along theground until a given target was reached. One simple toywas a rough wooden stick with a wooden propeller at theend. The object was to run with the stick so as to start thepropeller whirling. More technologically advanced toyswere wooden airplane models or boats made of bark.And then there were the games involving many players,divided into squads, who staged battles among them-selves. The weapons were bows, slingshots and fake guns(known as'sciopet'). There was also a sort of squirt gun,made of a hollowed out branch of elderwood into whichwas inserted a piston made of wood from a hazelnut tree.This toy illustrates the peasant's and shepherd's knowl-edge of his environment. In fact, the elderwood wasimpervious to water, but the hazelnut wood swelled up,thus allowing the spraying action at one end without drib-bling from the other end. Some toys were constructed bythe children themselves, often with a sharp pocket knifewhich the boys received as gifts. They had observed theknife being used by adults or their older brothers, and thepossession of their own knife was a 'rite of passage',

making them independentand capable of creatingtheir own small treasures.

Written by Daniela Finardi,Museo dei Usi e Costumidella Gente Trentina

I Popi I Giuga…Kids at PlayI Popi I Giuga…Kids at Play

YY

he ruins of the Castle of Segonzano lie on anoutcropping of rock in the center of the Valdi Cembra. It is all that remains of the castle,built in 1216 by Rodolfo Scancio de la Curte,

a vassal of the Prince Bishop of Trent. The castle was theoutward sign of the power of the Prince, who strictlytithed his peasants. In fact 10% of the harvest had to becarried to the representative of the Prince Bishop. In thecourse of the centuries, ownership of the castle passedfrom the Rottemburg family to the Liechtensteins, andfinally, in 1535, to the barons of Prato, who had acquiredthe castle, along with the title of 'baron' for 100,000Rhenish florins - about $ 1 million today

The barons of Prato were the 'Lords of Segonzano' until1803, when the Prince Bishop's domain became just aTyrolean territory and, after eight centuries, the bishoplost his title of Prince of the German Empire!

12

The Castle at SegonzanoThe Castle at Segonzano

A few years prior, Napoleon had beseiged the castle andafter bombarding it from on high with their cannons, hadset it on fire. On November 2, 1796, there was a battlebetween the French and the Austrians for possession ofthe castle. A group of German sharpshooters, volunteerswho had pledged to defend the Tyrol against foreigninvasions, joined in the Austrian defense.

The battle is memorialized by a votive painting in theancient church of the Immaculata in Piazza diSegonzano, the village which had risen next to the castleduring the Middle Ages. A wooden statue may also befound in the church.This statue is a late Gothic sculptureof the Madonna holding a bunch of grapes, symbol ofthe productivity and the labor of the local peasants.

For a long time, there lived in the castle, a short man, aSwiss dwarf who was a tailor and professed to be aCalvinist. In the local dialect, he was known as 'el pecinde castel'. When he died, falling from the branches of afig tree, he was buried beneath that same tree. The super-stitious populace said that because he had not been bap-tized, he would bring disaster to the castle. And, in fact,not long afterward a fire ravaged the castle roof! Theroof was rebuilt, and soon after, the French returned andcompletely razed the castle. Today only the ruins remain.But some watercolors of the castle may be viewed at themuseum of Nuremberg. They are the work of a cele-brated Renaissance painter, the German Albrecht Durer.On a trip from Germany to Venice, Durer was forced todetour because of flooded rivers, and so came throughthe Cembra Valley. He was so intrigued by the Castle thathe made several paintings of it. Written by Alberto Folgheraiter.

TT

Watercolor by Albrecht Durer

Castle at Segonzano

Water color of Castle of Albrecht Durer-Nuremberg Germany

13

t Segonzano, in theCembra Valley rises theSanctuary of Our Lady ofHelp, a church built in the

woods about two kilometers from thetown. It all began in the second half ofthe seventeenth century, when a paint-ing of the Madonna of Help(Mariahilfe, in German) was brought tothe Cembra valley from Bavaria. It wasa copy of a 1518 work by the famousGerman painter Lucas Cranach. Thepainting was hung on the branch of atree. But it soon disappeared from thetree and was found inside the localchurch. This relocation was, of course,declared a miracle and not the decisionof some local devotee who wanted toworship the image in the shelter of hischurch.

At any rate, a small shrine was erectedto house the painting. A century later,the shrine became a small chapel wherethe local priest said Mass on the firstSunday of September. Processions ofcitizens came from the whole valley toattend that Mass. The cholera epi-demics of 1836 and 1855 broughtmasses of frightened pilgrims to thechapel. They sought relief from the dread disease whichwas ravaging Europe, causing 6210 deaths in theTrentino alone.

When, in the second half of the nine-teenth century, the great migration tothe United States began, dozens ofthe emigrants would go first to thesanctuary, to beseech the aid of theMadonna on their voyage into theunknown. During the 1800's and intothe twentieth century, those emigrantssent money to the Madonna of Helpto thank her for keeping them safeand to satisfy promises they had madeto her. And so, with time, a nice littlebundle of cash had accumulated, andin 1957, work began on expanding thechapel. In 1962, the chapel hadbecome a large church with a capacityof 300 worshipers and it was inaugu-rated by the bishop of Trento.

Until 1972, a hermit lived nearby andacted as caretaker. But with the deathof Lorenzo Vicenzi, known as 'Beporemit,' that era ended and, as had beenhappening at other isolated locations,care of the sanctuary was relegated tovideo cameras and surveillance tapes!

Today, Mass is celebrated everySunday at the Sanctuary. But the firstSunday of September is still celebrat-

ed as a special feast day and congregants gather from thewhole valley.

Written by Alberto Folgheraiter, who haswritten extensively about the shrinesthroughout the Trentino detailing the histo-ry, the culture and the piety of the peoplewho have had a devotion to this Madonna.

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of HelpThe Sanctuary of Our Lady of Help

Our Lady of Help-Mariahilfe

Procession to the Sanctuary

AA

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Help

14

Geological Wonders Geological Wonders he Trentino..once the Tyrol is a geological canvas fullof geological wonders. From the Dolomites risingfrom the ancient seas and being pushed up to theskies, to the glacial lakes and deep valleys, to the

majestic towering mountains, to the Adige Valley, geology is somuch in evidence…as are the Piramidi di Segonzano, thePyramids of Segonzano, and they are truly geological wonders.These earth pyramids in the municipality of Segonzano are amasterpiece of nature: towers, crests, pinnacles arranged likeorgan pipes, tall columns towered by a huge porphyry rock.They are one of the most well known and studied geologicalphenomena in the world. They are a work of art forged by ele-ments about 50 thousand years ago, when glacial sedimentationwas eroded by the combined action of running water, rain andwind, thus creating these impossibly balanced natural pinnacles.Their composition is very special. . It is a mixture of earth,small pebbles of various sizes and composition. They have agold yellow color and rise together like organ pipes. Thesecone-shaped natural sculptures topped by a rock resemblegiants with fancy hairstyles and are called by locals omeni datera (earth men).

The site features different types of pyramids: spiked pyramids,without the cap rock, or ridged pyramids, with the typicaljagged profile. At the feet of the pyramids grows a thick bed ofmoss, leaves and roots slowing down water erosion. ThePiramidi attract many visitors each year.

TT

15

Where Wine is KingWhere Wine is Kinghere is no doubt about the preem-inence of wine production in theCembra Valley. So much so thatgrapes are depicted conspicuously

and with pride on its very coat of arms. Thevery topography of the Cembra Valley hasinvited viticulture… vine cultivation for cen-turies from the Romans to today. In CembraValley today, wine production is a majoractivity. Cembra produces many varieties ofgrapes: the Pinot white and red to Chardonnay, fromMerlot to Sylvaner to Schiava; but the lion's share is theMüller Thurgau: a vine particularly suitable for growingat higher levels. Müller-Thurgau is a white grape variety (Vitis vinifera) which was created crossing crossing of

Riesling with Madeleine Royale. It is considered the wineof the mountains. It is used to make white wine inGermany, Austria, Northern Italy, Hungary, once theAustrian Hungarian Empire. Cembra also produces aCabernet, the delicate Schiava, the intense Pinot Nero.

There are vineyards on both sides of the valley, especial-ly in the central area, where it widens allowing

wider terraces. The Valley is shaped as a Uwith the fertile shoulders separated by theAvvio River deep in the valley. The valleysides lent themselves to the terracing for thecultivation. Although there are similarities inthe way in which viticulture is practiced inCembra Valley and other areas of theProvince, Cembra has its uniqueness.Viticulture in Cembra Valley, in fact, is calledthe "walls", "heroic" or "vertical" because the

cultivated plots are located on slopes impassable to othercrops. The special climatic conditions of valley and themineral wealth of the land combine in the production ofthese grapes. The impossibility of using mechanicalmeans imposes a great use of manual labor also duringthe harvest. Before being placed in the appropriateboxes and then be taken to the cellar where the wine-making processes take place, the clusters, deposited intubs, are in fact carried on the shoulders of farmers toclimb the steep vineyards have to test all their qualities ofstrength and balance.

Where wine reigns as king, grappa shares the regal status,often clandestinely manufactured in homemade stills.Until the reign of Maria Theresa of Austria, it was per-missible to produce grappa in one’s home using a lambi-co and its producing is referred to as lambicàr.

Among so many of our families made grappa in theirhomes after they will have made wine. I have a vividmemo of Greenwich Village and how 90 cases of grapeswere delivered from the market (where the Twin Towerswere eventually built) to the curbside of our tenementhouse on Becker St. Until the wee hours of the morning,my brother Nino turned the wheel of the wine press as Iput the grapes in, pushing them into the tines with awooden mallet while my dad, Agostino…supervised witha cigarette and an enormous smile of accomplishment.Look forward to narrative of grappa by our emi-grants…in cities, in small towns…saluting their productof grappa with its other name…aqua vitae…the water oflife.

TT

16

Family Stories: The Andreatta’s Family Stories: The Andreatta’s t is said if you are in Southern Colorado for morethan 15 minutes, you will hear the Andreattaname. Bortolo and Maria Andreatta immigratedto the United States from Austrian Tyrol in 1893.

Their hard work, vision and thriftiness made them one ofthe most prominent families in Southern Colorado. Inthe past 122 years, the family has amassed 60,000 acresof prime mountain property. They also held severalprosperous businesses in Walsenburg, Colorado thatincluded houses, an apartment building, a pool hall, acoalmine and a grocery/butcher store. They raised tenchildren who continued the family ranching heritage, andpassed it on to their great- grand children.

The Andreatta family has been awarded for their histor-ical contributions to the region and still holds the origi-nal one hundred year old homestead ranch on theSpanish Peaks.

Bortolo and Maria were married in Tyrol, Austria in1888. Bortolo worked in Argentina for three years andthen returned to Italy where he made plans to immigrateto the United States. Upon arriving in Colorado, Bortoloworked in the coalmines for nine years. They beganhomesteading land and building their empire. Manyfamilies would come to Colorado to start a new life, butwould decide to return to Italy. When this happened,Bortolo would buy their property from them. Mariaworked very hard to keep the ranch going when Bortolowas working in the mines. She would sell eggs, milk, but-ter and honey to the miners. She also washed clothes forthe coal miners.

The Andreatta family became heroes in their day by sup-porting the coal miners of Colorado against the NationalGuardsmen. The miners were striking because of lowwages and unsafe mining practices. President Rooseveltsent in the National Guard to force the miners back towork. The events turned tragic with many deaths,including the deaths of women and children at theLudlow Massacre. The Andreatta family offered refugeto the miners. Maria would laugh in later years when shetold her stories about the National Guardsmen. TheGuardsmen would force their way into the house search-ing for miners and ammunition, but could never findanything. They would stir the flour barrels looking forbullets, but Maria had them hidden in her long heavyskirts. She also hid bullets in the beehives in the yard.

The family would keep a lookout at the top of a hillwhere they could see for miles into the valley. When theysaw the Guardsmen coming, they would hide the minersin the heavy forested hills and valleys.

Bortolo and Maria not only raised their own ten children,they took in others. When Maria’s sister died, they tookcare of her children. They also raised several other chil-dren that had been orphaned. The Andreatta family wasvery blessed by God, and was always quick to help oth-ers. Tony (one of their sons) told his widowed sisterCora, “If I have something to eat, you have something toeat.” This same attitude was spread throughout the com-munity. Many people made it through hard timesbecause of the generosity of the Andreatta family.

The Andreatta family was self-sufficient. They raisedchickens, pigs and cattle. At times there would be hun-dreds of cows waiting to be branded, castrated anddehorned. They also had beehives, an apple orchard anda large garden. The women would gather together tomake cheese and preserve many food items to last allyear. They also made salami with a secret family recipethat is loved by everyone.

The Andreatta family worked hard to raise a family andbecome upstanding, productive citizens of the UnitedStates. They loved their Colorado home, but never for-got their Tyrolean roots. They maintained their stories,their language, their wonderful recipes and their Italianpride.Written by Barbara Delzer, Colorado Springs, Colorado

II

Back (L to R): Louis (son), Guerino (son), Corina (daughter), Celeste (daughter),Antonio (son), Giuseppe (son) Front (L to R): Caterina (daughter), Bortolo (father),

Maria (mother), Louis (son),Rosina (daughter) & Emma (daughter)

17

Leggende: El Piceno, Little GuyLeggende: El Piceno, Little Guyhen the Barons from Prato were still verypowerful, the bridge of Cartilaga wasoverseen to defend the valley from con-trabandist, brigands. and unfriendly Castle

Lords. In reality, there was little to do. One night, theguards were taken by surprise by strange little man ridingon a donkey who was descending from the left side ofthe River Avisio, called Corvaia in dialect. All the guardswent on alert even for this little man. The chief of theguards asked the stranger a hundred questions. But whenhe tried to respond, no one understood a thing. Thisfrightened everyone so that everyone thought it was alanguage of Beelzebub. The guards took him into cus-tody and brought him in front of the Baron de Prato.The Baron interrogated the unfortunate man and he real-ized that he was not from the devil but simply German.

The man was ugly,small, deformed, hunchbacked but an excellenttailor seeking adventureand his good fortune.

The Baron of Pratohad married a mostbeautiful woman whoadored wearing elegantgowns that were mag-nificent but which theseamstresses of the Valdi Cembra had not theability to make. The

baron immediately called for his wife, who arrived quiteangry for having been awakened in the middle of thenight. But once he explained why she was called her eyeslit up. The Baron sought to test the ability of thestranger. It hardly seemed real to the Baroness and sheasked her ladies in waiting to immediately bring material,silk, laces, lacework, trinkets, scissors and thimbles. TheSwiss tailor had to submit immediately to the test eventhough he was tired and hungry. Nonetheless, he createda gown so beautiful that had never been seen in court.

At that point, the Baroness quite satisfied, invited theman to remain and be his guest in the confines of thecastle. The guards therefore led the tailor into a grotto (ilBus Piceno) where, as a prisoner, he was obliged to cre-ate gowns day and night for all the women and girls

of the castle. After a while, the tailor became quiteexhausted and when he would see someone from the vil-lage approaching, he would flee cursing fearing that thewomen of the village would order him to create newdresses for them as well. Such an attitude rendered himquite hostile to the paesani of Segonzano who began tobelieve that he had been sent by the devil due to hisextraordinary skills and his ugliness and his deformities(ugly, hunch backed and foreign). Every person who methim whispered in dialect ..Dai segnadi da Dio, tre passiendrio.. Those signed by God, three steps back! (Stay faraway at least three steps from persons that God himselfregarded as cursed or stricken with a deformity. (A polit-ically incorrect statement but the mindset of the peopleof times past.)

Soon the tailor began to hide even when the Baronesscame to visit. And it happened one day while he was try-ing to flee from the Baroness He climbed up a fig treeand wound up falling dangerously to the ground. Heinjured himself critically. His curses and imprecationscaptured the attention of the castle’s guards who foundhim dying and brought him to the Baron and theBaroness. The Baroness knowing that he was aProtestant tried in vain to the very end to have him con-fess his sins to the chaplain of the castle. But the tailorwould not yield and died uttering a tremendous blasphe-my. From that day, it is said that his soul could not findpeace and therefore roams in the area of the grotto ofthe castle in search of the serenity and peace to find theway to heaven. Even to this day. “El Picena”…the LittleGuy.. when there is a full moon roams from ruins toruins seeking a priest that can absolve him and releasehim to enter paradise. Written by Verena De Paoli, Terlago, Val dei Laghi.

WW

Castle of Sengonzano

18

Tyroleans of the Iron Range Tyroleans of the Iron Range ntil iron ore was discovered in northeasternMinnesota, the area was sparsely populatedwith loggers, prospectors and voyageurs,that all changed in the late 1800s when the 3

veins of rich iron ore were discovered. Upon this dis-covery, mining companies began gobbling up land alongthe ore deposits to start their operations and the need forlaborers became desperate. Many of these new compa-nies began stealing workers from existing mining opera-tions in Michigan and Canada and they also started toadvertise for workers in Europe. As a result, immigrantsbegan to flood into the area and towns and mining loca-tions started to sprout all along the edges of the evergrowing mines. In just 10 years, from 1900 to 1910 thepopulation of the Mesabi Iron Range grew from about15,000 to almost 70,000 and 80% of that new populationwas not born in the United States. Eventually, peoplefrom 43 different nations would settle here, at the time,very few places in the United States had the diversity ofcultures that the Iron Range had.

Some of the first immigrants to arrive were skilled labor-ers from northern Italy, many from the Trentino/Tyrolarea. Some of these workers had started working in theiron mines of Michigan where they had gained experi-ence in mining and stonework but when word of thegrowing number of new jobs got to them, they began tocome to Minnesota where they could offer more work tofamily members that were not work was available andland for large and growing families was plentiful. Soon,many more relatives of those first to arrive would cometo the Iron Range to yet able to come to America.

Once established, word would be sent back to theirhometowns in Italy that start their lives in the UnitedStates. As the towns began to grow, and the mining busi-ness boomed, the mining companies started to put largeamounts of money into the growing communities tokeep workers and their families happy. Public buildingssuch as, schools, churches, arenas, and libraries were cre-ated with unrivaled size and craftsmanship by the immi-grants who brought their talents with them, none moreso than that of the Italians. To this very day, beautifulstonework, plaster work, paintings and architecture bearthe stamp of those talented and skilled workers that firstarrived from northern Italy. These structures wereunique in size and grandeur to like buildings in towns ofsimilar size across the rest of the country, as theresources of the mining companies were unmatched.Many buildings are still stamped with Italian surnamesand many family businesses that were begun by Italianimmigrants still thrive today, run by the descendants ofthose that arrived so many years ago.

UU

Immigrant Iron Miners

Workers in the Pit - 1900

Open Pit Iron Mine - Mesabi Range

19

As more Tyrolean immigrants and their fam-ilies arrived, the need to help them assimilategrew, and as a result, many of those that hadbeen living on the Iron Range for a whiledecided to create a Mutual Aid Society tohelp those who were unsure of how to adaptto this new culture. And so, the Societa diMutuo Soccoroso Tirolese de Chisholm(Tyrolean Mutual Aid Society of Chisholm)was born. As we know, the health and wel-fare of the family is paramount in the Italianculture, so one of the first things this neworganization did was to become a fraternal health insur-ance provider to their Tyrolean brethren and their fami-lies. As more and more Tyrolean immigrants arrived, thesociety flourished, no one of Italian, descent ever wenthungry, widows and children were taken care of in timesof illness and tragedy, and people could find assistance toobtain a job or a place to live. The lodge provided a placefor all to relax, play games, hold social events and devel-

op bonds of friendship in their new environment. Thesociety also helped children enroll in school and theywould help sign the

up for night classes to learn English, andassist in the naturalization process as well.The original society was established inChisholm, Minnesota in 1913 and was dis-banded in the 1950s. Then in 1994, a groupof descendants from the original Societa, gottogether and started a new club, TrentiniTirolesi del Minnesota; Stella del Nord,(Trentini Tyroleans of Minnesota; The Starof the North), with the same spirit of com-munity and friendship as the original societyin mind, this new club survives to this day

and holds Trentini and Tyrolean related events through-out the year, they actively seek to assist communityorganizations and gives scholarships to those of Trentiniand Tyrolean descent moving on to higher educationpursuits. These are but a few of their ongoing activities.

The influence of our Trentini and Tyrolean ancestors stillshows in the communities of the Iron Ranges ofMinnesota, most notably in the architecture, the food andthe folkways that extend across the area and in theTyrolean descents and the folkways that extend acrossthe area and in the Tyrolean descents that work in theiron mines today. Thanks to the sacrifices and influencesof these early Italian immigrants this is a place uniqueunto itself and the northern Italians have left an indeliblemark not only on this one area of Minnesota, but on theentire culture of the United States and no one is proud-er of that than the surviving Trentini and Tyrolean fam-ily members still living and thriving on Iron Ranges ofMinnesota.

Written by Stefanie (Gentilini) Carlson is afreelance artist and writer from Hibbing,Minnesota

Top: Iron Workers in the Pits & Mines Left: The Iron Man

Societa di Mutuo Soccoroso Tirolese de Chisholm

Val di Cembra

22

A Cembrana RemembersA Cembrana Rememberswas born in a beautiful town called Lona, Lases in1923. Our town was part of the Cembra Valley.My father left for America right after I was born. He couldn't earn enough to support his family

under the Mussolini regime. He had served 3 years in theAustrian army. The n WWI broke out and he was cap-tured after 3 months and spent 4 years as a prisoner ofwar in Siberia. He was not told the war was over, but theytold him to go home. It took him 3 months to walkhome. Italy was not kind to Austrian soldiers and theytaxed everything they had: his animals and small families.Mussolini helped larger families, especially if they hadboys. My mother did everything to keep us from starv-ing. She took care of the fields, cut the hay and raised silkworms to keep us going. We went for brise (mushrooms)blueberries, chestnuts and gathered wood for the stove. Iremember my nonna. She kept filo in the evenings, roast-ing chestnuts and drinking wine. She taught the youngpeople how to make nets (bratedei) and teaching themhow to catch fish in the river Lavisio which we calledLavis, which was flowing at the bottom of our valley justacross Cembra. They had beautiful grapevines in CembraValley because it faced the sun all the time. In 1934, wearrived in America, me, my mother and my brothers. Mymother found work cleaning houses for one dollar a day,plus carfare of 10 cents. My father had not worked for along time and owed money to all of his friends. We paidit all back as soon as we were able. He used to make a lit-tle grappa as well as sausages to sell to his friends. It washard during those years, not knowing the language andchildren always making fun of us. We made it throughthe depression. My father was sickly all the time, died ofleukemia. We could not go to high school because wehad to go to work. We took all kinds of jobs. My father’sfriend, Rose (who later became my mother-in-law)helped my mother, Oliva, get a job at Mama Leone's inManhattan on West 47th St. Rose was from the town ofSerraia, Baselga di Pine. She married MassimoRoccabruna in 1921.They had 3 boys together. Mario(who later became my husband) Albert & Tullio. Theycame back to America in 1922 and moved back to Italyin 1931, after Massimo was diagnosed with Black LungDisease. He died in 1936 & Rose & her boys came backto America. When the war broke out, WWII, all 3 werecalled to duty. My brother Aldo was also called to serve.Before Mario left with the Army, we got married. Threemonths later, he was in Africa. He fought in Italy until DDay, when he was sent for special training. It was a

II

surprise landing on August 15th, 1944 in St. Tropez, insouthern France. He received the Bronze Star for brav-ery, saving 3 wounded soldiers from a mine field. Amonth later he was wounded, shot in the leg. Thank Godfor penicillin, 88 shots of it. He was discharged in late1945. Our son, Robert, was born in NYC in 1946 and wemoved to the Bronx, where our daughter, Linda, wasborn. We bought a house in the country where we liveduntil Mario passed away, Dec. 2013. We had 70 wonder-ful years together. We made many trips together andenjoyed a few trips with our grandchildren. We visitedour beloved valleys and towns and visited some relativeswe never knew. Our towns were rich in porfido, whichthey send all over the world. They cut it into smallsquares and it makes beautiful sidewalks. We still haveour memories of our beautiful mountains, vineyards andtowns...and, of course, our beloved Tirol.. Written byherself, Giuseppina Valentini Roccabruna, now ofBoynton, Florida.

My village-Lona Lases of the Val di Cembra

Giuseppina's Family-Top-Brother- Aldo Valentini, Giuseppina,Mario Roccabruna, husband; Bottom Giacomo Valentini, Younger

brother Remo; Oliva Valentini, mother

23

Family Stories: Noni AndreattaFamily Stories: Noni Andreattay Nono, Attiglio Andreatta was born onFebruary 7, 1891 in Quaras, Segonzano,Tyrol, Austria to Erminio and MariaAndreatta. Not long after his birth, his

father Erminio and his fatherwent to the Americas tofind work and send money home to his family. WhenAttiglio was seven years old, Erminio was killed in a coalmine explosion in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Mariawas left a widow with four young children to raise. At age21 Attiglio was drafted and served as a member of theAustrian ski border patrol. In 1913, he deserted and cameto America on the Majestic. Attiglio settled inWalsenburg, Colorado where he started a ranch with hiscousin Emilio. As Emilio’s family grew, Attiglio sold hisshare back and worked as a ranch hand and coal miner.During his time as a ranch hand and in the coal mines,Attiglio met another Andreatta family and fell in lovewith one of the daughters Corina Andreatta, On April22, 1921, Attiglio married Corina Andreatta. Attiglio andCorina had three children, Josephine (Pina), in 1922,Fiore in 1925, and Angelina in 1928 (my mom). From histime in the coal mines, Attiglio was able to buy his ownranch. He continued to work in the coal mines of south-ern Colorado and also worked as did some bootleggingto support his family. With strong family traditions, theAndreattas always helped family members in need.Attiglio continued this by helping his widowed sister,Lucia, on her ranch and gave a hand to anyone whoasked. He always told his children to “be polite, even inthe house of the devil”. You could disagree with some-one without being rude, to always be courteous andpolite, no matter the circumstances. This was his greatestlegacy to his family. Walsenburg was a small town and in1935 many people still relied on horses and wagons fortransportation. On October 13, 1935 Attiglio was work-ing with a young horse he had raised from a colt. Thehorse got spooked and started to run. The rope wasaround the horse's neck and coiled on the ground. As thehorse ran, the rope uncoiled and caught on the heel ofAttiglio's boot, dragging him. Attiglio suffered severeinjuries and died later in the day. Over 1000 people frommiles away attended his funeral. Like Attiglio’s momMaria, Corina had three hungry children in the middle ofthe depression with a crop in the field and a ranch to run.Many years later Corina, my Nona, would relate to aKenny Rogers song about Lucille leaving him with fourhungry children and a crop in the field. From that timeon thirteen year old Josephine took over the household

MM

duties and Nona would work the ranch with Fiore. UntilFiore grew older and stronger, Nona would do all theheavy work or hired someone to help. When Fiore waseighteen she made him a partner in the family ranch.Corina had many suitors, but wouldn't consider a mar-riage until her girls were married and settled. She finallyremarried in 1954. No one ever left an Andreatta homewithout an offer of coffee or wine (vino) or coffee withvino. To feed the family, they made homemade salami,cheese, fresh bread, and chokecherry jelly. They sharedthese family meals with anyone who was hungry. Familydinners consisted of polenta and stew, salad with vinegarand oil and chocolate cake with a chocolate cream topour over it. Many of these recipes from Tyrol are stillbeing used by the family today. Homemade salami willalways be a family favorite. With all the hard work,Nona's knees became arthritic and she was confined to awheel chair. In 1987 she went to live in a nursing home.She always had a good attitude and a tremendous faith.Many people would visit their relatives in that home andwould get depressed on leaving them. They would stopin to see my Nona in the last room on the way out. Shewould joke and laugh with them, give them a piece ofcandy and maybe a snort of brandy. They always left thenursing home happier. Corina would have someonewheel her around the nursing home so she could bless allthe doors to all the rooms and pray for the people in therooms. Nurses, friends and relatives would come to herfor prayers for their health and problems. Corina passedaway in December 1993 leaving behind her three chil-dren, their spouses and many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Written by Janet Wilson, daughter ofAngelina Springer Andreatta, Granddaughter of Attiglioand Corina Andreatta.

Noni Andreatta: Attiglio & Corina

24

Family Stories: The Mattivi’s Family Stories: The Mattivi’s y mother and grandmothertold me many colorful fam-ily stories of my greatgrandfather, Ben

(Beniameno) Mattivi, over the years. I wasamazed at how a young man of 18 fromthe Tyrolean village of Baselga di Pine inthe Valley of Cembra could board a shipalone in Le Havre, France and arrive inNew York in 1907 with only $28. Bendeclared that he was going to join hisbrother, John (Giovanni) Mattivi, inSilverton, Colorado where there was workin the gold, silver, and coal mines aroundthe area. Ben moved to Novinger,Missouri, where he met Rosa Girotti who was also livingthere with her extended Girotti family. Novinger had agrowing Italian immigrant community of coal miners.

Ben and Rosa married in Novinger in 1909 and had theirfirst child, James. Around 1910 or 1911, Ben Mattivimoved his small family to Dawson, New Mexico wherethe company coal mining town of Dawson was boomingunder the ownership and direction of the Phelps DodgeCompany. It was in Dawson that Ben and Rosa’s secondchild, Evelyn, was born in 1912. In the following year,one of the worst mining disasters in the nation struck theDawson coal mines when on October 22, 1913 a hugecoal mine explosion killed 263 miners plus 2 rescuers.Today, over 200 white crosses that represent the gravesof the miners killed can be seen in the small Dawsoncemetery as evidence to the many immigrant miners wholost their lives. Rosa’s sister, Lena (Girotti) Merlo, wasalso buried there after dying of food poisoning in 1911.

In November, Ben moved his family back to Novinger,Missouri. He and his brother, John, worked in Novinger,Missouri and in various mining operations in the area ofRadley – Pittsburgh, Kansas. By 1920, Ben and Rosa set-tled again in Novinger where Rosa became ill with whatappears to have been an ectopic pregnancy that devel-oped into a severe infection. She died in 1921.AfterRosa’s passing, Ben married 4 more times over the yearsand had two daughters and another son. The daughterswere Corine and Joselyn and the son was James (Bud)Mattivi. More details about these families and childrencan be found on the Mattivi family web link at:http://www.mattivifamily.com/

MM Ben was an accomplished accordion playerand played the instrument throughout hislife. He is believed to have been self-taughtand was unable to read sheet music. Heand other fellow immigrant musiciansplayed for many public and private cele-brations over the years. DuringProhibition, Ben produced his own wineand beer and was arrested by law enforce-ment officials for producing/possessingalcohol in his residence, where he hadalcohol hidden all over the house includingthe interior of walls. Ben served an inde-terminate term in custody at the Kirksville,Missouri Jail and was said to have been

allowed to play his accordion on the front porch of thejail, where he collected money for his efforts. In lateryears, he played with the KMBC orchestra and the per-formances were broadcast on a local radio station in theKansas City, Missouri. Ben died in 1955 of throat cancerat his home in Gashland, Missouri. Ben’s old accordionis in the family possession of his great grandson, MichaelMattivi. It was in 1992 that I was able to visit for the firsttime my great grandfather Ben Mattivi’s village ofBaselga di Pine. My mother and I traveled there and metmany of our Mattivi and Anesi cousins who still lived inthis small community. While sharing old family photos,my cousins showed me a photo that Ben Mattivi hadmailed to his family in Italy in 1952 of him holding mein his lap as a baby. I could not believe that I had broughta copy of the same photo with me to share with them. Itwas such a beautiful moment to be with my Tyrolean-Italian cousins after all these years even though Ben wasnever able to return home again after leaving home. Mymother and I will always cherish this experience. A fewyears later, my cousin, Michael Mattivi, along with hiseldest son, Joey, cousin, Chris Mattivi and cousin, MelissaMattivi McWilliams visited Baselga di Pine and met thosesame family relatives. Our Mattivi family is now recon-nected to our land of origin. Written by Cynthia Speed.,Amarillio, Texas – great granddaughter of Ben(Beniameno) Mattivi and Rosa Girotti Mattivi.

For more information and family history see the MichaelMattivi’s web page at: http://www.mattivifamily.com/

Young Ben Mattivi ca. 1907

25

The Past Comes AliveThe Past Comes Alives Americans, we must go to places like Colonial Williamsburg or StorrsConnecticut or Colonial Jamestown…or Civil War reenactments…while theVal di Cembra has made its history and folklore come alive. HardlyHalloween costumes, Roberto Bazzanella, the choir master and cultural

research specialist conducted extensive research into documents uncovered in private,communal and ecclesiastical archives uncovering not only the shapes and uses of theancient wardrobes but their very fabrics as well. Uncovering documents between 1790and 1846 from tailor’s assemblies, households and municipal records, Roberto recreatedthis fascinating wardrobe. The male costume was referred to as being “dressed to thegambarola”, the ancient name of male jacket. It was worn on special occasions until 1850,when they all adopted an international fashion. There was a linen shirt with collar clampcamisa with turquoise waistcoat giledo and a heavy green jacket with waist cut gambarola.There were black pants to the knee colotes with white stockings wool calzeti and black shiny shoes with slight heelLustre. The shirt is protected on the neck by a black collar colarin. The hat half tuba (similar to an American derby)mezacana is decorated with a flower …la fior for the unmarried, or with nothing or with more decorum the bozolby the married. For the cold season is the tabard pastran. The female costume in the period of 1700 to the early1800’s was called "CIANT from La Granda" because dress ciant used only on special occasions granda. The researchexamined ancient receipts tailoring, and dozens of "gift cards", lists of dowries and a detailing account of them thatfathers carefully maintained for the future son-in law of the marriage of their daughters. It was worn in high CembraValley until mid-nineteenth century, when the gown was substituted by the international fashion. The gown includesa linen shirt camisa with an embroidered bodice with velvet and green ribbons (corsage). It had a petticoat sotociantaand skirt black vesta with a turquoise apron gromial. Decorations were a turquoise handkerchief around the neckfazol dacol, a shawl decorated with turquoise fazol da spale), earrings of shells or coral recini, a series of stone beadsgranete, and the little bag bolgata. For the cold season, there was a cape mantela. The hair is arranged in the braiddrecia or crik placed around the head with one or more turns. The white socks in wool calzeti, while red for marriedwomen, and glossy black shoes Lustre complete the costume.

AARoberto Bazzanella

27

Nos Dialet . . . Our Dialect # 10Nos Dialet . . . Our Dialect # 10n the past several months, there have been reports and presentations regarding the rapid disappearance of lan-guages and dialects throughout the world. In my travels throughout the Trentino-Alto Adige, I observed thatthe dialect is diminishing especially among the young. This is paradoxical since the vaunted and treasured“autonomy” of the Province was justified and argued for on the basis of the many linguistic minorities found

throughout the area. There are German and Ladin minorities that hold strongly to their languages customs and cul-ture. Since I regard myself as a Tyrolean loyalist and a stubborn-in your face New Yorker, I declare in the villages,restaurants and shops…no capiso il talian…parlame in dialet. I do not understand Italian, speak to me in dialect. TheFilò will be exploring these pockets of diverse languages in subsequent editions. Do consider going to the web siteof the Museo degli Usi e Costumi della Gente Trentina (The Museum of the Ways and Customs of the TrentinoPeople) to hear film clips of the sounds and intonations of our people in the Province speaking the dialect…Hereis their website http://www.museosanmichele.it/alfabeto-delle-cose/

It’s time for another tense of the verb to be…its future perfect tense…First the dialect in red, Italian in blue, theinterogative also in dialect..also in red and the English in black.

aquasantel-holy water fontomin/omet-hangerquadro dela madona-picture of Our Ladylet-bedtestera-head boardporta-doorcaset-drawercusin/cosin-pillowlinzol-sheetfodreta-pillow casequerta/coerta da let-bed blanketsponda-bed board/railingcomodina/comodin-paiment/paviment-flooras-floor plankslucerna-lamptubo-lantern globelucerna a mur-wall lamplumin a oio-oil lampscaldalet-bed warmermonega-frame for the bed warmerBocal-bed pan

Quadro-pictureCornis-frameSpec- MirrorStatuete-statuesMadona-Our Lady*Candeler-candle holderCrocifis-crucifixStopin/stupin-wickCasabanch-chest of drawersCentrin-dolieyManecia-handleFornel-stovePortela dal bus dal fornel-stove doorTubo/canon-stovepipeCrocis-crucifixCorona dal rosario-rosaryBambinel-bambinBazin/lavaman-basinPortabazin-basin standSugaman-towelBroca-pitcher

II

Mi sarò staTi te sarai stàLu el sarà stà Noi sarem stadiVoi sare` stadiLori I sarà stadi

(io sarò stato)(tu sarai stato)(egli sarà stato)(noi saremo stati)(voi sarete stati)(essi saranno stati)

DIALECT SHOW & TELL #3 La Camera da Let-The Bedroom

Let’s look to the illustrations on the opposite page, observe their labels of the items. Starting fromthe top and going left to right…We will cite the dialectal word in the illustration and literally trans-late it into English. The Italian equivalent will not be cited. These words and nomenclatures arederived from the dialect around Tione.

Mi saronte stà? Ti sarat stà?Lu saralo sta?Noi sarente stadi?Voi sarè stadi?Lori sarai stadi?

Schoolroom in Rango (Giudicarie)

I will have beenYou will have beenHe will have beenWe will have beenYou will have beenThey will have been

*Note: Madona in our dialect has only oneN…the same with nona and nono.“Doubles” are not used.

26

28

Cembra’s Red Gold Cembra’s Red Gold hat the Melinda Apple was to the Val diNon, porphyry became to the Val diCembra…its “red gold”. Both turnedaround the fortunes of their respective

valleys in dramatic ways. It was thanks to its extractionand the related industries in the last century, the valleyhas developed and unprecedented prosperity.

What is porfido…porhy. Porphyry is a textural term foran igneous rock consisting of large-grained crystals. Theterm "porphyry" is from Greek and means "purple."Purple was the color of royalty, and the "ImperialPorphyry" was a deep purple igneous .The rock was thehardest known in antiquity and was prized for monu-ments and building projects in Imperial Rome and later.Its use continued through the Byzantine empire and theMiddle Ages.

Porphyry is currently the most important industry of theCembra Valley. . The first porphyry quarries of Trentino-Alto Adige were opened in the Alto Adige in 1880. In theCembra Valley activities began in the early years of thetwentieth century but the cultivation of porphyryCembrano has experienced its greatest growth especiallyafter World War II: this reddish stone, used in construc-tion, is extracted in the form of large slabs, particularlysuitable for processing into cubes for paving or largestones flat; much of the stone extracted is exported. Inthe municipalities of the so-called district of porphyrysuch as Albiano, Fornace, Baselga and Lona-Lases, all onthe left bank of the valley), the majority of non-agricul-tural workers is now engaged in activities related to thisindustry. The need to transport this mineral, raw or semi-finished, has also provided the impetus for the construc-tion of new roads, helping to break the age-old isolationof the valley. Throughout the Trentino-Alto Adige

as well as Italy, one finds the bolognini, paving stonesthat embellish and enhance of cities and historic villages.One such villages is my father’s village of Rango in theVal delle Giudicarie declared Uno dei Bei BorghiD`Italia, one of the most beautiful hamlets of Italy.

WW

Porphyry Quarries

29

apoleon Bonaparte’s campaign in Italy andthe Tyrol lasted two years between 1796-1797. He invaded the Kingdom of Italysuccessfully advancing and conquering all

that stood in his path. In 1796, his invasion met a historicturning point as he faced his first major defeat thatblocked the advance of his usually invincible army. Inautumn of 1796, the French troops had conquered theterritory of Northern Italy up to Trento and wereadvancing towards the South Tyrol through the Val diCembra. That route was considered easier route than themarshy Val D`Adige. In October, there were severalclashes near Segonzano but they were merely a preludeto the significant battle of Segonzano on November 2,1796. The French General Vaubois assaulted SanMichele, Lisignago and Segonzano with three severaldivisions. The Val di Cembra had no regular preparedarmy. At best, they had a militia with no trained military.Their militia was recruited from the local inhabitants andwere called up on an ad hoc basis. Since the majority wasresident farmers, not every one was called up. In emer-gencies, there was a universal call to arms, leva in massa,(German: Lansturm) so that all the able bodied menwere call to defend the valley’s borders even with pitchforks. The critical difference was the additional presenceof the Schutzen. They were marksmen and helpers whenfires broke out. The French forces out numbered theTyrolean forces five to one. Nonetheless, in the assault ofthe French General Vaubois, the marksmanship of theSchutzen and their valor in battle, managed to repel theFrench forces who abandoned their positions. There fol-lowed four more days of fierce fighting so that on thefifth day, the Tyrolean forces entered triumphantly intothe city of Trento to the celebrations of the people. Onthe final battle of November 6 and 7 in 1796, theSchutzen commander Felice Von Riccabona conqueredCastelpietra finally forcing the French out of the entireTrentino.

Who were these Schutzensizeri who went head tohead with Napoleon’s greatarmy? From the sixteenthcentury until 1918, the Tyrolhas had the privilege ofbeing defended by local vol-unteers. In our dialect, theywere called sìźeri or scìźeri,

an adaptation of the pronunciation Tyrolean Schitzen .The German ord Schütze means shooter: they weretherefore "sharpshooters". They, in fact, in peacetimepracticed the sport of target shooting: in the eighteenthcentury used a handgun rifle, the Stutzen, which at thetime was endowed with incredible precision. In theAustro Hungarian Empire, they were calledKaiserschutzen, the marksmen of the Emperor. Thisvictory had a special impact on the consciousness of theTyrolean people. It has been compared to the defeat ofNapoleonic Bergisel (Austria), in 1809, through the workof the Tyrolean patriots led by Andreas Hofer , so muchso that sometimes Segonzano is called the Bergisel vonWelschtirol (Bergisel of the Italian Tyrol, ie Trentino). Intimes of peace, as well as working at the shooting range,the sizeri held activities which today are concerned civilprotection and fire services. In the Trentino of our times,there are very many groups of Schutzen who enhancethe celebration of the Province’s events with their tradi-tional costumes and marching routines.

The Schutzen Rescue Cembra!The Schutzen Rescue Cembra!

NN

Schutzen of Stenico 1918

Schutzen of Tre-Pief Judicarien delle Guidicarie Esteriori

30

Cembra’s Landscape Cembra’s Landscape The mountains ofCembra start at thePass of San Luganoand extend southwest-

erly to the plain of Lavis. Thedeep canyon of the Avisio riverseparates them from the Lagoraipeaks, the largest group of theTrentino. The Cembra Mountainsare not very high, the highestbeing Monte Corno at 1781meters, and are of volcanic origin.They are mostly porphyry, which,because of its physical character-istics, is widely used in makingpaving blocks or in ornamentalstonework. The quarrying of theporphyry has transformed thelandscape, but it is still an impor-tant source of income for this area. Another major con-tributor to the local economy is the cultivation of vine-yards on the sunnier slopes. The rest of the territoryconsists of thick woods where a large variety of mush-rooms may be found. In spring and autumn, these moun-tains are perfect for tranquil family excursions. The gen-tle terrain is also ideal for winter activities such as snow-shoeing, and there are trails for mountain bikes, as wellas bridle paths for exploring on horseback.

There are not many shelters, but since the distances arenot great, one can always count on a rest stop in a smallhotel or a center for agri-tourism. The refuge/hotelAlpino is situated at 1208 meters near Lake Santo, a char-acteristic little lake, 15 meters deep, formed by erosion ofthe porphyry rock. This refuge is a good starting pointfrom which to hike the Durer trail (Durerweg). In 1494,Albrecht Durer, the young artist from Nuremberg, wastraveling to Venice. But when he got to the Adige valley,he found the road ahead blocked because of flooding. Infact all the roads at the lower altitudes were impassable,so he had to take the high roads to the hospice at SanFloriano, then on to Pochi di Salorno, the pass of Sauch,the Santo Lake and Cembra, finally arriving atSegonzano where he saw the famous 'earth pyramids'.Based on this historic journey, a few years ago a 'cultur-al' hiking trail was established - the Durer Path. It isabout 40 kilometers in length, from Bassa Atesina to theCembra.

The Sauch Shelter, at 916 meters,offers a good view of the RoccoloMossaner, the very old locale fortrapping birds. The highest shelterof the zone, at 1708 meters, is theRifugio Malga Corno which lieswithin the borders of the MonteCorno natural park, a preserve ofthe autonomous province ofBolzano. It is a birdwatcher's par-adise where many rare birds maybe observed - grouse, woodcocks,owls, woodpeckers and sander-lings, among others. Lower in alti-tude, at 1294 meters is thePotzmauer refuge, established onthe site of a former mountaindairy (malga). It may be reachedin a pleasant two-hour walk

through dense forest from the refuge at Lake Santo.Along this path, there are openings which permit apanoramic view of the Adige Valley. The manager ofthis refuge, Roberto Leonardi, often entertains his visi-tors with his accordion playing. In addition, he organizesan accordion festival every September.

The adjacent zone of the Pine` Plateau boasts the high-er mountains of the Lagorai group, with Monte Croce, at2490 meters being the highest. This area has traditional-ly thrived on tourism in every season, beginning with thePrince Bishops of Madruzzo who vacationed at Vigo,near Baselga, from the seventeenth century onward.Hiking trails of moderate difficulty and length, mountainbike and bridle paths are among the attractions of thearea. And, in the summer the Lakes of Piazze and ofSerraia offer all the aquatic sports. The Pine` area is richin history, legends and traditions. Now it has become acenter for winter sports with many new tourist facilities,such as The Ice Rink at Pine` which lures the ice skaters.Higher up the mountains is the Tonini refuge at 1903meters. Easily reached on foot it offers spectacular views,the camaraderie of the staff, and their expertise in thekitchen.

Written by Riccardo Decarli-Biblioteca della Montagna-SAT.

TT

31

32

The Great War in the MountainsThe Great War in the Mountainsrior to the outbreak of hostilities, the ImperialArmy had been preparing its defense positionfor some time. In 1908, extensive maneuvershad been held; barracks were constructed at

Stav, Vel, Vermiglio, as well as at Fucine and Peio Fonti.A road had been carved on the flank of the Val Presenaalmost as far as the Paradise Pass. Earlier there had beenconstruction at the head of the Val Vermiglio, withobstructing fortresses at Pozzi Alti, Zaccarana, Tonale,Mero, Val Del Monte and Barbadifiori. In addition, thefort at Strino, dating from 1864, had been reinforced andintegrated with the one at Vel.

The Austrian military command was established at theZanella Hotel in Fucine. From there emanated all direc-tives concerning what was known as the Second Rayon,a defense line of circa 36 kilometers from the CevedalePass to the Segni Pass, with its most strategic position atthe Tonale Pass. On June 9th, 1915, the first encounterbetween the Italian Alpini and the Imperials occurred onthe Presena glacier, in the vicinity of the very sameParadise Pass which the Italian forces had so hastily aban-doned at the start of hostilities. Reclimbing theNarcanello valley and crossing the Pisgana glacier, theMorbegno battalion had reached the Maroccaro Pass andhad started its descent to the glacial fields of Presena andthe Paradise Pass. But they were spotted by the Austriansat Tonale, and these, though few in number, were able topin down the Alpini in the snow, leaving dozens dead andwounded.

That whole summer of 1915, there were a series of skir-mishes, incursions and small advances on both sides. OnJuly 4th, it was the Imperials who pushed as far as theForni Hotel in Valfurva, descending from Vioz; severaldays later, the Italians pushed back against the same

group. On August 21, the Edolo battalion, under sub-lieutenant Sora, seized the peak of Torrione d'Albiolo atthe head of the Strino Valley. But on September 23rd, theImperials returned, in force, and proudly retook the peak.Still in August, while an intense and well-aimed bom-bardment from the Italians at Corno d'Aola rendered thefortifications at Pozzi Alti and at Zaccarana useless, theItalians took Passo Paradiso and also the whole borderzone from Castellaccio to Como Bedole, dominatingPresena and Mandrone. But they were unable to gainhold of Monticelli.

Other attacks served to demonstrate the stalemate at thefront and showed what an atypical military situation itwas - a war fought at high altitude, among dangerousboulders and altogether untenable conditions. With theapproach of winter, it became clear that it would not beat all easy to maintain an army isolated at an altitude ofover 3000 meters - an army still deprived of all technicaldevices to help it sustain the torment, the ice, the soli-tude, the cold, the falling ice and the howl of avalanches.In the meantime, the general situation of the civilianpopulation was becoming harder and harder. In essencea third front opened - the internal front of deprivation,fear, physical toil and even hunger. As if these were notenough, on August 22, 1915, a peremptory commandfrom the Captain at Cles mandated that the entire popu-lation of Vermiglio was to abandon the village and trans-fer to Mittendorf in Austria. For months thereafter, theother communities in the valley lived with the anguish,the uncertainty and the fear of suffering the same fate.

On December 15, almost the entire village of Dimarowas destroyed in a furious fire. The life of the remainingcivilian population of the valley became subject to athousand restrictions and conditions. The Austrian

PPArchduke Charles reviewing the Imperials

Our People - The “Imperials” at the Front

To best understand this commentary, review Editor’s notes at the end of this article.

33

military authority, which had assumed power over thewhole territory, had become preoccupied with the possi-bility of acts of espionage on the part of the Italians andeven feared acts of sabotage on the part of the localIrredentists (of whom there were very few!) A constant,iron grip was exercised over all aspects of the cultivationand harvest of foodstuffs and other products of theearth. The aim, of course, was to permit all useful outputto be confiscated and distributed to the soldiers at thefront. All grains were taken, as well as butter. Almost allthe forage which had been gathered during the summerhad to be taken to Mal, where the Office of Provisioninghad been established.

In the winter of 1915-1916, it was the cold, the unpre-paredness, the avalanches, rather than firearms, whichcaused the major number of deaths on the Tonale front,both among Italians and among the Austrian Imperialtroops. The military cemeteries of St. Rocco at Peio andSt. Antonio at Ossana were the final resting places forthese soldiers, whether fallen to enemy fire or to theforces of nature and the impossible environment. Waroperations were at a complete standstill, reduced to briefsallies among the rocks and scattered gunfire.

This inactivity continued into the spring and summer of1916 all along the Alta Noce line. The war continued, butall eyes were focused on activities beyond the horizon -especially on Monte Grappa on the high plain of theSeven Communities. Only here and there, some smallskirmish erupted, a constant give and take between theAlpini and the Kaiserschutzen, each side in defense of itsboundary line: The Alpini, under General Cavaciocchiand Colonel Giordana pushed up the slopes ofAdamello; the Imperials failed in an attempt to retake thepeak at Passo Castellaccio; there were some changes inthe line of command in the military groups, etc. At Valle,the first appearance of surveillance and fighter aircraftcaused a stir. But that summer and well into autumn, the

only sustained activity was the erection of cable ways tosupply both munitions and living necessities to the frontline troops high up in the mountains.

The situation of the civilian populations along the frontcertainly got no better - hunger became a fact, not just afear. Austria had entered into the war certain that itwould quickly settle its Serbian problem. Instead, itfound itself embroiled in a difficult political, social andeconomic upheaval. Material goods could no longer bestretched to supply everyone. It was necessary to makechoices so as to cover the troops at the front lines. Theharsh economy of war caused a complete disregard forthe legitimate needs of the local population. It wasindeed a brief step from hunger to utter misery.

Late in 1916, an historic event had a profound psycho-logical effect on the people. On November 21, 1916, theemperor Franz Joseph died at the age of 86. The sorrowof his humble subjects, peasants and mountain men, wasgenuine, not forced. But with the sorrow, there was alsofear and apprehension. With the death of the oldmonarch, the people saw the death of a myth, and theend of an era. Franz Joseph was succeeded by ArchdukeCarl, popularly known as Carletto, or 'Charlie'. And thewar continued...Uldarico Fantelli has served in both local andProvincial Governance and EducationalAdministration. He is a noted scholar ofWorld War I and our people.

Editor’s Notes:The narrative of the war and the identity of who defend-ed the Tyrol against the invading Italians is history, notideology. In this article, our relatives were the “imperi-als”, the army of Austria-Hungary and its Emperor.While Italy annexed the Tyrol without a plebiscite, ideol-ogy justified the annexation: Irredentism. Here is its def-inition: Irredentism (Italian irredento for "unredeemed")was a political or popular movement intended to restorea “lost homeland.” As such, irredentism based its claimson the basis of (real or imagined) historic and/or ethnicaffiliations. It is adopted by nationalist movements andfeatured in identity politics, cultural and political geogra-phy. An area that may be subjected to a potential claim issometimes called an irredenta, unredeemed.

Errata: In the last issue, the word Tiroler Kaiserjaeggershould have been translated as the Tyrolean Hunters ofthe Emperor and not the Czar.

34

I Proverbi: Wisdom StoriesI Proverbi: Wisdom StoriesMarz sut, gran da par tut. Marzo asciutto, grano in abbondanza. A dry March, grain everywhere.Colazion bonora, disnàr a la so ora,a zena ‘n pochetòt, se te vòi viver tantòt. Colazione presto, pranzo alla solita ora,cena leggera se vuoi vivere a lungo. Early breakfast, a punctual lunch, and light supper for a long life.Con l’ucia e la pezòta se mantèn ‘na familiota. Con l’ago e la pezzuola – sartoria e pulizie - si mantiene la famiglio-la. With a needle and dush cloth—tailoring and household maintenance—one maintains a proper house.Val de pù na bona polsada che na gran magnada.Vale di più il riposo che la pancia piena. Rest is worth more than asumptuous meal.Se ‘l gàl canta fòr de ora el temp ‘l va en malora. Se il gallo canta durante la giornata, il tempo è destinato a peggio-rare. If the rooster crows during the day, things will get worse.Quando ‘l sol ensaca ‘l zòbia, no ghè sabo che no piovia. Quando il sole tramonta al mercoledì fra le nuvole, entrosabato pioverà. If the sun sets on Wednesday among clouds, it will rain on Saturday.En pare ‘l mantèn dese fiòi, ma dese fiòi no i mantèn el pàre. Un padre mantiene dieci figli, ma dieci figli non sonoin grado di mantenere il padre. A father maintains 10 children, but 10 children are not able to maintain one father.Here is a saying. It is only with the “permission and encouragement” of both Nonesi and Solandri that the follow-ing popular saying is offered. It represents the mutual kidding from valley to valley while the prayer has a histo-ry…uttered by the Prince Bishop in the 1500’s when the farmers from the Valleys of Non and Sole litterally attackedTrent unhappy with a recent tax levy.Se l’è en Nones, dài, se l’è en Solandro, còpel! Da Nonesi e Solandri libera nos Dòmine ! Se è uno della Val Di Non,picchialo, se è uno della Val di Sole, uccidilo ! Da Nonesi e Solandri, liberaci o Signore!If it is a Nones, hit him; if he is a Solandro, kill him. Spare us, O Lord, from Nonesi and Solandri. If he is one fromthe Val di Non, hit him; if he is from the Val di Sole, murder him. O Lord, spare us from Nonesi and Solandri

ANDREATTA derived from the name of the Apostle Andrew.1793, Domenico Andreatta-Bolentino; 1803,Giacomo Battista Andreatta, Bosentino

MATTEVI-from the name of the Apostole Matthew signifying “gift of god”.

ROCCABRUNA derived from ROCCA, fortress, castile; Roccabruna, name of a castle bought in 1357 by the menof Pine` to destroy it. 1368, Niccolao da Roccabruna, a canon (priest) in Povo.

The Origins of Tyrolean NamesThe Origins of Tyrolean Names

35

Alberto Chini, Presidente of Father Eusebio Chini Museum, Segno ItalyAlberto Folgheraiter- Author, journalist and specialist in Trentino culture, TrentoChristian Brunelli. Teacher & Technical Consultant, Peekskill, NYTomaso Iori, Museo della Scuola, Rango, Val di GiudicarieGiorgio Crosina-Director-Phoenix Informatica Bancaria, TrentoIvo Povinelli, Director- Federazione Trentina delle Pro Loco e loro Consorzi . Trento- Jim Caola Genealogist, nutritional counselor, macrobiotic chef, Philadelphia, PA Daniela Finardi, Communications Dept.- Museo degli Usi e Costumi della Gente Trentina. San Michele Manuele Margini-Phoenix Bancaria Informatica, TrentoRicardo di Carli -Biblioteca della Montagna-SAT, TrentoRenzo Grosselli-L`Adige, Journalist, Author, TrentoAlexander DeBiasi Trentino Sviluppo SpA Verena Di Paoli.Writer, Researcher, Scholar, TerlagoVeronica Coletti, Teacher, Bronx, NYStefano Miotto, Phoenix Informatica Bancaria, TrentoAndrea Rella, Phoenix Informatica Bancaria, Trento

Roberto Bazzanella, choir director, historian, research specialistRenata Bazzanella, Piscena, ItalyLorenza Biasetti, APT Val di CembraMaria Pia Dall'Agnol, APT Val di CembraStephanie Gentilini Carlson, Hibbings, MinnesotaBarbara Delzer, Colorado Springs, ColoradoUldarico Fantelli, Dimaro, Val di SoleCynthia Matevi, Amarillo, TexasGiuseppina Roccabruna, Boynton, FloridaJanet Wilson, Denver, Colorado

Trentino Sviluppo; APT Cembra; Mueso dei Usi e Costumi della Gente Trentina; Roberto Bazzanella;GiovanniCuvulli; Marco Debiasi; Giorgio Deflorian; Alessandra Enrica; Flavio Faganello; Alberto Folgheraiter; GiuseppeGorfer; Ronny Kiaulehn; Daniela Lira; Luciano Lona; Graziano Panfili; Giorgio Sartori; Gianni Zotta

Our sincerest thanks to Giorgio Crosina and Phoenix Informatica Bancaria for making thedistribution of the Filò possible throughout the United States.

We Acknowledge, Salute and Celebrate our very ownSamantha Cristoforetti

Photo CreditsPhoto Credits

Our Partners are . . . Our Partners are . . .

Our Contributors are . . . Our Contributors are . . .

Filò MagazinePO Box 90Crompond, New York 10517

Pre-SortStandard

US PostagePAID

Permit # 5432White Plains, NY