Essay written by Claire Peiffer

Preserving Italian traditions and culture is vital in maintaining a connection with our roots and heritage. Traditions have been taught to subsequent generations in order to continue favored practices and unite families. However, new obstacles have arisen within recent decades which complicate the generational passing down of Italian custom.

            One main challenge our generation faces in preserving Italian traditions is bridging the gap between an increasingly growing and dispersing population. As families grow throughout the years, and begin dispersing geographically, getting everyone together at once becomes harder than in previous years. Families also begin to move away from the cultural communities where they once resided and spread to newer areas. Large family gatherings and reunions were a huge part of my childhood – holidays, birthdays, and joint summer vacations always brought houses full of people and the joy of reconnection. I can remember travelling almost every summer to go visit relatives, but as I got older and people started to spread apart, the frequency of these gatherings decreased. Using the technology that has become more prevalent in the younger generations could be an excellent way to address this challenge. One of technology’s greatest aspects is the ability to keep everyone connected, no matter how far apart they are. Phone and video calls, emails, various social media platforms, and digital information right at our fingertips allows contact with relatives who have had to move away, or family that you haven’t been able to see in a long time. And if the older generations aren’t as well versed in the new technology, the younger generations can help! It’s a great way to bond and spend more time with family members. In addition, helping the older generation become more comfortable with technology can only further the close relationships and familiarity that comes with the sharing of culture. My grandmother, my cousin, and I frequently exchange posts we find online – recipes for authentic Italian cuisine, pictures of travel to Italy, relatable videos of aspects of Italian culture reflected in our lives, or even simple things that make us think of each other. Without technology, it would be harder to have such an immersive experience in the all the aspects of your older relative’s Italian culture, especially that of relatives living long distances away.

            In addition to families moving apart, our generation is seeing a tendency for older individuals to live in more rural areas, putting them farther away from the younger generations who tend to live in more urban areas. In the past, grandparents and elderly family members tended to live with their family or closer to home as they aged, which allowed them to be taken care of and keep the family together. Traditions were more easily passed through the generations then, with parents and children living in the same space. Now it is up to us, the younger generation, to ensure that these important parts of our cultural heritage do not get lost. With numerous safe and affordable transportation methods, and a larger number young adults utilizing public transportation than seen in earlier decades, it is easy for the newer generations to travel to where the older generations are residing. The connection that quality face-to-face time provides not only builds stronger familial bonds, but allows us to take an active part in the preserving of long-standing Italian traditions. From cooking food to talking with relatives, it is rewarding to participate in and learn about our traditions despite any travelling that may be needed.

            The gradual departure from living mainly in cultural communities has also led to another demographic change in our generation: marriages across cultures becoming more common.

The blending of multiple cultures is wonderful, but when spouses are from different cultures, the origins of each spouse’s customs can become less distinct. Italian traditions in the past were easier to preserve, as both parents had similar heritage and upbringing, and were able to pass everything on to their children and grandchildren. Now, the newer generations must exhibit intentionality in the passing along of specific Italian traditions like family recipes, customs for holidays and gatherings, language, and family history. Even though my family members on my mother’s side have married non-Italian spouses, I still have a strong connection to all the Italian traditions present in my childhood because of how well my family has worked on preserving them and retaining their importance. I can understand the impact of these traditions as they have shaped my very childhood: comfort food dishes that I crave whenever I miss home, the excitement that comes with the approaching of a holiday and the knowledge that I will soon be able to spend time with my extended family, familiarity in select Italian phrases that were repeated so often in our family that when I heard my mother or grandmother proclaim “faccia bella!”, I waited excitedly for a loving cheek pinch and many kisses. Making sure to pass these traditions on to future generations will help these vital aspects of Italian culture not become lost to time, and keep the legacy of our heritage.  

            Despite different demographics seen in the younger generations, these differences along with advancements in technology and intentionality can be utilized to help with the preserving of Italian traditions. If the younger generation intentionally connects with the older generations – traveling to see them, spending invaluable moments with them, aiming to learn from them – then traditional Italian heritage can be preserved even in contemporary culture.