"And you feel them inside those bonds, the ancient rites and the myths of the past, and you feel them inside like hands, but you no longer understand the meaning ..."(F. Guccini, Radici 1972). Italy is a country of emigrated. In many cases, having left with a cardboard suitcase, millions of Italians have decided to leave their homeland over the course of history without returning. Despite this, every emigrant has always brought theItaly in the heart, transmitting this love to children and grandchildren through the stories of their own youth. This strong bond with Italy often leads many young people to want to visit the Bel Paese to discover their roots and see with their own eyes the beauties told by their emigrated ancestors. This is the story of Ivan Caraballo, departed from Buenos Aires to Italy to discover Conflenti (Catanzaro), the country of origin of the grandfather Vincent Vescio.

Ivan Caraballo arrives at Lamezia Terme station

Ivan arrived in Italy last August 14th, thanks to the international mobility project "Conflicting forever", Which is part of the broader"Italians forever”, Conceived and promoted by "Foundation italiani.it". This project is aimed at all second and third generation emigrants of Italian origin, wishing to visit Italy to discover their roots. After a long journey from the Argentine capital to Lamezia Terme (passing through Roma) Ivan Caraballo was welcomed by the foreign manager of the italiani.it Foundation, Salvatore Buoncore, with words "Welcome to Calabria".

Italians forever - Ivan Caraballo at Conflenti
Ivan Caraballo arrives in Conflenti

Ivan's journey to discover Conflenti, his family and his own Italianness began with a big smile and indescribable joy. Arriving in the village, the young Italian-Argentine was then warmly welcomed by the president of the italiani.it Foundation, Paola Stranges, and by the creator and founder of the italiani.it project, Gerard Ferlaino.

The arrival of Ivan Caraballo in Conflenti

Conflenti immediately proved to be a very hospitable and welcoming country for the young Italian-Argentine. The discovery of the Calabrian village, on the slopes of mount Reventino, it was really exciting. The first stop was that of Basilica of Maria SS. of the Graces of the Visora ​​Oak, a place very dear to his family, one of the most evocative in the country.

After a dinner based on typical Calabrian products, met with the representatives of the italiani.it Foundation, including the director Lorenzo Stranges. Despite the fatigue, caused by the long journey, Ivan wanted to spend time with some conflentesi he met in the main square of the town, including many boys of his age. During the two weeks of his stay in the country of his grandfather Vincenzo, offered by the Italiani.it Foundation, Ivan slept as a guest in a church apartment made available by Don Adam Castagnaro, pastor of Conflenti.

Ivan Caraballo in the square with Conflenti's friends
Ivan Caraballo with the boys of Conflenti

The welcome and affection of the conflentesi

The municipal administration and the italiani.it Foundation wanted to thank Ivan with a ceremony in his honor held last August 18th to the council chamber of Conflenti. During the event, the president of the italiani.it Foundation, Paola Stranges, wanted to underline his joy at the excellent success of the “Conflentesi forever” project, which began two years ago and has remained blocked until now due to the pandemic. A visibly excited Ivan Caraballo also received his first Italian identity card. The boy thanked everyone for the excellent welcome he received and said he was honored to hear from you part of the Conflentese community.

Ivan Caraballo thanks the Municipality of Conflenti and the italiani.it Foundation

The young Italian-Argentine was also able to attend the celebrations in honor of the Madonna of the Oak, which take place every year on the last weekend of August. This was an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in culture and in Conflicting tradition and feel the same emotions the grandfather felt in his hometown. During the fifteen days of his stay, Ivan was continuously in contact with his family in Argentina and told them about his days as a conflentese and visiting other unique places in Calabria, such as the enchanting Tropea.

The affection of the conflentesi towards this "returning emigrant”Was strong enough to make Ivan feel at home. In a few days, the hitherto unknown Ivan Caraballo, who came from distant Argentina, became a real conflentese citizen. She has found her family of origin and made new friends that she will always carry in her heart.

Italians forever: an experience etched in the heart

Ivan's two weeks in Conflenti were a whirlwind of emotions, which connected the boy more and more with his "Italian soul". Before his departure, the president of the italiani.it Foundation wanted to thank him by giving him the membership card of the italiani.it Foundation in front of the house that belonged to his grandfather.

Video of the delivery of the membership card of the italiani.it Foundation to Ivan Caraballo

The "neo-Conflentese" thanked for the opportunity received, promising to visit his again Italian village of the heart. Back in Buenos Aires, the "Argentina's most famous conflentese"He recounted the wonderful experience he had in Italy during an interview on the radio broadcast"Italy in the Heart". The "Conflentesi forever" project changed the life of Ivan Caraballo, who from a simple "grandson of Calabrian immigrants" can now say he feels a real Calabrian. The program "Italians forever”Was born precisely to allow the many Ivan around the world to get to know their Italian spirit.

Ivan's experience teaches that the bond that Italy has with its "children" is indissoluble. The purpose of the italiani.it Foundation is precisely that make a dream live to many "returning emigrants" and to make them discover the country of origin of their fathers or grandparents, just as happened with the young Caraballo. See you soon Ivan, now Conflenti has one more citizen.

Italians forever ... from Argentina to discover the country of his grandfather last edit: 2022-09-06T09:30:00+02:00 da Antonello Ciccarello

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