Dr. Antonio Castaldo, Sociologist and Journalist, Brusciano, Italy.
Continued from (5a)
Felice Giannino was part of that small formation of authors whom the festivity masters turn to each year in order to obtain the lyrics set to music that will represent exclusively this or that giglio in the competition for the 'song' which will accompany a procession for the duration of the festival, evolving together with the music and distinctive show. Once the feast is passed, the following year, becomes common heritage, the songs are often used interchangeably and among the most common are those of Felice Giannino which recognizes Ninuccio Tramontano as one of the greatest masters of the genre such that Brusciano ever had.
Nonetheless before being a songwriter, Felice Giannino was a poet. He with his simple yet intense verses, gathers a state of mind, photographs a situation, fixes to paper a thought destined otherwise to fly away, subjects to the inexorable law of the times. We discover therefore images so dear that recall and indicate the moments of his formation, employment, of the political-union engagement, family life and of country, and an honest existence made up of joys and sorrows.
Inasmuch as this self taught laborer has found, that after cultivating in secret a passion for poetry, the common people, the people who he so loved and which is reciprocated in equal measure, a favorable reaction, as empathy, to acknowledge together within those words, those sentiments, those events, in that way of comparing himself with the surrounding reality, in a continuous osmosis, that it characterizes a common life experience. This has prompted him to continue and exist without shame to those people of whom he sings the spirit of it. Promoting himself directly in public readings at meetings and cultural festivals not only has been appreciated in Brusciano, but also on competent squares of Nola, Barra and Napoli whose feast of the Gigli and caves feet never fail to submit its old and new songs.
However, let's observe more closely the work of Felice Giannino. In reading his poems, two authors come to mind, for their similarities in form and content: Raffaele Viviani (Poesie, Napoli 1972) and Edgar Lee Masters (Anthology of Spoon River, Torino 1971). The first one, for its immediate authentic language, expressed in the style of the native Neopolitan that seems to heal those fractures, that separation between art and the life of Pirandello's memory. The second one, for life itself, that flows, that the province to an extent can experience the strong passions, the dramas of jealousy, the inseparable friendships, the strong sense of love and family, but also capable of great envy and falsehood and in the slow coming of time, pulls out its routine of joys of the few dreams that have come true and regretting the many that were never realized.
The lyrics that were intended to be the theme music plays instead one of nostalgia : for an ancient love whose memory is revived by “Na frunnella e’ rosa dint’a nu libro e’ scola abbandonato”, (1)(A rose petal inside a text book left in an abandoned school) which might have happened in the midst of the hands putting in place the old bookcase at home; for the distant land towards which he discovers then the duty of patriotic servitude. Finally the sentiment for the feast, which has a bitter taste although transient, and while performing, the nostalgia reappears triggered by the hourglass of anticipation ‘pecché nce vò nat’anno pè vedé chisti gigli, sti figli ‘e sta Città’’.(because it is required another year to see these gigli, children of this City.) (2)
From the cultural event at this time, to the continuity of today, we have the human and artistic legacy of Felice Giannino.
Dr. Antonio Castaldo
Footnote: (1) This is written in the Neapolitan language. In Italian it means "un petalo di rosa dentro un libro di scuola abbandonato." It is a verse from one of Felice Giannino's poems.
(2) This is written in the Neapolitan language. In Italian it means "perché ci vuole un altro anno per vedere questi gigli, figli di questa Città" This is a verse from one of Felice Giannino's songs.
Translated into English by Miriam Medina
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To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net
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Sunday, August 1, 2010
Thoughts of An Italian Writer: A Eulogy to a Friend (5a)
Dr. Antonio Castaldo, Sociologist and Journalist, Brusciano, Italy.
Bruscianese Felice Giannino author of the collection of poems, songs and memoirs entitled "Land of the Artists," has passed away. Felice Giannino was one of the greatest artistic contributors of lyrics and ballads to the Feast of the Giglio in Brusciano, Italy. His were the songs that the festivity masters would turn to each year. Felice Giannino will be greatly missed by all of Brusciano.
Bruscianese Felice Giannino author of the collection of poems, songs and memoirs entitled "Land of the Artists," has passed away. Felice Giannino was one of the greatest artistic contributors of lyrics and ballads to the Feast of the Giglio in Brusciano, Italy. His were the songs that the festivity masters would turn to each year. Felice Giannino will be greatly missed by all of Brusciano.
When in 1990 Felice Giannino author of the collection of poems, songs and memoirs entitled "Terra degli artisti," "Land of the Artists," while reflecting on his Brusciano where he was born March 22, 1929, decided to have his work published, suggesting that I would write the introduction as well as ensuring the project's publication which finally, after considerable sacrifices, was recommended for large-scale distribution.
A few days ago, Pomigliano D'Arco where he lived, received the news of his death. Within me, the sadness became more intensified, because I could not help but remember the recent loss of my father, Ciro, two weeks ago, who with "Uncle Felice" shared a friendship, a life of sacrifices and triumphs and the year of birth. Now even that of death.
In moments as these the warm and affectionate closeness of relatives, friends and acquaintances, to whom a sincere thought of thanks goes, helps to soothe the pain enabling us to continue along the path of one's own existence enriched by the memory of those who left us and sustained by communal solidarity. To the Giannino family, to Mrs. Raffaella and their sons Pasquale and Roberto I express condolences on behalf of all of Brusciano.
So, exactly one month before the 135th edition of the Feast of the Giglio in Brusciano, the poet Felice Giannino passes away. Personally I want to remember him with the very words of my introduction to his book "Terra degli artisti" "Land of the Artists":
This work is the result of a meeting, between the undersigned, an individual profoundly 'compromised' with the reality of this mass-media glimpse of the millennium, and a representative of popular culture, whose ties have been removed from the consciousness of a large group of young people in the name of modernity daughter of a denied tradition.
I would like to open with a controversial nod my written presentation of the work of Felice Giannino, why then must I subject myself to "supergrasses" which for some time to this part seems to invade Italy, in the various fields of human activities or perhaps this may be the real reason: considering I have reached a maturity that allows me to understand, only now, the 'essence of a traditional form of art and popular culture so peculiar as the "Feast of the Gigli of Brusciano."
Therefore I want to say thanks to Felice Giannino, who, with his lyrics and his ballads is continuing a tradition, for the most part transmitted orally, and together with him also merits mention the masters of festivity, the cullatori, authors of lyrics and music, builders of carts and lilies and the financial backers who supplied the funds for the realization of all this. Personages who assume names, and recall of faces ,introduced in the brief "History about Brusciano," which Giannino has attached to this collection of poems, fishing in the sea of the city's historical memory as well as personal, inevitably tapping into the old days of 'Once upon a time.'
To be continued: A Eulogy to A Friend (5B)
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Sunday, July 4, 2010
East Harlem Giglio Feast 2010
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WHA.....WHOO....LOOK WHAT'S COMING OUR WAY!!!!!
The atmosphere is already exploding with excitement as everyone is looking forward to the great event of the Feast of the Giglio Di Sant' Antonio in East Harlem.
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My Goodness, it's that time already? Why it only seemed like yesterday I was posting the announcement for the last Giglio feast, and now its around the corner again.
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East Harlem, once the largest Italian community in NYC is a pleasant memory for countless former inhabitants. To renew that memory, thousands of former residents along with their children and grandchildren will be returning to renew that bond and meet up with friends in the old neighborhood for the Feast of Giglio di Sant’Antonio sponsored by the Giglio Society of East Harlem.
Guess what! Yours truly , a resident from long time ago as a kid and teen-ager will be there on Sunday the 8th with my son and 10 year old grandson and of course my Italian niece, whose family owned a parking lot around 111th street in the old neighborhood. What great precious memories the Italian feasts have given me as a child growing up in East Harlem. Although I promote the feast on my Italian Harlem website and Mimi Speaks blog, I haven't been able to attend for years, now I am finally getting my wish. Hope to see all of you there.
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"For those unfamiliar with the Giglio (pronounced JEEL-YO)-it is a 75 to 85 foot tall wooden structure weighing approx 8,000 lbs with a paper-mache face adorned with beloved saints and colorful flowers.Giglios are built in honor of a town’s patron saint and carried on the shoulders of approximately 120 men in a ritual that dates back to 409AD in the town of Nola Italy. Today, Giglio feasts are found throughout a number of towns in the surrounding area of Naples. Each town varies the tradition to meet the local town’s tradition. On the platform just above the base of the Giglio sits a multi-piece band along with several singers. The music is an instrumental part of the dancing of the Giglio as it inspires the Lifters (also known as the ‘”Paranza” in Italian) to take on the burdening weight of the Giglio and band and dance it in harmony to the music being played. Additional historical Giglio information can be found at http://www.giglio-usa.org/.
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I know everyone, past and present residents of East Harlem are looking forward to having a great time at the feast and please don't forget to applaud and praise all those wonderful people who have worked so hard all year round to make it possible. Of course Bobby Maida, the official photographer of the East Harlem Giglio Society will be there equipped with his camera to capture all those wonderful images, so everyone can see it online. We have much to be thankful to Bobby Maida for keeping alive the visual memories of this most celebrated Feast. So don't forget to mark this date on your calendar. Let's make with our presence the year 2010 the best of all years.. So everybody, what are you waiting for....start spreading the news........
Saturday, July 3, 2010
The History Box Book Store
This is only a partial list of books from my private collection that are for sale and have been placed here for your viewing. In addition to this list, there are many more that will be posted from time to time. My collection of New York City books is not currently up for sale.
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If there are any books that you are interested in purchasing please contact me at: miriam@thehistorybox.com
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