September 27, 2025- Langley BC
The Fraser Valley Italo-Canadian Society is a Cultural Centre and was founded in 1979. To say that it is an organization is very reductive, but it has simply become
a pillar of the community, where culture and love of family, food, friends and music are important values shared by all.
As Canada is a country with many Italian immigrants, we are committed to keeping alive and cultivating the most important aspects of Italian culture, to remain constantly aware of our roots and to share our traditions with anyone who wants to learn more. Simply put, keeping our culture alive is, and always will be, our primary goal.
My impression was that I was truly in a center where Italianness reigns supreme, unlike many large centers where Italianness is left to the mercy of business, despite being non-profit organizations. These small cultural centers are forgotten by our institutions and, consequently, by our representatives. It must be remembered that these communities fulfill their duties as Italian citizens by voting.
To celebrate the true culture of Italianness, an event titled “Grape Stomp Banquet” was held. The event began with an introduction by President Tony Passalacqua, followed by the Italian and Canadian national anthems. Dinner followed, with excellent and meticulously prepared food that satisfied the palates of all diners. The most distinctive part, in keeping with our traditional roots, was a grape stomping competition between three teams. The team that produced the most grape juice won.
I was amazed by the enthusiasm it generated; there was a tremendous cheer from the fans of the three participating teams. It’s always wonderful to see and remember these things, because these winemaking practices are now obsolete, as technology has led to the use of destemmers and presses for these operations. Seeing these working methods reproduced makes us understand the sheer sacrifice our winemakers made. I must confess,
seeing these things is like taking me back to when I was little, spending my elementary school holidays immersed in my grandfather’s vineyards.
The wonderful evening concluded with music and dancing.
Grape Stomp Banquet: la cultura italiana vive nel cuore della Fraser Valley
