Modeled after the “Colosseum” itself, Mississauga ITALFEST’s Heritage Centre features interactive displays and exhibits in which visitors can experience Canadian Italian history. The Centre pays tribute to great Canadian-Italians and their accomplishments.
In partnership with Heritage Mississauga we bring to life the journey of Italian immigrants to Pier 21 and Ellis Island and the joys and struggles of early Italian immigrants in Mississauga including those who worked at the Brickworks.
On a huge map of Italy visitors are asked to put a red dot on the town or city they came from thus mapping the journey of Italian immigration to Mississauga.
Military and police representatives such as the “Bresaglieri”, “Carabenieri”, “Gli Alpini” and “Polizia” honour the event with their presence and traditional marches.
Each year the Heritage Centre spotlights a key region of Italy, displaying photography, art, furniture, music and various artifacts specific to the area. For 2017, the region of focus is Naples.
Naples is Italy’s third-largest city along with being one of its oldest, most artistic and most exciting. Naples’ centro storico (historic centre) is a Unesco World Heritage Site, its archaeological treasures are among the world’s most important, and glorious palaces, castles and churches make Rome look positively provincial. Blessed with rich volcanic soils, a bountiful sea, and centuries of culinary know-how, the Naples region is one of Italy’s epicurean heavyweights, serving up the country’s best pizza, pasta and coffee, and many of its most celebrated seafood dishes, street snacks and sweet treats. World renowned celebrities from Naples include the iconic Sophia Loren, Massimo Ranieri, popular singer GiGi D’Alessio, international actor Bud Spencer and the great tenor Enrico Caruso.
