HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – This past Friday marked 80 years since Italy’s liberation from Nazi occupation at the end of World War II, and on Sunday, several Italian restaurants in the Valley joined together to celebrate the anniversary in Harrisonburg at Friendly City Events.
Massimo Coppola, owner of Brother’s Italian Restaurant, Pizza and Catering, said he partnered with Romano’s Italian Bistro and Ciro’s Italian Eatery for the celebration. However, despite how most would consider the three to be competitors, he said, when it comes to Liberation Day, they are family.
”The reason we have Italian here, this is not like other communities in the area. There’s not that many Italians in this area. So it’s nice, we can pull it together so they meet like new friends. It’s nice. I like to see that,” Coppola said.
Coppola said this celebration is not just for bringing the community together. It also gives them a chance to pass on their history and culture to the next generation.
”We don’t want to forget the past. We live here, our kids are growing up here, we want to give them our tradition, our history, everything and our culture,” Coppola said.
The event had over 60 in attendance and Coppola added that he wants this celebration to grow even more in the future.
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