Claudia Callisto, well-known in the Italian community for her performances at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, her podcasts and various initiatives, recently joined forces with Gina Marchetti, current President of the Adelaide Italian Festival, to host a special event.
Held at the SAIA premises on Carrington Street, An Italian Afternoon brought together women of all ages from the Italian community to enjoy coffee, sweets, 80s music and, most importantly, an opportunity to share stories.
Callisto and Marchetti are long-time friends, both daughters of Italian migrants and deeply proud of their heritage and traditions.
“Gina and I first met at an Italian picnic back in the ‘80s while we were both studying at the University of Adelaide. We’ve been friends ever since,” said Callisto. “Over the years, we often talked about creating a fun, relaxed event for women in our community, and we finally made it happen.”
At the heart of the afternoon was the intergenerational connection to Italian culture and the joy of simply spending time together. Mothers, sisters, cousins and friends filled the room, enjoying each other’s company just like in years gone by, when people would drop in on one another for a coffee or tea around the kitchen table.
“We’re bringing that spirit back,” Callisto explained. “This event is about bringing generations together to share stories, traditions and our love for Italian culture, heart to heart, just like we used to.
“Our migrant parents and their children stayed connected through visits, storytelling, sharing recipes, celebrating life’s milestones and, of course, gathering around the table for meals. That’s what we’re reviving here; laughter, tradition and great food, all passed down through the generations.”
“It’s about keeping our culture alive, one story, one recipe, one memory at a time,” she added.
“These were simple times, but they were powerful in how they built lasting bonds across generations. We want our children to learn the values and traditions we were taught by our mothers and grandmothers. Most of all, this afternoon is a celebration of the extraordinary friendships between women and the incredible power of belonging to a community.”
The event was also a tribute to the strength, resilience and determination of Italian women, past, present, and future. After some music, mingling and delicious food, a live podcast was recorded, capturing the stories of women from the same family, spanning generations: Immacolata Cirocco, Luisa Di Martino, Maria Cirocco, Diana Dwarka, Zara Perrone and Chantelle Dwarka.
Ada Scalzi also took part, speaking about her work in the community addressing domestic violence and elder abuse, and how everyone can play a role in creating change.
In true community spirit, a raffle was held, with proceeds going to the SAIA Community Language School, which helps younger generations learn the Italian language. Tables were set with vintage cups and centrepieces, while the walls were strung with lines for guests to pin up post-it notes with memories, reflections and cultural contributions inspired by the afternoon.