Rochester, N.Y. — Rochester’s Public Market recently celebrated Italian Heritage Day, highlighting Italian cuisine, education, and culture. This event brought together the local Italian American community to honor their rich heritage.
Students from RIT and Nazareth College engaged attendees by inviting them to share personal stories, which were documented by city and county archivists.
Now in its fourth year, the event introduced a new speaker series focused on Italian American genealogy and migration narratives. Kathy Castana, a member of the Cugini di Roc committee, emphasized the importance of understanding one’s history: “Having that fuller history helps us connect to ourselves and helps our children to know who they are, which is really important.”
The celebration also included winemaking and pasta-making demonstrations, showcasing the culinary traditions of the Italian community.
For more information, you can check out the Italian Heritage Day event page or watch local media coverage here.
