Norton Street poised for romance
The 2011 Norton St Italian Festa will be particularly memorable for Liz Giammona and partner John of Homebush. The couple will tie the knot amid the grandeur of a recreated Marostica Castle, complete with traditional Italian dress, trumpets, and tenor performances.
On Sunday, Leichhardt’s Pioneers Memorial Park will be transformed into medieval Marostica, a township in the Vicenza province of Northern Italy.
The 2011 Festa will be on Sunday and marks the 25th year for the annual event.
Last year the event attracted over 100,000 people, according to the organisers. In 2011, with somewhat negative press surrounding Italy’s political and economic position, organisers hope an even larger crowd will celebrate their love of Italian culture.
Festival producer Robert Gunn said: “Italians love to sit down and debate about what’s going on … That’s part of the passion and the wonder of Italians.”
The festival’s producer said the wedding is about revisiting history. “We’re recreating a 700-year-old love story.”
“It’s a true story: two young men were in love with the squire’s daughter. The squire said no, that it was against the law, and ordered them to contest a living chess match.”
The tradition is still celebrated annually in Marostica and was introduced to the Festa in 2010. This year, when the match is over, the board will be cleared for the second part of the fairy tale – the all-expenses-paid wedding.
“When it’s all over they’ll clamber aboard a beautiful horse-drawn landau carriage, and it will take them away into the sunset.”
Such extravagance reflects the Festa’s commitment to providing not just a street fair but a tribute to the area’s rich Italian history and community. The Festa is also an important opportunity for local businesses to build links with the community and attract new customers. Food merchants pay up to $860 for a stall, plus extra costs for power. In return, they get access to a large and hungry crowd of locals, tourists, and visiting Sydneysiders.
“What makes Festa different is that this actually lifts the bar,” Mr Gunn said. “We try and do things which show the wonderful culture, fun, and passion of Italians.”
Highlights include a performance by entertainer Maria Venuti and a Eurovision-style singing contest.
“The mission with Festa is that the moment people walk on the street, they are walking in to a party,” Mr Gunn said.
By Michael Koziol
