Bella Italia: 'classical,' not 'old'

Letter to the Editor, The Boston Globe, June 25, 2006

Wonderful piece on the soccer crowd at Cafe Graffiti (City & Region, June 18). Our only complaint is the subheading, specifically the use of the quaint phrase "old country."

As Americans of Italian descent, we much prefer "the classical country." Part of the pride that many Italian-Americans feel toward their heritage stems from being connected, in some way, to a nation rightfully considered the birthplace of Western Civilization.

In fact many of the concepts that we take for granted as American were taken from classical Italy: the rule of law, citizens' rights and a tripartite government. Not to mention the U.S. architectural style of domes and our nation's motto, E pluribus unum. And of course, the earliest European explorers of the North American continent were Italian: John Cabot, Giovanni da Verrazzano, Alessandro Malaspina and, natch, Amerigo Vespucci, from whom we got "America.

In our view, the 1-1 tie in the World Cup between Italy and America is perfectly apropros.. Two number one nations indeed!

Bill Dal Cerro
National President
The Italic Institute of America
Floral Park, N.Y.