Immigration From Italy to America, My grandparents Story

My aunt was speaking on behalf of my grandmother and grandfather (Nonno and Nonna). They had left Italy during the year of 1968, and traveled to Brooklyn NY, in order to provide for their family by working.

Millie and her Nonno Lee

Lee Miller (76) in NYC speaks with his granddaughter Millie (13) who lives in Rome, Italy. He recounts growing up in Brooklyn in the 1950's & 60's, and share stories about his father, her great grandfather fighting in World WarII...

David Vigorito and Alex Wu

Creating Community Through Sharing Stories: IM David Vigorito talks about growing up in Massachusetts, to his brief time in Las Vegas, to returning to his home state. Although he discovered his passion for chess at the later age of 16,...

Immigration Stories Italy: Jorida

Jorida Dervishi is an idealist through and through. Jorida came from Albania to Milan 4 years ago and opened her own school for women immigrants to help them learn to speak Italian. While working with her school devoted to women...

Immigration Stories Italy: Lamin Tamba

Lamin Tamba, who goes by Lamin, and in our interview he shares horrific details of his journey from Senegal to Libya and then ultimately pushed onto a boat into the Mediterranean Sea in complete darkness, hoping he makes it safely...

Immigration Stories Italy: Mustapha

Mustapha's journey begins in Gambia and travels through 7 different countries before reaching Calabria, Italy. Mustapha tells of the great risk as he leaves his family behind to travel for months to Libya. Mustapha tells us of how when he...

Mark DiPinto interviews his Great Aunt Bina about her past experiences and life decisions.

This interview took place over the phone and the participants were me, Mark DiPinto, and my Great Aunt, Bina Balzano. She was born in America shortly after her parents both were able to come to this country together. In this...

The Italian Student

A california high school student (16) talks with a friend across the sea, an Italian student studying science and math in Sardinia.

Immigration Stories Italy: Savaneh Lamin

Savaneh Lamin, who goes by Lamin, talks about his arduous journey from the Ivory Coast to Libya and then crossing the sea to be rescued by a Ship. Once rescued by a ship he was brought to Italy and then...

Immigration Stories Italy: Juan

Juan is immigrated to Italy from Peru for a better life. Juan lives in Pioltello just outside of Milan. Juan paints a beautiful picture of growing up in Peru and being surrounded by his many sisters. Juan tells about his...

Immigration Stories Reel–a brief recap of the overall, unedited audio interviews. The full impact is embodied within the full interviews.

I had the privilege to interview immigrants, descendants of immigrants, and asylum seekers across the world. Their stories were accompanied by anonymous portraits made from cyanotype imprints of their bodies and forms to which provided privacy and freedom to speak...

Immigration Stories Italy: Reem and Rawan

Reem and Rawan are both daughters of Arab immigrants to Italy. Even though they were both born in Milan, Italy after their parents had immigrated to the country they are not considered citizens of Italy. Reem and Rawan talk about...

Robert Hellenga and Joseph Lennon. Hellenga, a novelist, was Lennon's English professor in the 1980s.

Robert Hellenga (78) talks with Joseph Lennon (51) about their friendship of 34 years. Hellenga taught Lennon from 1986-1990, and was his mentor. They talked about literature, pens, music, Italian food, and Knox College. Hellenga is in hospice with neuroendocrine...