Art that bridges continents, generations and memory

In a heartfelt gesture that bridges continents and generations, Melbourne’s Calabria Club has received a powerful emblem of Calabrian culture and identity: a striking artwork donated by Cavaliere Raffaele Mazza, a renowned artist whose work reflects a deep love for his homeland.

La Pacchiana: Pride, Prayer and Work is the artwork officially presented to Club President Sam Sposato on May 12, 2025, through the Club’s Head of Public Relations and New Projects, Dr. Giovanni Butera. The initiative was graced by the presence of Italian Senator and Undersecretary of State for the Interior, the Honourable Wanda Ferro, who served as patron of the event.

This cultural exchange took place within the broader framework of “Art… the Beating Heart of Peoples.” This initiative celebrates the role of art in preserving identity, bridging generations, and strengthening the bonds between diaspora communities and their roots. 

The donation marks the beginning of a wider project, culminating in July with a solo exhibition by Mazza in Melbourne and the sale of fine art prints, the proceeds of which will go to charitable causes.

At the heart of this initiative is La Pacchiana, a life-sized representation of a traditional Calabrian woman. Clothed in the ceremonial dress once worn by women in the Piana di Lamezia region—from the 1600s to the mid-20th century—the figure evokes a rite of passage symbolising the transition to adulthood and readiness for marriage. The artwork is not only an aesthetic homage but a cultural one, infused with regional icons such as the Bastione di Malta, prickly pear cacti, and a field of poppies that paint a vivid picture of Calabria’s landscape and soul.

During the official handover, Dr. Butera shared a message from Calabria Club President Sam Sposato, who emphasized the power of art to connect people across time and space: “We are honoured to receive this work, which carries the spirit and history of Calabria. This donation enriches our mission to promote Calabrian culture in Australia and allows us to rediscover and celebrate our origins through artistic expression.”

The event underscored a dual mission: to foster awareness of Calabrian culture among both Italian migrants and their Australian-born descendants, and to promote Turismo delle radici (“roots tourism”)— an initiative encouraging second and third-generation Calabrians to return to the land of their ancestors and reconnect with their heritage.

Senator Wanda Ferro spoke passionately about the universal power of art, describing it as “the beating heart of peoples.” In her address, she reflected on the capacity of art to stir the soul and preserve the collective memory of a people.

“Though born from individual inspiration, Mazza’s work becomes a shared cultural emblem—one that crosses borders and generations,” she said, also highlighting the importance of such initiatives in revitalising identity and keeping cultural memory alive within the diaspora.

Cavaliere Mazza’s artistic vision extends beyond this singular donation. His broader project includes collaborations with institutions such as the Istituto PTP Rambaldi-De Fazio and the Il Balletto Dance School, as well as the spiritual contribution of Don Pasquale Di Cello. The latter is preparing a solemn commemoration of the centenary of the Madonna of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel of Sambiase, to be held in Melbourne on July 20, 2025.

In his closing remarks, Mazza reminded the audience of the unifying and expressive power of art: “Art is not merely personal expression—it is a vessel through which we tell our story, honour our roots, and convey our deepest emotions.”

With this donation, and the initiative surrounding it, the Calabria Club emerges as a focal point for cultural reflection and celebration—an invitation for all Calabrians, near and far, to reconnect with their heritage.

This meaningful event reaffirmed a timeless truth: while art begins in solitude, its echoes are felt collectively. It unites generations and communities through the shared beauty of tradition and the enduring memory of home.