CULTURE + LIFESTYLE
This section is for all lovers of Italian culture and cuisine who are looking for ways to celebrate their love of all things Italian.
The Legend of La Befana
Tradition has it that La Befana, an old woman of modest means, lived at the time of the birth of Jesus Christ. One night, the three Magi on their way to find the Christ child, stopped at La Befana’s home for food, shelter and directions to Bethlehem. Having provided for their needs, the Magi thanked the old woman and invited her to join them in search of the baby Jesus. La Befana said she could not leave her home as she had much cleaning still to do.
Later that night while sleeping, La Befana was awakened by an unusually bright light. Startled and afraid, she thought this was a sign to follow the Magi in search of the Christ Child. She set out to follow the Magi but soon lost her way, failing to find the Wise Men or the manger before the Epiphany.
And so, each year on January 5th (the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany), the story continues. All the children in Italy expectantly await the arrival of La Befana continuing her search for the Christ child. She travels from house to house, entering thru chimneys and dropping off treats to sleeping children in hopes that Baby Jesus might also be with them.
La Befana is portrayed as a hooded old woman, covered in soot, and riding a broom. She is said to be the best housekeeper in all the land due to her habit of sweeping the houses of the children she visits before she leaves.
2025 italian heritage award recipient
gina galati
The Italian Club of St. Louis is honored and pleased to announce that the 2025 Italian Heritage Award was presented to Gina Galati.
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Critics worldwide are raving about Italian-American soprano Gina Galati, praising her "sweet and appealing" voice, which is described as "vocally light and free like a lovely bird," "passionate and vocally impressive," and a "clear, rich voice that handles the coloratura with apparent ease." Her flexible yet powerful vocals and extensive dramatic range have earned her critical acclaim and a growing repertoire of leading roles.
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Beyond the stage, Gina is a dedicated philanthropist, most notably as the Founder and General Director of Winter Opera St. Louis. Now in its 19th season, Winter Opera St. Louis fills a unique niche by bringing traditional opera to the community during the winter months. Committed to authenticity, the company produces operas in their original language. Critically, Winter Opera also serves as an employer in the arts, creating over 75 jobs for the artist community annually. The organization's impact is expanding with its new home: the Winter Opera St. Louis Preston Green Arts Center in Creve Coeur. Galati's leadership has successfully established a thriving community of opera and music lovers in St. Louis.
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Gina is also active in singing for various charitable organizations. Her efforts have raised thousands of dollars for St. Louis community beneficiaries, including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Logos School, Needy Paws Rescue, and Habitat for Humanity and many more.
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Gina holds a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Music from Washington University and a Master of Opera from the University of Kansas. She further honed her craft with an Artist Diploma from the Academia Verdiana in Bussetto, Italy, where she studied with world-renowned tenor and mentor Signore Carlo Bergonzi.
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RISTORANTI ITALIANI LOCALI
Cremona by Angela Pasetti Holland
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One of my favorite places to visit when I’m in Italy is the beautiful, ancient city of Cremona. My mother grew up in this fair Lombardian town and lucky for me I’m able to visit my relatives there any chance I get.
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Cremona is located in Lombardy a short train ride south from Milan. It is of course known for its lengthy musical history of producing the famous Stradivarius violins and other stringed instruments. It was the birthplace of Antonio Stradivari and to this day is home to the world’s best luthiers. A visit to the Museo del Violino is a must for any first-time visitor. There and throughout the city one can stop to admire an artisan crafting one of these fine masterpieces. It’s a pure delight to stroll through its narrow streets and hear the soft sounds of violins tuning and playing nearby.
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Of course, like other Italian cities Cremona boasts a breathtaking piazza with its unique Romanesque Duomo, the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta and its octagonal Baptistry. The Torrazzo is the symbol of the city and by the way is the third tallest brickwork bell tower in the world. I’ve enjoyed many a gelato or apperitivo here at a café overlooking this beautiful setting.
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Cremona is also known for its contributions to ‘la cucina Italiana’. It’s known for its stuffed pastas like marubini or tortelli di zucca and various styles of risotti. I had some of the best marubini in brodo, outside my home at the very casual neighborhood Trattoria Cerri. They tasted just like the ones my Nonna used to make. On the sweet side Cremona is known for the famous nougat candy, Torrone which we see during the holidays but there you can find anytime. The sweet-spicy, syrupy fruit, Mostarda is also original to this city. My parents used to serve it with their turkey instead of cranberries, but it’s usually served with bollito misto.
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So, the next time you have the opportunity to travel to Italy take a side trip to this often overlooked treasure. You can stay at Hotel Impero, Piazza della pace, 21—literally steps from Cremona’s beautiful Duomo and its town center. Vi auguro una buona permanenza!
LOCAL EVENTS
Italia America Bocce Club
Check out the newest events at the Italia America Bocce Club or join a league. stlbocce.com
The Hill Neighborhood Center at 1935 Marconi Avenue
The Hill Saint Louis – Run by the Hill Neighborhood Association. hillstl.org
Concerts at Piazza Imo
For concert schedule and ticket information click here.
The Hill St. Louis Food Tour
Eat at the top restaurants On The Hill. Food tours last about 3 hours and run on Fridays and Saturdays. See: The Hill St. Louis Food Tour | EAT St. Louis Food Tours. saintlouisfoodtours.com
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Winter Opera of St. Louis
Winter Opera offers many Christmas celebrations and a 3 production opera season. Check out their website: Upcoming Events–Winter Opera Saint Louis. winteroperastl.org
Italian Film Festival USA
Runs Italian Films in St. Louis venues during the month of April.
Pasta e fagioli
—dalla cucina di Jeanne Florini
A nickname for Tuscans is “mangiafagioli” (bean eaters). Beans (legumes) have been cultivated for centuries in Tuscany, with the the oldest a black eyed bean from before Roman times. Pliny the Elder wrote about the nutritional contributions of the fava bean (he was a naturalist and died trying to rescue friends after the eruption at Pompeii). The white cannellini bean appeared in Florence shortly after the discovery of America in 1492. Because beans are easy to grow, the peasants of Tuscany quickly learned to grow them and incorporated them into their diet. I, for one, am glad they did! Here is my version of pasta e fagioli (pasta and bean soup) which provides excellent nutritional benefits (including folate from the beans which helps the brain work better and protects the heart), and is an ideal comfort food. Serve with crusty bread!
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Total yield: 8 cups Serving size: 8 oz
Equipment needed: stockpot (large), immersion blender, measuring spoons/cups, cutting boards and knives
NOTE: How To Make Vegetable Stock
Ingredients: 1 to 2 onions
2 to 3 carrots
3 to 4 celery stalks
4 to 5 sprigs fresh thyme (if use dried - 1 T.)
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
8 cups water
Optional Extras: leeks (especially the green parts), fennel, tomatoes, mushrooms, mushroom stems (mushrooms will provide the umami flavor—that is typically found in a meat stock)
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Heat a few tablespoons olive oil over a medium heat.
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Add diced onion, celery and carrot.
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Cook, covered stirring occasionally until vegetables are soft (about 10 minutes).
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Add remaining ingredients and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook gently for about an hour or until the stock tastes rich and full.
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Strain stock and compost vegetable solids.
ITALIAN CLUB OF ST. LOUIS