An Experience  in Basilicata - 2009

 

 

The Craco Society, in partnership with Unitours, is proud to to present a “heritage tour” to Basilicata.  Scheduled from April 30-May 8 2009, participants will be immersed in the little known province of Matera and learn of the Greek and Roman influences that contributed to the area known as Magna Grecia.
After arriving in Bari, our group will travel through Puglia to Policoro where we will be based at the four-star Oro Hotel.  Site visits are scheduled to Bernalda, the ancestral home of Francis Ford Coppola, the Lakes of Monticchio, Melfi, the Caves of Castellana, Pisticci, and Alberobello with its famous Trulli houses.  Three other sites, which share a common connection, will also be visited: Matera, a UNESCO world heritage site, which served as one of the back-drops for scenes in Mel Gibson’s “The Passion”, as was Craco.  The town of Aliano, the home of Carlo Levi, who during his exile there in 1939, wrote of life in Basilicata in “Christ Stopped at Eboli.”  In 1979, Craco served as the filming site when the book was made into a movie.  Most importantly to those who descended from Craco, this trip includes visits to Craco and a luncheon hosted by the town.  Participants will also be welcomed to celebrate the feast and procession of the Madonna della Stella in Craco.
As Joe Rinaldi, President of the Society noted, “As part of our educational mission we designed this trip to Lucania to expose participants to the small towns and traditions that characterize the area. With many North American Italians whose ancestors arrived from this area, the opportunity to coordinate this trip to coincide with the feast of the Madonna della Stella enables another generation to participate in the Southern Italian traditions and enable us to feel a tangible connection with our past.”
With the focus of this trip to the wider area of Basilicata, it offers opportunities for others with an interest in the area to participate; so feel free to invite your friends to consider joining us.
Information about the trip is available in a detailed brochure. A copy can be obtained online at:  www.unitours.com , by clicking here , or email a request to member services .
Trip details can be discussed in English, or Italian, with Marianna Pisano at Unitours by calling 800-777-7432.

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The War Memorial Monument in Craco Vecchio

 

 

 

 

As part of our on-going goal to document life in Craco Vecchio, this month we feature  postcards of the War Memorial Monument and the surrounding area, also highlighted on the February page of our 2009 calendar.  The Craco Society has not only been able to locate photographs, postcards, and video from this era, but has obtained information about the residents of neighborhoods such as this one.    You can click here or on the above photograph to "visit" this old neighborhood and  and learn more about tributes made to those who perished in war.   A link to this page can also be found on the History page.

 

 

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New Item on Cafe Press!

 

 

 

 

What better way to bring the haunting beauty of Craco Vecchio to your desk or workstation than with the newest addition to our Cafe Press store!  Keep your mouse rolling in style on our durable cloth top mousepad.  Rubber backing prevents the pad from sliding.  Machine washable.  A great gift for anyone who uses a computer.  To visit our Cafe Press store to view our newest product, as well as our large selection of apparel and other items for your home, click here or on the image above.

 

 

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2009 Membership Campaign

 

Our 2009 membership campaign continues.  Our mission to preserve the culture, traditions, and history of Craco is funded primarily by member's annual dues.  In an effort to provide another benefit to our members, every household that renewed or became new members should have already received our 2009 Craco Society calendar.  We have a few calendars left  which are available for purchase.  For pricing and availability, please e-mail us at member services.  Membership forms for new members, as well as existing members who may have not received their renewal forms, can be downloaded by clicking here .

 

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