Fogolâr Association di Winnipeg

 

Founded January 18, 1959

Logo-Fogolar Associatio di Winnipeg

THE FOGOLAR ASSOCIATION OF WINNIPEG
(Founded 1959)

 

 

 

 


MAILING ADDRESS:

Fogolar Association of Winnipeg Inc

P.O. Box 3102

Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 4E6

 

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

President| AnnaMaria Toppazzini
Vice – President | Valentino Corvino             
Secretary| Claudette Mardero
Treasurer| Eleonora Travan   
Events Coordinator| Robert Fabro                                                         
Public Relations| Cam Giavedoni
Youth Rep| Marcus Bazan
Past President|  Roberta Novel

 


THE HISTORY - FOGOLAR ASSOCIATION OF WINNIPEG

The Fogolar of Winnipeg was founded on January 18, 1959 by Friulani-Manitobans with the mission to preserve their language, culture, heritage, and to provide fellowship; a commitment that to this day the community still takes pride in sustaining.


On October 1958, the first meeting of the Fogolâr was held by four visionary Friulani: Romeo Bidinosti, Leo Copetti, Danilo Calligaro, and Adolfo Rimati who reminisced about their homeland. To maintain their language, traditions and customs they needed to form an organization that would unite all Friulani in Manitoba and in doing so would create a sense of the Famèe Furlane that they left behind.  The Fogolâr’s constitution was enacted on January 18, 1959. Led by its first President, Guerrino Battigelli, the Fogolar’s mandate was simple:  to be a fraternal organization providing moral and social support to families originating from the Friuli while providing the opportunity to celebrate, preserve and share their cultural heritage, and to continue to speak their beloved friulano language, in their new home.


In 1961, the Fogolâr extended its mandate to include members originating from the neighboring region of Veneto in Italy. Similar to the Friulani, the Veneti recognized the importance of preserving their identity by maintaining the regional customs, traditions and language.  These members had participated and supported the Fogolâr since its inception and thus were made equal members henceforth. The new language used was a blend of friulano, triestino, trevisano, veneziano, vicentino…what a beautiful new language made in Manitoba!

The acquisition of the Campo Fogolâr in 1973 situated in Anola, a summer recreation site crowned the dreams of the members who wanted a permanent central meeting place for their organization. In 2011 the Fogolâr sold its property which had been for 38 years its headquarters and centre of activity. The decision to sell the property was not an easy one, as many identified the Fogolâr with the property and the majority of the activities focused around fundraising in order to maintain the property….thus it has been a few years of transition….slowly but surely we have begun to write the next chapter of the Fogolâr.


During the past 55 years theFogolâr has organized many social, recreational, educational and cultural events. Many of these events were based around the traditional events held in Friuli and the Veneto as well as new events that have become tradition in Manitoba.   The association has provided fellowship to the members as well as an opportunity to enjoy various aspects of their background such as language, food and culture within the Canadian environment and to be able to transmit the culture and heritage to their children, grandchildren and community as a whole. The vigor and tenacity with which the members guard and foster their culture and language has been envied by all who come in contact with the Fogolâr.  In preserving our identity we have worked hard and contributed greatly to establishing an equally solid Canadian identity.  


The Fogolâr is proud to be one of 160 Fogolârs united around the world, a founding member of the Fogolâr Federation of Canada which is comprised of 16 Fogolârs across Canada, and a founding member of the Italian Canadian League of Manitoba.  The Fogolâr’s goal for 2015 and beyond is to further engage our members and to attract new members. The second goal is to promote the history, culture, traditions, and the modern day Friuli Venezia Giulia and the Veneto.   We look forward to a promising future…..we will continue to advance the mission of our founders.