STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

ARBA SICULA is, above all else, the overdue reflection of a felt need by an established ethnic community of the United States of America to define, preserve and disseminate our ancient heritage in order to assure its undistorted survival. While our orientation is literary, our approach is historically evocative and intended to overlook no aspect of Sicilian culture as unworthy of our examination and analysis. The purpose of this effort is, therefore, to rediscover what is legitimately ours within the composite synthesis of a displaced island people possessing immediate roots in the Sicilian, Italian and American historical experiences, as well as far more ancient linkages to every nation of the Mediterranean.

We seek recognition of a sense of continuity within ourselves and for that reason have chosen an ancient symbol of the Sikel people (the predominant strain in Sicily prior to its settlement by the Greeks) both to underscore the seriousness of our intent and to stamp upon the minds of our youth a sign of the antiquity of their heritage. We are, above all, concerned that the key to the Sicilian soul (the language of our forefathers) be preserved and studied with attentive appreciation.

To the end of fulfilling these declared intentions, ARBA SICULA extends to all and any able to claim at least one Sicilian grandparent, an invitation to join us in a collective effort to increase our consciousness of our common heritage.

This design is taken from an  ornamental pendant enclosing a sort of cross decoration from the Sikel civilization. A sample is in the Museum of Syracuse. It was found at San Cataldo and is part of the Adrano Hoard, the largest collection of bronze objects ever found in Sicily. The design dates from about 1300 before Christ.

We reprinted on these pages the statement of purpose published in the first issue of Arba Sicula twenty one years ago. We reproduced it exactly as it appeared without any corrections. As you can see, our language has changed a bit. We are perhaps a bit more conscious of how we write in Sicilian, but I think that we have remained faithful to the ideals that prompted our predecessors to found this publication. If the editor has changed, the desire to work toward the achievement of the same goals that spurred our foundation has not.

Perhaps I ought to give a brief history of our association for the members who are new to it. Arba Sicula was founded in 1979 by a small group of Sicilian-Americans living in Brooklyn composed by Gaetano Giacchi, Joseph Palisi, Alissandru Caldiero, Sebastianu Passione, Mons. Santi Privitera, Mons. Anthony Failla and others who met monthly in the basement of the church of St. Finbar’s. These people can be considered founding members of the organization, even though the title of founder belongs rightly to Gaetano Giacchi who at the beginning was the one who did the most to promote the organization.

The presidents of our society have been the following: Joseph Palisi, 1979-80; Gaetano Giacchi, 1980-86; Santi Privitera 1987; Charles Cappellino 1987-88; and Gaetano Cipolla 1988-present. The editors of Arba Sicula have been only two: Alissandru Caldieru from 1979 to 1986 and Gaetano Cipolla from 1987 to the present. Our other publication, Sicilia Parra was originally edited by John Randazzo of our Los Angeles Branch, and it was published for a few years. A new series of Sicilia Parra began in 1989 and continues to the present with Gaetano Cipolla as editor and Henry Barbera as Co-editor. As you may know Henry passed away last year and now Gaetano Cipolla has all the responsibilities of producing the newsletter as well.

During the first phase, Arba Sicula was very successful in organizing recitals and performances in churches and schools, but its membership never rose above 700-800. Then there was a period of  stagnation because of illness and other reasons which jeopardized the organization (1985-7).

Arba Sicula was saved thanks to Mons. Santi Privitera and Dr. Charles Cappellino who helped with donations, and thanks to Gaetano Cipolla who first assumed the duties of editor of the journal, making it more mature not only from a graphic point of view by introducing the use of computers and laser printers (the first issues of Arba Sicula were printed using a manual typewriter), but in its content and language, then assuming the duties as president of the organization.

Arba Sicula has grown a lot in twenty-two years, not only in the numbers of subscribers, but also for the excellent reputation it enjoys all over the world. While we may think that our list of over 2,000 subscribers is small, because we know that there are many Sicilian-Americans out there and we should have ten thousand subscribers, we are the most popular journal of Italian studies in this country. Other specialized Italian journals struggle along with 300-400 subscribers. Furthermore, many of them fold after two or three years.

Arba Sicula has been an inspiration to many Sicilian-Americans. It has made available to them the best of Sicilian culture and year after year has offered them reasons to be proud of their heritage. Many other Sicilian organizations have been founded throughout the country, and they look to us as for inspiration and support. Without fear of sounding immodest, Arba Sicula, by shining a truer light on Sicily and Sicilians, has made a difference and can be proud of its contributions.