Photo of Bronze Red Hawk on Campus
Coccia News and Announcements

“It’s A Wonderful (Italian American) Life” by Coccia Institute Director, Mark Rotella

Posted in: Coccia eNewsletter, Coccia Upcoming Events, Uncategorized

Screenshot from It's a Wonderful Life
When life gets him down, George Bailey (James Stewart) escapes to Giuseppe Martini's (William Edmunds) neighborhood bar.
With the holiday season among us, this is the time of year where many Italian American traditions take place. From playing beloved Italian carols to the Feast of the Seven Fishes, many Italian Americans trace back to their roots in producing a unique and cultural holiday experience.
The strong presence of the Italian/ Italian American culture during the holiday season has influenced many people to take note. Because of this, we see this embedded in different aspects that may not even have a direct affiliation to Italy or Italian Americans themselves.
Our Director, Mark Rotella, explores this concept in an article he wrote entitled, “It’s A Wonderful (Italian American) Life.” Published by NPR.com, the article explores the subtle yet apparent themes in the classic holiday film “It’s A Wonderful Life” that tap into the Italian American experience while also integrating historical concepts that highlight its portrayed significance.