Committee & aims
The aims and objectives of the Manchester Italian Association are:
to promote the welfare of the Italian community,
to promote its ties with Italy,
to promote its history, culture, heritage and faith,
to preserve all emblems, memorabilia and items of heritage,
and in the wider community, regardless of nationality, to bring together young people in education and leisure activities, and help the elderly.
Committee and organisers of the Madonna del Rosario Procession:
President – Lorraine Taurasi (Rea), Vice-President – Carmine Loreto Rea, Secretary – Regina Rea, Treasurer – Regina Rea
Frank Ridley, Joseph Rea, Mark Rea, Antonio, John Kirby, Anthony Rea – Historian, Jayne Rea, Graziella Ferrera, Michele Scappaticci, Michael Withington (Crolla), Tony Crolla, Elvin Ironmonger (De Felice), Jordan Ironmonger (De Felice), Sylvia Toboni, Angela Toboni, David Protano, Simon Protano, Philomena Garside, Martin Garside, Stephen Garside, Christina Dellicolli, Hayley Dellicolli, Roberto Martini, Laura Martin.
MIA and the community
As part of being the custodian of the Italian community’s heritage, MIA has organised over the years many cultural, ethnic, historic events and exhibitions.
They have given slideshows and talks in schools, universities, family history societies, church guilds and rotary clubs. They also organise exhibitions, such as at Manchester Town Hall, Manchester Central Library and most recently at Manchester’s MOSI (Museum Of Science and Industry), which ran for 12 months.
A recent project was the video ‘The Roots of the Vine’, another excellent documentation of the Italian community of Ancoats, created in Association with North West Arts and the National Lottery Fund. The video uses extensive interview footage of older members of the community, who recall their first-hand experiences of life in Ancoats Little Italy. The video can be booked by interested groups by contacting MIA.
The Procession
Throughout the year MIA organises many events. The most high profile is the Procession, known popularly as the Italian Walks or Italian Procession, which takes place every June. The full title for the event is actually the Madonna del Rosario Procession, as it is in honour of Our Lady of the Rosary.
The Procession involves the carrying of religious emblems – The Madonna, The Calvary, St.Anthony and banners – from Ancoats across Manchester city centre, passing the Town Hall.
The procession is accompanied by the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Manchester councillors, members from the Italian consul, women in the colourful regional dress of Italy, and children in First Communion dress, and attracts thousands of people who come to watch.
