Paesani: The Story of Italian Culture in America

Paesani: The Story of Italian Culture in America chronicles the massive immigration of more than 4 million Italians to the United States between 1890 and 1930, and the enduring culture they imbued into society. WSBE Rhode Island PBS will air Paesani: The Story of Italian Culture in America on Wednesday, September 11 at 7 p.m.

Older generations have always passed down values, beliefs, and traditions to help younger generations identify with their name and heritage. Paesani: The Story of Italian Culture in America celebrates and preserves Italian heritage through a poignant blend of first-person storytelling, never-before-seen images, and insightful commentary.  Italians will likely see themselves and their families in this film, and non-Italians will find echoes of their own ethnic upbringing and gain better understanding of how the Italian-American community has contributed to America’s quality of life.

Shown as part of September’s fund-raising specials to benefit Rhode Island PBS, Paesani: The Story of Italian Culture in America will also introduce the Reflections of Italy vacation package from Collette Vacations for Rhode Island PBS viewers. Travel professionals from Collette Vacations will be in the Rhode Island PBS studios during program breaks to describe the ten-day tour of Rome, Florence, Siena, Venice, Assisi, Perugia, and Como. The tour departs on September 17, 2014, and returns on September 26. Click here for the travel itinerary. 

Following Paesani: The Story of Italian Culture in America, Rhode Island PBS presents Visions of Italy: Southern Style at 9 p.m.  A Rhode Island PBS viewer favorite, Visions of Italy: Southern Style was shot in high-definition video from a helicopter-mounted camera,  taking viewers on a seamless sojourn following along the rugged western coastline to the toe of the “boot” at Reggio di Calabria, and then inland over the countryside to Rome. This program features stunning aerial footage, an informative and poetic narrative celebrating southern Italy’s considerable charms, and a soundtrack that underscores the emotional connections America’s Italians have for their motherland. Images of Italy no tourist’s camera could capture are set to Neapolitan classics, choral selections, Italian folk songs, and the works of Italian composers such as Rossini, Puccini, and Vivaldi, with Italian-American performers including Connie Francis and Michael Amante.

For more information about September’s special programming, visit ripbs.org.

WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) programming over the air on digital 36.1 and on subscription TV services: Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD(in RI), Full Channel 08, Comcast 819HD, Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD(in MA), DirecTV 36 / 3128HD, Dish Network 7776.