Novi author returns from Italy with prestigious award for preserving Italian history

Simpson, author of Alive on the Andrea Doria, The Greatest Sea Rescue in History, along with Bruno Villata of Concordia University of Montreal, author of The Piemontesi of Quebec: 1665-2008, were honored by the Museum of Emigration (Museo dell’Emigrazione) in Frossasco, Italy, on May 23, 2009. Special recognition for working with Italians abroad was given to Daniela Costa of Australia.

Simpson and Villata are now among illustrious company of ‘protagonisti’: actors Alan Silvestri and “Fernandel”, former White House spokesperson Dana Perino, first woman governor of the U.S. Ella Grasso, and many other notables.

The goal of Frossasco’s Museum of Emigration is to highlight the importance of preserving one’s native roots in a multicultural world. The annual award of“Piemontesi Protagonisti” congratulates those who demonstrated accomplishments in literature, culture, and/or patriotism, which highlight ‘piemontese’ ingenuity.

The ceremony was attended by key executives of the Italian media, provincial and local government officials, Museum of Emigration executive board members, as well as family and friends of the honorees. The event was held in conjunction with The Feast of the Piedmont (La Festa del Piemonte)and the 35th anniversary of the bronze statue named “To the Piemontesi in the World”, which will be acknowledged on June 20.

Author Pierette Domenica Simpson addressed the audience of about 100 about her purpose in documenting her personal emigration to America on the ill-fated ocean liner, Andrea Doria. “I wrote Alive on the Andrea Doria on behalf of justice, with data showing that captain and crew of the Andrea Doria had been maligned in the tragic collision with the Swedish liner Stockholm in 1956. I documented humanistic and scientific data which proves that the Italian crew had acted competently and honorably—but were inaccurately blamed for the collision due to negative stereotypes against Italians. My book also includes my personal family story of emigration, like that of millions who sought fortunes in the New World.”

Author and linguistic researcher Bruno Villata delivered his presentation in the Piedmont’s dialect, “piemontese.” The audience, comprised of civic and media leaders, was delighted to hear both honorees deliver parts of their speeches in their native tongue and/or dialect, decades after their emigration. After receiving plaques and gold pins, the new “Piemontesi Protagonisti’” were treated to music by the local band and a multicourse luncheon with typical dishes of the Piedmont. Ms. Simpson was interviewed by Italy’s broadcasting Company, La Rai; her interview was televised on the same day.

The Andrea Doria author reflects on a possible prophetic event: “I received my award for preserving history one week before the passing of another shipwreck survivor, Millvina Dean, the last survivor of the Titanic. Milllvina and her family were supposed to emigrate from England to Kansas. The ill-fated emigration led Milllvina back to her roots where she did her part to preserve her historical role: she lived her retirement years attending conventions, appearing in documentaries, TV and radio shows, and relating her tales to school groups. Can you imagine this world without the movie Titanic? When the movie rights I’ve sold turn into a film, perhaps the buzz will be about the Andrea Doria.”