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Oral history recording with Luigi ("Gino") Vasami. Recorded as part of the Italian Memories in Wales project (2008-10), delivered by ACLI-ENAIP and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Part 3 of 6 (AV 11492 - 11497)

00.14 Gino learnt English about the same time as Welsh, yet he says that it took a little longer to learn. His father always made them speak Italian in the house which maintained the link with Italy and their family there. Italian is Gino’s first language, Welsh his second and then English. He now mixes more with the Welsh community and notes that within the Italian community there can be jealousy. However the cultures do have similarities in their family values. Gino talks of other Italians in the area; they had Fish and Chip shops, cafes or ice cream businesses. Gino didn’t visit these businesses but appreciated Italian food in his home; he recalls special sauces and dishes his mother would make. Food was a key part of their life and still is; his mother’s knowledge has been passed down to his wife. They now have a restaurant which is very popular. They have Polish girls working for them- his brother’s girlfriend and her friend. He says that they understand what it is to be like as an outsider to a new country.

22.15 He describes their house as very open during his childhood; many ex prisoners of war would visit and enjoy his mother’s cooking which is passed down the generations. The family learn a lot of cooking from each other; the restaurant works well because it is always kept in the family. Gino returned to Italy five years ago, though his wife goes back every year. They still feel very emotional when they return he says though the family closeness isn’t as strong as before; Gino likes to keep the link with Italy, but his children aren’t much attached, though they do speak Italian.