The Caetani Centre and the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club present the feature-length documentary, Casorsos: La Prima Famiglia, about one of the first Italian families to arrive in the Okanagan.

It was 140 years ago that Giovanni Casorso first came to Kelowna. This feature length documentary tells the story of Giovanni, Rosa and their family of 9 children: 8 sons and 1 daughter: their contributions, their impact on both the City of Kelowna and the local Italian community and their legacy that has passed from generation to generation.

The story of the Casorso Family and their voyage to Canada is expansive and fascinating. It encompasses the tribulations facing Italians after Unification in the late 1800s, experiences typical to Italian Immigrants before the turn of the century arriving in North America, what was happening in the new frontier province of B.C. and a snapshot of the early history of the Central Okanagan and Kelowna

Most of all, it is a remarkable story of courage, resilience and arrangiarsi - the spirit of "making do" that allowed Italian immigrants to thrive in a new land. Giovanni and Rosa Casorso, their eight sons and one daughter made an indelible impression on a young community and set in motion a chain of migration that has shaped the experience of every Italian who would follow in their footsteps.

The Casorsos: La Prima Famiglia received the Special Heritage Project Award from the Central Okanagan Heritage Society and was recognized by Heritage BC for achievement in Education, Communications and Awareness.

A wine and cheese reception and Q&A session will be part of the screening.

Please pre-register for this by-donation event at the Culture Days event page.