About us

We are a non-profit association dedicated to celebrating and sharing the traditions and culture of Calabria by the people of Calabrese origin who make Calgary, Alberta, Canada their home.

Proudly Calabrese

Our values

Building community and strengthening our bonds to ensure that together, we build a united community with Calabrese traditions and heritage in the City of Calgary.

Preserving heritage

Cherishing the essence of Calabrese culture, from its spirited celebrations to our vibrant dishes.

Community unity

Creating a home away from home for all Calabrese people in Calgary where we can unite and connect.

Celebrating diversity

Embracing the richness of Calabria’s art, music, and history through engaging events and gatherings.

Empowering the future

Inspiring the next generation to carry forward the torch of our heritage with pride.

Promoting Cultural Idendity

What we stand for

Our goal

The goal of the association is to promote, enhance, and celebrate the rich and colourful traditions that our pioneers brought to Calgary from our small villages in Calabria.

Our vision

To build a united community in Calgary, where the traditions, values, and stories of Calabria are cherished, celebrated, and passed on with pride.

Our mission

We are a family united by our Calabrese heritage, dedicated to preserving our traditions, fostering unity, and inspiring the next generation to embrace the richness of our culture.

Honorary Calabrese Citizenship

Established in 1987

To share and celebrate with our friends, we began the tradition of issuing an honorary Calabrese Citizenship to Calgarians. This recognition honours individuals who have made significant contributions to the celebration of our traditions and contributed in the betterment of our city, Calgary.

Nominate a Calgarian

The Journey

Our history

After many discussions between Alberto Romano and Serafino Scarpino, in regards to celebrating, maintaining, and promoting our Calabrese roots, it was agreed that we needed to formalize our thoughts in the form of a document to establish an organization. One fine morning, we convened a breakfast meeting with our friend Judge Gary Cioni who formalized our ideas in the establishment of a non-profit association, and the Calgary Calabrese Cultural and Heritage Society was born.

The goal of the association was always to promote, enhance, and celebrate the rich and colorful traditions that our pioneers brought to Calgary from our small villages in Calabria. We also wanted to celebrate the people who enriched our community with their hard work and commitment to family in their new adopted hometown of Calgary.

Our first celebrations

Our first celebrations were held at the Calgary Italian Cultural Centre. Later, we tried other venues due to increased demand for participation. We currently hold our annual celebration at the Carriage House; we celebrate the food, the cultural traditions, and people who made contributions to the wellbeing of our community. We presented a pignata (traditional clay cooking pot) to our most senior members and guests honoured for their contributions to the community. Among our recipients were Premier Klein, Mike Amantea, Tony Spoletini, Ernesto Logullo, Vincenzo Scarpino, Vincenzo Mangone, and many others.

Celebrating our friends

The tradition of granting an honourary Calabrese Citizenship to notable Calgarians began. These individuals have made significant contributions to the promotion of our traditions and have positively impacted our city.

Our annual Banquet

To enrich our celebrations, three members of our association offered a Large Silver Cup to honour the winners of the Tarantella dance competition. This is presented every year at our annual Banquet on the last Saturday in January.

Scholarships

We instituted scholarships as an incentive for our young people to continue with their traditions and advance through Education. We are proud to have played a small role in the success of so many young Calgarians of Calabrian descent. Many community members contribute each year to ensure that we have funds for this great endeavour. Our appreciation and gratitude to them all.

Learn more about scholarships

Supporting our community

As an organization, we are involved in supporting many charitable community events to help Calgarians in need. We have invited cultural groups from Calabria to help our youth remember the authenticity of their traditions and have contributed in the development of the Calgary Italian (Folk) Dancers, and other cultural groups. The first public performance of the Calgary Italian Dancers was at our inaugural Banquet in 1988.

One of our current goals is to continue strengthening our community and our connection. We’re here to build a united Calgary, standing proudly and sharing our heritage.

Dedicated Individuals

Meet our board members

Our dedicated Board of Directors keep the Calabrese culture alive in Calgary. Each member brings a wealth of passion and pride to our community, making sure our traditions stay strong and our connections keep growing. Their tireless leadership is the heart and soul of our association.

Filomena May

President

Dominic Muto

Vice President

Antonio Spadafora

Treasurer

Dedicated leaders, passionate advocates

Get to know the dedicated individuals who drive our mission and make our community stronger.

Meet the board

Discover our rich heritage

Calabria

Calabria is the southernmost part of the Italian mainland, the “toe of the boot”, the extreme south of Italy – lapped by the splendid crystal blue Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas and separated from Sicily by the Strait of Messina.

Calabria is not just about its beautiful scenery; it is a region rich in history and tradition. From ancient Greek ruins to charming medieval villages, it is a treasure trove of cultural and historical sites. The vibrant Calabrese culture is reflected in its delicious cuisine, lively festivals, and warm hospitality.

The people of Calabria, known for their strong sense of community and family, have brought these rich traditions with them to Calgary, helping to create a vibrant and close-knit Calabrese community in Alberta.

Join our cultural family!

Experience the warmth of Calabrese culture with us at the Calgary Calabrese Cultural & Heritage Society. We are a supportive community that simply loves our unique heritage.

When you join us, you’re not just joining an association – you’re becoming a part of our family dedicated to preserving our rich heritage and keeping our culture alive. As a member, you’ll get access to our events, educational workshops, and volunteer opportunities that will connect you with the Calabrese community right here in Calgary.

Become a member