Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Harringay seen by young Italians - video
On the theme "Italians of Harringay" you may enjoy this video "1 second a day - more or less" by Alessandro Mariscalco. It's a 1 year time lapse giving a glimpse into the life of a young Italian living here, and it features quite a few local landmarks (I've spotted Stanhope and Roseberry Gardens, Gokyuzu, Blend, the Sainsbury's, the Overground, the bridge on Green Lanes, as well as Clissold Park and Stamford Hill, but there are probably many more - it goes quite fast!).
I've received it through Italian friends - it has received a bit of media coverage in Italy because at the moment the whole issue of young people leaving in droves to work abroad is very topical. The consulate here estimates about one plane full of new arrivals lands in London every other day, and the number of Italians here has now surged to a quarter of a million (don't tell the Daily Mail....!). I have no figures but based on how frequently I hear Italian spoken here vs other parts of London, I personally think this area must be one of those with the highest concentration of the 20-30 year old segment now.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Hugo Read on
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I totally agree too and also find your comment very surprising Anna. I hear Italian nearly every time I leave the house, without exaggeration.
I also agree about spotting them by their dress and look Christian! Depending on the look, I often say to myself "I bet they're Italian" when I see a couple of young people approaching - it's quite easy to get right!
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Permalink Reply by Germana on
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Well in a way Anna's comment is very interesting if that's her experience: there is generally very little interaction between Italians who have recently arrived and those who have been here for decades. Having kids and moving to this area was the main thing that changed this for me... as I have been stopped (many times!) by elderly Italian ladies wanting to have a chat and know the kids' names, etc. It's great - it makes me feel more at home. At the same time it also makes me wonder about the lack of interaction between different waves of Italian migrants/expats (and the nearly non-existent interaction with second generation Italians) which seems to be a major difference we have compared to other foreign groups living here.
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All very true - more interaction between the generations would be a good thing!
Still though, I'm not Italian and I'm not interacting much with the Italians, but I do hear them all the time! This idea of an Italian group of some kind is a great idea, although as someone else pointed out, if it were only for native Italians and there was only Italian spoken, then it wouldn't be for me! I lived in Italy for six months many years ago and my Italian used to be much better than it is, but I can have a rusty conversation.
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there are already loads of Italian-language websites for people living in London, so I think there is a logic for an English language group on HoL for anybody with an interest in Italy and all things Italian in the area, regardless of language skills. There are also a lot of second generation Italians who would be excluded if we spoke Italian only. If there are enough people interested it might be worth doing.
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Permalink Reply by Cecilia on
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I think the language is a secondary matter here. If people, Italians or not, are interested in all things Italian then they should all be welcome, regardless of whether they speak Italian or not.
And I agree - a proper Italian deli, not a fancy, upmarket one, but a proper "alimentari" like Camisa on Old Compton Street would be most welcome in Harringay. There are a couple of fantastic Italian stalls at South Harringay market but alas they're not enough.
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I've just had a chat with Hugh about creating a new group. The problem is that creating a group means we also need to ensure we keep it going and in my experience with other groups the initial interest often wanes after a bit.... Why don't we just use this thread for the time being? In fact, it has pretty much already turned into a discussion about Italy in Harringay anyway.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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Same here Hugo. I think we have at least two houses on my street with young Italian occupants.
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Permalink Reply by Renato B on
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I am a second generation Italian now living in Norwich. I was brought up in Wood Green before moving away in 1978. There is definitely a small Italian community in the Wood Green/Harringay area. Anyway, when I return to North London to visit family and friends I always hear Italian being spoken by young Italians on bus routes 29 and N29 from the West End. Many alight in Green Lanes. Sometimes I hear Italian spoken at the Harringay Arena McDonalds by the young ones. Sadly I have heard none speaking Friulan, the language of NE Italy.
When in London, I visit Italian delis in the Old Compton St area for the items I cannot get in the main supermarkets such as pasta for soups.
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Permalink Reply by Sapphireblue on
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There are two Italian hair cutters in Cherie's, Green Lanes (v good) and I often hear it spoken on the 29 bus - I love the music of Italians speaking, I might learn it actually...
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Thanks for sharing this, Renato. Sadly all Italian dialects are disappearing, I'm afraid.
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Permalink Reply by Anna Maria Dipino on
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Thank you so much for your very interesting comments but that is my experience.
If you want to share my experience feel free.
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Permalink Reply by Old-Age-Emporium(OAE) on
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Alla fine! Il Risorgimento di Harringay! Abbiamo un/a Garibaldi, un/a Mazzini, anch'un/a Cavour sulla Scala? Seems this Re-Unification will be more complex: generations, regions, dialetti, delis, pizzerias, pasta, porcini, risotti, panini - and then along comes Hugo with his oenological complications. Nearly all women, I see. Questo progetto could take years - generations. Your average mammoni can't wait around forever, you know - he'll be off home to Mamma before your first meeting.
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