Friday 12th August was indeed glorious, not just for grouse shooting but for celebrating art and culture of Scots and Italians in Scotland with the launch of “ L’Italia in Scozia” exhibition in Campbeltown which tells the story of 100 years of the Grumoli family ; when Leo, with his new bride came to have a better life in the West Coast of Scotland . The night began with a few words to remember the cafes of Campbeltown and their place in Campbeltown’s history. The ‘top”, “middle”, and “bottom” cafes were remembered for their contribution to social and economic life of the community. Ronald Togneri gave the keynote speech to explain how his grandfather Leo and his father, mother ,aunts uncles and cousins grew to love serving the people of the town and how they had come to settle in the West of Scotland.
Shortly after the remembrances, the banners were revealed which portrayed the story of the Grumoli family from 1911 to 2011 and the invitees of the evening along with the family members gasped in pleasure at the sight of the colourful display
Italian food and wine was then served to toast the memory of the cafes and the staff who worked in them ,which was even more poignant as several staff members of all 3 cafes were present to do so. Food in the form of anti-pasta was served which had been kindly prepared and donated by theG10 café in Longrow, Café Bluebell and The Seafield Hotel . All three cafes and Muneroy Tearoom in Southend will be serving Italian Specials for the duration of the exhibition which is on show in the Library, in the Aquilibriumduring normal opening times until 20th September.
To end the evening Argyll and Bute Libraries Officer, Eleanor MacKay who had been instrumental in collating photos and text along with the Grumoli family, sang several Scottish and Italian songs to the delight of the invited guests who sang along with her accompanied by well-known musician, David McEwen . Eleanor’s beautiful voice complemented the music she and David had chosen to express the best of each country’s “well kent tunes” and helped to make a very special evening a night to remember as they enjoyed memories of this exceptionally talented family who have contributed so much to Scottish life.
The banners, photos, original drawings on Mayfair menus and a family tree redesigned and created by local arts graduate, Rosslyn Oman is now open to the public and is a must to see for locals and visitors in Campbeltown!
Some pictures of the evening below (courtesy of John McFadyen) and the first one of Leo Grumoli and has wife who moved to Campbeltown in 1911 (courtesy of Argyll & Bute Council and kind permission of Ronald Togneri)
