Rosina Anacreonte, originally from Pentone, the last witness of an epochal migration: farewell to New York, 108 years of memories
NEW YORK, JANUARY 2, 2024 – In the heart of New York, the gentle light of Rosina Anacreonte has faded away, an extraordinary woman who witnessed 108 years of history, love, and resilience. Hailing from Pentone, a small village in Calabria, Rosina was the last guardian of an epochal chapter: the great Calabrian migration to the United States of America.
The news of her passing crossed the ocean, reaching us thanks to the tireless Alfio, administrator of the “Io Amo Pentone” group on Facebook. Today, we at Calabria Magnifica join a chorus of voices expressing heartfelt condolences to the family and relatives of Rosina, a woman who carried not only her personal story but also that of a community and an entire generation of migrants.
The Calabrian migration to the United States has a profound history, intertwined with dreams of a better life and the aspiration for prosperity that seemed to slip through the hands of those who remained in their native lands. From 1820 to 2019, millions of Calabrians crossed the ocean, seeking fortune and hope in a distant country.
The large migration wave occurred roughly fifteen years after 1861, lasting four decades. Its intensity peaked in the early decades of the 20th century, before World War I, with almost 300,000 arrivals from Italy in a single year. These migrants, driven by a combination of economic and social factors, helped shape the face of a new America.
The heart of Calabria beat strongly in those years, giving rise to stories like that of Rosina Anacreonte. Her life was an extraordinary journey, a living testimony of sacrifices and successes, of dreams realized and new roots planted in American soil.
Statistics tell us about a decline in departures to the United States after 1970, as Italy experienced economic and occupational growth. But history is cyclical, and thus, in the 2000s, we witnessed a resurgence in departures to the North American promised land, a phenomenon led by qualified migrants seeking new opportunities.
Today, Rosina leaves us, but her memory will remain alive, woven into the stories of future generations. Her songs with Maria, the ties to Pentone, her native land, and the strength she transmitted to her loved ones are tangible testimony to the courage of those who dared to cross the ocean in search of a better life.
To you, Rosina, we dedicate a moving and respectful editorial. May your rest be serene, as your spirit permeates new generations, inspiring them to celebrate their own stories and honor the roots that, even from a distance, keep our bond strong.
Article also available in Italian on Calabria Magnifica: Il Cuore di Pentone a New York: addio a Rosina, 108 anni di emozioni
