Italian American Author Mark Rotella Returns to His Calabrian Roots in Bovalino

Director of the Coccia Institute and Italian-American author Mark Rotella recently returned to his ancestral hometown of Bovalino, Calabria, to present his book I fichi rubati e altre avventure in Calabria (Stolen Figs and Other Adventures in Calabria). The book chronicles his personal journey to reconnect with his roots and offers an affectionate portrayal of Calabria, challenging prevalent stereotypes. Rotella emphasized the importance of firsthand experience in understanding the region’s true character, stating, “I no longer say I’m Italian; I say I’m Calabrese!” His visit, featured in a recent article by Il Reggino, highlighted Calabria’s rich heritage and fostered connections between local residents and the broader Italian American community.