The Italian Legacy in the Dominican Republic

469

ANGIOLINO VICINI TRABUCCO (1880–1961) AN IMMIGRANTWHO NEVER FORGOT HIS HOMELAND

of Italy to be built on that land, as well as to provide the site for the

Italian consular offices in the city of Santo Domingo. Vicini was deco-

rated by the government of Italy with the Order of the Star of Italian

Solidarity on February 1, 1950.

On September 25, 1987, by means of a decree, the government of

Italy bestowed the residence of the Italian embassy in the city of Santo

Domingo with the name “Villa Angiolino Vicini” in recognition of his

altruism and generosity toward his homeland. On June 1, 1988, in cele-

bration of Republic Day, a bronze plaque was officially installed at the

entrance of the Embassy, including the wording of the decree.

At that time, Mr. José Angiolino Vicini on behalf of other family

members that accompanied him said a few words that he titled “Grati-

tude to Italy” and which, in part, state:

“On behalf of the most honorable Ambassador Venturella, the gov-

ernment of Italy pays just tribute on this occasion to Mr. Angiolino

On February 23, 1958, 62 years after the date of his departure

from Genoa (March 23, 1896) for the New World, Angiolino Vicini

recalled for posterity what this event had meant for him and his

father and the anguish and sadness they experienced at the precise

moment of their parting—when Angiolino Vicini boarded the brig

“Bianca Aspasia.” The highlight of his memoir is surely when he

writes: “Leaving is like dying.”

Recognition conferred

on the attorney

Guillermo Rodríguez

Vicini, grandson of

Angiolino Vicini. For

his contribution to

the Dominican Italian

community, Guillermo

Rodríguez Vicini was

awarded the honor of

Grand Officer of the

Order of the Star of

Italy, the highest rank

of the Order of Merit.

Santo Domingo, May

29, 2019.