ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The second annual Italian-American Heritage Day took place at the Rochester Public Market on Sunday.

The event featured classic Italian food, cooking demonstrations, and an introduction to Italian language programs offered by RIT and Nazareth College. Timothy Kneeland, professor of history and politics at Nazareth University, explained why celebrating Italian-American heritage is important to him.

“I think this is important for a number of reasons. Number one, it teaches my students to be culturally sensitive.” Kneeland said. “It teaches them about the migrant experience at a time when immigration is such a fraught political issue. I think it really helps them develop their own insights into research and working with the public. But I also think for Rochester, it’s a way to give back.”

Organizers shared the importance of this event in Rochester, with the goal of recording the stories and contributions of Italian-Americans to remember their legacy.

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