Come to a presentation by

Lydia Monzo

The Arts based on second generation Italian cultural identity

WHEN: 8 pm Thursday 13th June 2019

WHERE:  Function Room  Notaras Multicultural Centre

(Level 2) 180 London Circuit (entry via Civic Square)

Presentation

In 2018, folk/pop-musician and writer Lydia Monzo travelled around Italy researching the music and culture of her heritage: Lydia’s father was born in Agropoli, Salerno (Campania) and immigrated to Australia when he was just three years of age. While there, Lydia immersed herself in Italy’s traditional and folk music, learning from and sharing with the contemporary musicians who maintain it. Documenting her experience of cross-cultural identity in music and words, Lydia’s was a deeply personal and yet wholly connected journey through the complex landscapes we hold inside ourselves, both internal and external. Lydia is delighted to share with the Dante community – a selection of her writing, original music and arrangements of Italian songs that inspired her on her travels.

Biography

Lydia Monzo grew up Canberra as a second-generation Italo-Australian and cross-culture kid. She is a musician (voice, guitar, piano) songwriter and writer. Lydia was the recipient of 2018 arts ACT grant funding, which allowed her to travel to Italy and attend artist residencies and instrumental/voice tuition at the L’Accademia Mandolinistica Napoletana, where she fell deeply in love with romantic Neapolitan song and the vibrant character of Naples itself. Lydia’s creative work is concerned with the experience of cultural immersion, language and music as a powerful tool in the reclamation of cross-cultural identity. She is especially interested in engaging younger generations of Italo-Australians through her work. Lydia is currently learning to play the Mandolin.