Bella Italia: `classical,' not `old'

WONDERFUL PIECE on the soccer crowd at Cafe Graffiti (City & Region, June 18). Our only complaint is the subheading, specifically, the use of the quaint phrase ``old country."

As Americans of Italian descent, we much prefer ``the classical country." Part of the pride that many Italian-Americans feel toward their heritage stems from being connected, in some way, to a nation rightfully considered the birthplace of Western Civilization.

In fact, many of the concepts that we take for granted as American were taken from classical Italy: the rule of law, citizens' rights, and a tripartite government. Not to mention the US architectural style of domes and our nation's motto, E pluribus unum. And, of course, the earliest European explorers of the North American continent were Italian (John Cabot, Giovanni da Verrazzano, Alessandro Malaspina, and, natch, Amerigo Vespucci, from whom we got ``America").

The 1-1 tie in the World Cup between Italy and America is perfectly apropos, in our view. Two number one nations indeed.

BILL DAL CERRO
National vice president
Italic Institute of America
Floral Park, N.Y.