Info@carlentini-omaha.org

​The Omaha Sister City Association application included the following story....

by Sheri Kanger​

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The ancestral connection between Carlentini and Omaha is deeply rooted in the heritage of the people. Sicilians are known for their generosity, expressiveness, faith, strong family ties, and loyalty. These same qualities have shaped Omaha’s culture. The establishment of Omaha’s “Little Italy” is a lasting example of Carlentini’s impact on the city’s economy and culture.

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A Century of Connection

Two brothers, Joseph and Sebastiano Salerno, are credited with creating a network of labor for the Union Pacific Railroad in the early 1900s. Sebastiano worked for a steamship company, recruiting people from Carlentini to Omaha for employment. In 1908, Joseph Salerno established the Bank of Sicily in Little Italy, helping new immigrants from Carlentini secure housing and open bank accounts. Omaha’s economic growth flourished thanks to the progress and hard work of Carlentini immigrants. Italian-owned businesses—shoe shops, clothing stores, restaurants, and food markets—began to develop both in Little Italy and farther west. Omaha’s prosperity and growth were inseparable from the Carlentini immigrant population.

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Cultural Legacy in Omaha

Many longstanding cultural traditions in Omaha also originated from Carlentini. The annual Santa Lucia Festival, Omaha’s longest-running ethnic and religious celebration, began in 1925 through the efforts of Grazia Bonafede Caniglia. Because Santa Lucia is the patron saint of Carlentini, Grazia was determined to bring the same tradition to Omaha. With deep faith and persistence, she raised funds from family and friends until she was able to purchase a life-sized statue of the saint from Carlentini. For nearly a century, the festival has united people from across the city in a celebration of faith, culture, and food.

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The Sons and Daughters of Italy and the Italian-American Heritage Society have also enriched Omaha’s cultural life through their events and gatherings. While each organization has a unique mission, both preserve and share Italian traditions. Every Thursday afternoon, the Sons and Daughters of Italy hall opens its doors to friends, family, co-workers, and newcomers for a midday spaghetti dinner. The Italian-American Heritage Society hosts La Festa Italiana, a celebration of culture filled with food, music, and Bocce competitions. Whether taught or inherited, the generosity and inclusiveness of Sicilian culture shines through at these events, reflecting both pride and a welcoming spirit.

Although a formal Sister City agreement would provide official recognition, Omaha and Carlentini have shared an informal sisterhood for more than a century.

 

A Personal Family Story

Each immigrant family carries its own story of arrival in Omaha—some well-known for their contributions to the city’s growth, others remembered only within family circles. One such story is that of Lucia Ciciulla, a widowed mother of three daughters who fled poverty in search of a better life in America. Hoping her older daughters could marry and prosper, she brought Maria and Rosaria to Omaha, while her youngest, Concetta, too young to marry, remained in Carlentini with her grandmother. Though the family exchanged letters, gifts, and occasional visits, the separation created lasting distance between cousins across continents.

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A Partnership for the Future

Today, the struggle of earlier generations to stay connected has been replaced by new opportunities. Modern technology—social media, ancestry research, and translation tools—makes it easier than ever for families to reconnect instantly across oceans. Now is the time to build on that momentum through formal cultural and educational exchanges that strengthen both cultural and economic ties. Technology will help Omaha and Carlentini grow together in future projects and programs under a recognized sister city partnership.

 

Looking ahead, the relationship between Carlentini and Omaha, fostered through education and cultural exchange, is vital for future generations. A formal agreement will help create meaningful impact in both countries. The Omaha Sister City Association provides the framework to carry this work forward, promoting cultural diversity and economic collaboration. Carlentini has already made an extraordinary mark on Omaha, where tens of thousands of residents share this ancestral bond.

Potential benefits include:
• Educational exchange programs between Omaha and Carlentini schools
• Joint cultural festivals celebrating our shared heritage
• Tourism and business development opportunities for both cities
• Youth leadership programs fostering global awareness

Conclusion
A Sister City agreement will honor our shared history while creating new opportunities for cultural, educational, and economic exchange. By formalizing what has long existed in spirit, Omaha and Carlentini can preserve their deep-rooted heritage and shape a vibrant, connected future.

Originally submitted September 2020.