La Fiamma
| Type | Bi-weekly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Format | Tabloid |
| Owner(s) | Italian Media Corporation[1][2] |
| Founder(s) | Fr. Giuseppe La Rosa; Capuchin Fathers[3][4] |
| Publisher | S.E.I. (VIC) Pty Ltd (ACN 004 994 414)[5] |
| Headquarters | 194–196 Norton Street, Leichhardt, Sydney[5][6] |
| Circulation | 28,000 per issue (reported)[4] |
| Website | Official website |
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La Fiamma (English: The Flame or The Beacon) is an Italian language newspaper based in Sydney, Australia. First published on 15 April 1947, it has long been associated with the suburb of Leichhardt.[3][4] It was established to provide Italian migrants with news from Italy and international and local news in Italian (and English), as well as articles intended to assist with settlement issues.[3]
According to its official website, La Fiamma is published on Mondays and Thursdays and is available in newsagencies and by subscription.[5] La Fiamma operates within Italian Media Corporation’s Australian Italian-language media group, alongside the Melbourne-based newspaper Il Globo and the radio network Rete Italia.[1][2][6]
History
Origins and establishment (1945–1947)
The origins of La Fiamma date to 1946 and are closely linked with the Catholic Church and the Capuchin Order in Sydney.[3] The concept evolved from a proposal made in 1945 by Father Giuseppe La Rosa to the Sydney Archdiocese for an Italian-language newspaper.[3] One motive for founding a newspaper with a strong religious and spiritual content was the perceived need to counter the influence of the "radical, anti-clerical" Italian-language newspaper Il Risveglio, which began operating in 1944 and ceased publication in 1956.[3]
La Fiamma Pty Ltd was formed in April 1947, and the first issue was published on 15 April 1947.[3][4] The first monthly issue consisted of four pages in magazine format and initially had a strong religious flavour.[3][7]
Early years and growth (1947–1951)
For a number of years, the newspaper was sold exclusively through subscription; the Italian Historical Society Journal notes that a post-war Italian-language newspaper was not readily saleable on the open market and that some Italians were hesitant about subscribing.[3] Davino Zadro recalled that subscribers were sometimes afraid to receive it, given that Italian was perceived as the language of an "ex-enemy" in the post-war environment.[3]
The newspaper progressed from monthly to fortnightly publication in 1948, and its first weekly edition appeared on 12 August 1949.[8] In 1951, the newspaper moved to a tabloid format and established its first Leichhardt office.[8]
Costanzo era and secularisation (1951–1970s)
In August 1951, Evasio Costanzo, who had previously worked for the Turin daily La Stampa, became editor.[8][4] Under Costanzo, La Fiamma shifted from a religious-based publication to a more secular newspaper, and by the 1960s was reported to have reached a circulation of about 44,000.[8][4]
From the late 1960s, La Fiamma began to identify with the Australian Labor Party, reflecting the working-class demographic of much of its readership.[6][4]
Campaigns and community role
Sources describe La Fiamma as supporting campaigns and advocacy on issues affecting Italian migrants. These included action and reporting connected with the 1953–1954 crisis involving assisted immigrants at the Bonegilla migrant camp, and a 1972 campaign for pension portability (reported as 72,000–75,000 signatures).[6][4] The newspaper also played an assistance role for readers, with journalists sometimes acting as interpreters and providing practical guidance, and featured columns addressing settlement issues (including a long-running column by Lena Gustin, writing as "Grazia", from 1957 to 1964).[6][7]
Ownership changes and later developments (1969–1997)
In November 1969, the Capuchins sold La Fiamma, and it eventually passed into Costanzo’s control; he remained director and proprietor for around five years until 1974.[6] A financial crisis followed in 1975–1977, but the newspaper continued after a sale in May 1978 to the company connected with Il Globo.[6]
In 1994, the proprietors expanded into broadcasting by adding the Italian-language radio network Rete Italia.[6] In 1997, La Fiamma moved to premises on Norton Street, Leichhardt, where Rete Italia also maintained Sydney offices.[6]
Content and readership
The Italian Historical Society Journal describes La Fiamma as serving important roles in maintaining Italian language and culture in Australia, transmitting news from Italy, and providing information in areas not addressed by mainstream print media.[7] English appeared from the newspaper’s inception, initially aimed at overcoming the language barrier for new immigrants, including sections devoted to learning English; from the early 1980s, a distinct English-language section aimed at second and third-generation Italian-Australians was introduced.[7] Making Multicultural Australia similarly describes continuing service-focused sections for older readers and an English-language section for second-generation readers, and reports popular sections including sport, TV guide, crime news and obituaries.[4]
Notable people
- Father Giuseppe La Rosa – proposed the newspaper to the Sydney Archdiocese in 1945 and was involved in its establishment.[3][4]
- Father Anastasio Paoletti – became director and editor-in-chief at the end of 1947 after La Rosa stepped down.[3]
- Davino Zadro – early editor and supporter; associated with early promotion of the newspaper.[8][4]
- Evasio Costanzo – editor from August 1951; credited with professionalising and secularising the newspaper.[8][4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "About Us". Il Globo. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Italian Media Corporation". Il Globo. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 "Italian Language Print Media in Sydney: A Short History of La Fiamma Newspaper". Italian Historical Society Journal. Italian Historical Society (CO.AS.IT). 9 (2): 10. July–December 2001. ISSN 1321-3881.
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 "The news in your own language – La Fiamma" (PDF). Making Multicultural Australia. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Contact La Fiamma". La Fiamma. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 "Italian Language Print Media in Sydney: A Short History of La Fiamma Newspaper". Italian Historical Society Journal. Italian Historical Society (CO.AS.IT). 9 (2): 12. July–December 2001. ISSN 1321-3881.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Italian Language Print Media in Sydney: A Short History of La Fiamma Newspaper". Italian Historical Society Journal. Italian Historical Society (CO.AS.IT). 9 (2): 13. July–December 2001. ISSN 1321-3881.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 "Italian Language Print Media in Sydney: A Short History of La Fiamma Newspaper". Italian Historical Society Journal. Italian Historical Society (CO.AS.IT). 9 (2): 11. July–December 2001. ISSN 1321-3881.
Sources
- "Italian Language Print Media in Sydney: A Short History of La Fiamma Newspaper". Italian Historical Society Journal. Italian Historical Society (CO.AS.IT). 9 (2): 10–13. July–December 2001. ISSN 1321-3881.
- "The news in your own language – La Fiamma" (PDF). Making Multicultural Australia. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
- "La Fiamma". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
Category:1947 establishments in Australia
Category:Newspapers established in 1947
Category:Italian-Australian culture in Sydney
Category:Italian-language newspapers published in Australia
Category:Newspapers published in Sydney
Category:Non-English-language newspapers published in Australia
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