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Nov 4, 2011
The first in the series of Lidia Celebrates America specials, this one-hour program explores the American immigrant experience through the revelry of the holidays.
An Italian Christmas Eve. A Mexican-American Christmas Day. A Chinese New Year. A Passover Seder. Four holidays, four very different tables and traditions. From New York City to San Antonio to San Francisco, Lidia listens as multiple generations of Americans explain the importance of food in preserving cultural traditions and the overall holiday experience.
"Traditions are extremely important to keep, to continue, and to instill in children," Lidia says. "Traditions give you roots, give you stability so if a storm comes, you can weather it. If you don't have any roots, you topple, no matter how big a tree you are."
"At the heart of Lidia Celebrates America is my own immigrant experience. When I came to this country at the age of 12, I had already spent two years in a political refugee camp. Whenever I meet American families with roots in other countries I know immediately that we have something in common."
~ Lidia Bastianich
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Support for this program provided by:
