Anna Gambacorta Sincavage believes in learning for the sake of learning—especially if it can be meaningful and impactful for the learner. An Italian teacher at La Bottega in North Haven, spreading the joy of learning is not an accident.

Anna was born in the commune of Assisi, which sits right in the center of the Italian peninsula. The town was the location of the birth and death of Saint Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan orders of the Catholic Church. Anna explains what his mission in life was during his time in the 13th century and how it continues to inspire people to visit the town of Assisi on their trip to Italy instead of the more popular destinations.

“St. Francis of Assisi was not a monk…he was a person that decided to spread out love and peace,” says Anna. “While you go to Florence to admire Michelangelo and company, they go to Assisi to see and feel some peace.”

One of these ways to spread love and peace is generationally, which is a big reason why Anna started La Bottega. In the 47 years she has lived in the United States, Anna has seen that core belief of her’s land at La Bottega, having begun at her family’s restaurant Skappo in New Haven.

“We started that restaurant as a tribute to my parents. I believe in the continuity of life; every life, he needs to receive a tribute. So that restaurant was done together with my children… They decide[d] to participate to this tribute. The continuation of that tribute is La Bottega here in North Haven,” says Anna.

Anna also believes in “continuing the creativity” that comes along with that commitment. She says creativity is a trait that is inherent in the Italian language but was such a powerful part of everyday life and the mentality of Italian immigrants to America overall that the language aspect fell out of favor for some time.

“Part of this country was created by the hands and the creativity of the Italian immigrants. Now in those days, they could not speak the language because they were so devoted to make a new country to be part of this dream that they forbade, many times, the children to speak Italian. Now, after two generations, I’m here to say to those children, pay respect to your grandparents or great-grandparents and learn about the culture.”

Anna says that many immigrants to America left Italy to escape a host of problems associated with political division and violence surrounding the unification of the country in the mid-19th century. But those “bad memories” should not skirt one’s interest in learning the language, especially if they are descendants of Italian ancestors who may have left for those reasons.

Anna also clarifies that no one should learn to speak Italian because it’s a better language than others. While she wants to honor her ancestors and those from her country of origin, the more important part of her lessons in Italian has to do with the sake of learning itself, regardless of the subject matter. Critically, it should also not feel like an obligation, she says.

“When you go for learning something, try to reduce it and make it a daily, actual dream. As for Italian, it doesn’t have to be for your life, but if you want to come, you can for a period of time…it gives you a presence and eternity of the world,” says Anna. “You don’t do things for just the presentation. You do things because this is your moment.”

Even if someone only takes lessons for a month, Anna wants them to “feel the inebriation of learning.” She again extends that invitation to children, who can take 30-minute classes at La Bottega. It gives them a chance to explore their unique selves and learn because they personally want to, not because they are told to or want to fit in with everyone around them.

“This unique personality deserves the exploration of the world. So to come here and learn language—not because you want to show off—it comes from within the desire,” says Anna. “A person who comes inside here, [they] have to feel complete and enjoyment and the exploration and the creativity and the learning.”

For more information on La Bottega, visit www.labotteganhv.com.