Separated from Santo: Bringing History to Life Through a Graphic Novel

Step back in time to the 1930s, when Canada entered the Second World War and Italian Canadians were labelled “Enemy Aliens.” More than 600 Italian Canadians were arrested and interned, separated from their families, and in some cases, forced to give up their homes and businesses.

Separated from Santo, a graphic novel by Brian Barazzuol, and illustrated by Cam Drysdale, tells the true story of Brian’s great-grandfather, Santo Pasqualini, whose life was forever changed by internment. Through Santo’s story, the graphic novel explores a lesser-known chapter of Canadian history and the devastating impact it had on Italian Canadian families.

This session will explore both this important period in Canadian history and the creative process behind bringing a true historical story to life as a graphic novel.

This event is co-presented with Arts New West