The FIFA World Cup kicks off in Toronto this Friday, and amid all the tournament buzz, there’s a particular type of soccer nostalgia that major events like this tend to stir up: think vintage plastic playing cards and boxy TVs airing matches in smoky neighbourhood bars. This aura is at the heart of the upcoming ‘Make the Azzurri Great Again,’ a nostalgic Italian soccer-themed pop-up exhibition and bar-style activation taking over Taglialatella Galleries Toronto this summer.
The exhibit is a collab with Montreal storyteller/artist Stikki Peaches, and runs from June 13 to July 19 at the gallery’s Yorkville Ave space, which will transform into a faded ‘90s soccer bar where time seems to have stopped.
“Inspired by vintage football culture, late-night match screenings, espresso-fueled debates, and the mythology surrounding the Italian national team, the exhibition revisits the romance of the game.”
“Exploring the beauty of loyalty, memory, and collective obsession — even when glory feels permanently out of reach. The result is a nostalgic atmosphere that feels part sports shrine, part neighbourhood bar, and part fever dream from football’s golden era,” the post reads, adding that the official opening takes place June 13, with interactive activations happening throughout the World Cup tournament.
The nostalgia really hits hard for a lot of Italian Canadians because the Azzurri, a.k.a. Italy’s national soccer team, were once one of the sport’s great global powers, winning four World Cups, including their last title in 2006. For generations of fans, the iconic blue uniforms bring up memories of national pride, and with trending hashtags like #TheRoadto2030, who knows, maybe there’s still a future redemption arc waiting for the team?
Make The Azzurri Great Again runs from June 13 to July 19 at Taglialatella Galleries Toronto, 99 Yorkville Ave. Follow @taglialatellatoronto and @stikki_peaches for more info!
