Rosario Ronga, hometown — Naples, 62 years old, dentist
Aida Baytemirova, hometown — Petropavlovsk, 43 years old
Giovanni Ronga, hometown — Massa, 12 years old
Laura Ronga, hometown — Massa, 11 years old
About us
Rosario. We met years ago.
Aida. It was 1997-1998 when I lived and worked in Italy.
In Kazakhstan was a difficult time while Italy flourished and there was an economic boom. Italians were open to any type of labour force. I went to work on a contract and almost immediately met Rosario and I stayed there. Then I also studied.
Rosario. We had common friends and met at one of the parties. I was fascinated and amazed by her beauty. At that time, it wasn't a usual thing to meet an Asian girl in Italy.
We didn't think we'd connect lives forever. All of a sudden. I was single, in the prime of my life and had no thought of marriage. But I met Aida we were friends for a long time, dated and travelled, went to each other. Then we found out we were going to have a Giovanni.
Aida. When I got pregnant, we decided to stop. Stopped to travel everywhere and work hard — the future child turned our lives upside down. Of course, for the better, a child is a gift of fate.
Rosario. We dated for about eight years before marriage. Italy has a different mentality. We're not getting married right away. First, we need to get to know each other. I remember that first I came to Kazakhstan, to Petropavlovsk, to meet Aida's parents. I liked it here and proposed to her.
Aida. The wedding was in Italy. My parents came all his relatives and closest friends. There were few guests, such a family atmosphere.
We already had Giovanni, and I was pregnant with Laura.
About Astana
Aida. In 2015, we decided to move to Kazakhstan, which is unusual and interesting.
Rosario. I like Kazakhstan. We used to come here every year on vacation.
It was a difficult choice because I had a clinic in Italy. We lived in a great place in Tuscany near the sea, and everything was fine. However, there comes a time when you want to change something and thinking about children. We had to make that choice for them. I wanted them to know the culture of Kazakhstan and saw here a good future for children.
Aida. Parents Rosario is no more with us, and he wants the children were closer to their grandparent here.
Rosario. The main motive of moving here it is a young country, nation and a great future ahead. I like the enthusiasm with which any business is starting here.
The main motive of moving here it is a young country, nation and a great future ahead
Aida. I was afraid of our frosts. Rosario is a southern man, a Neapolitan who has never been to Kazakhstan in the winter. It turned out that he loves the cold and snow. The children asked me why I've never taken them here before during the winter. I'm freezing, and they are walking down the street wide open. Giovanni tells the wind is his friend.
Rosario. It was easy for me to adapt here. But I thought Russian would be easier to learn. I can't do it yet.
Aida. We work together, and I translate for him all the time and help him. Perhaps it slows down the learning process. Rosario is a dentist and one of the leading orthodontists of the city. He works in three clinics, here is a lot of work.
Rosario. Astana has positive energy and it fuels me. In addition to traditional medicine, I practice alternative medicine. I feel that the soil here is favourable.
About family
Aida. Life in Italy is a traditional history of mixed marriages. When we moved, Giovanni was in the third grade, Laura in the first. I immediately enrolled them in a Russian school, but then they almost did not know the Russian language. Six months later, the children have completely coped with the language barrier. They speak Russian perfectly, without an accent.
Kazakhs and Italians are similar to each other. Family is important for us: relatives, mother, children are always a priority. Italians are as hospitable and open as the Kazakhs, and they do not have stiffness.
Italians are as hospitable and open as the Kazakhs, and they do not have stiffness
Rosario. On Sunday, we spend time with our family. We go to the Catholic Church on Tashenov Street.
We also have Italian friends, families with whom we communicate and celebrate holidays together.
We live well, live for today.
The current state of mind
Rosario. I'm happy. I like it here and want to live in Kazakhstan.
Aida. I feel light, positive and happy. I'm grateful for everything that's happening to me.
