LIGHTS! CAMERAS! GARY SINISE, TOMMY LASORDA, KARA DIOGUARDI, JON FAVREAU, DANA BRUNETTI AND GIULIANA DePANDI-RANCIC

23. May 2011 by admin.

An Evening of La Dolce Vita at NIAF’s West Coast Gala in Santa Monica

 

(Washington, D.C. – May 20, 2011) Hollywood’s A-list of celebrities including Oscar nominated producer Dana Brunetti; former American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi; actor, screenwriter and director Jon Favreau; Dodgers great Tommy Lasorda;  Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Gary Sinise and E! News Giuliana DePandi-Rancic gathered to enjoy an evening of La Dolce Vita and salute their colleagues and fellow honorees at the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) West Coast Gala on May 19, 2011.

 

The evening began with a cocktail reception under the magnificent Moreton Bay Fig Tree at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica. The gala’s master of ceremonies, actor Joe Mantegna opened the festivities in the hotel’s Starlight Ballroom teaming with celebrities to introduce NIAF’s President Joseph V. Del Raso, Esq. and the gala co-chairs Marcella Leonetti-Tyler, NIAF’s regional vice president for the far west region south, and Jeffrey M. Capaccio, Esq., a member of NIAF’s Board of Directors and regional vice president for the far west region north.

 

Before more than 400 guests, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi kicked off a special tribute to the late Joseph R.Cerrell, a former NIAFvice chairman and a legendary Los Angeles public affairs consultant who served NIAF for 16 years and cofounded Cerrell Associates Inc. in 1966.  “Joe was one of the strongest bridges between the U.S. and Italy,” Pelosi said.  Gene Casagrande, a dear friend of the Cerrell family and former member of NIAF’s Board of Directors, and actor Robert Davi gave moving speeches as part of  the tribute. They were joined by Italy’s Consul General in Los Angeles Nicola Faganello and members of the Cerrell family. Sharon Cerrell Levy accepted the award of behalf of the family. She noted, “Joe Cerrell definitely left behind a great and powerful legacy that has transformed the course of many lives.”

 

During the black-tie gala, DePandi-Rancic presented a NIAF Lifetime Achievement Award in Music to DioGuardi. “Kara is a true example of what an Italian American looks like,“ said DePandi-Rancic. The guests rose to their feet when twelve-time MLB All-Star Mike Piazza presented Lasorda with a NIAF Lifetime Achievement Awards in Sports Management.

 

To add to the evening’s excitement, comedian and actor Jeffrey Ross presented the Foundation’s Special Achievement Award in Entertainment to Favreau.   Congratulating Sinise with the Foundation’s Special Achievement Award in Entertainment was his dear friend, Mantegna. Famed director and writer Robert Luketic was on hand to present Brunetti with a NIAF Special Achievement Award in Business and Entertainment. California trial lawyer Thomas V. Girardi accepted a NIAF Special Achievement Award in Law presented by Hon. Stephen P. Larson.

 

Joining the honorees were Olympic Gold Medal figure skater and Food Network TV chef Brian Boitano; actor Francesco Quinn as well as TV and film star Brenda Vaccaro.

 

Also part of the evening’s activities was a live auction featuring lunch with Grammy nominated songwriter DioGuardi, a special dinner prepared by Boitano, autographed memorabilia by Lasorda and Piazza as well as an 18-karat gold and diamond pendant.

During the gala, Kenneth J. Aspromonte, former major league baseball player and manager for the Cleveland Indians, and a NIAF vice president for the southwest region, presented a scholarship in his name to Mika Ciotola, a junior at the University of California at Berkeley who is majoring in political science.

 

Actor and singer Franc D’Ambrosio, of “Phantom of the Opera,” sang the U.S. national anthem and entertained guests.  He was joined by actress and singer Christina Carlucci, a student at New York University Tisch School of Arts, who sang “The Prayer” as well as the Italian national anthem. The guests gave them a standing ovation when they closed with a duet.

 

Earlier in the day, NIAF hosted its G2L Communication’s Workshop at the hotel with DePandi-Rancic, Piazza, Davi and Doug DeLuca, the Foundation’s area coordinator in Hollywood and an executive producer of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Presentations by Anthony D’ Alessandro, feature reporter at Thomson on Hollywood/Indie WIRE; Bill Cipolla, entertainment producer at FOX-II “Good Day LA”; Bill Schneider, CNN political columnist and professor at George Mason University; and Paolo Sigismondi, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor at the Annenberg School of Communications & Journalism, were part of the morning session. “The goal of the program is to inspire and educate young Italian American students with firsthand experiences and advice from professionals in the entertainment and communications industry,” said Matthew J. DiDomenico, Sr., NIAF’s senior executive vice president and chairman of the NIAF Education Committee.

 

Additionally, NIAF’s Board of Directors will award a special grant to The Lorenzo DaPonte Italian Library Project at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) to celebrate Italia@150, Italy’s anniversary of unification during a special reception at the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles on May 20, 2011. A series of 12 out of 100 major works by Italian authors will be translated into English through the Foundation’s grant.

 

The NIAF West Coast Gala proceeds support the Foundation’s scholarship and educational programs.  Casa Torelli Wines, Dodgers Dream Foundation, Pepper Hamilton LLP, DelGrosso Foods Inc. and Wells Fargo Foundation joined NIAF as platinum sponsors for the evening.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage of Italian Americans. Visit www.niaf.org.

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THIRTY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS RECEIVE TRAVEL GRANTS TO ITALY THROUGH A NATIONAL ITALIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION PROGRAM

17. May 2011 by admin.

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 16, 2011)  Thirty college students from across the United States will participate in the Ambassador Peter F. Secchia Voyage of Discovery program, an all-expenses-paid educational and cultural initiative that sends Italian American students to Italy.  Sponsored by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), the tour will visit Italy’s Campania region from May 30 to June 8, 2011.

 

“NIAF’s Voyage of Discovery program further strengthens the Italian American students’ understanding of their heritage and creates greater awareness of Italy as a leader and a vital ally to our nation.  The Foundation’s signature educational program gives participants an opportunity to explore and understand the land of their ancestors while learning about modern-day Italy,” NIAF President Joseph V. Del Raso, Esq. said.

 

Now in its tenth year, the nine-day NIAF program will include excursions to the southeastern side of Campania, Vallo di Diano, and La Certosa di San Lorenzo, the second-largest Carthusian monastery in Italy, followed by lunch at an Agritursimo, a local working vacation farm.  Afterwards, students will tour the Museo (museum) of Joe Petrosino, a former New York City police officer who was a pioneer in the fight against organized crime.  A two-hour hike by the Cosilinum Pass is accompanied by an educational workshop in agriculture, wellness and biodiversity.  Participants will also celebrate the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy with the mayors of the mountain community of Vallo di Diano.  While on an excursion to the town of Paestum, the group will tour a working mozzarella factory.  Students then will visit Caserta and cities along the Amalfi Coast including Sorrento, Vietri and Positano during the remaining part of the trip.

 

The package, which includes round-trip airfare between the U.S. and Italy, accommodations, meals, guided tours and transfers, is valued at more than $2,500 per student and financed by NIAF.  For more information, visit www.niaf.org/voyageofdiscovery.

 

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage of Italian Americans. Visit www.niaf.org.

Posted in Italy, NIAF | Print | 1 Comment »

Italian Americans Seek Congressional Recognition of Italy’s 150th Anniversary

28. April 2011 by admin.

Italian American activist, Joeph N. Grano, who is the founder and President of The Constantino Brumidi Society, sent a letter to the Co-Chairs of the Italian American Congressional Delegation asking them to introduce a resolution to recognize Italy’s 150th Anniversary. His letter deserves a response from our Italian American Congressional leaders!

April 25, 2011

The Honorable Patrick J. Tiberi

Co-chair, Italian American Congressional Delegation

Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Bill Pascrell, Jr.

Co-chair, Italian American Congressional Delegation

Washington, D.C. 20515

Via the Internet

 

Dear Messrs. Pascrell and Tiberi:

  

Re: the 150^th anniversary of Italian Unity

 

I, as president of The Constantino Brumidi Society, have contacted members of your staffs on the following issue and have not received a response as of yet:

 

Will the co-chairs of the Italian American Congressional Delegation introduce a concurrent resolution in the House recognizing Italy on the 150^th anniversary of Italian unification, officially commemorated on March 17^th 2011?

 

I know that President Obama issued a proclamation on September 17^th on this most important anniversary and that Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi personally presented a ceremonial copy of the proclamation to the Ambassador of Italy to the United States, Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, also, on that date. However, as we all know that that is not the same thing as the Congress of the United States taking official action to recognize the occasion. Congress is the primary branch of the Federal government under the Constitution and it should therefore take the lead in congratulating one of America’s leading allies on this, Italy’s most significant anniversary year. I personally believe that Italy has been America’s greatest ally and friend for more that 60 years and that Italy should be officially recognized as such whenever and wherever appropriate. I know that there many thousands of Americans of Italian descent who will agree with me in this.

 

As you two distinguished gentlemen are co-chairs of the Italian American Congressional Delegation, I believe that leaders of the Italian American community are looking to you to support this initiative and for the both of you to be the primary sponsors of the above proposed resolution.

I am fully aware that that bills has been introduced this year in both the House and Senate to award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal to Giuseppe Garibaldi and to recognize Italy on the 150^th anniversary of its unification. However, I sincerely doubt these bills will find, this year, the necessary two-thirds co-sponsors in each House required for their passage. As you know, the Brumidi Gold Medal bills took nearly 18 months to pass the Congress and to be signed by President Bush and that was to honor the memory of a person whose work Members of Congress were familiar with. Why burden a bill to recognize Italy on its anniversary year with a two-thirds co-sponsorship requirement in both Houses (290 co-sponsors in the House and 67 in the Senate) when only 50 co-sponsors in the House on a concurrent resolution will do the job?

 

It would seem to me that a simpler method to recognize Italy this year would be to introduce a concurrent resolution in the House initiated by both you gentleman, similar in form to Mr. Pascrell’s resolution in 2009 regarding the earthquake which struck the Abruzzo region of Italy and expressing condolences to the people of Italy and support for the government of Italy (H. Res. 430), in which Mr. Tiberi is listed as the first original co-sponsor. In this resolution both you gentlemen were able to gather 50 co-sponsors in nine days and have the legislation passed by the House in only 35 calendar days.

 

Most remarkable!

 

Using this resolution as a model, if you were to introduce the proposed resolution on May 1, the day the House returns from its spring break, it might, if treated with a sense of urgency, be passed by the House and Senate by June 2, which is Italy’s national day. I believe that Ambassador Terzi would be most pleased with such recognition from the United States Congress on that day.

 

Finally, I have mentioned the Constantino Brumidi Congressional Gold Medal legislation which was signed by President Bush on July 1, 2008. The Gold Medal for Brumidi has been designed and produced by the U.S. Mint and is ready for presentation by the Congress. Would not the week of July 26, this year, be the most appropriate time for a ceremony in the Rotunda for the presentation? July 26^th would mark the 206^th anniversary of the birth of Constantino Brumidi and this year is the 150^th anniversary of Italian unification. Why not celebrate both anniversaries in Congress on that date. I know the Embassy of Italy is looking for opportunities, this year, to highlight and promote the shared values between Italy and the United States. Would not such a ceremony accomplish exactly that?

 

In conclusion, since I fully appreciate that you two distinguished gentlemen have been excellent co-chairs of the Italian American Congressional Delegation for a number of years and that you both have been supportive of measures that The Constantino Brumidi Society has promoted in the last several years and for which I am personally grateful, I believe, I would be remiss in not apprising you of two more opportunities of demonstrating your effectiveness as leaders of the Congress and of the Italian American community.

 

Respecfully yours,

/s/ Joseph N. Grano

Joseph N. Grano

Cc:

(Cav.) Uff. Joseph Sciame, Chairman, Conference of Presidents of Major Italian

American Organizations

Joseph J. DiTrapani, Esq., National President, Order Sons of Italy in America

Joseph V. Del Razo, Esq., President, National Italian American Foundation

Dr. Renato Miracco, Cultural Attaché, Embassy of Italy, Washington, D.C

 

Posted in Italy, Italian American, washington DC, politics | Print | 1 Comment »

Antonio Meucci Young Inventors’ Competition

28. April 2011 by admin.

The deadline to enter the Antonio Meucci Young Inventors’ Competition has been extended to June 1. Students in grades 4 through 8 who live and go to school on Staten Island are invited to present an original idea for a new invention/product or an improvement on an existing one—anything from a helpful kitchen gadget to a machine that does your homework for you. Three First Prize winners will receive $250 each and a gift valued at $50, three Second Prize winners will receive $100 each, and three Third Prize winners will receive $40 each. There is no entry fee.

 

The competition is named for the Italian inventor, Antonio Meucci (1808-1889), who lived for 40 years in the small house in Rosebank, Staten Island, that is now home to the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum. Throughout his lifetime, Meucci was responsible for many inventions, improvements and ideas. In addition to his discovery of the principle of the telephone in 1848—when Alexander Graham Bell was just 2 years old—Meucci manufactured smokeless candles, created a tea and coffee filtering system, made improvements in oil and kerosene lamps, created a process to make paper from wood pulp, and even canned tomato sauce, among many other things. The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, in conjunction with Time Warner Cable, sponsors the Antonio Meucci Young Inventors’ Competition to honor his legacy of curiosity, ingenuity and innovation, and nurture that creative spirit in potential inventors in the 21st century.

To participate, the entrant must fill out an application (available at www.garibaldimeuccimuseum.org or by calling 718-442-1608, only one per student), and submit it with a clear explanation, as well as a sketch or photo of what the invention would look like. Prototypes are highly recommended, even if they don’t actually work. The invention or improvement should provide a simple, creative solution to a common problem, as well as an understanding of the scientific principle behind the invention, and must be a unique, original idea from the student.

Applications will be reviewed by the museum staff, and 15 finalists will present their entries to a panel of expert judges on Sunday, June 12, 2011 between 12 noon and 3 p.m. at the St. Joseph’s Parochial School auditorium (139 St. Mary’s Avenue at the corner of Tompkins Avenue in Rosebank, Staten Island). The general public is invited to attend the reception, beginning at 2:30 p.m., to view all the entries and celebrate this new generation of inventors.

For more information call 718-442-1608.

 

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New York Times White House Correspondent Helene Cooper is the winner of the 2011 Urbino Press Award

22. April 2011 by admin.

Washington, DC - 20/04/2011

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Helene Cooper, New York Times White House Correspondent, is the recipient of the sixth Urbino Press Award, given each year to an American journalist for distinguished ‘reporting on the ever-changing world.’ The decision was announced today by Ambassador of Italy to the United States Giulio Terzi during a ceremony held at the Embassy in Washington and attended by journalists as well as representatives from the U.S. Administration and Congress. “Today, we recognize excellence in journalism, in searching for news, in writing stories, in analyzing facts and turning information in freedom and progress,” stated Ambassador Terzi. In recalling Foreign Minister Franco Frattini’s commitment to enhance Italy’s public diplomacy in the world, Ambassador Terzi also recognized how “media, both traditional and new ones, can influence today’s decision-making in foreign policy”.

 

Supported by the City and the Province of Urbino, together with the Chamber of Commerce and the “Piero Guidi” company, the Urbino Press Award, chaired by Giovanni Lani, has honored some of America’s most distinguished journalists, from Thomas Friedman to David Ignatius. Other recipients include Diane Rehm from NPR, Michael Weisskopf from Time Magazine, and Martha Raddatz from ABC News.

 

“I’m incredibly honored to receive this year’s Urbino Press Award, for both professional and personal reasons,” Helene Cooper said. “Professionally, I’m thrilled and humbled to share a stage with David Ignatius, Tom Friedman and Martha Raddatz—they are all first-rate chroniclers of the world around us. And personally for me, there is no higher honor than being recognized by the cultural heirs of Baldassare Castiglione, Elisabetta Gonzaga and Federico da Montefeltro—a trio who epitomized Renaissance cool as far as I’m concerned. Grazie mille, Urbino,” added Helene Cooper who will receive the prize in a ceremony that will take place in Urbino on June 3rd.

 

Born in Monrovia, Liberia, and forced to flee the country after the 1980 coup, Helene Cooper is the author of a book recalling her experience in the war-torn African country. After 12 years at the Wall Street Journal, working in London, Washington and Atlanta, she began her collaboration with the New York Times, later becoming the daily’s White House Correspondent and one of the most respected journalists in America.

“Five centuries ago, Urbino’s Palazzo Ducale was a gathering place for Europe’s most noted intellectuals,” said Urbino Press Award President Giovanni Lani. “Today, we keep the tradition, by inviting prominent reporters and analysts to the same places of Raffaello Sanzio and Piero della Francesca,” he added.

 

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Remarks by Italian Amb. Giulio Terzi at National COPILAS Gala in Washington, DC

6. April 2011 by admin.

On April 2, 2011, the Italian Ambassador to Washington, Giulio Terzi, was honored by the National Council for the Promotion of Italian Language in American Schools( COPILAS) for his role in the reinstatement of the AP Italian Language and Culture Program. The following is the text of Terzi’s remarks:

His Excellency Archbishop Sambi, President Stabile, Reverend Tomasi, Mr. Cavone, Commendatore Nuschese, Mrs. McBride, Copilas members, Ladies and Gentlemen,

being at this Gala tonight is a matter of great joy to me. I feel privileged that an organization which has always done so much to promote the Italian language in the United States has decided to honor me with this important recognition, and regard this both as a tribute to our beloved language and as a good omen for its continued dissemination in this great country.

Italian is increasingly appreciated in the United States. According to the modern Language Association, the number of students of Italian has leapt by almost 60% in the last decade, thus reaching almost 80,700 students. Other sources report that Italian is the only European language to have grown in American schools.

To celebrate the Italian language this year, of all years, is particularly fitting as it played such a vital, coalescing role throughout our Country’s unification, whose 150th anniversary we celebrate in 2011. The President of the Republic of Italy has recalled that cultural unity long preceded our political unification, ratified on March 17, 1861 with the creation of the Kingdom of Italy. Our common language was one of the strongest centripetal forces which brought our country together first, and later played such an extraordinary part in the development of western civilization.

This role was particularly significant in the United States. Indeed, the political thought which, in the second half of the 18th century, produced and gave shape to an enduring and shared concept of democracy, was certainly also based on the juridical principles conceived by Neapolitan political philosopher Gaetano Filangieri. Benjamin Franklin was well acquainted with the young author’s writings, which he could also read in Italian.

Again, Italian was the language of a large group of people who reached this Country: they came in search of work and were instrumental in its growth. President Obama himself recognized this contribution more than once - most recently in his Presidential Proclamation on the occasion of Italy’s 150th birthday.

President Obama’s words were most meaningful as he encouraged “all Americans to learn more about the history of Italian unification and to honor the enduring friendship between the people of Italy and the people of the United States.” I believe that this appeal is appreciated very much indeed by those organizations which, such as COPILAS, have generously dedicated so much time and energy in recent months to re-launching the teaching of the Italian language.

The fact that our Government, together with major Italian - American organizations and some important private companies, has undertaken such a decisive effort to reintroduce Italian in the AP program, is emblematic of the high regard which experts hold this program in.

This is not the end result, but rather the start of a strategy aimed at consolidating and enhancing the presence of the Italian language in American schools. It is a path which led to the creation of the Italian Language Observatory which directs all activities pertaining to the dissemination of the Italian language in the United States. Let me thus thank COPILAS once again: it is truly unique, and Dr. Daniel Stabile’s leadership - both as its President and as member of the Board of the Observatory - is invaluable.

COPILAS has in fact fully grasped the crucial significance of studying modern languages in today’s global and complex world; a world in which tomorrow’s generations will increasingly need more than one lingua franca.

New generations deserve to be exposed to a real cultural pluralism. An education based upon languages, history, Italian and European thought is an essential investment for their future, and an open window on a world where democracy, rule of law and solidarity are increasingly important.

As President Napolitano, in expressing his appreciation for President Obama’s Proclamation and for the Congressional Record celebrating the 150th Anniversary, stated in his address to the representatives of the Italian and Italian-American Community in New York just last Sunday: “The promotion of Italian is an absolute priority because language is the first tool to spread an updated knowledge of Italy, far from platitudes and clichés. Furthermore, the Italian idiom is one of the most ancient and noble cultural forces that have united our country and kept our citizens together and cohesive abroad”.

Allow me to transpose our President’s words to a larger context – languages are the quintessence of who we are: by becoming bi or multi-lingual, young people not only explore other worlds and relate with other cultures but, ultimately, become the open minded, well-adapted and flexible men and women of tomorrow. Thank you.

 

Posted in Italy, washington DC, Italian Embassy | Print | 1 Comment »

Joint Statement of Attorney General Eric Holder and Italian Minister of Justice Angelino Alfano Regarding Continued Cooperation

5. April 2011 by admin.

April 4, 2011 - WASHINGTON - U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Italian Minister of Justice Angelino Alfano today met at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., to re-affirm the joint commitment of the United States and Italy to strengthen cooperation in the ongoing fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime. The two countries enjoy a long bilateral relationship in justice matters, and also work together to promote broader international collaboration through multilateral treaties like the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (known as the Palermo Convention) and the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime.

“For three decades, the United States and Italy have had notable successes in jointly fighting organized crime, terrorism and other common threats to the security and prosperity of our two nations,” said Attorney General Holder. “For example, Italian authorities recently arrested a fugitive in Sicily who is charged with racketeering conspiracy in the United States, and coordinated that arrest with the largest one-day sweep of La Cosa Nostra defendants in U.S. history. We are grateful for the close collaboration that is provided daily by the Italian Ministry of Justice under the leadership of Minister Alfano, as well as from prosecutors and police throughout Italy.”

Law enforcement officials in the United States and Italy work together on a broad range of issues. Counterterrorism remains a top priority, and officials tackle criminal activities from drug trafficking to money laundering, and from illegal arms exports to cybercrime.

“Bilateral relations between the United States and Italy in the law enforcement arena represent an important pillar of global legal and security cooperation,” said Italian Minister of Justice Alfano. “I greatly appreciate working with U.S. Attorney General Holder, whose clear vision and problem-solving approach have added significant value to our security relations.”

In their discussions, Attorney General Holder and Minister Alfano underlined the importance of maintaining the excellent bilateral exchange of information and evidence between the United States and Italy in the fight against organized crime and terrorism, in particular under the recently updated treaties between the two countries on extradition and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. These treaties streamline communication in urgent fugitive matters and incorporate technological developments like video-conferencing for taking witness testimony, while also providing a high level of protection for personal information.

 

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Italy’s President Giorgio Napolitano Remarks to Italian American Community in New York City - Italy@150

29. March 2011 by admin.

 

Newyorchesi celebrano il 150mo Anniversario dell’Unita’ d’Italia

.

Voglio innanzitutto ringraziarvi di avere organizzato questo bellissimo evento per celebrare insieme il 150mo Anniversario dell’Unita’ d’Italia. Come Presidente della Repubblica, non nascondo la mia commozione nel condividere con voi questo momento cosi’ ricco di storia.

Nella sua straordinaria proclamazione in occasione del 150mo Anniversario dell’Unita’ d’Italia, il Presidente Obama ha reso omaggio “al coraggio, al sacrificio e alla visione dei patrioti che diedero vita” allo Stato Italiano. “Nel momento in cui gli Stati Uniti combattevano per preservare la nostra Unione, egli prosegue, la campagna di Giuseppe Garibaldi per unire l’Italia ispiro’ in tutto il mondo le lotte di molti, fra cui il 39mo reggimento di Fanteria di New York, soprannominato la Guardia di Garibaldi”.

Sono profondamente grato al Presidente Obama per una Proclamazione di tale spessore e al Congresso per l’analogo Atto Parlamentare. Orgoglio e fiducia: sono le due parole sulle quali ho messo l’accento nel mio discorso di fronte al Parlamento Italiano il 17 marzo. L’Unita’ d’Italia ha rappresentato un’eccezionale conquista storica, realizzata nonostanti ardui ostacoli e deprimenti previsioni; il secolare cammino dell’idea d’Italia, sostenuta da alti messaggi di lingua, letteratura e cultura, era finalmente al traguardo.

Fra due giorni rendero’ omaggio a Ellis Island e ai 4 milioni di immigranti italiani che vi approdarono. L’Italia non dimentichera’ mai i suoi figli che furono costretti a lasciare la loro terra alla ricerca di un futuro migliore.

I dati storici sono inequivocabili: prima dell’Unita’, le condizioni di vita nell’Italia del 1861 erano per lo piu’ caratterizzate da diffusa poverta’ e disagi, con alte percentuali di malattie, analfabetismo e miseria. Lo Stato di nuova creazione getto’ le premesse per la modernizzazione del paese e per la graduale crescita della societa’ ma non fu in grado, per lungo tempo, di assicurare un futuro dignitoso a tutti gli Italiani. L’emigrazione divenne una triste necessita’. Canti ,poemi, racconti e films hanno affrescato magistralmente l’angoscia della partenza, le asprezze dell’arrivo e le oportunita’ offerte dala nuova vita. Le conoscete fin troppo bene: conoscete il dolore, il sudore, il successo.

L’Italia e’ grata agli Stati Uniti per le opportunità che ha saputo offrire ai nostri cittadini. L’America, ben lontana dalle rigidità di struttura della società europea di quegli anni, e’ stata capace di premiare il duro lavoro e l’impegno, di promuovere gli avanzamenti sociali, di celebrare il self made man. Più in generale, l’America e’ riuscita a creare un intenso legame di appartenenza e condivisione nell’individuo e a riconoscere al contempo il suo diritto alla ricerca della felicità.

Ho oggi al piacere di essere davanti a voi, e dalle posizioni che oggi occupate e dal contributo che fornite alla società americana, posso immediatamente cogliere gli immensi risultati raggiunti dalla comunità di origine italiana. Sento con profonda emozione l’affetto sincero che provate nei confronti del nostro Paese. Occupate un ruolo di grande rilievo e di grande successo nel promuovere i valori e le qualità che vengono associate con l’Italia.

Nessuno meglio di Geraldine Ferraro ha incarnato il contributo italiano al sogno americano. Oggi piangiamo la sua scomparsa. Ella ha lasciato un’eredita’ nella vita politica e nella società americana che durerà per sempre. Tutti gli Italo-americani possono essere orgogliosi di lei.

Tenendo nella dovuta considerazione la nostra relazione speciale, ho conferito il mio alto patronato al programma di eventi Italy@150. Sono grato all’Ambasciatore Terzi e alla nostra Ambasciata per l’organizzazione di importanti celebrazioni e sono particolarmente colpito dai molti eventi organizzati dovunque negli Stati Uniti, spontaneamente e grazie all’eccezionale dinamismo della comunita’ italiana.

Vorrei anche ringraziare la Conferenza dei Presidenti delle piu’ importanti organizzazioni italo - americane per il prezioso sostegno nel raggiungere un risultato di grande importanza, l’inserimento della lingua italiana nell’Advanced Placement program e per questa via nell’istruzione secondaria qui negli Stati Uniti.

La promozione dell’italiano rappresenta certamente una priorita’ perché la lingua e’ il primo strumento per diffondere una conoscenza aggiornata dell’Italia, lontana da clichés e da luoghi comuni. Inoltre, la lingua italiana e’ una delle più antiche e nobili forze culturali che hanno unito il nostro Paese e assicurato la coesione dei nostri cittadini all’estero.

Sarebbe impossibile rendere omaggio a tutti gli italiani eminenti che hanno vissuto negli Stati Uniti e specificatamente a New York. In questa occasione speciale vorrei riferirmi a due personalità eccezionali: Antonio Meucci, che fu allo stesso tempo molte cose, emigrante, newyorkese, patriota del Risorgimento, inventore del telefono, e Giuseppe Garibaldi, che visse anche in New York ospite di Meucci e intrattenne un epistolario con Abraham Lincoln, in uno spirito di reciproca ammirazione.

Il mondo di oggi, come dirò domani nel mio discorso all’Assemblea Generale delle Nazioni Unite, e’ contrassegnato da opportunità, sfide, contraddizioni. I prossimi anni non saranno facili per nessuno, ed in particolare per l’Italia. Ma, oggi, ho il grande piacere di dirvi che nei giorni scorsi le celebrazioni del nostro 150emo Anniversario hanno visto emergere un rinnovato spirito nazionale, attraverso una intensa ed entusiastica partecipazione di popolo alle iniziative che hanno avuto luogo in tutte le regioni d’Italia. Questo il nuovo spirito di orgoglio e fiducia che ho evocato; questa la rinnovata volontà di rafforzare la nostra unità e coesione nazionale: sono le condizioni per superare le difficoltà che sono davanti a noi.  Si’, we shall overcome.

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Concerto per i 150 anni dell’Unità d’Italia - Ambasciata d’Italia, 17 marzo 2011

14. March 2011 by admin.

 

Gli italiani che vivono negli USA celebrano l’anniversario dei 150 anni dell’Unità d’Italia  con un concerto la sera del 17 marzo alle 18.00 presso l’Ambasciata d’Italia a Washington, insieme all’Ambasciatore Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata e con la partecipazione del corpo diplomatico, di Autorità politiche e di esponenti del mondo culturale, accademico ed economico americano.  

Il concerto è realizzato da Ludovica Rossi Purini, Presidente della Compagnia per la Musica in Roma, in collaborazione con il Sindaco di Bari Michele Emiliano, Presidente della Fondazione Lirico Sinfonica Petruzzelli e Teatri di Bari, e con l’Ambasciata d’Italia. 

Il concerto fa parte di Italy@150, il programma di eventi organizzati dall’Ambasciata d’Italia per celebrare a Washington e in tutti gli Stati Uniti i 150 anni dell’Unità nazionale. Italy@150 si svolge sotto l’Alto Patronato del Presidente della Repubblica. (www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it). 

Per sottolineare l’esclusiva celebrazione dei 150 anni dell’Unità d’Italia, il programma musicale sarà incentrato sulle più grandi pagine strumentali di Giuseppe Verdi e conterrà un nuovo brano per orchestra commissionato al compositore Giorgio Battistelli dalla Compagnia per la Musica in Roma. 

“Il concerto – dichiara l’ambasciatore d’Italia a Washington Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata – è il momento più siginificativo delle celebrazioni in questo Paese nel giorno della Festa dell’Unità d’Italia. Il programma delle manifestazioni negli USA prevede oltre cento eventi e fa del 2011 un anno straordinario per la  cultura italiana in America”. 

“È un onore per la Città di Bari e per la Fondazione Petruzzelli – afferma il sindaco Emiliano- celebrare il 150° anniversario dell’Unità d’Italia nella prestigiosa sede dell’Ambasciata  Italiana a Washington. La nostra Orchestra, attraverso le note di Rossini, Verdi, Puccini e Respighi, evocherà le storiche imprese e i memorabili eventi che aprirono la strada al compimento dell’Italia unita. Con questo concerto desideriamo onorare le passioni civili, l’anelito alla democrazia, alla libertà, all’uguaglianza e alla pace quali elementi identitari del nostro essere Italiani”.  

Interpreti della serata: l’Orchestra della Fondazione Lirico Sinfonica Petruzzelli di Bari, compagine di recente formazione ma che si sta affermando come una delle realtà piùinteressanti nel panorama musicale italiano; il solista Francesco D’Orazio, recentemente insignito del “Premio Abbiati” dalla Critica Italiana quale “Miglior Solista” del 2009 e “punto di riferimento nella musica contemporanea”, che eseguirà il brano per violino e orchestra Humoreske di Respighi. 

La serata vedrà sul podio il grande e acclamato direttore d’orchestra Maestro Lorin Maazel, la cui straordinaria partecipazione a questa importante celebrazione è motivata anche dalla personale passione per l’Italia e la sua storia. 

“Il nostro obiettivo – afferma Ludovica Rossi Purini, direttore artistico del concerto – è di utilizzare la musica, linguaggio universale per eccellenza e capace di parlare contemporaneamente alla sfera intellettuale ed emozionale, per far giungere a tutti senza distinzioni di razza, lingua, opinione un ricordo dell’Italia ma anche un momento musicale di piu ampio respiro, di alto livello qualitativo in sintonia con quel grande pubblico internazionale che la capitale americana e’ in grado di attrarre”. 

“Il concerto – conclude il Sovrintendente del Petruzzelli Giandomenico Vaccari – sarà l’occasione per un momento di riflessione sulla grandiosità del repertorio italiano. La musica è da sempre la forma di espressione artistica che più ha unito il nostro Paese”. 

Un ringraziamento particolare per il sostegno dato all’iniziativa va al partner istituzionale, Fondazione Bracco e agli sponsor: Natuzzi Group, UBI-Banca Carime, COBAR SpA, Ordine degli Avvocati di Bari, Tipografia Romana e Hotel Oriente. 

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Introduction of the Smithsonian’s Guide to Italian Exhibits and donation of Alitalia and World War II Italian Air Force flight clothing and uniforms

14. March 2011 by admin.

On the 150th anniversary of Italy’s Unification, March 17, 1861, the National Air and Space Museum will host the introduction of “The Smithsonian’s Guide to Italian Exhibits and Special 150th Anniversary Events at the Smithsonian Institution,” a brochure highlighting Italian artifacts on display and events taking place at the Institution. The brochure was produced by the Smithsonian’s Office of International Relations. This is part of ITALY@150, a series of events under the auspices of the President of the Italian Republic organized by the Embassy of Italy in Washington and throughout the United States to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Italy’s Unity. 

A gift-signing ceremony, to mark the transfer to the museum of Federico Figus’ collection of Alitalia and World War II Italian Air Force flight clothing and uniforms, will also take place. 

Capt. Felice Figus was an officer in the Italian Royal Air Force during World War II. He flew the Fiat CR42 and the Macchi 200, 202 and 205 and he was one of the last pilots to fly the Fiat G55 fighter plane before the armistice in 1943. During his distinguished career he flew in the North African campaign, the fight for Malta, the Sicily campaign, six months in Russia and a stage in Sardinia and Turin. The Figus family is donating his flight suits and uniforms, flight books, medals and personal objects to the museum’s collection. The museum has one of only two remaining Macchi 202s; it is on display in the World War II gallery at the National Mall building.

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