HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY
Tough Immigration Law Enacted in Italy Italy enacted today tough new measures against illegal immigrants. It is now a crime to enter Italy illegally and Italians who rent even a room to an immigrant who does not have authority to reside in Italy may face up to three years prison. The new law was strongly contensted between the Berlusconi camp, namely the Northern League, who pushed for these harsh measures, and the more moderate opposition parties. In the end the Senate passed the new law by 157-124 votes. The Vatican quickly condemned the new law. The law becomes effective fifteen days after it is published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale. /09.07.02/
President Obama and First Lady to Meet Pope Benedict XVI
An Antiquity of Imagination: Tullio Lombardo and Venetian High Renaissance Sculpture - at the National Gallery of Art Led by Tullio Lombardo (c. 1455–1532), the great Venetian sculptors of the High Renaissance created new ideals of beauty, shaped by a poetic and nostalgic
11th Annual Festa Italiana The 11th Annual Festa Italiana was celebrated in Washington, DC on June 28, 2009. This year's feast The Festa commenced with a procession to the National Law
Enforcement Officers Memorial, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony. Dottoressa Andreina Nardini, the Italian Consular Attache', delivered the welcoming remarks on behalf of the Italian Embassy in Washington. She noted that a number of Embassy officials had their roots in the Puglia Region, including Italian Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta. Among the Puglia-related activities, a "Teatro Puglia" was set up inside Casa Italiana to show videos from that region. Chef Antonio Lazzettti from Il Fornaio Restaurant provided a cooking demonstration on how to make "Focaccia Pugliese." (click here for focaccia recipe) (Pictured top, Holy Rosary Church parishioners march to the Law Enforcement Memorial; pictured above Dottoressa Andreina Nardini, Italian Consular Attache)
Diana Curmei, Miss Moldovia Diana Curmei, Miss Moldavia, was crowned Miss Italia nel Mondo at Jesole Italy on Miss Curmei, whose father is Romanian and whose mother has her roots in Sicily ( .Campofelice di Roccella, Palermo), is a college student who loves dancing, photography, and speaks four languages, (russian, french, spanish and English) and a little Italian thanks to the songs of Laura Pausini and Tiziano Ferro.
"Io sono fatto così e non cambio. Se mi vogliono, sono così. E gli italiani mi vogliono: ho il 61%. Mi vogliono perché sentono che sono buono, generoso, sincero, leale, che mantengo le promesse".
White House Nominates David Thorne Many Americans of Italian descent had hoped that President Obama would name an Italian-American Ambassador to Rome. Not this time. On June 25, 2009, the White House released a statement announcing the President's intention to nominate David Thorne as Ambassador to Rome. The following is a statement on Mr. Thorne as released by the White House:
Thorne is a longtime close friend of Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic Party's 2004 presidential nominee, and twin brother of Kerry's first wife. Kerry and Thorne were classmates at Yale, belonged to the university`s exclusive Skull and Bones Society and played on the varsity soccer team, having learned the sport when they both lived in Europe. “David will bring to the post a lifelong connection to Italy, a keen intellect, fluent command of the Italian language, and a rich background in Southern European affairs, said Sen. Kerry, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “David is a veteran who cares deeply about his country and comes from a family steeped in public service, and I’m thrilled that he’s been tapped to serve his nation.”
Miss Italia nel Mondo Pits Two Contestants from USA Miss Italia USA, Christina Marraccini of Harrison, New York, whose roots are in Sicily and Lazio, and Miss Italia North America, Rosanna Capriati from Chicago, whose roots are in the La Puglia Region, will be among the 49 contestants vying for the title of Miss Italia nel Mondo currently underway at Jesolo, Italy. READ MORE... >>
(Pictured above, Rosanna Capriati and Christina Marraccini, and Italian Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta with Christina and Rosanna, photographed at the Italian Embassy in Washington) (Photos Isgro)
New Movie: La Siciliana Ribelle
Voting In Italy Today June 21, and Monday Millions of Italians are casting their votes this weekend in various local elections including the provinces di Milano and Torino, and in Bologna, Firenze, Padova e Bari. Italians will also vote on three referenda but this vote will only be effective if more than 50% of eligible voters cast their votes - an unlikely proposition.
War of Words Between Prime Minister Berlusconi "Non avete dignità, non sapete cos'é la democrazia e la libertà, siete "Non credo ci sia un rischio di instabilita' per il governo, invece c’e'
White House Meeting Cements Friendship Between
"Buona sera. I want to welcome Prime Minister Berlusconi here. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi received a very warm greeting from President Barack Obama during their tete-a-tete at the White House on June 15. The transcript of the remarks between the two leaders clearly shows that President Obama is very appreciative of Italy's contributions to stabilization of Afghanistan, and its role as Chair of the G8. Obama in his remarks " emphasized the strong, historic ties between the United States and Italy. " "Overall," said Obama, "I am very grateful to Prime Minister Berlusconi's leadership, his consistent friendship towards the United States. We have some of the strongest bilateral relations in the world. I am confident that that will continue as long as both of us are occupying our positions." Prime Minister Berlusconi, remarked that President Obmas expresses views that "are not only innovative positions looking at a different future, but they're always very concrete and absolutely based on common sense. And it is extremely comforting and a pleasure to see that the destiny of the biggest democracy in the world is in very good hands." Prime Minister Berlusconi at National Art Gallery During his visit to Washington, and following his talks with President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Prime Minister Berlusconi stopped at the National Gallery of Art where he signed the guest book, and admired The Beffi Triptych, which will be on display in the West Building's Rotunda until September 7, 2009.
Pictured above, Italian Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta, Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and, National Gallery of Art Director, Earl A. Powell.
Prime Minister Berlusconi signing the National Gallery of Art guestbook. (Photos Isgro) Berlusconi in Washington for G-8 Talks with Obama Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will meet President Barack Obama on June 15, to "discuss new global financial and economic regulations" ahead of the meeting of the G8, the club of rich nations grouping the United States, Canada, Japan, Russia, Britain, Germany, France and Italy. "The president looks forward to discussing preparations for the G8 Summit that will take place in L'Aquila, Italy in July, and consulting with the prime minister on a broad range of strategic issues of mutual concern," the White House said in a statement. Italy will host the G8 summit July 8-10 in L'Aquila, the city that was devastated by an earthquake in April which claimed 299 lives. The presence of Berlusconi in Washington, will likely provide an opportunity for the American media to focus on the brewing scandal in Italy where the Prime Minister is being accused of misuse of public funds to fly and entertain special guests at Villa Certosa, his private villa in Sardinia. Some of the photos of Berlusconi's guests have been published in European newspapers, except in Italy where a court order prohibiting their publication was issued. The Huffington Post, a widely read blog in the United States, has already published some of the photos. While the parties at Villa Certosa may be the center of attention, some in Italy believe that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his role as mediator in Russia’s war with Georgia last summer.
Conference on the Promotion of Italian Language
On June 13, 2009, a conference to promote the Italian language in United States. schools K-16 and continuing education, was held at the Italian Embassy in (Pictured above, Anthony J. Tamburri, Dean of the J.D. Calandra Italian American Institute (CUNY).
49th Annual Ceremony Commemorating Charles J. Bonaparte On June 11, 2009, at the United States Department of Justice the Italian American community honored Charles Joseph Bonaparte, the 46th Attorney General of the United States and the Founder of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This Annual Ceremony, now in its 49th year, was instituted by John LaCorte, Sr., founder of the Italian Historical Society of America, in 1961, with the collaboration of local Italian American organizations in the Washington area, including the Lido Civic Club. Since then, Charles Bonaparte has been commemorated at the Department of Justice in the month of June, the month of his birth.
This year's speakers included John Di Cicco, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Tax Division at the U.S. Department of Justice, Hon. John Facciola, Magistrate Judge in Washington, D.C., Dr. Giannicola Sinisi, Justice Attache' at the Embassy of Italy. Welcoming remarks were extended by John LaCorte, Jr., the President of the Italian Historical Society, and Francesco Isgro, Acting Director of Training for the Civil Division and Senior Litigation Counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice. Among the special guests attending the ceremony were Arthur Gajarsa, Federal Judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and Ron Cimino, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Tax Division, U.S. Department of Justice. (Pictured above, Dr. Giannicola Sinisi speaking at the 49th Annual Charles J. Bonaparte Ceremony; Francesco Isgro, John LaCorte, John Di Cicco, Hon. John Facciola) Text of Remarks by John Di Cicco
Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of (Washington - June 6) President Obama will welcome Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy to the White House on Monday, June 15th. The United States and Italy, a NATO ally, have strong bilateral relations and partner together around the world to promote peace, prosperity, and democratic freedoms. The President looks forward to discussing preparations for the G-8 Summit that will take place in L'Aquila, Italy in July, and consulting with the Prime Minister on a broad range of strategic issues of mutual concern.
It's Referendum Time Italian citizens living abroad, among others, will have an opportunity to vote on three national referenda. If you search the internet you will find that this news has Here's an explanation in Italian from Andreina Nardini, the Consular Attache' at the Italian Embassy in Washington, given to Pino Cicala's AMICO and published on June 9:
Italians Go To The Polls, Again This weekend, June 6-7, more than 50 million Italians will be eligible to vote in the
FESTA DELLA REPUBBLICA - June 2, 2009 At Italian Embassy in Washington, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi Pays Tribute to Italian Americans “In terms of who we are as people, 40 million bridges between Italy and America. A country discovered by an Italian, named by an Italian, developed by Italian Americans, continuing to take pride in our Italian American heritage." La Festa della Repubblica was also celebrated in various cities in the United States, including Philadelphia and New York.
Presidente Giorgio Napolitano - "C’è bisogno di più coesione sociale e nazionale: nel rispetto dei diversi ruoli istituzionali; nel libero e civile confronto tra le diverse opinioni." “Un cordiale augurio a tutti gli italiani per la Festa della Repubblica. Un saluto particolare, affettuoso e solidale, alle tante famiglie de L’Aquila e dell’Abruzzo che vivono questa giornata fuori delle loro case distrutte o colpite, tra gravi disagi e difficoltà, anche se assistite e sostenute con ogni premura ; che vivono questa giornata nel ricordo di perdite dolorose e incolmabili”. Così il Presidente della Repubblica, Giorgio Napolitano, si è rivolto agli italiani in occasione del 2 giugno, Festa Nazionale della Repubblica.
Vice President Joseph Biden, Federal Judge Arthur Gajarsa Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Vice President of the United States, became the first non-Italian American recipient of the SIF’s Highest Honor: The 2009 National Education (Pictured above at the Gala dinner Vice President Biden, OSIA's Philip Piccigallo, and Franco Nuschese; pictured at right, Hon. Amato Berardi and Hon. Judge Arthur Gajarsa)
Jerry Colangelo New Chairman of NIAF
Memorial Mass For
Judge Giovanni Falcone
Susanna Agnelli 1922-2009 Susanna Agnelli, former Italian Foreign Minister, sister of Fiat Chairman Giovanni Agnelli, died in Rome on May 15, 2009. She was 87 years old.
Washington's Deputy Mayor Dan Tangherlini
Pino Cicala’s Antenna Italia - 50 Years of Service More than one hundred of the who's who of the Nation's Capital area Italian American community turned out for a reception Friday evening, May 15, at the Italian Embassy in Washington to honor Pino Cicalas' 50 years of service to Antenna Italia. The reception held under the auspices of His Excellency Giovanni Castellaneta, Ambassador of Italy, attracted dignitaries from as far away as Cal (Pictured above Marco Mancini, Rosanna Capriati, Pino Cicala, Christina Marraccini) (Click here for more photos from the event)
National Police Week 2009 It's National Police Week (May 10-16) across America and in particular in our Nation's Capital where the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Monument Let's pray this Sunday not only for Italian American police officers who have fallen in their line of duty but for all police officers who have given their lives to protect ours.
Italy's Immigration Controls Face International Criticism The escalating numbers of interdictions in the Mediterrenean Sea of undocumented migrants who seek to enter Europe through Italy, is apparently creating another political schism between Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Gianfranco Fini, Presidente della Camera dei Deputati. Berlusconi in his recent public statements
Giro d'Italia Celebrates 100 Years
Read page 1 of Voce Italiana, May 2009
Franco Frattini Back in Washington as Hon. Franco Frattini, the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs will be back in Washington to address the American Jewish Committee at its Annual General Minister Frattini will be also addressing the issue of “Italy in the Global Outlook” to Members of Congress, Government officials, business and community leaders, and other DC insiders on Capirol Hill on. Thursday, May 7th, 2009. This event is being held under the auspices of the Frank J. Guarini Public Policy Forum and is sponsored by. The National Italian American Foundation, in collaboration with the Italian American Congressional Delegation.
Senator John Marchi - May 20, 1921 – April 25, 2009 We mourn the passing of a dedicated public servant, John J. Marchi, a former New York State Senator, and a distinguished Italian American, who died while vacationing this spring in Lucca, Italy.
His 50 years of service as a Senator from
Gilberto Idonea Honored in Washington At a recent ceremony held at the Italian Cultural Institute, Italian Embassy in Washington, Pino Cicala’s Antenna Italia honored noted Sicilian personality Gilberto Idonea.
Stefania Prestigiacomo, Italy's Minister of Environment Participates in "Major Economies Forum" in Washington Fresh from a three-day G-8 summit in her hometown in Siracusa, Sicily, Italy's (Pictured above Minister Stefania Prestigiacomo at Italian Embassy in Washington, Photo Isgro)
Italy Celebrates Liberation Day - April 25, 2009 Italy celebrates today the 64th Anniversary of the liberation from Nazi occupation an
NIAF Leadership to Travel to Abruzzo Region NIAF President Joseph V. Del Raso, Esq. and the Foundation’s secretary John F. Calvelli will travel to Rome and L’Aquila in Italy to meet with prominent officials of the Italian government and the United States Embassy to discuss allocation of funds collected for the Abruzzo relief efforts.
Artist Paolo Staccioli Exhibits at Italian Embassy
(Pictured on the left is Paolo Staccioli with one of his ceramic works"Traveler")
G-8 To Meet In Earthquake-striken Abruzzo
Current Arts Exhibits In Italy - Click Here Rumoured Ambassadors The Washington Post recently reported that President Obama's pick for US ambassador to Italy is David Thorne, a Boston-area investment adviser, entrepreneur, a donor to the Obama campaign, and longtime close friend of Sen. John Kerry. This rumour was first reported by the Italian magazine Panorama. Thorne, a founder of Adviser Investments, attended college and served in the Vietnam War with Senator Kerry. Kerry divorced Thorne’s sister in 1988, On the other side of the Atlantic, the rumours are that Prime Minister Berlusconi's selection for the ambassadorship to Washington is Giampiero Massolo, the current secretary general at the Farnesina [Italian Foreign Ministry]. Massoli woud be replacing Giovanni Castellaneta, the current Italian Ambassador to Washington. Click here the official bio of Ambassador Massoli.
Thomas Friedman Winner of the 2009 Urbino Press Award Thomas L. Friedman, New York Times columnist and best-selling author, is the The Urbino Press Award in recognition of excellence in journalism is awarded to American reporters, who through their commitment and daily work, conscientiously to inform millions of people. Friedman follows Martha Raddatz who was awarded the prize in 2008. Among those attending the event were prior Urbino Prize winners, ABC News' Martha Raddatz and Time magazine reporter Michael Weisskopf. The official award ceremony will be held later this year in Urbino, Italy. Read more . . .
The 4th Sicilian Film Festival Winners!
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) has established a special NIAF/Abruzzo Relief Fund to help the victims and their families who perished from the recent earthquake in the town of L’Aquila and other small towns in central Italy in the region of Abruzzo. Click here.
Salvatore Ferrigno, President of the Comites of Philadelphia, was elected (Pictured above, Salvatore Ferrigno and Melo Cicala at Casa Italiana in Washington, DC, during a February 2009 dinner honoring Michele Iorio, President of the Molise Region.)
Washington Winemakers The Washington Winemakers held its annual home-made wine tasting event at (Pictured above, Michael Colavita, Carmine Amatucci,Willy Meaux )
X Festival della Canzone Siciliana
Thomas J. Perrelli No. 3 at Justice
Assassination of Petrosino Commemorated in Washington NIAF Executive Director James De Santis At a ceremony held on March 12, 2009, at the National Law Enforcement Officers M Click here to read remarks by NIAF's James Di Santis. (Pictured above Hon. Francis Allegra, Judge U.S. Court of Claims, Ronald A. Cimino, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, Francesco Isgro, Friends of Charles Bonaparte, and James De Santis, Nat'l Executive Director, NIAF- Photo by Erika Madrigal) Giuseppe ("Joe") Petrosino's Assassination The 100th Anniversary of the assassination of NYC Lt. Giuseppe ("Joe") Petrosino in Sicily View Italian video of Petrosino
Granddaughter of Amadeo P. Giannini, Founder of
Giannini was born on May 6, 1870 in San Jose, California. His parents were from Chavari, Genoa. On October 17, 1904, he opened Banca d"Italia and sought out Italian American depositors in San Francisco's North Beach. Following the 1906 earthquake he lent money to help rebuild San Francisco. The bank expanded and after a series of bank acquisitions mergers, in 1928 he formed the Bank of America of California. He resigned as Chairman on May 5, 1945. During Giannin's last years, Bank of America's capital wa above 6.2 billion. He died on June 3, 1949. Read Giannini's profile by Time Inc. in Time 100 [09.03.07]
Washington Post Runs First Page Story On March 1, 2009, the Washington Post ran a front page story, under the headline "As Italy's Banks Tighten Lending, Desperate Firms Call on the Mafia." The story, which looked at the loan sharking business at a time of tightening credit, notes that "the Mafia is most famous in Sicily and southern Italy, but its tentacles spread throughout that country." This critical story prompted the Italian Ambassador to Washington, Giovanni Castellaneta to send a letter to the editor criticizing the "one-sided content of the article." Read Castellaneta's letter . . . We note for the record that the Washington Post did not write one story on Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini's official visit to Washington, and Italy's plans for the upcoming G-8 summit. Here's what one student wrote in her blog: " I went to The Brookings Institution to hear what are the priorities for the Italian G8 Summit. Franco Frattini, Italy’s minister of foreign affairs, surprised me. He said the rich countries should share responsibilities and be accountable." [09.03.02]
Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini Meets On February 26-27, the Foreign Minister of Italy, Franco Frattini, was in Washington on an official visit to the Department of State. In her welcoming Italy, which took over the presidency of G-8 earlier this year, is preparing to hos During his visit in Washington, Mr. Frattini also had talks with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other senior official in the Obama Administration. Most importantly, on Friday, Feb. 27, Mr. Frattini spoke at the Brookings Institution about the priorities that Italy is setting for the next G-8 Summit and of its proposal for a new global governance. One proposal is to include Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa in a more structured and stable association with the countries of the G8. Italy is of the view that a moderate, Arab, Muslim, and African country like Egypt would also be a useful addition to this exercise.
On Friday, following his meeting at the State Department, Mr. Frattinin gave a press conference at the Italian Embassy.
The 81st Annual Academy Awards Sadly, no Italian film is competing in this year's Best Foreign Film category. Mi dispiace! If you're nostalgic, click here to see previous Oscar nominees and winners.
59th Festival of Sanremo Apparently RAI has been prohibiting YouTube from showing any of the RAI Sanremo events, including the clip of Marco Carta singing Forza Mia which we had earlier on this site. You may as well hear Marco Masini's song, L'Italia, which made it to the top 10.
Futurism Centenary Celebrated Around the World [20Feb.1909.2009] Visit Jessica Palmieri's web site - All you ever wanted to know about Italian Futurism. ItalianFuturism.org.
Prof. Pietro Frassica on Marinetti's La Cucina Futuristica
The Piccirilli Brothers: As we commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birthday, let's
Christina Pirello at the Washington D.C. Christina Pirello, host of the
On February 10, 2009. Italian Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta met at the White House with Lawrence Summers to discuss the agenda for the upcoming G8 meeting in Italy.
Hon. Michele Iorio, President of Molise Region On February 3, 2009, T Iorio was welcomed by Omero Sabatini, the current President of the Society. Among the honored guests were Ambassador Connie Morella and her husband, Mrs. Jan Fenty, First Counselor to the Italian Embassy Marco Mancini, Father Lydio Tomasi, Pastor of Holy Rosary Church, Hon. Salvatore Ferrigno, Carmelo Cicala, and Lucio D'Andrea frounder of the Abbruzzo and Molise Society. Read more. . . . <click here for pics from event page 1 page 2>
Lido Civic Club Past Presidents' Night Gala On January 24, the Lido Civic Club of Washington, D.C., honored Retired Gen. Peter Pace, 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Tangherlini, City Administrator and Deputy Mayor of Washington, D.C., and Paul Magliocchetti, Pres The Lido Civic Club is one of the oldest Italian American association in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Founded in 1929. Pictures from the event are available at http://celebpix.instaproofs.com (Pictured above General Peter Pace and Outgoing President of the Lido Civic Club Tom Stallone. Picture courtesy of Bill Guptill) <09-01-27>
Pope Benedict XVI Joins YouTube "I think that the purpose of a communications tool like this one is to help build up a large family that knows no borders. One in which, with its variety of cultures and languages, all people are brothers ans sisters ..."
Parallel Empires: Vatican & U.S.A. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the United States and the Holy See, and on e
Advanced Placement Italian Exam Terminated The College Placement Board has decided to suspend the AP Italian test at the end of the current academic year. This is a huge disappointment for the Italian American community which sought to raise sufficient funds to keep the AP program alive for one more year pending other fundraising efforts. The Italian Language Foundation which was set up early last year to raise the needed funds raised $650,000 in commitments but apparently was unable to obtain any additional funds from the Italian Government. Louis Tallarini, Chairman of the Foundation, expressed disappointment "that the Republic of Italy declined the opportunity to invest in an international program that is an asset for the Republic of Italy and its bilateral relations with the United States in education, culture, tourism and trade." <09-01-10> Read press release issued by the Italian Language Foundation.
Italy Assumes G8 Presidency
Messaggio di fine anno del Presidente Giorgio Napolitano
Elio Vittorini 1908-2008
Massimo Maugeri has created a blog to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Vittorini. Click here. Among the contributions to his blog, we note in particular the article written by Simona Lo Iacono. Click here.
"Coltivate la vostra italianità non solo come antica memoria famigliare ma come condivisione sempre viva delle sorti della vostra patria d'origine." Read text
Armed Forces Day Celebrated at Italian Embassy Pictured above, Italian Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta, Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England, Brig. Gen. Mirco Zuliani, Defense Attache, Embassy of the Italian Republic
Search Begins for Miss Italia nel Mondo USA 2009 It's a NIAF Weekend in Washington!
Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi
President Bush spoke very warmly about Berlusconi's visit, relationships of Italy and U.S., and the contributions of Italian Americans. Berlusconi decided to avoid reading from the script and spoke even more warmly from his heart: Never, ever I found, in all of the meetings we had over these years, in you the calculations that sometimes politicians made. I've always found in you the sincerity and the spontaneity of a person who strongly believes in what he does. And it was always easy for me to share your ideas, to share your visions, to be next to you, to stand next to you, because we are always bound by these common love for freedom, love for democracy, respect for the others, and the feeling, this common feeling that we are here just to serve our peoples. And I'm a hundred percent sure and positive that history will tell -- will say that George W. Bush has been a great, very great President of the United States of America. (Applause.) As someone commented, that's what friends, or amici, are for. .(Photos by Francesco Isgro)
Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Franco Frattini, speaking at the Brookings Institution on September 22, 2008, outlined Italy's foreign policy in the new millennium. The event was moderated by Federiga Bindi, Visiting Fellow, Foreign Policy, Center on the United States and Europe. Read transcript of Frattini's remarks (Pictured above Franco Frattini) Nancy Pelosi insignita del Cavalierato di Gran Croce
On September 16, the Ambassador of Italy, Giovanni Castellaneta, on behalf of the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, conferred upon House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the highest order of the Italian Republic, the "Cavaliere di Gran Croce." The ceremony, held at Villa Firenze, was attended by numerous members of the Italian-American Congressional Caucus, other Senators and Congressmen, representatives of NIAF, and other dignitaries. (Pictured above, Ambassador Castellaneta conferring the title to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; pictured below, Ambassador Castellaneta, House Speaker Pelosi, and Mrs. Castellaneta.) Story and more pics . . .
Constantino Brumidi Awarded Congressional Gold Medal Festa Italiana 2008 Draws Unprecedented Crowds
Italian Culture Week - April 1- 6, 2008 Ambassador Castellaneta launched Italian Culture Week on April 1, 2008, at a
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The White House has announced that the President and the First Lady will meet Pope Benedict on July 10, during the President's official visit to Italy to attend the G8 meeting, in L'Aquila. President Obama is expected to arrive in Rome on the morning of July 8, following his stop in Moscow. He is also scheduled to meet with Italian political leaders, including a bilateral meeting with President Napolitano, before leaving Rome and heading up to L'Aquila. /09.07.02/
approach to classical antiquity. Their expression shares much with Mantegna, Bellini, Giorgione, and Titian, the northern Italian masters of Renaissance painting. In about 1500 painters in Venice went beyond traditional commissions for altarpieces and household devotional images to develop new art forms—imaginative evocations of ancient mythology, poetry, history, or philosophy made for a growing audience of private collectors.
celebrated the region of La Puglia.
June 27, 2009. She beat in the finals Miss Romania Elena Lungu, who came in second, and Miss Argentina Ana Paola Ras Vitiello, who took third place.
Washington, DC. Welcoming the participants were Italian Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta, Hon. Valentina Aprea, Presidente della Commissione Permanente ed Istruzione della Camera dei Deputati, Hon. Vincenzo Maria Vita, Vice Presidente della Commissione Permanente Istruzione e Beni Culturali del Senato della Repubblica, and Joseph M. Della Ratta, Board of Directors of the National Italian American Foundation. 
2009 European Parliament elections. One candidate to watch is Prince Emmanuel Filiberto of Savoy, grandson of the last king of Italy, who is running for the centrist Union of Christian Democrats party. About 30 million Italians will also be called to vote in 62 of Italy’s 110 provinces and about 18 millions will be eligible to vote in municipal elections. Little is expected to change in the Italy’s political landscape
& Leadership Award. The gala was held on May 28, 2009, at the National Building Museum, in Washington, DC. Also honored were Arthur J. Gajarsa, Judge, U.S. Federal Court of Appeals, who received the 2009 SIF Lifetime Achievement Award in Jurisprudence and Italian American Leadership; Mary Ann Esposito, host 
and rreator of Public Television’s Ciao Italia, who received the 2009 SIF Lifetime Achievement Award in the Culinary and Cultural Arts of Italy; and, Robert A. Scardelletti, International President, Transportation-Communications Union International Association of Machinists, who received the 2009 SIF Humanitarian Award. 
Jerry Colangelo, chair of the USA Basketball Board of Directors who was instrumental in assembling the 2008 U.S. Men’s Basketball Olympic team and chairman of the Phoenix Suns, has been selected as the National Italian American Foundation's new chairman. Colangelo is joined by four vice chairs: Paul J. Chiapparone, a former vice chairman of EDS; Hon. Louis J. Freeh, a former FBI director and senior managing partner of Freeh Group International; Patricia de Stacy Harrison, president and CEO of the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, and Vincent Viola, chairman and CEO of Virtu Financial LLC. 
President Obama has nominated DC's Deputy Mayor Dan Tangherlini to be Assistant U.S. Secretary for management and chief financial officer. Early this year, Tangherlini was honored by the Lido Civic Club when he was selected for the Man of the Year Award. At Treasury, Tangherlini will be Secretary Timothy Geithner's right hand man. /09.05.17/ 
abria. Praising Pino's service to the Italian Community were Marco Mancini, the Embassy's First Counselor, Rita Venturelli, the Director of the Italian American Cultural Institute, Melo Cicala, the Director of the Washington, DC COMITES, Luis Scalfari, the President of the Lido Civic Club, Pino Parise, President of the Magna Grecia Association, and Father Lydio Tomasi of Holy Rosary Church who gave the benediction. The event was graced by the presence of 
is located, steps away from the Italian parish Holy Rosary Church. Thousands of police officers from throughout the States have come here to pay special recognition to officers who have lost their lives or become disabled in the line of duty. The names of the 134 officers killed in 2008, along with an additional 254 officers who have died in previous years, will be engraved on the Memorial Wall joining the names of the 18,200 U.S. law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. As someone who wallks through the Memorial twice a day, this has been a sobering week. 
has indicated that the boat people are the product of smuggling operations by organized crime and should be immediately returned to the country of their departure. Fini, on the other hand, while supporting a tough stance against unauthorized migration, has stated that the migrants' right to asylum must be respected. The international community and the UNHCR seem to be on Fini's side on this point. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Frattini has been busy trying to get consensus from his EU colleagues to draw up guidelines to deal with the immigration emergency in the Mediterranean. At the same time, Frattini has defended Italy's immigration policies as being consistent with the 2008 European Pact on Immigration and Asylum. (Pictured above: Boat people being rescued by italian Coast Guard) /09.05.10/ 
Italy celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Giro d'Italia. (
Meeting in Washington on May 7. As reported in the Jerusalem Post " Frattini openly admits his commitment to Israel, the memory of the Holocaust and the fight against resurgent anti-Semitism, and proudly states that 'the Jewish community always receives me as the great friend I feel I am.'" 
Staten Island were marked by significant accomplishments. “New Yorkers have lost one of the true giants of our public life” said Mayor Bloomberg, who praised him as “the legislative architect of the state university system.”
Senator Marchi loved the classics and could converse about Marcus Aurelius, Ovid and Aristotle. A devout Roman Catholic, he remained consistent with his faith in opposing abortion and the death penalty. As one observer put it, Senator Marchi took “intelligent and compassionate stands on every issue, regardless of the political winds.”
While we will continue to celebrate Senator Marchi’s accomplishments, we will miss his commitment and passion. 
d the end of World War II. German forces, however, did not officially surrender until four days later on 29 April. Prime Minister Berlusconi is proposing changing the name of the annual April 25 commemoration from "Liberation Day" to "Freedom Day."
Coordinator of the Intercomites, USA at the Intercomites meeting held in Boston on March 21, 2009. He succeeds Melo Cicala, Washington, DC Comites President, whose term just expired. Ferrigno, who formely was elected with the Forza Italia party to the Italian Parlamento as the representative of Italians living abroad for North and Central America, was abandoned by the PDL party in the last national elections. He is currently counselor to Raffaele Lombardo, the President of the Region of Sicily, for the relations between Sicily and Sicilians abroad. 
Casa Italiana, Holy Rosary Church Washington DC, on March 15, 2009. Mike Colavita, supplier of the California grapes to the Washington Winemakers was the guest of honor. The Washington Winemakers is an informal group of amateur winemakers resident in the greater Washington DC area who occasionally get together to order grapes and supplies, to socialize and exchange ideas and information on winemaking, to organize wine tasting events, and to visit local wineries. Visit the winemakers website at: www.washingtonwinemakers.org. 
Italian American, Thomas J. Perrelli, a former partner at the law firm of Jenner & Block was sworn in as Associate Attorney General, the number 3 post at the U.S. Department of Justice, on March 13, 2009. The last Italian American to hold the post was Rudy Giuliani, who was appointed Associate Attroney General in 1981, by President Ronald Reagan. [09.03.14]
emorial, to commemorate the assassination of Giuseppe "Joe" Petrosino, James Di Santis, Executive Director of the National Italian American Foundation, said that it was important to recall the story of Lt. Petrosino because "too many journalists still feel comfortable in drawing associations between Italian Americans and organized crime. " 
will be commemorated at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on March 12, 2009, at 12:00 Noon. (
Virginia Hammerness, the heiress to A.P. Giannini's family fortune, was recently interviewed by a San Francisco TV station. She said that she had little doubt that Giannini was "rolling over in his grave." 
statement, Secretary Clinton said she was "pleased to welcome the Italian foreign minister. It’s always good to see our friends from Italy – reliable partners and leaders on so many important issues." Minister Frattini gave the full commitment of the Italian Government, "to work completely and very closely with the United States on international issues that are of common interest, ranging from Afghanistan and Pakistan, to Middle East, nonproliferation, and of course, strengthening Euro-Atlantic ties." 
t 35th Summit on the Sardinian island of La Maddalena from July 8-10. Frattini readily acknowledged, that, "as President of the G8, Italy has inherited a difficult and demanding challenge," giving the worsening of the global economic scenario..
Mr. Frattini also outlined the five priorities that Italy would like the G-8 to be focus upon, namely: (1) the financial and economic crisis; (2) climate change and energy security; (3) non-proliferation and terrorism; (4) development and Africa; (5) the regional crises, with particular reference to Afghanistan. 
Futurism at 100, February 13–April 6, 2009, at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York City. "The first Futurist Manifesto, published in 1909 by poet and writer F. T. Marinetti, proclaimed a burning desire—fueled by industry, war, and the machine—to race into the future. Italian Futurists followed suit by calling for a new aesthetic language appropriate for these modern times. On the one hundredth anniversary of Futurism's founding, this exhibition explores the movement's aesthetic and political concerns with a display of books, manifestos, periodicals, and handwritten correspondence by Futurist artists." 
Princeton's University Professor, Pietro Frassica, presented La Cucina Futurista, his anastatic reprint of Marinetti and Fillìa volume, to a capacity crowd at the auditorium of the Italian Embassy in Washington, DC. The Italian Cultural Institute sponsored the event on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Italian Futurismo. 
also celebrate the contributions of the Piccirilli Brothers--the Italian Americans who carved the renowned Lincoln statue located at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The one hundred and seventy-five-ton statue, stands 19 feet tall and 19 feet wide, and was carved by the Piccirilli Brothers in a studio in the Bronx from 28 blocks of white Georgia marble. Daniel Chester French is the sculptor of record. 
Emmy Award-winning television series “Christina Cooks,” who has been described as the woman “who put the fun back into healthy cooking,” was in Washington, D.C. on February 15, 2009, sharing her healthy Mediterranean cooking at the Washington D.C. International Wine & Food Festival. Also present at the Festival were Villa Banfi, Domenico Winery, and the Vignaioli selection. 
he Abbruzzo and Molise Society of the Washington, D.C. Area, welcomed Hon. Michele Iorio, President of the Molise Region at Casa Italiana. at a special dinner in his honor. 
ident and Chairman of the PMA Group at its Annual Past Presidents' Night. General Pace received the Special Achievement Award for Public Service, Deputy Mayor Tangherlini was honored ar the Man of the Year, and Magliocchetti received the Special Achievement Award in Business. 
ve of the passing of Cardinal Pio Laghi, first Papal Nuncio to Washington until he was called back to Rome in 1990, a timely new book by Massimo Franco has just been released in the United States: Parallel Empires, The Vatican and the United States. Two centuries of Alliance and Conflict. On January 21, the author, joined by a distinguished panel of diplomats and experts, presented his book at the Italian Cultural Institute, Italian Embassy in Washington, D.C. <
“Io ero, quell’inverno, in preda ad astratti furori. Non dirò quali, non di questo mi sono messo a raccontare. Ma bisogna dica che ch’erano astratti, non eroici, non vivi; furori, i qualche modo, per il genere umano perduto. Da molto tempo questo, ed ero a capo chino.vedevo manifesti di giornali squillanti e chinavo il capo; vedevo amici, per un’ora, due ore, e stavo con loro senza dire una parola, chinavo il capo; e avevo una ragazza o moglie che mi aspettava ma neanche con lei dicevo una parola, anche con lei chinavo il capo. Pioveva intanto e passavano i giorni, i mesi, e io avevo le scarpe rotte, l’acqua che mi entrava nelle scarpe, e non vi era più altro che questo: pioggia, massacri sui manifesti dei giornali, e acqua nelle mie scarpe rotte, muti amici, la vita in me come un sordo sogno, e non speranza, quiete..... 
Minister Franco Frattini, Speaking at Brookings, 
reception in the U.S. Capitol Building. The event was hosted by the National Italian American Foundation and the Italian Embassy. 
