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With so many possible ways to visit Venice, we decided to take you for a tour that runs against conventional views of the city.

Jeff Capaccio’s passion for Italy and Italian American heritage was astounding,” said NIAF Chairman Patricia de Stacy Harrison. “His tireless effort to promote Italian and Italian Americans in hi-tech and innovation truly empowered exceptional leadership in our community and was of extraordinary value to our Board of Directors. The NIAF family is deeply saddened by this untimely loss. He will always be admired and remembered.”

We do not meet on the island where we were born, the island that after thirty-seven years in the United States I still call home, the island of her music. We do not meet at a bar on the lungomare of my hometown of Gela or in Aci Castello, another place in Sicily I call home, or in her native Enna, the navel of Sicily. Instead, we meet on Zoom, the salotto of COVID times: 4:00 in the afternoon for her, 10:00 in the morning for me. Women, the women who are no longer with us, bridge the time/space divide. They are the women she calls “dark fallen comets” in her song “No Name,” a mournful chant for the Triangle workers, twenty-four of them fellow women islanders, Sicilians who left the island at the beginning of the twentieth century for the mythical “Merica,” only to find death in the fire that burned the Triangle Waist Company in New York City on March 25, 1911.

The Eternal City has been a source of inspiration for artists of all times. On March 11th, join for a one-of-a-kind historical, artistic, and emotional virtual tour of Rome as seen through the creations of Bulgari

On March 8, people across the world will honor the achievements of women and continue to fight for gender equality.

Few cities in Italy or the world possess a patrimony as extraordinary as Naples. Our recommended travel itinerary approaches this marvelous city from three different angles, starting with Naples’ scenic side, as beautiful today as it was ages ago, when 16th Century travelers on the Grand Tour arrived seeking beauty and gradeur. Next up is the rich, majestic Naples, capital of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies, known for its monuments and squares, its culture and truly popular side streets. Finally, we’ll introduce you to a hidden Naples, which has existed underground for centuries. This may be the most mysterious and spectacular side of Naples, spanning two millennia and conti- nuing to look to the future: from catacombs to under- ground art, with the most beautiful train stations in Europe designed by 14 “archi-stars” and adorned with 200 works of art by over ninety artists.

DR. ANTHONY S. FAUCI SCHOLARSHIP – CREATED FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS IN MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS – NOW ACCEPTING APPLICANTS. Columbus Citizens Foundation to award the first $25,000 Annual Scholarship to Italian American Students Who Exemplify the Values and Determination of Dr. Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Chief Medical Advisor to President Joe Biden

What a wonderful surprise to discover that the legend of St. Valentine is not limited to romantic love.

This is a difficult year for Carnival parties all over the world. But let's dream together next year.. In the United States when we think of Mardi Gras we think New Orleans with floats, fried food, and colorful plastic beaded necklaces. In Italy, Martedì Grasso means Venice's Carnivale, complete with ornate masks, theatric performances, and a parade through Piazza San Marco.

Let's Make Cannoli from Scratch! Join Alison Scola online from her kitchen to yours, when together, you will make cannoli. She will teach you how to bake this beloved pastry from scratch: the cream and the shells -- and you'll learn insider, expert tips too! - Sunday, February 7, 12 Noon to 2PM (Eastern) - Online on Zoom

January 27, 2021 will mark twenty years since the first commemoration of Giorno della Memoria (Holocaust Remembrance Day) in Italy. In New York, each year, the Consulate General of Italy has held the ceremony of the reading of the names of the Jews deported from Italy and the Italian territories. This year, due to the pandemic, there will not be the usual events in person but you can virtually participate many initiatives during the day organized by the Italian Consulate in New York with Centro Primo Levi, the Italian Cultural Institute, NYU Casa Italiana Zerilli Marimò, the Calandra Italian American Institute at CUNY, the Italian Academy at Columbia University, and the Scuola d’Italia Guglielmo Marconi.

Carnival this year ends on Shrove Tuesday, February 16th. It is very early this year. Of course, due to the pandemic, there are no celebrations in Italy. The party is practically postponed to 2022, but we want to publish a list of events usually taking place in Italy anyway. It is a way to dream and overcome this period.

Rich in environmental, cultural, and gastronomic diversity, Italy’s greenest region offers tourists unforgettable experiences. 

On January 6th, children and adults across Italy celebrate the epiphany by stuffing their stockings (and their faces) with various sweet treats, supposedly gifts from “La Befana,” a mythical old lady who comes down the chimney to bring candy to those who have been good and coal to those who misbehaved. But sometimes what looks like a punishment can reveal to be a tasty treat in disguise. That’s exactly the case with “carbone dolce” or sweet coal, for which you will find a recipe below.

The old good witch who brings candies and coal to the Italian children. Its origin and multifarious celebrations. January 6 is approaching so don't forget to hang up your stockings.

Dal Palazzo del Quirinale di Roma, il discorso di fine anno del Presidente della Repubblica Sergio Mattarella

Italians are a fairly superstitious people, especially when the new year comes around. Here are some seasonal traditions, beliefs and superstitions from across the country, ranging from the most common, such as eating lentils and wearing red, to rather unusual ones. It is a terrible year because of the pandemic but certainly while respecting the rules the Italians will try to keep some traditions, the possible ones

Postwar Christmas in America. Memories of a nine-year-old boy raised in a household of Italian immigrants in New York. A Christmas story that Professor Robert Viscusi generously offered us for publication years ago. We propose it again in this difficult Christmas also as a tribute to Bob’s memory, who sadly left us a few months ago. Thanks Bob, and buona lettura to you all.

Every year in the U.S., many people celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. Although it is unclear when the dinner became so popular, this celebration is considered one of the most Italian traditions. Typically, the family gathers around a feast of seven different seafood dishes or one or two different types of fish prepared in seven different ways.

The Neapolitan nativity is The Word made flesh, wedded to the myths, fables, stories and splendors of a culture that continues to preserve the past. And the Neapolitan nativity, now as then, goes beyond religion. Thanks to this identification of our day-to-day lives with God, the sacred and profane, the past and present, history and legend fuse together.

Each Italian region has its own Christmas specialties: fresh filled pastas, like tortellini and ravioli, the capon, or seafood cooked in different styles, and many savory and sweet pies. Christmas desserts are very important and range from the ubiquitous Panettone and Pandoro, to the Struffoli, Torrone, Panforte, Mustazzoli and many more.

The nativity scene, in Italian called presepe, represents the scene of the birth of Jesus Christ and is one of the main traditional Christmas decorations in Italy. In almost every church and in many homes there is a presepe. It is usually prepared on December 8, the day of the feast of the Immaculate Conception and is displayed for about one month. Many cricitics this year at the crib in the Vatican from Castelli in Abruzzo, with Joseph and Mary and the other characters, in the shape of a torpedo

The authentic Italian culinary destination safely opened their very first Texas location in NorthPark Center

In Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities the French Doctor Manette, after spending 18-years in La Bastille in City # 1 (Paris) is released to live in City # 2 (London) with his daughter Lucie, whom he had never met. The story is used to warn the readers about the terrible conditions that led to the bloody French Revolution, and the even bloodier Reign of Terror. A similar, perhaps slightly less bloody, Tale is reflected in the inglorious record of New York City Mayors that has been a progression of mostly more, and less unflattering comparisons.

Exactly 100 years after women gained the right to vote, we will finally have a woman in the second highest office in the land. And as a woman of color and the daughter of immigrant parents, Kamala Harris crashes through two other glass ceilings. Her mother was born in India and her father was born in Jamaica.

Italian art never stops in New York. "Unrelenting", by Italian artist Francesco Simeti, projected onto the walls of the Italian Consulate in NYC. This is a Magazzino Italian Art's project created during the pandemic

The 100per100 talks are back to understand what the future of Made in Italy will be in the world

This fall, while traveling is not an option and movie theaters continue to be closed in many areas, American audiences can take a dip into Italy’s culture and atmosphere from the comfort of their couch. Italian movies are coming online. The 30th edition of New Italian Cinema Events USA (N.I.C.E.) will take place in New York, from November 14th to November 21st and in Philadelphia, from November 29th to December 6th. A curated selection of 11 recent movies not yet released in the U.S. will be available to the public on Eventive.org for this landmark cinema festival, offering a thorough exploration of the richness of contemporary Italian cinematography through renowned authors as well as new talents.

On November 12th 2020 The Gilda’s Club NYC will host their annual gala, honoring Giovanni Caforio (M.D. Bristol Myers Squibb) and Emma Stone (Actress and Gilda’s Club NYC Ambassador), virtually. To support this year Gilda’s Club NYC fundraising, Remembering Marco will participate to the virtual auction launched on November 5th 2020 with The Yellow Cab Project. The Yellow Cab Project is part of the activities of Remembering Marco, a charity initiative started by Annalisa Menin in 2013 to raise funds in her husband, Marco Omiccioli, memory.

BOOK. Can Inheritance Be Transcended by Accidents of Love? Luca Taviano and Rabbi Joseph Neiman: Two Stangers of Different Faiths United by a Hope and a Secret. An interview with David Biro, author of "This Magnificent Dappled Sea"

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) , the largest and most loyal representative of the more than 20 million Italian American citizens living in the United States, congratulates Dr. Jill Biden as she is set to become the first Italian American First Lady. “Dr. Biden’s strong connection to her Italian American heritage and dedication to education aligns with NIAF’s mission,” said NIAF Chairman The Honorable Patricia de Stacy Harrison. “Education is at the Foundation’s core as we provide scholarships and grants to empower high achieving students to further their education in all fields. We send our congratulations to the First Lady designate.”

“This is not who we are,” Biden, Harris, and many others insisted during the campaign. Yet we must acknowledge the fact that 70,000,000 Americans voted for Trump. The candidate and President understood his supporters all too well. “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot some people and I wouldn’t lose voters.”

A series of online discussions about Fellini and his films, facts, and fantasy. The series will highlight Fellini, the man and his legacy, including clips from some of his most famous films: La Strada, Notte di Cabiria, I Vitelloni, La Dolce Vita, 8 1/2, and Amarcord.

These are times of pandemic, everything changes. Even these days dedicated to Halloween and other traditions in Italy as in the world. Everything will be different but we need to remember our traditions to continue as soon as everything is over. In all the Italian regions in the days between October 31st and the day of Saint Martin (November 11th) is custom to celebrate the juxtaposition of life and death with numerous events

“Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita,/ mi ritrovai in una selva oscura (Midway upon the journey of our life,/ I found myself within a dark forest).” This powerful beginning could be enough to fall in love with the Italian language. With its musicality, its verbal intelligence, its expressive force...

Events organized by the Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles, under the auspices of the Consulates General in Los Angeles and Houston

Italian Between Word and Image: Graffiti, Illustrations, Comic Books is the theme for the XX Week of the Italian Language in the World (October 19-25, 2020), a theme that can be developed both in a socio-linguistic key and by emphasizing expressive forms such as comics books, graphic novels and children’s books. “La Settimana della Lingua Italiana nel mondo”, ormai alla sua XX edizione, è divenuta nel tempo una delle più importanti iniziative di celebrazione della lingua italiana. Gli eventi e le attività previsti verteranno su forme espressive per valorizzare la lingua italiana attraverso l’immagine, con particolare attenzione al fumetto, la novella grafica e più in generale alla filiera dell’editoria per l’infanzia e l’adolescenza. Sotto l’Alto Patronato del Presidente della Repubblica, quest’anno si svolge dal 19 al 25 ottobre 2020. E’ organizzata dal Ministero degli Esteri e la Cooperazione Internazionale, dalla rete diplomatico-consolare e dagli Istituti Italiani di Cultura in collaborazione con il Ministero dei Beni Culturali e il Turismo, il Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione e Università e dai principali partner della promozione linguistica nel mondo (Accademia della Crusca, Società Dante Alighieri, RAI) e dall’Ambasciata della Confederazione Elvetica.

If you met my grandmother, “Nana Rose”, chances are you can share a story about the experience. Chances are, she talked about you, too. My Nana had a “personality”, for sure. She appreciated personality in those she interacted with and was dismayed by the lack thereof. Of utmost importance to her was whether her partner in a moment could hold a conversation, keep her entertained, or make her laugh. That one was important. A laugh changed her life; I’ll save that story for another time.

In celebration of International United Nations Day, experience a virtual concert at Teatro alla Scala with special guest Roberto Bolle! Let's come together to reimagine, rebalance, and restart this Thursday at 12:00 PM EDT. The UN Day Concert performance will be streaming LIVE on: UN Web TV (webtv.un.org), the UN Channel on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Stay tuned!

Italy as a haven of gay liberty: a grand tour with Oscar Wilde, featuring previously unseen photographs and archival materials. Oscar Wilde's Italian Dream 1875-1900 by Renato Miracco, Philip Kennicott