The Lt. Joseph Petrosino Lodge of Little Italy(OSIA) and IAWA - The Italian American Writers Association
are joining forces to host the "Sagra del Libro" (Italian-American Book Festival) that kicks off IAWA's year-long 25th Anniversary Celebrations. 

WHEN: Friday, February 26, 2016 from 6 to 10 pm. WHERE: Lodge Hall at 113 Baxter Street in Manhattan's Little Italy. COST: Free admission; $5 donation for authors selling books. WHAT: In past years on a Sunday in May most bookstores remained open in Italy to support and promote its writers. This initiative was called "Celebrazione dei Libri" (Celebration of Books). Our Sagra del Libro continues in the spirit of that movement by celebrating our Italian-American literary culture. The night will be enhanced with entertainment, readings by participating authors including American Book Award winner Maria Mazziotti Gillan.

All authors, publishers, literary event organizers and artists are invited to display promotional materials and sell their published books and services at the event. There is a donation of $5.00 to reserve a spot. Tables will be set up for the display of books and promotional materials, and authors will be available to speak with attendees and sign books. Also lively presentations or readings by the authors will make for a fascinating evening of celebrating our Italian-American writers.

HOW: Contact Bob Agnoli Rdiangelica@aol.com or Gil Fagiani at fagianella@aol.com to reserve a spot. Payment in advance by check should be made out to the Lt. Joseph Petrosino Lodge and

mailed to Mr. Robert Agnoli, 175 Pinehurst Avenue #1F, New York, NY 10033. 

ABOUT The Lt. Joseph Petrosino Lodge #285: was formed by John Fratta and Robert Fonti in February 1999, and is the only remaining OSIA lodge in Manhattan. The Order Sons of Italy itself was formed in 1905 in the very same neighborhood. The Lodge is named after Lt. Giuseppe (Joe) Petrosino (1860-1909), the first Italian-American Police Lieutenant of the New York City Police Department. The Petrosino Lodge, whose current President is William Bray, produces and supports many charitable, cultural and social events throughout the year, raises funds for cancer research, Cooley's Anemia, Autism and other causes, and most recently hosted a Christmas party for the children of the Henry Street Settlement House. Emelise Aleandri was a former president of the Lodge.

ABOUT: IAWA was founded in 1991 to promote Italian-American literature by encouraging the writing, reading, publication, distribution, translation, and study of Italian-American writing and to give Italian-American writers a public forum where the full range of Italian-American expression could find a hearing. IAWA has nurtured the growth of a genuine community of Italian-American readers and writers. Prof. Robert Viscusi, Broeklundian Professor and Executive Officer of the Wolfe Institute for the Humanities at Brooklyn College, is President and Founder of IAWA. Last year he served on the OSIA Grand Lodge Literary Award Committee, chaired by recently deceased Past President Emelise Aleandri.

The Sagra Book Festival Committee is chaired by Robert Agnoli for the Petrosino Lodge and co-chaired by IAWA board member Gil Fagiani who is also a co-founder of the Vito Marcantonio Forum. The Committee also includes Bill Castleberry, Leslie Donofrio, Angel Marinaccio and Chris Thornton. We look forward to welcoming you to an enjoyable Italian-American cultural celebration.