From the legacy of Christopher Columbus to the story of spaghetti with tomato sauce. From a bold literary dialogue between Homer, Hemingway, and Rigoni Stern, to a visual journey through Venetian and American landscape painting. From Palladio’s architectural influence on Thomas Jefferson to the rise of hip hop and its impact on Italian music.

And also: wine, cuisine, sports, fashion, economics—and before all that, the vital years of the postwar reconstruction. Add in a tribute to the legendary soundtracks of Ennio Morricone, and the story of a man from Vicenza who helped invent the future in the United States.

These are just some of the topics at the heart of the first edition of the Italia-America Friendship Festival, taking place in Vicenza from September 12 to 14, 2025. With more than 30 events—including talks, lectures, performances, concerts, tastings, sports activities, and masterclasses—the festival will explore the deep and ongoing ties between Italian and American culture, with a special focus on the Italian American experience.

Featured guests include renowned authors, scholars, and innovators such as Alessandro Vanoli, Massimo Montanari, Marco Follini, Matteo Nucci, Paolo Massobrio, Giovanni Villa, Andy Luotto, Federico Faggin, and singer Nicol. The multidisciplinary program celebrates centuries of shared history, migration, artistic exchange, culinary traditions, sports, social progress, and economic collaboration between the two countries.

“In times of global tension,” says festival founder and artistic director Jacopo Bulgarini d’Elci, “culture has a responsibility to build bridges and keep dialogue, understanding, and connection between people alive.”

One of the festival’s goals is to promote the Vicenza area in the United States by highlighting existing connections. Vicenza is home to the largest American community in Italy and is the cradle of Palladian architecture—which inspired iconic American landmarks like the White House and the U.S. Capitol.

The Basilica Palladiana will serve as the central hub for the three-day festival, while other events will take place at the Palladio Museum, Teatro Comunale, Biblioteca Internazionale La Vigna, Palazzo Bonin Longare, and various sports and outdoor venues.

Thanks to generous sponsors, all festival events are free of charge (except for the Morricone concert and wine masterclasses). Reservations will open by the end of July, with details to follow.

Culture, history, and the arts

The festival’s core programming spans history, literature, music, architecture, and visual art, all centered around Italian-American connections.

Historian and writer Alessandro Vanoli will present Christopher Columbus and the Idea of America. Former Deputy Prime Minister Marco Follini will discuss his new book Beneficio d’inventario (published by Neri Pozza, a festival partner). Giovanni Villa, director of Palazzo Madama in Turin, will explore landscape painting from Bellini to the Hudson River School. Award-winning author Matteo Nucci will lead a talk on War and Compassion: What It Means to Be Human – Homer, Hemingway, Rigoni Stern.

Other literary offerings include Daniele Pasquini’s novel Wild West, and Sabine Schultz’s discussion of Neri Pozza and American Literature.

The music of Ennio Morricone will take center stage in a special performance by the Filarmonia Veneta Orchestra at the Teatro Comunale (ticketed event). Italian singer Nicol will reflect on the influence of American music in Italy. Palladian architecture will be explored through lectures and workshops at the Palladio Museum with experts Fernando Rigon Forte and Federico Marcomini, along with a Silent Play performance by La Piccionaia. Vicenza-based actors Patricia Zanco and Livio Pacella will read excerpts from Italian and American literature.

Food and wine

Foodies can enjoy tastings, cooking demos, and masterclasses that trace the fusion of Italian and American culinary traditions, with special attention to Vicenza’s local excellence, thanks to partnerships with local wine consortia.

Highlights include Wine Dialogues and masterclasses (ticketed) led by food writer and sommelier Paolo Massobrio, one of Italy’s most respected voices in the world of gastronomy. Beloved actor and chef Andy Luotto will host a live interview and cooking show. Culinary historian Massimo Montanari will offer a talk titled A Short History of Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce. Amedeo Sandri and Maurizio Falloppi, in collaboration with Biblioteca La Vigna, will present Stories of Vicenza’s Culinary Heritage.

Sports

Sports programming will feature friendly matches and activities for children and teens, introducing them to lesser-known American sports—an especially timely opportunity ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Events include a Flag Football tournament on September 6 as part of the pre-festival programming, and friendly baseball and softball games on September 13 at Vicenza’s Baseball Stadium.

Conversations on economy, society, landscape, fashion, and lifestyle

Roundtables, interviews, and lectures will explore how Italy and America compare and connect in key sectors.

Topics in business and trade will be discussed by Barbara Beltrame Giacomello (President of Confindustria Vicenza), former U.S. Ambassador Armando Varricchio, and Enrico Marchi (President of Gruppo Save), in a panel hosted at Palazzo Bonin Longare. Professor Romano Cappellari (University of Padua) will give talks on American Lessons for Made in Italy, covering fashion, food, and sports. Landscape designers Valerio Morabito, Sara Gangemi, and Claudio Bertorelli will compare American and Italian landscapes. Umberto Mucci (We the Italians) will share fascinating stories of Italian American innovation.

A local legend in america: Federico Faggin

The remarkable life of Federico Faggin, the Vicenza-born inventor of the world’s first commercial microprocessor and recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Obama in 2010, will be featured in a public interview.

Organizers and partners

The Italia-America Friendship Festival is promoted by the City of Vicenza, the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), the U.S. Consulate in Italy, and the Vicentini nel Mondo association, under the patronage of the Veneto Region.

It is organized by the Fondazione Teatro Comunale di Vicenza, with artistic and project direction by Jacopo Bulgarini d’Elci.

“A heartfelt thank you,” says Bulgarini d’Elci, “goes to our partners and sponsors. Their generous support has covered all the festival’s costs, allowing us to offer nearly every event free of charge.”

Current partners include: MTI – Medical Tourism Italy, Confindustria Vicenza, Gruppo Save, Polo Marconi, Gruppo ICM, FITT, Azimut, and Zamperla.

More details at: www.italiamericafestival.it