The Essence Of Italian Olive Oils
Everyone knows that there is no such thing as Italian food; instead we speak of the cuisine of a specific region, such as Piedmont, Tuscany, Sicily, Veneto and every one of the other regions of the country, 20 in all. Yet, when the conversation turns to Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), most of the attention is focused on only one region - Tuscany. Li...
Will the Creation of a Historic District in San Francisco Hold Back New Housing?
At a “Historical Housing Tour” on April 9, Jane Natoli walked attendees through the proposed historic district and pointed out the empty or damaged structures. She started at a burned-out apartment building on Union Street and Columbus Avenue. From there she took her audience to see a dilapidated storefront—an auto shop in a parking garage with bus...
Naples is having a moment – and it's about more than soccer
There are moments in a city’s life when events align in ways that are both symbolic and tangible. For Naples, 2025 has become such a year. The southern Italian city, often defined by its contradictions – ancient yet restless, beautiful yet chaotic – is experiencing a period of renewed attention and momentum. From celebrating 2,500 years since its...
Italy names Marco Peronaci as next Ambassador to the United States
The Italian government has tapped veteran diplomat Marco Peronaci to serve as the country's next ambassador to the United States. Currently Italy’s Permanent Representative to NATO in Brussels, Peronaci will relocate to Washington at a pivotal moment for transatlantic relations. He will take over from Mariangela Zappia, who is set to conclude her t...
Italy welcomes its 25th National Park: the Matese becomes a protected area
Italy has officially established its 25th national park. After years of anticipation and debate, the Matese National Park is now a reality. The timing is no coincidence—it reflects the deeper meaning behind this decision: to safeguard a vast green landscape by recognizing its immense ecological, scenic, and cultural value. The park covers over 880...
Italian startup scene sees major rebound in early 2025
The first half of 2025 marked a turning point for Italy’s startup ecosystem, which has shown strong signs of revival thanks to a notable surge in funding. Between January and June, startups across the country raised a total of €353.4 million through 99 funding rounds—representing a 38.9% increase in capital raised compared to the same period in 202...
Music and magic: Festival Napa Valley returns featuring 200 Artists, Ennio Morricone tribute, and Italian conductor Clelia Cafiero
More than just a program for music lovers, Festival Napa Valley - presented by the nonprofit Napa Valley Festival Association—always offers a showcase of talent, and this year is no exception. The 2025 summer season will feature international and emerging artists, including Jon Batiste, Joyce DiDonato, and Tiler Peck, with the North American debut...
Vicenza: a month of events celebrating the United States ahead of the ITALIA-AMERICA Friendship Festival
From June 10 to July 15, Vicenza will host five events focused on American culture and the migration stories of the late 19th century, when people from the Vicenza area moved to the United States. The program includes talks, book presentations, and film screenings with the participation of authors, held at Palazzo Trissino and the Monte di Pietà Fo...
The Italian American Alliance organizes opposition to Massachusetts anti-Columbus Day bills
On Wednesday, June 4th, the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight held a hearing at the Massachusetts State House to consider two bills: H3292, by Representative Christine Barber (D–Somerville), and S2113, by Senator Joanne Comerford (D–Northampton). If passed, these bills would replace Columbus Day with Indigenous People...
Vermont Italian Cultural Association Scholarships and Grants Committee Announces 2025 Recipients
Each year the Vermont Italian Cultural Association awards up to three grants to individuals seeking to broaden their knowledge of Italian culture. In 2024, VICA named one of these grants to honor retired Senator Patrick Leahy, whose maternal grandparents immigrated to Vermont from the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of Italy. The Leahys have been VICA...
Sport, Study, and Identity: The Rise of Rome City Institute
Rome is a city where past and present often meet at strange angles: a tram line running past an aqueduct, teenagers skating beneath imperial columns, a university class held in a building older than most countries. It’s also a city where global education is quietly evolving. One example of this shift is Rome City Institute (RCI)—a relatively new pl...
Nevada Governor Vetoes Anti-Italian Bill Draft Request
This past week, Nevada Governor Joseph Lombardo vetoed Bill Draft Request 19-7 - a provision which would have led to the formal recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day on Columbus Day. While the Commission for Social Justice is in full support of recognizing our Native American friends, we do not believe that recognition should come at the expense of...