In the charming setting of the Chicago History Museum, the Italian community in Chicago and the Midwest celebrated the 79th anniversary of the Italian Republic with Consul General of Italy in Chicago, Mario Alberto Bartoli, and the representatives of “Sistema Italia” (Italian Institute of Culture, Italian Trade Agency, Italian National Tourist Board, Italian American Chamber of Commerce Chicago Midwest.

Many thanks to Sen. Francesca La Marca and Hon. Di Sanzo for their participation, and to the Hon. Natalie Manley for representing the Illinois Caucus of Italian-American Members of the Illinois Parliamentary Assembly. Our special appreciation goes to the Mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, and the Attorney General of the State of Illinois, Kwame Raoul, for their proclamations on Italian Republic Day.

Congratulations to Georgia K Marsh and Michelle Nicole Durpetti, recipients of the honour of Cavaliere dell'Ordine della Stella d'Italia.

In a beautiful “piazza italiana”, made even more pleasant by a bright and warm evening - not to be taken for granted in this wonderful corner of the Midwest - Italian and Italian-American friends and guests from Chicago's consular, economic, cultural and scientific communities mingled and cruised along the stations offering the excellences of our country's food and wine tradition, while DJ Tommaso Conforti spun Italo-disco rhythms as a tribute to the Italian musical contribution in the formation of Chicago's house music!

All this would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors, whom we sincerely thank for being our partners in this splendid evening of celebration of Italy and the Italians!