Articles by: Giulia Madron

Another great success for the second annual edition of the Gala Benefit organized by La Fondazione NY. The event, La Notte 2013, took place on November 4, 2013, at The Morgan Library & Museum of New York. This exquisit initiative and fundraising event was aimed to promote La Fondazione’s mission of supporting young Italian and American talents through several projects with the objective of creating a cultural bridge between Italy and the US.

Throughout the year, which was also dedicated to the celebration of the Italian culture in the US, La Fondazione was able to finance and promote many initiatives which gave the possibility to young talents of both countries to advance in their career by taking it abroad and integrating within a different culture. Among the initiatives: The Gotham Prize 2013, the Top Young Industrial Designers Prize, the Young Italian Filmmakers Prize 2013 and the ISNAFF Award for the Humanities.

On the occasion of this edition of the Gala Benefit, La Fondazione NY invited two prominent personalities: John Elkann, Chairman of FIAT and the famous architect Richard Meier. Furthermore, La Fondazione assigned the Excellence in Business Award to Claudio Del Vecchio, Chairman of Brooks Brothers Group and the 2013 Award for Excellence in Finance to Alberto Cribiore, Vice Chairman ICG Citigroup.

Among the guests, present was also Piero Fassino, Mayor of Turin, and a delightful speach was given by Michael Bloomberg, the Mayor of New York, whom unfortunately was too busy to hobnob for the whole evening.

Before the gala, The Morgan Library & Museum hosted a press conference, introducing to the media the goals and the future objectives of La Fondazione NY. The conference was attended by the President of La Fondazione, Mr. Massimo Vignelli, the Director of the Italian Cultural Institute and Founder of La Fondazione, Riccardo Viale, the Honoree and President of FIAT John Elkann and the two award winners Claudio Del Vecchio, CEO of Brooks Brothers, and Alberto Cribiore, Vice Chairman of ICG Citigroup.

“La Fondazione was born from the desire to present to the world young Italian and American talents, guaranteeing them an incredible experience that goes beyond their academic knowledge. In particular the exhibition of the young Italian designers confirmed what these initiatives mean. And we just begun. In the future we will be promoting more projects and we will widen our horizons in terms of cultural exchange between Italy and the United States,” said Massimo Vignelli, renown designer and President of La Fondazione.

“With this event we want to highlight the importance of La Fondazione’s mission of becoming an instrument to build relationships between the US and Italy on a cultural basis,” commented Riccardo Viale, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute and Founder of La Fondazione NY.

“This year we focused on cinema, design and human sciences. Next year we want to promote literature and graphic design,” he added.

The objective of La Fondazione is to strengthen the relationships between Italy and the US. Supporting young talents abroad is also very important  for the Chairman of FIAT and Honoree of the Gala Benefit John Elkann.

“FIAT- Chrysler is an example of the good relation there is between Italy and the US. Tonight, FIAT invited twelve young Italian talents in different fields, from journalism to business and finance,” said Elkann.

Both of the awarded guests Claudio Del Vecchio and Alberto Cribiore said they were very proud to represent Italy at the Gala Benefit organized by La Fondazione. “Being part of every effort aimed to maintain the image of Italy in this delicate moment is something extremely important,” concluded Cribiore.

After the press conference, the Gala Benefit began. Everyone could leave their work behind and just enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of La Notte 2013. More than 300 guests attended the event at The Morgan Library & Museum, all exhibiting stunning outfits, especially the ladies.

The Gala Benefit 2013 offered a very special occasion for people to come together and enjoy a wonderful evening. Indeed, the program of La Notte 2013 had a lot of surprises for its attendants. All the guests had private access to the wonderful exhibition of Leonardo Da Vinci’s drawings from the Biblioteca Reale di Torino. Moreover, before the Gala dinner, hosted in the Gilbert Court, the museum’s wing recently designed by the famous architect Renzo Piano, the worldwide renowned violinist Robert McDuffie delighted the audience with an outstanding performance of Vivaldi, Philip Glass and other musical pieces. During the Gala dinner, the two Honorees and the two 2013 awarded winners were presented to the audience through a short video produced by i-Italy TV, in which they briefly talked about their stories and their love for Italy and for Italian culture. Then, La Fondazione proceeded handing out the awards.

Last but not least, when the guests were ready to leave a special gift was waiting for them near the door. A bag by Bvlgari, which included one of their newest fragrances for women. There was a special surprise for one of the Honorees as well. When John Elkann walked out of The Morgan Library, a FIAT 500 car was parked outside the door. Not an ordinary one. The new i-Italy FIAT 500 car, sponsored by Colavita and Baci Perugina and designed by the master of the house of La Fondazione Mr. Massimo Vignelli. A couple of pictures with this little Italian jewel were taken and everyone headed back home looking forward to the next wonderful Notte of La Fondazione NY, that couldn’t have ended better this year dedicated to Italy and its beautiful culture.

He is American but we could say he is more Italian than Italians themselves. Fred Plotkin, an expert in Italian culture, especially food, wine and opera, in occasion of the celebration of the month dedicated to the Marche region in New York, made our mind travel back to this wonderful Italian territory and experience Marche’s history, tradition, culture, food, architecture and music. On Thursday evening, at La Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò he delighted us with a speech about Marche revealing the best kept secrets about this region and its people, from the past until today.

From food to wine, from Rossini to Pavarotti, Plotkin seduced the participants with details, stories and personal experiences in such a wonderful region. The event, entitled Marche, Food and Opera: A Love Story with Fred Plotkin, ended with a special tasting of food and wine typical of the Marche region. After serving ourselves from the attractive buffet, we asked Mr. Plotkin to answer a couple of questions about what is special for him about Marche and in general about one of the loves of his life: Italy.   
 
“The fact that this is a small region, with only about a million people, and inaccessible to many people, means that it has preserved many of the best qualities of what everyone loves about Italy,” said Plotkin. “It’s modern, but it also feels like once upon a time. You go out for the passeggiata, the cafes are beautiful, the food is not troubled by fancy alta cucina but is just delicious genuine food that comes from three kilometers away. So, the freshness of the food is unlike anything you find in other places.” While showing us his book about Italy, its regions with their own traditions and many other curiosities, you could feel his passion in the words used to talk about Italy. “I love almost everything Italian,” says Plotkin.

“There is a logic about Italy that is thousands of years old. And Italians, some of them, know the logic, but they don’t analyze it. I understand the logic and that’s what drove me to Italy.” According to such an amazing Italian expert, everything in Italy “is built on top of something else.” “Via Salaria is an explanation about how commerce happened, about how people moved from one place to another, how food customs developed, and throughout the entire country there is this logic, that is different from place to place but the foundation is the same.” However, says Plotkin, “I think Italy has been corrupted by Europeanization and Americanization. When they try to emulate things from outside the country, they corrupt the logic.” But, concludes, “I think even now we have more to learn from Italy than Italy has to learn from us. We need to better understand Italian logic to do things better.”

“Marche is Good.” This is the official name of the integrated project created by the Marche Region and Confindustria Marche to promote and bring to the United States this wonderful Italian territory with its best kept secrets. A whole month to discover the food, art and design of such amazing region.

On Tuesday, October 1, 2013, Eataly opened its door for the inauguration of the event attended by many guests, journalists and bloggers specialized in food and wine but also lifestyle and tourism. “We are very proud of introducing our Region in the United States,” said the Councillor of Culture Pietro Marcolini, greeting the guests who came at the event. “Our land,” he continued, “ is the land of Raffaello, Rossini and Dante Ferretti. All of them are included in the celebration of our territory here in New York.” Indeed, at the MoMa, there is a special exhibition dedicated to the famous designer Dante Ferretti. During the event, the guests were been spoiled with delicious dishes and wines typicals of the Marche Region. “A lot of work but we are having great satisfactions,” said Orietta Maria Varnelli, coordinator of the Marche is Good project. “We are very happy of having for one whole month the products of the Marche, which are unique especially here in New York where they never came until today,” said Dino Borri of Eataly.

At the School of Eataly, where the event was hosted, was also introduced the main divulgation tool of this project: a web portal showcasing not only the 36 wine and food products but also those people from the Marche who hit the United States being very “good” in several fields: food, fashion, design, politics and academics.

The same day, at the Italian Cultural Institute was exposed the statue of “Santa Caterina D’Alessandria,” a precious piece made by young Raffaello, that will remain at the Institute until October 28.

Afterwards, the launch of the Marche is Good project continued with a special event at the wonderful showroom of Scavolini in Soho. For the occasion, Scavolini, the leader Italian firm specialized in the design of kitchens and bathrooms, housed a special photo show realized by the photographer Francesco Tonelli, who, inspired by the recipes of the chef Fabio Trabocchi, decided to dedicate a special artistic creation, “Marchattan,” in which the food products were originally arranged to recreate the silouhette of the Manhattan Skyline. With so many Scavolini’s kitchens, food was something that could not miss.

An exquisite buffet of Marche’s specialties was offered to the guests who could not resist the smell of what was coming out from the kitchen. From Marche with love arrived also two authentic costumes from the Rossini Opera Festival, giving to the location a very striking atmosphere. Furthermore, the young singers of the Mannes School of Music, livened up the evening for, the joy of the numerous guests, interpreting the traditional music operas of Rossini and Pergolesi, also with a special homage to Verdi, in occasion of the bicentennial anniversary. Moreover, the French singer Nicole Renauld, equipped with a luminescent concertina, combined with high heels as much luminescent as the instrument, interpreted several pieces written by Italian authors, including those from the Marche Region.

This special music show took place under the careful attention of the Sferisterio’s Director Francesco Micheli, who will bring the opera also to the Guglielmo Marconi School, the New York University and in the prestigious Italian House Zerilli-Marimo’, which keeps alive the opera tradition in the US. 

A very full calendar of appointments throughout the whole month of October. There are a lot of events on this dense agenda aimed to value the culture, the traditions, the food and also the brands that made the Marche Region the special place it is today.
 
"Marche is good" website >>>

The Italian Consul General Natalia Quintavalle introduced briefly the Italian-American community in New York to Minister Bonino, sharing a few words about the Italian Institutions and organizations that represent the “successful integration of the Italians in this country, while preserving the Italian heritage and culture,” and that they are “the pillars of the Italian presence in New York.”  
 

Then, Ms. Quintavalle passed the ball to the permanent representative of Italy in the UnitedStates, Ambassador Claudio Bisognero, who introduced Minister Bonino: “It is a great honor and privilege to present our Minister of Foreign Affairs Emma Bonino to the Italian-American community here in New York,” said Amb. Bisognero. “Emma Bonino has a strong attachment to the United States and a very strong supporter of the Italian community abroad,” said the Ambassador. “She specifically asked me and the Consulate General to organize this event tonight with you,” he affirmed. “Actually your presence here is very important. I want to mention the great contribution that Italians gave for the development of this country, as well as the great contribution you give to the Italian system, that is the action that Italy is doing in the United States within every field: political, economical, commercial, cultural and also in the promotion of the Italian language,” said the Ambassador.

Mr. Bisognero then introduced Minister Bonino, who was welcomed with a big applause. The Minister opened her speech describing to the Italian-American community the special affection and attachment she has with the United States and in particular with New York. In fact, Minister Bonino is not new to this country. She came here at the age of 16 with a scholarship, and with a special recommendation from her dad: “Do not take the subway.”

After sharing this memory about her childhood, Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs began her talk confronting immediately the shutdown of the Consulate in Newark. “I know I caused for many of you a great displeasure,” said Ms. Bonino, “ so I want to explain this decision to you.” The Minister illustrated  briefly the situation Italy is currently going through. “Since 2006, the number of diplomats in Italy has been reduced by 10% and the number of diplomatic officials by 20%. Italy has half of the diplomats of Germany, France, and England.” Ms. Bonino  underscored that Italy is going through a really hard time and that “we need to rationalize our resources and for this reason we were forced to make this decision,” she affirmed. However, said Bonino, “ I guarantee that the services for the people will not fail. We will strengthen the New York Consulate developing several strategies.” Moreover, she continued: “We will have to ask you to be patient because there will be some inconveniences in order to offer services in other parts of the world, like China, which we do not cover now [?] and where there are many Italians like you.”    

Then Minister Bonino explained how important this week will be at the United Nations General Assembly. “The latest news about the 70 Christians killed in Pakistan, the massacre in Kenya, the situation in Sahal, makes us think there is a terrorist organization that might have changed its form, its initials, its location but certainly has not disappeared,” affirms Ms. Bonino. “This week we will also talk about Libia: we can’t allow such an instable nation to exist in front of us,” concluded the Minister.

Shifting the argument from foreign policy, Bonino said that during the series of meetings at the United Nations, she also intends to talk about Italy’s development and future projects. First, she mentioned the Expo of Milan 2015, saying that “for Italy, it is a great opportunity for an economic relaunch,” and hoping the US will decide to participate. “I know the decision will be made the first of October, and I really want to thank the Italian community in the US that really helped us in reaching this goal,” said Bonino. Second, Bonino talked about another important project called “Destinazione Italia (Destination Italy),” a project with the specific goal of making Italy become a more attractive country for both Italian and foreign investors. And this is possible by “simplifying the bureaucracy, operating on fiscal regimes, duration of action and procedures,” said Bonino.

The Minister concluded her speech restating the commitments and the efforts which Italy’s government is doing for the country, asking the Italian community in New York for all the support and the trust this administration needs. “We are at a very delicate moment,” affirmed Ms. Bonino, “ but we keep going forward with our program and our main purposes: to restore the economy and modernize the institutions.” And, she continued, “I hope that your love for Italy will produce those essential synergies needed for the development of our country. I also hope you will help us to value our assets, and the best asset Italy has are the human resources.”

A speech, the one made by Emma Bonino, which discesses the problems of a country going through a difficult situation also underscores the hopes of its citizens, like her, who believe in its rebirth. 

 
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