Blog Posts Across i-Italy

Back from the Fulbright Day

Ehi, the "Fulbright Day" in Rome yesterday was truly an experience. First, it has been some ten years since I last shared a room with somebody else... that mainly meant a couple of hours of talks before going to bed on the first day (-> 5 hours sleep on day 1), and the night after waking up my roommate at 2, after a drink out with fellow Fulbrighters and Fulbright-Commission staff on Isola Tiberina... what a shame (sorry Riccardo!) (-> 5 hours sleep on day 2). Second, it was my first time… Continue

Posted by Paolo Lombardi on June 24, 2008 at 11:24pm — No Comments

Genealogy

Which one of us hasn’t wondered who we look like when we see no resemblance to our family members? Have you ever wondered why you have dark hair dark eyes and your siblings have light hair and light eyes? This is where at it all begins. Genealogy is all of this and more, its much more than just names and dates. When I started digging into my roots I had no idea that this would be such a passion such a labor of love for me.I started with the name that was all so very familiar to me, my grandfathe… Continue

Posted by Toni J on June 14, 2008 at 9:00am — No Comments

Interactive Sculpture from Burning Man (1998)

"Life is not about finding yourself, Life is about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw

Photo: Daniele Perna Sculpture: Daniele Perna "Life is not about finding yourself, Life is about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw… Continue

Posted by Daniele Perna on June 4, 2008 at 2:00am — No Comments

The Shining Stone of West Side

The Shining Stone of West Side Scranton’s St. Lucy’s provides visitors with a lesson in Italian-American history. By: Stephanie Longo

Two soldiers lay dying. The Italian soldier beseeches Jesus Christ to take his soul to Heaven while the war rages on behind him. To his lef… Continue

Posted by Stephanie Longo on May 17, 2008 at 7:44pm — No Comments

New York City Designer Drawn to The Canvas: Grzegorz Stec’s Controlled Violent Brushstrokes

Grzegorz Stec’s Drabiny 2008 100 x 100 cm From Grzegorz Stec's exhibition at the Consulate General of The Republic of Poland in New York City. USA Contact: Marek Osinski at mosinski1@nyc.rr.com Poem from Grzegorz Stec's website. .......human progress is a growing intensity t… Continue

Posted by Daniele Perna on April 30, 2008 at 9:30pm — No Comments

Third generation

My own upbringing and watching the generations before me unfold and turn to dust, told me the story of the immigrants. My theory or hypothesis in this paper is focused on my Italian family specifically, but out of curiosity I researched and found I wasn’t the only Italian with the same observation. Nor was this theory secluded to Italian immigrants I discovered in talking with other friends and researching online. I call this theory the “Generations Unravel”. The definition of unravel is as foll… Continue

Posted by crystal ainardi on April 29, 2008 at 7:10am — 2 Comments

Summertime in Italy

I am very excited, as I just bought my ticket yesterday for Italy. I will be studying Italian language in Perugia for the month of July, but I will be arriving a few days early to do some traveling of my own. I am flying into Rome, but hope to travel to Naples and Caserta. Any suggestions for where I should go specifically? I would like to travel to the villages that my great grandparents are from in Caserta. I have no idea what to expect though. Continue

Posted by Tara on April 23, 2008 at 6:23am — 6 Comments

View my page on i-Italy

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Posted by Lynn Zilka Perna on April 18, 2008 at 11:07pm — No Comments

chapter 9

“Interpreters were really important for Italians who, of course, did not know English. Actually most of them didn’t even know Italian perfectly! I mean, having lived all their lives in small villages they were used to speaking in dialect, so they didn’t even know the equivalent in Italian of some of the words which were part of their personal vocabulary! That’s why it was so important that interpreters knew several dialects! Their task was to accompany the immigrants when they were called for th… Continue

Posted by Marina on April 10, 2008 at 9:25pm — No Comments

Chapter 8

So, they arrived at Ellis Island. And as soon as the ship docked in Manhattan, steerage passengers could see cabin passengers - who had already enjoyed a nicer journey than the one they had had -leaving the ship, having been released to the freedom of New York. Those people’s new life was beginning, but their own… adventure (?), it was not over yet. While the upper classes were enjoying that very happy moment, they were told something like “Now, form a line and wait for your turn to be visited!”… Continue

Posted by Marina on April 7, 2008 at 9:14am — No Comments

So you want to speak Italian.........................

Well my frustration has come to its apex. My daughter needs some intellectual stimulation this summer, and as I stated in my contest entry, she is very interested in expanding her base knowledge of the language. So my internet search begins. We need something fun, within reasonable distance from home, affordable, popular for her age group, and not too much like "school work". I guess these are far too many requirements. I do find this incredible program that fits all the aformentioned prerequisi… Continue

Posted by Renata on April 4, 2008 at 10:00am — No Comments

Flusso di coscienza di una giovane elettrice in campagna elettorale.

Gli effetti innovativi della non più nuova legge elettorale sono pienamente evidenti in questo periodo di campagna elettorale. Basta fare un giro giù in strada - certo noi campani prestando un po’ d’attenzione a non sprofondare in pozzanghere che somigliano sempre più a tanti piccoli “laghetti Patria” e scalando le nuove catene di Appennini di spazzatura - per accorgersi che la campagna elettorale non è più quella di una volta. Non che prima non esistessero pozzanghere e spazzatura in strada anc… Continue

Posted by Giovanna Landolfi on April 1, 2008 at 6:52pm — No Comments

Chapter 7

So, Grandpa, where did they finally have their visit? How long did they have to wait? “Well, the steerage passengers usually had to wait ‘till the ship left for the Upper New York Bay, which was almost always the day after their arriving in America. They slept on the ship and when they woke up they could see the tip of Manhattan! Oh boy! That really meant the journey was over… And then… they met the most beautiful woman they had ever seen… she was waiting for them in the middle of the sea… she w… Continue

Posted by Marina on April 1, 2008 at 2:38pm — No Comments

Cibo e Treni

Some of the first words one memorizes while learning a new language are the body parts - head, mouth, nose, eyes. I went to a Catholic grammar school run by an order of Italian nuns - the Sisters of Rosa Venerini. I think it was around 4th grade when Sr. Joanne decided to teach us some conversational Italian. I was ahead of the game because I spoke Italian - though dialect - at home. We covered the parts of the body, how to ask fundamental questions like how are you and what's your name. One da… Continue

Posted by Dolores D'Annolfo on March 31, 2008 at 4:00am — No Comments

Provenance

I usually get a blank stare when people ask me what part of Italy my family is from and I respond - **** My mother is from San Giorgio a Liri and my father is from Sant'Apollinare. Oh. It's two hours south of Rome and an hour north of Naples. Oh? Yes - during the war the Gustav Line went through this area. Battle of Monte Cassino - the abbey... Yeah, I think I've heard of that. I usually feel bad right about now - the conversation stalls. I ask them where their family is from. Sicily. U… Continue

Posted by Dolores D'Annolfo on March 30, 2008 at 7:12am — No Comments

an Italian-American Easter

As an italian-american family we try our best to follow both our traditions especially when it comes to important holidays as Easter is! And what is the most important thing Italians and Americans have in common?? the answer is obvious...THEY JUST LOVE GOOD FOOD!!! So... that's the same for my family:) Here there are some delicious foods we prepared/baked today! First of all, king of the kitchen...here it comes THE CASATIELLO!

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Posted by Marina on March 23, 2008 at 12:00am — 8 Comments

Architecture of Dreams: Home Design on a Mountainside Overlooking a Lake in Italy.

Location: A country mountainside overlooking a lake. Program: A family house with entry/foyer, big room/living and dining room with a fireplace. Kitchen with fireplace, one side open to living room. Breakfast nook on the opposite side away from the living room. Porch adjacent to kitchen. Mud room. Enclosed garden outside of kitchen with stonewalls and outdoor fireplace. Ground floor bathroom. Underground garage/storage room. Mechanical room. Music/entertainment room with fireplace.… Continue

Posted by Daniele Perna on March 18, 2008 at 5:00pm — No Comments

Chapter 6

There was no way you could touch US soil for the first time if you didn’t pass the inspection. Fearful and stressed, from the deck of the ship the immigrants saw the land that incarnated their greatest dream but quite possibly might never become “their own” nation. I remember that my father used to talk about those moments as the scariest of the whole trip. Yes, doubts concerning your future can even be worse than the ugliest present moment you might be living. You know the present because you’r… Continue

Posted by Marina on March 17, 2008 at 12:00pm — No Comments

chapter2

My dear readers, Now imagine this beautiful scene… A living room, a lit fireplace, lots of wood giving forth a warm spicy scent… the stereo playing softly some classic music…maybe an arch quartet… a gentle vibrating sound… Both the armchairs have been moved towards the popping bright niche and are both occupied… one by my grandfather, the other by me… The two of us are sipping a mug full of dense hot chocolate with a delightful cinnamon aftertaste… we are really getting busy trying to catch the… Continue

Posted by Marina on March 16, 2008 at 8:52am — No Comments

Floridia

Once upon a time, in the sunny Italian region of Sicily, there was a little town called Floridia. It occupied a territory that had already witnessed famous and important historical events: it was there that Athenians sought shelter from Syracusans in 413 BC and were further crushingly defeated near the Assinaros River! In 1628, when it was founded, it began life as a hamlet in the feudal dominion of the Duke Floridia Lucio Bonanno Colonna, from whom it took its name. Only in 1815, when it became… Continue

Posted by Marina on March 16, 2008 at 8:51am — No Comments

Interior Design Mini Slide Show

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Posted by Daniele Perna on March 14, 2008 at 7:00pm — No Comments

Dreams Exist

Dreams exist; we have to work the details out to bring them to fruition. Continue

Posted by Daniele Perna on March 14, 2008 at 5:30pm — No Comments

Giuseppe Perna Daniele Perna's Great Grandfather I Giuseppe Perna Bisnonno di Daniele

Family Motto: Gesta verbis praevenient (Actions are preferable to words) Motto della famiglia: Gesta verbis praevenient From the book La Colonia Italiana di Philadelphia, 1906 Sulle parole prevalgono i fatti Dal libroLa Colonia Italiana di Philadelphia, 1906 This appealing and enterprising Italian was born in Calabritto, in the province of Avellino, region of Campania. As a young man, he learned the mason's trade, and when he came to the United States in 1888, he im… Continue

Posted by Daniele Perna on March 12, 2008 at 5:30pm — No Comments

An Insightful Journey To Italy's Campania Region Through the Eyes of New York Interior Designer Daniele Perna

"Traveling in Italy's Campania region, where my great grandfather Giuseppe Perna immigrated from, is like visiting a living museum. Everything you perceive is a piece of art and history. Having the opportunity to visit factories that have produced and designed silk textiles for over two centuries is a re-affirming experience. Mostly, I was intrigued by the parallel relationship one can find in the design patterns of the fabrics to those of the regions tiles, interior design and architecture. Des… Continue

Posted by Daniele Perna on March 12, 2008 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Danielé Perna on Interior Design: Beneath the Surface

Manhattan-based Interior Designer Danielé Perna Discusses the Business of Creativity Wampeter TV produced an in-depth interview with Danielé Perna, providing insight into the designer’s mind and aesthetic passion. A brief segment of the interview has been released on YouTube, see video at the bottom of this page.

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Posted by Daniele Perna on March 11, 2008 at 10:30pm — No Comments

Domenico Vacca, Hollywood’s hot new tailor

Domenico Vacca has quickly become the designer of choice for Hollywood's A-list. He was everywhere on the red carpet at this years Golden Globes and Oscars. Vacca’s well-clad Oscar entourage included actors Forest Whitaker, Alan Arkin, Steve Carell and Seth Rogen. Forest Whitaker, who won the Best Actor award last year, once again, indeed he wore a Vacca’s outfit last year as well, wore Domenico Vacca as he presented the Best Lead Actress award at this year's ceremony. Vacca designed a custom m… Continue

Posted by natashalardera on March 11, 2008 at 2:29pm — No Comments

New York City Interior Designer, Danielé Perna Launches New Website

The New York City based interior design studio, Danielé Perna Designs has announced the launch of their newly developed web experience at www.danielepernadesigns.com. The flash based site features the company's interior design work, services and profiles as well as articles, news and events. The company has expanded their services internationally and now offers a website in Italian, in addition to one in English. Danielé Perna has created a balanced and beautiful online space to present his res… Continue

Posted by Daniele Perna on March 11, 2008 at 6:00am — No Comments

America is were I live not who I am.

A child can be born out side of Italy by Italian parents, the Italian blood cannot be removed from the Italian individual regardless of were you are born. Your genes are Italian and it is impossible to be anything other than Italian. Please understand I love were I live and the principles of the U.S.A, However America is were I live not who I am. Continue

Posted by Daniele Perna on March 11, 2008 at 12:30am — No Comments

chapter 5

“Once they passed all the inspections there, the real journey began… For many it was the journey of their lives. From the deck of the ship they waved for the last time to the land that had seen them come into life, grow, start to work, fall in love, get married and have children. Every man on that ship knew he would probably never see that landscape anymore. And his children? His wife? Will they ever remember him? Will they go to the USA? Will he someday have the money to buy his family a ticket… Continue

Posted by Marina on March 3, 2008 at 12:18pm — No Comments

Raindrops in the Afternoon

I wrote the following story based on my own experiences as an American girl in Italy. Although I was born and raised in NY, my parents were both born in small towns in southern Italy. I discovered what it really means to be Italian-American through the many summers I spent in those towns. I think part of the experience of being Italian-American is sometimes feeling as if you have one foot in the U.S. and one in Italy, and as I'm sure the story will illustrate, that was definitely the case for me… Continue

Posted by marisa iallonardo on March 3, 2008 at 1:16am — 1 Comment

Did you know.........

to commemorate the greatly celebrated actress Anna Magnani, Italy will release a postal stamp on March 7, 2008 which would have been the 100th birthday of the legendary Roman. The honor of best actress was bestowed upon her at the Venice Film Festival in 1947 for her role in Luigi Zampa's Onorevole Angelina. She made cinemat… Continue

Posted by Robert Cavanna on February 27, 2008 at 9:32pm — No Comments

Chapter 4

My father left Floridia and traveled through Sicily, and then on to France. He boarded the ship “Adriatic” that left from the port of Cherbourg. I might have a picture of the ship some place. Let me have a look…. …. “Sorry I took so long… here it is…”

“Oh my goodness! This doesn’t seem a proper ship for such a long trip!… Continue

Posted by Marina on February 27, 2008 at 12:30pm — No Comments

George Guida book of poems "Low Italian" powerful a great read.

Just read George Guida's book of poems and thought it to be a great suggestion for all to read. Continue

Posted by nancy miracle on February 26, 2008 at 11:21pm — No Comments

Marilyn Monroe's Italian American Heritage

see www.marilynmonroefoundation.com for the real story in the play Here I am Mother. Continue

Posted by nancy miracle on February 26, 2008 at 11:13pm — No Comments

A Memorable Life Experience

Essay - A Memorable Life Experience by Gabriella DeCarvalho I almost died when I was about six, encephalitis being the cause. I was hospitalized for many weeks and had to convalesce at home for many months. I had to relearn everything I knew as a toddler and then catch up to my peers mentally, physically, and emotionally. During that time, it was suggested by many that fresh air and a change of scenery might speedy my recovery. And so, it was agreed, that in my best interest, I would soon be… Continue

Posted by Gabbie on February 24, 2008 at 6:20pm — No Comments

Why I am proud of my Italian roots

Although the achievements of many Italian-American involve the countless obstacles they overcame to achieve success, their stories encompass so much more than an individual journey against all odds. Rather, the story also focuses on the family, which helped their loved one attain life-long dreams through love and sacrifice. Italian-Americans love to gather for important events such as graduations, communions, and confirmations. While the event brought the family together, the gathering does not… Continue

Posted by Maria on February 17, 2008 at 8:47pm — No Comments

"Teatro a domicilio"

E' un'idea. All'apparenza già vista, ma a ben leggere piuttosto nuova. Si scrive un testo per il teatro oppure si adatta un classico della letteratura teatrale e lo si rappresenta a casa di quanti ne fanno richiesta. Due o tre attori, scene, costumi , luci e musiche si recheranno al domicilio del pubblico. E non importa che quest' ultimo sia composto da una, due, tre o cento persone; importa che la compagnia abbia a disposizione un piccolissimo spazio, anche una stanza, e un'audience. Lo spettac… Continue

Posted by Francesco Di Vincenzo on February 14, 2008 at 12:10pm — No Comments

wine tasting with luca maroni

He has tasted over 123,000 wines. Yes, you read that right, Luca Maroni, Italy’s foremost wine taster and connoisseur has an enviable career that, from 1989 to 2008, has brought him to savor some of the most wonderful wines in the world. A native of Rome, right after graduating with Honors in Business & Economics in 1986 Luca starts working with Luigi Veronelli, and writes for “L’Etichetta” magazine. He also founds “Ex Vinis,” Italy’s first wine newsletter. Years later, in 1990, Luca found… Continue

Posted by natashalardera on February 13, 2008 at 10:00pm — No Comments

health secrets of the mediterranean diet

A recent study has confirmed, yet again, that people who carefully follow the Mediterranean Diet live longer than others.
Yes, if you're looking for a heart-healthy eating plan, this is the right thing for you. But what is so special about it?
This is not a specific dietary program, but an ensemble of healthy… Continue

Posted by natashalardera on February 10, 2008 at 2:25pm — No Comments

THE COPS, THE MEDIA & THE MOB

Despite the F.B.I., the RICO, the "rats" and the Media, the American Mafia is far to be defeated.

As long as we are allowed to know all around the U.S.A. and Canada there are at least 14 families and their annual earnings are about 80.000 billion bucks!

So why everybody yels that this organized crime syndacate is dead?

Maybe they can't take that, even afte…

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Posted by Tommaso Cuccia on February 6, 2008 at 1:48pm — No Comments

sanremo o no?

Si abbassano le luci…“Pippo Baudo, si parla di Pippo Baudo e del Festival di San Remo,” annuncia Fiorello in un momento triste e cupo della seconda puntata della sua nuova trasmissione Viva Radio 2 Minuti, “Pippo Baudo purtroppo ha scartato una canzone, e con questa canzone due grandi uomini di spettacolo…uomini che d… Continue

Posted by natashalardera on February 4, 2008 at 2:55pm — No Comments

just googling

I don’t do it often, but sometimes I google myself.
Not because I think I am cool or because I like to see my name out there, just because I am bored. I never really thought about it, until one day, a guy I was dating at the time, right after our second date, told me he had googled my name. Some articles came… Continue

Posted by natashalardera on January 31, 2008 at 5:14pm — No Comments

Chapter 3

….”and so grandpa? After convincing his father, did he really attend the school?”

“Well, child, he did…but not for so long.…

Continue

Posted by Marina on January 29, 2008 at 10:53am — No Comments

l'arte di promuovere l'arte. Intervista ai direttori degli Istituti italiani di cultura di New York e Los Angeles

Pensando a tutti gli artisti italiani emergenti e non che vorrebbero affermarsi nel territorio americano ed entrare a far parte del fervente e competitivo clima artistico di città come New York e Los Angeles dando voce alla propria arte, ci siamo posti una domanda dalla quale è poi nata l'idea di condurre un'inchiesta. Come avviene il processo decisionale per la realizzazione di mostre d'arte italiana negli Istituti e centri culturali italiani in America? E soprattutto, come vengono scelti e lan… Continue

Posted by Monica London on January 28, 2008 at 5:40am — No Comments

Gli spazi esoterici di Della Porta

Un mondo in cui l'arte fotografica non si risolve in pura rappresentazione dell'oggetto, ma diventa un percorso di ricerca filosofica in cui l'indagine dello spazio viene identificato non nell'oggetto di per sé, ma nella dimensione di vuoto che ne definisce e allo stesso tempo amplia i confini. E' parte di un percorso definito "esoterico-simbolico" che ha portato l'artista milanese di fama internazionale, Patrizia della Porta, a fare della sua arte un percorso prima di tutto di ricerca interiore… Continue

Posted by Monica London on January 28, 2008 at 2:29am — No Comments

hero of all heroes

Leafing through the mouth-watering pages of one of my favorite food magazines, Saveur, I was proud to see an Italian American specialty, muffuletta, among its “100 favorite foods, restaurants, drinks, people, places, and things.”

It was unexpected as Italian American cuisine is not really “cool” or trendy… Continue

Posted by natashalardera on January 28, 2008 at 2:17am — No Comments

Zucchero’s All the Best

A new CD is out there for all those who like Italian music, Zucchero’s All the Best, a 15-song anthology that features old favorites and new tracks. The album achieved platinum sales in Italy within the first two weeks of its release, and is ready to capture the US market as well.

The singer and songw… Continue

Posted by natashalardera on January 28, 2008 at 1:08am — No Comments

Tre modi di essere cucina italiana

“Melting pot” è esattamente il termine appropriato per descrivere la città di New York, specialmente quando si parla di cibo e di cucina. Ci sono 24.600 stabilimenti per la ristorazione a New York, secondo dati recenti della New York State Restaurant Association. Più di 18.000 di questi sarebbero ristoranti che offrono almeno 200 tipi di cucina e stili diversi. Secondo le statistiche questo sarebbe un numero in costante crescita che costituisce una fondamentale risorsa economica per il paese e s… Continue

Posted by benedetta on January 26, 2008 at 10:04pm — No Comments

"Neuroni Specchio", gli amanti dell'arte

New York – I nostri neuroni amano guardarsi allo specchio e apprezzano particolarmente l’arte. Giacomo Rizzolatti e Vittorio Gallese dell’Università di Parma lo hanno scoperto una decina di anni fa. Le loro ricerche li hanno infatti condotti all’individuazione dei neuroni specchio: terminazioni nervose che si scaricano nel nostro c… Continue

Posted by benedetta on January 26, 2008 at 9:49pm — No Comments

Ettore Stratta, president of the 'Famiglia Piemontese' association in New York

by Patrizia Barroero

Photo by Patrizia Barroero. In the picture Ettore Stratta

Ettore Stratta is the president of the 'Famiglia Piemontese' in New York, and member of the 'Piemontesi nel mondo' association. He came to New York in 1956, attracted by the chances this city could offer him for his career as a musician, cond… Continue

Posted by patrizia barroero on January 26, 2008 at 5:50pm — No Comments

Why I Voted! My take on the Italian Vote Abroad Symposium, organized by the John D. Calandra Italian-American Institute at the CUNY Graduate Center.

On the 12^th of May 2007 I had the distinct honor of participating in the Italian Vote Abroad Symposium, organized by the John D. Calandra Italian-American Institute at the CUNY Graduate…

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Posted by Robert Cavanna on January 26, 2008 at 3:44pm — No Comments

Italian-American President? Why not?

Did you know that for the first time in U.S. history…

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Posted by Robert Cavanna on January 26, 2008 at 3:33pm — No Comments

Did you know that there were Alpini in the United States?

Did you know that there were Alpini in the United States? No? Don’t worry we are not under attack.…

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Posted by Robert Cavanna on January 25, 2008 at 7:21pm — No Comments

just take it slow

There are a couple of dates that you should mark on your calendar. But take it easy, don’t rush, there’s no need to.

February 25th, 2008 is the Worldwide Day of Slowness, and on that same date, until…

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Posted by natashalardera on January 25, 2008 at 5:49am — No Comments

TUTTI DA TONY DOPO LO SHOW

Amarone, an exquisite wine made of dried grapes indigenous to the Valpolicella region(Veneto), was born of a slip-up during the preparation of another famous wine of the Valpolicella viticultural area, Recioto. It became a sort of fad in the 1990s to name New York Restaurants after Italian wines, and as the owner of one such restaurant, Tony Spiridigliozzi remembers, “I chose Amarone because I liked the way it sounded.” On the eve of opening night in…

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Posted by Robert Cavanna on January 24, 2008 at 9:44pm — No Comments