Ready? Set? Celebrate! June 2nd is Italian National Day

Traditionally, on June 2, the Italian National Day is celebrated. It commemorates the institutional referendum of 1946 when the Italian population was called to decide what form of government (monarchy or republic) to give to the country after the Second World War and the fall of Fascism. All over the world Italian institutions hold celebrations and Heads of State from all over the world send congratulations to the President of the Republic. Official celebratory ceremonies also take place in Italy.



Similarly, in New York the Consul General of Italy - Natalia Quintavalle, the Director of the Italian Cultural Institute – Riccardo Viale, the Italian Trade Commissioner – Pier Paolo Celeste, and the Director of the Italian Tourist Board – Eugenio Magnani, in collaboration with NYU’s Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò and Scuola d’Italia Guglielmo Marconi have created an all day calendar of events promoting the riches of Italian culture.



"I want to emphasize that the organization such a complex event is also possible thanks to the collaboration of many important Italian companies who offered their support." - states the Vice Consul, Lucia Pasqualini. "We are very thankful and happy and feel that it is extremely significant that companies such as Ferragamo, Brooks Brothers, Bulgari, Max Mara, Tod's, MSC, Pirelli, Frau armchair, Flos, Banca Intesa, Banca Popolare di Vicenza, Cruciani, Zamperla and many others have wanted to participate. It’s a beautiful sign of attachment to the institutions of which we are proud and to which we are all grateful” – she continued.



The program for this Sunday’s celebrations is filled with a variety of cultural events, from exhibits, to concerts and wine and olive oil tasting. Between the hours of 11AM and 6 PM, Rizzoli bookstore will hold a presentation of books on Italy’s excellencies in art, literature, fashion, design architecture, food and wine, which will be open to the public who may also participate in reading a page from the book collection.


All other events in the following calendar require a RSVP.

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM CONSULATE GENERAL OF ITALY (690 Park Ave)

Private viewing of an exhibit of paintings by Antonio Nunziante and six artworks recovered in the US by the Carabinieri Command for the protection of Cultural Heritage.

10:00 AM - 7:00 PM ITALIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE (686 Park Ave)

Private viewing of the Gio’ Ponti exhibit: “Living Ponti Style.”

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION, ICE (33 E 67th St).

Private viewing of Giorgio De Chirico’s painting: “Le Muse Inquietanti,”

ANSA photography exhibit:”Tour Around Italy” and screening of the video: “Italy, a State of Mind” by the Italian Brand Group (IBG).
Charity initiative for the American Italian Cancer Foundation.

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM CONSULATE GENERAL OF ITALY

Presentation of the recovered artworks.

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CONSULATE GENERAL OF ITALY

Presentation by artist Antonio Nunziante.

11:00 AM – 6:00 PM in front of CONSULATE GENERAL OF ITALY

Rizzoli Bookstore presents to the general public, books on Italy’s excellencies in art, literature, fashion, design architecture, food and wine, nature, landscapes and traveling.

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM in front of CONSULATE GENERAL OF ITALY
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

“Let’s Read Italy”- participating members of the public read a page from the book collection

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ITALIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE

Reading and concert by the Marco Cappelli Acoustic Trio, inspired by the novels of Marco Di Giovanni.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION, ICE Tasting workshop on olive oil: “Find the Fake.”

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CONSULATE GENERAL OF ITALY Presentation: “Destinazione Italia 2013- Esperienze ed Emozioni di Viaggio” by ENIT, Italian Government Tourist Board.

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION, ICE
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Workshop and wine tasting: “Italian Wine: Culture by the Glass.”

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION, ICE

Tasting workshop on typical products from Alto Adige.

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM ITALIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE

Film Screening: “Una Vita Difficile” by Dino Risi, with Alberto Sordi.

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM CASA ITALIANA ZERILLI-MARIMÒ (24 WEST 12TH STREET). Screening of three rarely shown shorts directed by Ermanno Olmi: “L’onda” by Gabriele D’Annuzio; “Dialogo tra un Venditore D’Almanacchi e un Passaggero” by Giacomo Leopardi; and “manon Finestra 2” by Pier Paolo Pasolini. Private viewing of “The Leap of the Leopard: 1963-2013,” photographs by Ralph Toporoff from the set of the film “Il Gattopardo.”

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM CONSULATE GENERAL OF ITALY Bestowing of Decorations of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

4:30 PM - 5:15 PM ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION, ICE
5:45 PM - 6:30 PM

Concert by the band SPAJAZZY

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM ITALIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE

Conversation: “Science and Innovation for the Study and Conservation of Artworks.”

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION, ICE

Tasting workshop: “The Wines of Umbria.”

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM LA SCUOLA D’ITALIA GUGLIELMO MARCONI (406 E 67th St)

In collaboration with the Italian American Committee on Education (IACE) and the DICAPO Opera Theater, preset: “Insieme con L’Opera Italiana” Rossini’s Barbiere di Siviglia performed by the Liceo students, followed by a recital of famous opera arias by the DICAPO Opera Theater singers.

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CONSULATE GENERAL OF ITALY Jazz Concert performed by Joe Locke and Edmar Castaneda in collaboration with Umbria Jazz, introduced by Renzo Arbore.