by Stefano Vaccara
NEW YORK (USA) (ITALPRESS) – An evening that has been not only celebration and memory but also reflection on the present and how to improve it. At the Cipriani in Manhattan on 42nd Street, the National Italian American Foundation brought together prominent members of the Italian and Italian community for its annual New York Gala, an event now symbol of the link between the two shores of the Atlantic. The protagonists of the evening were entrepreneurs, academics, artists and institutional figures awarded for their contribution to American society and the valorization of Italian roots.
Among the honors, former Senator Alfonse D’Amato offered one of the most significant moments of the evening. In his speech he recalled a time when, at the Congress, Republicans and Democrats collaborated for the interest of citizens. He cited his experience alongside Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, underlining how it was then possible to work together for New York, while today – he observed – politics appears increasingly marked by divisions and opposition. A message that gave depth to an evening not only celebratory, but also full of political and civil significance.
Among the other winners of the evening are James Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, recognized for its impact in the world of sports and entertainment; Frank Ruocco, for his role in hospitality; Tom Cox, awarded for the results in the business world; writer Linda Stasi, authoritative voice of contemporary literature; and rector of the Link Campus University Carlo Alberto Giusti, awarded the recognition for academic friendship.
To conduct the evening, the charism of Joe Piscopo, while Christopher Macchio’s performance added a musical touch to an event already rich in meaning, with numerous institutional guests. Among the sponsors of the evening, the Lombardy Region will be celebrated next October in the NIAF national gala in Washington.
“NIAF has always been Italy’s best friend in the United States because it brings together a tradition of high-level American presence in many sectors, from economy to culture. It expresses a living solidarity, as we have seen also on the occasion of the donations collected for the cyclone Harry that hit South Italy and is the way through which the Italian-American relationship continues to renew and be relevant in the history of this great country”, said Marco Peronaci, Italian ambassador in the United States.
La Niaf “is an organization that serves to create bridges between the Italian historical community of the United States the new Italians coming. The Italian-American community also contributed to Italy’s role in the United Nations,” said Giorgio Marrapodi, a permanent representative of Italy at the UN. A bridge between Italy and the US, which also involves the world of sport: “The Niaf has many people involved in sports investments in Italy, both in football and baseball. They really care about the bridges that are built through individuals between Italy and the United States”, explained Mico Delianova Licastro, delegate CONI in the United States.
For the president of the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia, Massimiliano Fedriga, “Niaf has succeeded in these years to strengthen the bond between our countries, even at times in which it was not served. The relationship between national diplomats is fundamental, but the relationship between peoples creates those links which then become indissoluble.” Culture plays a decisive role in strengthening these links. “The Italian-Americans are in our heart, they are our union trades with this country and so it is very important to move in this direction. In the coming weeks we will pay tribute to the great Caruso, in collaboration with Carnegie Hall”, said Claudio Pagliara, director of the Italian Institute of Culture of New York.
“This holiday represents the feeling of a family that gathers every year in New York. For us it is very important to create these links, these bridges between Italy and the United States. The ties are not governmental, but they are among people. That is the true bridge, the power of this relationship between Italy and the United States. Governments go and come, but our community remains,” said John Calvelli, Chairman of NIAF, while Robert Allegrini, president and CEO of the association, underlined the importance of the New York Gala as part of the “250-year-oldcelebrations of the United States, with all the contributions of Italians and Italian-Americans to this story.”.
– Photo xo9/Italpress –
(ITALPRESS).
