WASHINGTON, D.C. — Italian excellence and the relationship between Italy and the United States took center stage at the fourth annual Italpress Awards, held at the Washington Hilton in the nation’s capital.
Established in 2023 by Italpress founder and editor-in-chief Gaspare Borsellino, the awards recognize Italian and Italian American figures whose work promotes Italian achievement and strengthens the country’s presence on the international stage.
This year’s ceremony, hosted by journalist Stefano Vaccara, brought together representatives from government, diplomacy, business and the media. Opening remarks were delivered by Robert Allegrini, president of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), and Giorgio Mulè, vice president of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies.
Five individuals received awards: Attilio Fontana, president of Italy’s Lombardy region; Giorgio Marrapodi, Italy’s permanent representative to the United Nations; Marco Peronaci, Italian ambassador to the United States; journalist Gianni Riotta; and Tommaso Tanzilli, chairman of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, Italy’s state railway group.
Each recipient was presented with an artwork by Marco Gallotta, a New York-based artist of Italian descent known for his distinctive paper-cutting techniques, as well as his work in drawing, painting and engraving. The piece depicts the world with Italy prominently highlighted.
For Fontana, the recognition was an opportunity to acknowledge the people of Lombardy. He described the award as a meaningful acknowledgment of years of public service but emphasized that the real credit belonged to the region’s residents, whose needs and aspirations guide his administration’s work.
Marrapodi highlighted the importance of reliable journalism, particularly at a time when distinguishing credible information from misinformation has become increasingly challenging. He also spoke of his longstanding professional relationship and friendship with Borsellino, praising Italpress for its contribution to accurate reporting.
Ambassador Peronaci viewed the award as a reflection of Italy’s growing international engagement and the enduring importance of the transatlantic partnership.
“In a complicated world, the relationship with the United States remains fundamentally important across every aspect of our shared history,” Peronaci said.
Journalist Gianni Riotta emphasized the role of international journalism in connecting audiences across borders. He praised Italpress for building networks that help Americans better understand contemporary Italy while giving Italian audiences a clearer picture of the United States.
For Tanzilli, the recognition reflected the broader international ambitions of Italy’s railway industry. He pointed to the group’s role in developing transportation infrastructure and its ambition to expand its expertise beyond Italy.
“Our ambition is to become Europe’s metro system,” Tanzilli said, also expressing interest in opportunities to bring the group’s know-how to the United States.
The ceremony also provided an opportunity for Borsellino to reflect on the agency’s international expansion.
The Italpress Awards were launched in New York in 2023, coinciding with the agency’s 35th anniversary and the opening of its New York bureau. Since then, Italpress has signed more than 30 partnership agreements with international news agencies and television organizations while expanding its presence in the United States.
That expansion has included a correspondent’s office at United Nations headquarters and, more recently, a television production space at Piazza Italia in Times Square.
Borsellino described the first four years of the awards as a success and confirmed plans for additional international partnerships and correspondent offices in strategically important locations.
Beyond the awards presentation, the event featured two discussions examining contemporary Italian and American affairs.
Antonello Piraneo, editor of the Italian newspaper La Sicilia, interviewed Ambassador Paolo Zampolli about President Donald Trump and relations between the United States and Italy. A second conversation, led by La Sicilia deputy editor Mario Barresi, featured Giorgio Mulè and explored Sicily’s challenges and opportunities under the theme “Sicily: The Curse of Great Beauty.”
The fourth edition was supported by principal partners Beyond-Medov Group, Enel, FS Group, GKSD, Intesa Sanpaolo, Menarini, Pirelli, Terna and Webuild.
What began as an anniversary initiative in New York has developed into an annual occasion for recognizing Italian achievement abroad, reflecting both the increasing international ambitions of Italpress and the continuing relevance of the relationship between Italy and the United States.
