WASHINGTON (ITALPRESS) – The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) celebrated on Saturday evening, at the Washington Hilton, its historic 50th Anniversary Gala: a memorable evening that marked half a century of commitment to the promotion of Italian culture and the strengthening of relations between Italy and the United States. The event brought together over 2,500 guests in an atmosphere of great elegance and shared pride — a concrete symbol of friendship and common values that bind the two countries. “This golden celebration has highlighted how vital the relations between Italy and the United States are, and the central role NIAF continues to play as a cultural bridge between our two nations – today stronger than ever,” said Robert Allegrini, NIAF President and CEO.
Among the institutional guests were the Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies, Giorgio Mulé, Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanché, the Minister for Relations with Parliament Luca Ciriani and the Vice Minister for Environment and Energy Security, Vannia Gava, whose participation witnessed Italy’s commitment to consolidate cultural and diplomatic ties with the United States. He also took part in the evening S.E. Marco Peronaci, Ambassador of Italy to the United States of America, once again emphasizing the solidity of the partnership between the two countries. The protagonist of the gala was the Lazio Region, celebrated for its extraordinary artistic, cultural and economic heritage, emblem of Italian influence and creativity in the world. Francesco Rocca, President of the Region, addressed a message to guests recalling the commitment of Lazio in promoting increasingly close cultural and institutional relations with the United States.
The awards awarded during the evening paid tribute to Italian excellence and innovation in the fields of entrepreneurship, science, education and arts. The tenor Andrea Bocelli received the NIAF Dea Roma Lifetime Achievement Award in Entertainment, a recognition to his extraordinary career. Bocelli enchanted the audience with a special performance of three songs, offering one of the most exciting moments of the evening. John Elkann, CEO of Exor N.V., President of Ferrari N.V. and Stellantis N.V., was awarded the Special Achievement Award as a Global Business Leader for his vision and contribution to promoting Italian business excellence worldwide.
They were also awarded the NIAF Dea Roma Special Achievement Awards: Flavio Cattaneo, CEO of Enel Group, for his long and brilliant career leading important industrial transformations; Roberto Cingolani, CEO & General Manager of Leonardo S.p.A., for the leadership in the field of defence and aerospace technology; Stefano Antonio Donnarumma, CEO & General Manager of the Italian FS Group, for the vision of sustainable infrastructure development and transport innovation; Dr. Kamel Ghribi, President of GKSD and Vice-President of the San Donato Group, for his vision and commitment to innovation and health research; Doug Leone, Partner of Sequoia Capital, for its global impact on venture capital and innovation promotion; Dr. Katia Passerini, 27th President of Gonzaga University, for the pioneering contribution in the field of university education.
Among the most emblematic moments of the evening, a segment dedicated to the League Serie A highlighted the collaboration between the NIAF and the maximum Italian football championship, with the participation of the legend Alessandro Del Piero and the announcement of the winner of the NIAF/De Laurentiis Film Prizes, presented by Aurelio De Laurentiis. The evening also saw the official presentation of a commemorative stamp dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Foundation, a seal of this important anniversary. A video message by Italian American comedian Sebastian Maniscalco added a note of lightness and warmth to the evening program. Part of the proceeds of the event will be destined to support NIAF’s cultural and educational programmes, with the aim of continuing the Foundation’s mission and transmitting its heritage to future generations.
– Photo NIAF –
(ITALPRESS).
