L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2020 www.italoamericano.org 4 MARIELLA RADAELLI NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS Refined Parma shines as Italy's 2020 Capital of Culture T h i s i s a n A n n u s Mirabilis, a remark- able year, for Parma as the beautiful, aris- tocratic and erudite city in Emilia shines as Italy's Capital of Culture for 2020. More than a single, specific municipality, Parma is a multi- faceted locale that defines a region and an attitude. Its noted elements are its art, music, icon- ic food and industries. Not only is this northern Italian city a haven for cuisine connoisseurs, but also a place where the col- lective memory of its multilay- ered history is preserved. A t t h e c e n t e r o f a p l a i n b o u n d e d t o t h e n o r t h b y t h e River Po and in the south by the Apennines, Parma is renowned for its traditional food, whether it's prosciutto crudo, Parmesan cheese or tortellini. "Yet our city is also a lab of experimental new cuisine," says Parma city coun- c i l o r f o r c u l t u r e M i c h e l e G u e r r a . I n 2 0 1 5 , U N E S C O declared Parma a Creative City of Gastronomy. Parma's rebirth continues to this day. And its history is an enlightening one. For the entire year, visitors will experience a fascinating cultural journey into time as suggested by the slogan most a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e e v e n t : "Culture beats time." The pro- gram pays homage to the city's many faces and to the women and men who made its name radiate and resonate, even out- side the country. It honors the a n c e s t o r s w h o d e f i n e d a n d transformed the downtown, its neighborhoods, and the country- side while unleashing their tal- ent, art, and soul to the world. "About 15,000 people took part at a spectacular opening ceremony last January 11 that led to the magnificent Regio T h e a t r e i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and Culture Minister D a r i o F r a n c e s c h i n i , " s a y s Guerra. " P a r m i g i a n i ( t h e c i t y ' s inhabitants) and Parmensi (resi- dents of other villages in the p r o v i n c e ) p r o u d l y w a l k e d together through the Ducale Park up to Piazza Garibaldi, all well aware of where they come from and of where they want to go". "Parma is a contemporary city, a living organism that aims at showing Italy, Europe and the rest of the world its modern spirit that pioneered multicultur- alism," explains Guerra. "We have an attitude of openness to Colorful yet elegant: a view of Parma (Copyright: Dreamstime) The beautiful Bapstistery and Cathedral in Parma, Italy's Capital of Culture for 2020 (Copyright: Dreamstime) (Copyright: Dreamstime) Continued to page 6

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