L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 www.italoamericano.org 4 LOS ANGELES ITALIAN COMMUNITY Elis abetta Canalis - former showgirl and now actress – tried to catch the general attention and to get the ball rolling. Soprano Elisabetta Russo - winner as "Best Female Vocal" for the song, Ah! Je veux vivre, at the 2011 Hollywood Music in Media Awards – performed a bluesy version of the Italian National Anthem (aka "Inno di Mameli"), accompanied by gui- tarist, Lorenzo Grassi. In turn, President of Italy- America Chamber of Commerce West in L.A., Gino Gaudio sang out the USA National Anthem (aka "T he Star -Spangled Banner"), and his rendition of the hymn - widely known for being very difficult to sing - drummed up an enthus ias tic response from the audience. Everyone had the chance to make a difference by chipping in the silent auction, sponsored by the non-profit D aybr eak Children's Rare Disease Fund (U S branch of Fondaz ione Telethon Italia). The evening proceeds, in fact, are going to contribute to the major cause of fighting rare genetic syndromes, which today affect 30 million people, mostly children, in the States alone. Cons ul G eneral of Italy, Antonio Verde, kicked off his s peech, by emphas izing the irony of the few technical glitch- es, occurred in such a "temple" of technology, like the Petersen A utomotive M us eum its elf. "Let's say that we did that on purpose. To show, once again, that Italian capacity to impro- vise is stronger than any diffi- culties!" he added. "Seventy years ago, on June 2 nd , 1946, Italians broke with the past and made a firm choice of democracy as the road to a just future," the Consul stated solemnly. Verde seized the opportunity to stress the daily strengthening of the ties between our peninsula and the USA, through the so- called "Team Italy," made up of the local Italian Cultural Institute (IIC), the Italian Trade A gency (ICE), the Italian National Tourist Board (ENIT) and the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West (IACCW). A mong the annual events under the patronage of his team, the Consul announced a new ini- tiative, a week-long celebration of Italian cooking, The Taste of Excellence. Next fall, expect to delight your palate, without los- ing sight of healthy nutrition, in the wake of 2015 Milan Expo. "70 years that also give us the opportunity to stress that Italy is probably the youngest Septuagenarian you have ever seen," the Consul joked. Drawing inspiration by the Consul General of Italy, Antonio Verde. Agata Gravante Photography venue, Verde compared Italy to a high-performance car: "In my opinion, Maserati, our event partner, can be considered a symbol of our country. A dynam- ic and technological Italy, always on the move." The Cons ul s w itched into high gear, by introducing one of Italy's major assets, that is to say, its artistic heritage. The "June 2nd Art-Selfie" Twitter and Facebook contest was put together, with the precious col- laboration of L'Italo-Americano along with the IIC, which devel- oped the innovative app "Italy Art LA." The prize for the lucky winner – who was not present - is going to be a flight ticket to Rome, offered by P rotravel International agency, one of the event's partners. The speech had a very sad turn, as the Consul remembered late lamented Alberino Daniele Capisani, Chief Archivist at the Consulate and a family man, with his wife and two daughters in attendance. N ext, V erde thanked the COMITES, the Committee of Italians Residing Abroad, who are serving with dedication and enthusiasm, despite facing hard challenges. The Consul acknowledged the role played by M s . Lourdes Saab, in attendance on behalf of the Los Angeles County, Mr. D aniel Tamm, repres enting M ayor G arcetti, M s . S andra Ciaramitano from the office of Councilman Joe Buscaino, and, last but not least, Mr. James P aravinian, head of the Los A ngeles O ffice of F oreign Missions of the US Department of State. In conclusion of his speech, the Consul drew our attention to all the challenges faced by our Mistress of Ceremonies, Elisabetta Canalis. Agata Gravante Photography Dr. Cedric Garland appointed Cavaliere by the Consul General of Italy, Antonio Verde. Agata Gravante Photography Continued to page 6 Consul General of Italy as he welcomes guests. Agata Gravante Photography Monsignor Antonio Cacciapuoti. Agata Gravante Photography Continued from page 1

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