L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2018 www.italoamericano.org 22 L'Italo-Americano C asa Italiana, an his- toric meeting place for the Italians of L o s A n g e l e s , h a s hosted the celebra- tions for the 72nd anniversary of the Italian Republic, organized every year with the support of the Italian Consulate and the partnership of L'Italo Ameri- cano. All the representatives of Sistema Italia in Los Angeles have gathered along with local and national personalities from the entrepreneurship, culture, science and the arts world. "The advent of the Italian Republic, as the result of the R e f e r e n d u m o f J u n e s e c o n d 1946, propelled Italy into the modern, post-war world." With these words Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles Antonio Verde opened his speech while welcoming the crowd attending the event. A l o n g w i t h h i m o n s t a g e , baritone Gino Gaudio and sopra- no Elisabetta Russo (solo voice of the Italian Heritage Night cel- ebrated last 22nd January at the Staples Center) opened the com- memoration singing the national anthems. Artists Lee Curreri and Gianna Simone also performed during the the celebration, as significant ambassadors of the integration and development of Italian American identity in the U n i t e d S t a t e s . I n p a r t i c u l a r , composer Lee Curreri, whose international fame dates back from the days of the television tv series Fame, performed a selec- t i o n o f f a m o u s m u s i c a l h i t s along with soprano Elisabetta Russo. But 2018 also marks the cele- bration of the 70th anniversary of the Italian Constitution, offi- cially adopted on January first 1948, a fundamental document that enshrines the principles of Italian democracy. "In the Constitution, we can find the best of our collective ambitions, and the principles we co n s id er th e h ig h es t an d th e most noble. An article that I par- ticularly like is 'Italy is one and indivisible,' " Consul Antonio Verde tells us, underlining that in the past few months the Ital- ian Consulate started to share, through its Social Media chan- nels, the fundamental articles of the Constitution. "The principles of solidarity, justice and democ- racy, which are the pillars of our Constitution, stood as guideposts throughout historical shifts and continue to guide us through the challenges of today." During his speech the Consul reminded how both the Republic and its Constitution set in motion SILVIA GIUDICI celebrated abroad as well, and in particular by the Franklin Mag- net School students in Los Feliz. In this regard, Italian soccer champion Alessandro Del Piero and Los Angeles Clippers bas- ketball star Danilo Gallinari greeted the event with video messages, joining the celebra- tions of the Republic and under- lining the importance of the healthy Italian lifestyle. In wrapping up his speech, c o n s u l A n t o n i o V e r d e h a s thanked one of his closest col- laborators, Patrizia Paiar, who arrived at the Consulate 37 years ago and, in just a few weeks, will retire. But he had to also g i v e a p e r s o n a l g o o d b y e . "Patrizia, you have been a col- umn of the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles, one of our most precious assets. Talking about good byes, there is one more thing: this is my last Ital- ian National Day in Los Angeles because, by the end of the year, I will leave this post for a new assignment at a yet undisclosed location. I'd like to thank all of you for the friendship and sup- port you have given me during m y t e n u r e i n t h i s i n c r e d i b l e city," concludes Consul Antonio V e r d e s u s t a i n e d b y a w a r m applause of the audience. tremendous shifts: in the econo- my, that had to be rebuilt after the war; in society, that saw women voting for the first time in 1946 and whose equal status was decreed by the Constitution, and in politics where a commit- ment to a seemingly utopian idea was gradually taking place. "Here, in Los Angeles" he continued "You can find nowa- days this spirit in action through the efforts of Sistema Italia, our Team Italy, which includes the Cultural Institute, The Italian Trade Agency (ICE), the Italian Tourist Board (ENIT) and the Italian American Chamber of Commerce West. Cooperation was indeed cho- sen to be the thread linking the recipients of the 2018 Italy's Decorations that rewarded and acknowledged entrepreneurship, scientific innovation and com- munity service. In this regard compatriots who distinguished themselves in the cultural, scien- tific and economic promotion, as well as for the commitment to support the community, have been awarded the honors of the Republic: Dr. Pietro Perona, e n g i n e e r a n d s c i e n t i f i c researcher: Commander of the Order of the Star of Italy - OSI; Lawyer Cynthia Catalino: Offi- cial OSI; Mr. Fabrizio Renna, e n t r e p r e n e u r : K n i g h t O S I . "Cooperation was truly the key in all of our respective endeav- ors," continued Italian Consul w h i l e c o n g r a t u l a t i n g t h e m . "Whether it is trade promotion, language education or scientific research, cooperation acts as a multiplier of results, as a stimu- lus for innovation and it is what creates and maintains a commu- nity." A big American representa- tion attended the event with the County of Los Angeles, includ- ing Ms. Lourdes Saab, Deputy Chief of Protocol, and represent- ing Mayor Garcetti, and Ms. Dilpreet Sidhu, Director of the Office of International Relation P o l i c i e s a n d P r o t o c o l . A l s o Commander Palazzolo, repre- senting the Los Angeles Police D e p a r t m e n t , S p e c i a l A g e n t s S h a n e J o h n s o n a n d M i c h a e l Godsen, representing the US Department of State Diplomatic Security Unit and Ms. Christina Hernandez, Regional Director of t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f S t a t e O f f i c e o f F o r e i g n M i s s i o n s . Consul Antonio Verde addresses a part of his speech to them. "We work together not only to represent our country, but to present to our American friends many aspects of Italy often not well known and to expand the cultural, economic and scientific ties that deeply connect the two countries. It is thanks to the great and small contribution that Italians and Italian Americans have always made to the devel- opment of this country that the bonds between our countries have continued to develop over the years and are set to continue. This bond renews itself through the enthusiasm of the children who study Italian in Southern California schools and through the dedication of their teachers. There are many Italian themed or Italian inspired activities and events happening throughout Southern California, and we are c o m m i t t e d t o c o n t i n u e t o involve the communities of Ari- zona, Nevada and New Mexico, the States of our Consular Dis- trict. Team Italy offers lectures, trade fairs, exhibits, film festi- vals and special events through- out the year." Another important aspect, a d d r e s s e d e s p e c i a l l y t o t h e younger generations, is sport. Sports Day, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, was also mentioned during the cele- bration. This year, it has been Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles Antonio Verde LOS ANGELES ITALIAN COMMUNITY Mr. Fabrizio Renna, entrepreneur, became a Knight OSI during the eve- ning at Casa Italiana Gianna Simone, Lee Curreri, Elisabetta Russo, Gino Gaudio The president of IACCW Nicola Serragiotto, ICE director Florindo Blandolino, IIC director Valeria Rumori, Consul General Antonio Verde, Emanuela Boni, COM.IT.ES representative Valerio Chiarotti and deputy Consul General Enrico Diazzi Italian Republic and the Constitution celebrated at Casa Italiana

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