A well-attended book launch was held at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura on May 31 to celebrate the English translation of Maria Teresa Cometto's new book Emma and the Angel of Central Park (2023 Bordighera Press). The book tells the amazing true story of Emma Stebbins and her path toward designing the famous Angel of the Waters statue for the park's Bethesda Fountain. The statue is monumental achievement for a woman sculptor in any era, and it was all the more so in 1868. Cometto's book is a delightful and informative read. The book is available here and here, among other booksellers.

From the Calandra Institute's Director for Academic and Public Programming Dr. Joseph Sciorra: "I am euphoric to announce that a tombstone for murdered dock worker and labor activist Pietro 'Pete' Panto was recently placed at his grave that went unmarked for 82 years. I thank all of you who made this possible, with your support, your donations, and work of various sorts. We will soon be organizing a ceremony at the site. Stay tuned."

What happens to our understanding of modern Italy in the world when we shift our focus away from Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean locales to consider the historical and contemporary connections between Italy and the Pacific Rim as part of transnational and transcultural interactions? This interdisciplinary conference is open to a wide range of topics concerning connections between Italy and the Pacific. As in the past, the 2023 Calandra Institute conference proposes a transnational and inclusive approach to Italy and Italian mobilities, including inhabitants of the nation-state, members of the diaspora, current immigrants in Italy and their descendants, and former colonial subjects. This is an in-person event without virtual presentations. The conference is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 212-642-2094. Click here for complete program.

January 11, 2023, marked the eightieth anniversary of the murder of activist Carlo Tresca. Tresca was gunned down on the corner of Fifth and 15th St. in 1943 at age sixty-three. To remember this brutal end of a valiant life, Dr. Joseph Sciorra and Stephen Cerulli of the Calandra Institute organized a gathering of Tresca fans on the site of the assassination. Dr. Sciorra welcomed those present and put the event in some historical context, which Cerulli expanded on. They then opened the event up for others to speak, and a handful did so. Calandra's Dean Anthony J. Tamburri closed the remarks, and the event concluded with the placing of red carnations, Tresca's favorite flower, on the pavement near where he died. Sign up for Calandra's mailing list to receive advance notice of this kind of special event by clicking here.

On October 23rd, 2022, at the 86th Annual Italian Charities of America Dinner Dance these Italian American honorees were celebrated for their outstanding work and achievements. Joseph Petrosino, Esq. received the Christopher Columbus Award. Silvana Mangione received the talian American Ambassador Award. Giovanni Pinto received the Italian American Community Service Award. Dr. Donna M. Chirico received the Italian American Leadership Award. Dr. Antonio Carlo Vitti received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Louisa Calio received the Renaissance Award.