|
|
October 2007 
Dear Friends, It is with great appreciation that I thank you for your generosity to the America-Italy Society during the past year. Your steadfast encouragement, patience, and support have helped to ensure that membership remains a rewarding and enjoyable experience for everyone. In order to serve you more effectively, we are interested in knowing your thoughts and suggestions for programs and events. Your active participation in the affairs of the Society is important and most welcome. Our Board of Directors regularly looks to add independent directors who have relevant experience and can provide valuable insight and perspective to supplement the Board’s existing expertise. The Board is particularly interested in enlisting people who can take responsibility for the procurement of essential financial resources. We welcome suggestions from members for this also. Last month we distributed a newsletter outlining some current and future activities – the Italian language classes, Cinema all’italiana, The Amerita Chamber Players concert series and other programs. Please let us know if you would like to have additional copies of the newsletter. The Society’s fall Italian language program is now well underway with an enrollment of 120 students. Under the direction of Dott.ssa Franca Riccardi, the classes are now more numerous and diversified. This has resulted in an urgent need for more space. Fortunately, bigger and better accommodations became available during the summer, and the Society moved its headquarters into Suite 310 in the same 1420 Walnut Street building it has occupied for over 51 years. We are planning a reception in early December for members in the Contributing and higher categories of membership. We hope as many as possible of you will come and visit us in the new location at that time. On October 26, 2007, in Venice, Italy, the inauguration of the restoration of the commemorative monument to Doge Francesco Morosini will be held in the Campo Santo Stefano. Morosini began his career as an Italian soldier and rose to the power of doge of Venice from 1688 to 1694. He was an important figure in the history of Venice and its inhabitants. After four years of restoration work, the commemorative monument with a magnificent cast iron bell displaying a bas relief of Morosini’s head and a flagpole can now proudly fly the flag of Venice on festive days. The monument is loved by Venetians and will stand as a symbol in the Campo reminding them of their great legacy. The America-Italy Society of Philadelphia undertook this project in collaboration with the UNESCO – Comitati Internazionali per la Salvaguardia di Venezia Program and with deeply appreciated financial support from the British, Swedish and Australian committees. This special project was carried out in memory of a long-time Venetian friend and colleague, Carlo Maria Rocca. Carlo Maria assisted with many art restoration projects undertaken by the America-Italy Society during the past 41 years and he is greatly missed as a dear friend and working partner. As the America-Italy Society seeks to reinforce the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States and Italy, I thank you again for all that you do to support the Society. We are deeply grateful to you. Cordialmente, vostro
John S. Price
|
