In the public classrooms of Glendale Unified School District, a small part of Los Angeles is being taught language arts, math, and science in Italian nearly all day long.
Source: Italian Dual-Language Program & “La Doppia Vita” — Language Magazine
Author Archives: CiaoAmerica
Lady Gaga wows Milan crowd with Joanne tour
Gaga gave a monologue on equality and then launched into “Edge of Glory”, dedicating it to her family and in particular to her cousins Antonino, Giuseppe and Maria Germanotta. “Today I’m here with my whole family,” she said, seated at the piano. “I met my Italian cousins for the first time; they came up from Sicily. I think about how my grandparents left such a beautiful place, of the sacrifices they made. Being here makes me feel like I’ve made them proud,” she said.
Source: Lady Gaga wows Milan crowd with Joanne tour – English – ANSA.it
In Italy, #MeToo Falters Amid Public Scorn : Parallels : NPR
In the months since allegations of sexual harassment by major media figures took center stage in the United States, the #MeToo movement has had a ripple effect in Europe, prompting national conversations on a once-taboo topic. In some countries, the movement has been embraced. But in Italy, the public has largely reacted with scorn and skepticism.
Source: In Italy, #MeToo Falters Amid Public Scorn : Parallels : NPR
Viewpoint: What Columbus means to Italian Americans | Opinion
As a first generation Italian-American, to me and to many like me, Christopher Columbus represents the idea that you can voyage far away from home, and with a dream, and perseverance and sacrifice, and faith and hard work, you can find a better life and enjoy the freedom with which we are blessed to have in this awesome country we call the United States of America.
Source: Viewpoint: What Columbus means to Italian Americans | Opinion | southbendtribune.com
In NY Italian American Museum sells three buildings in bid to expand
The Italian American Museum has struck a deal to sell three buildings it owns on Grand Street to a development group that will build a bigger museum in the base of a residential condo the group plans to erect on the site.The museum, founded by Joseph Scelsa, a retired sociology professor at Queens College who specialized in Italian American history and research, will use the larger space to expand exhibitions and hold events.”This space will be all about the Italian-American experience,” Scelsa said. “We want to show the contributions to society and the art that Italian-Americans have made. We’ll have more room for galleries in this new facility, along with areas for classes, lectures and performances.”
Source: Italian American Museum sells three buildings in bid to expand | Crain’s New York Business
Ducati MotoGP launch: 2018 livery revealed in Italy
The Italian manufacturer unveiled its revised colour scheme – featuring a tweaked design and sections of grey to go with its traditional red and white colours – during a launch event on Monday morning near its Borgo Panigale headquarters in Bologna, where Dovizioso and Lorenzo were on hand.
Source: Ducati MotoGP launch: 2018 livery revealed in Italy – MotoGP – Autosport
50 years since Sicily’s earthquake, an urban disaster of a different kind
“The truth is that we were victims of an urban experiment imposed on us from the top,” says the current mayor, Lorenzo Pagliaroli. “But cities cannot be rebuilt in a few years. The old Poggioreale was founded in 1642 and it took 300 years to model it, according to the habits of its people.
Source: 50 years since Sicily’s earthquake, an urban disaster of a different kind | Cities | The Guardian
Gianni Versace ‘American Crime Story’ looks closely at his killer
Gianni Versace and Andrew Cunanan were both smart, talented, engaging and popular. Versace grew up to become the most influential fashion designer of his generation. Cunanan grew up to kill Versace.
Source: Gianni Versace ‘American Crime Story’ looks closely at his killer – NY Daily News
Italian-American baseball ambassadors
“Italians were once second-class citizens in the United States and invisible in baseball before players like Tony Lazzeri and Joe DiMaggio rose to prominence. Not having an appreciation of your heritage is like an olive tree without roots. Baseball is a part of mine.”
Source: Italian-American baseball ambassadors – San Diego Downtown News
Message of the Ambassador of Italy in Washington Armando Varricchio on the occasion of the Christmas Holidays
As the Holiday Season approaches, I wish to extend to you and your families my best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
During this time we ponder the events of the past months, reflect upon the outcomes, and start planning future projects.
In 2017 Italy has been on the forefront of the International scene, as Chair of the G7 and a Member of the United Nations Security Council. In 2018 Italy carries on its commitment towards peace and shared security by holding the Chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The Embassy of Italy in the United States, the Italian Consular network and the Italian Cultural Institutes have been steadfast in their promotional activities in all sectors of political and trade relations, cultural events, scientific cooperation and teaching of our beautiful language.
Just like in the past, we were able to count on the priceless support of Italians who live in the United States, whom I have had the pleasure to meet in person on many occasions as I travelled throughout this country. I was able to appreciate the excellent and prestigious contributions that Italians bring to the various fields where they happen to operate. Grazie to all our citizens and to our American friends of Italian descent for their extraordinary passion, professional achievements and above all profound love for Italy.
The year that is about to begin will find us engaged in further strengthening the ties of deep friendship and unceasing cooperation with the United States.
Our fellow citizens residing in the United States will be called to participate in the elections of a new Italian Parliament. The Embassy and the Consular Network will ensure they will be able to exercise their right to vote.
With enthusiasm and, I am confident, with your support, we shall meet the goals that lie ahead of us.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
POTUS Proclaims October 9, 2017, as Columbus Day
COLUMBUS DAY, 2017
– – – – – – –
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Five hundred and twenty-five years ago, Christopher Columbus completed an ambitious and daring voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. The voyage was a remarkable and then-unparalleled feat that helped launch the age of exploration and discovery. The permanent arrival of Europeans to the Americas was a transformative event that undeniably and fundamentally changed the course of human history and set the stage for the development of our great Nation. Therefore, on Columbus Day, we honor the skilled navigator and man of faith, whose courageous feat brought together continents and has inspired 
countless others to pursue their dreams and convictions — even in the face of extreme doubt and tremendous adversity.
More than five centuries after his initial voyage, we remember the “Admiral of the Ocean Sea” for building the critical first link in the strong and enduring bond between the United States and Europe. While Isabella I and Ferdinand II of Spain sponsored his historic voyage, Columbus was a native of the City of Genoa, in present day Italy, and represents the rich history of important Italian American contributions to our great Nation. There can be no doubt that American culture, business, and civic life would all be much less vibrant in the absence of the Italian American community. We also take this opportunity to reaffirm our close ties to Columbus’s country of birth, Italy. Italy is a strong ally and a valued partner in promoting peace and promoting prosperity around the world.
In commemoration of Christopher Columbus’s historic voyage, the Congress, by joint resolution of April 30, 1934, and modified in 1968 (36 U.S.C. 107), as amended, has requested the President proclaim the second Monday of October of each year as “Columbus Day.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 9, 2017, as Columbus Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also direct that the flag of the United States be displayed on all public buildings on the appointed day in honor of our diverse history and all who have contributed to shaping this Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-second.
DONALD J. TRUMP
Italy launches a new online portal from which to obtain an entry visa for Italy and the Schengen Area
The Foreign Ministry launches a new online portal from which to obtain an entry visa for Italy and the Schengen Area. The project, called “VISA e-@pplication”, was entirely developed with European funds and is part of the European Union’s plan to completely dematerialise entry visas through e-visa application forms common to all the EU member Countries.
The new procedure, which makes it possible to fill out an online visa application form, combines technological innovation, cost optimization and time reduction, thus maximizing the overall efficiency of the services provided by Italy’s diplomatic and consular network. The advantages of the new system, both for users as for Italy’s whole economic system, are numerous: reducing the time needed to feed the data into the online visa system; more complete data entered; reducing typos; enhancing the accuracy and security of the data collected.
The online form is available in Italian and in English at the following link: http://e-applicationvisa.esteri.it . It can also be accessed through the user information portal http://vistoperitalia.esteri.it.