During the weekend, the Italian-American community gathered in Washington to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Italian American Foundation, the main organization representing Italian Americans in the United States. The event, held as usual at Washington Hilton, saw the participation of about 2,400 guests, including Italian and American institutional figures, entrepreneurs, artists and representatives of the diaspora. This year’s Gala marks half a century of activity of the foundation, born in 1975 to promote the relations between Italy and the United States and enhance the contribution of Italians to American society.
Premier Giorgia Meloni took part in the evening with a video message addressed to the present. In his speech he expressed “honor” in celebrating the anniversary of the NIAF, called “the unwavering voice and the backbone of the Italian American community”. Meloni thanked the president of the foundation Robert Allegrini and the Governing Council for “building a solid bridge between the two nations”, underlining how the values of family, faith and work remain “the DNA of opportunity” shared between Italy and the United States.
The President of the Council then recalled the role of Italian immigrants in American history, stating that “they did not just come to America, but they helped build it and shape it”. He cited the successes of Italian Americans as an example of excellence and paid tribute to Andrea Bocelli, awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Entertainment and protagonist of a meeting with Donald Trump in the Oval Studio, where he sang for the American President “With you Partirò”. “I remember his performance at the G7 in Puglia,” Meloni said, “his voice reminded the world leaders what harmony means, that same harmony that binds Italy and the United States”.
In closing, Meloni criticized the so-called “culture awakened” and the desire to “define history” by erasing symbolic figures like Christopher Columbus. “Defend the Columbus Day”, he said, “is not only protecting a date on the calendar, but recognizing the place that the Italian Americans have conquered in the mosaic of the American nation”.
The reference was also resumed by Donald Trump, who shared the passage in which Meloni defended Columbus Day. The premier then cited Trump himself, thanking him for the words spoken a few days before in honor of Colombo and the Italian American community.
Among the Italian institutional presences were also the Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè and the Minister for Relations with Parliament Luca Ciriani. The latter, intervened at the New York microphones, defined the link between Italy and the United States “today stronger than ever”, recalling that the NIAF represents “a social, economic and political bridge” between the two countries. Ciriani added that “the American dream has a great Italian root”, recalling the history of migrants who sought fortune beyond the ocean.
NIAF president Robert Allegrini, always at our microphones, spoke of a “ record year” for the foundation, with over 2,300 guests from all over the United States and Italy. “Good birthday to NIAF”, said Allegrini, “this evening we celebrated half a century of history and closed with Andrea Bocelli who sang No Sleep. And tonight, really, nobody will sleep.”.
The message of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, read during the evening, reiterated the value of the Italian-American community in keeping alive the links with the country of origin and in promoting the image of Italy in the world.
Founded in 1975 in Washington, the National Italian American Foundation has supported over the years programs of scholarships, cultural initiatives and lobbying activities to defend Italian history and traditions in the United States. Over the decades he has seen among his supporters names such as Frank Sinatra, Lee Iacocca and Nancy Pelosi. The 50th anniversary edition commemorated that legacy, celebrating the origins and continuity of a bond that today involves over 17 million Italian Americans.
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