On Tuesday, November 10, at 6:30 PM, the Consulate General of Italy and the Italian Cultural Institute in Miami will host a conference dedicated to the history of Italian emigration to the United States, exploring the many dimensions of a phenomenon that has profoundly contributed to the shaping of American society and to the development of an Italian American identity and heritage.
With a particular focus on the Italian presence in the Southeastern United States, the initiative aims to serve as an ideal conclusion to Italian American Heritage Month celebrations in the United States and is part of the activities marking the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence.
The program will feature presentations by Paolo Masini, President of the National Museum of Italian Emigration Foundation (MEI) in Genoa, together with Maria Grazia Lancellotti; Silvana Mangione, Deputy Secretary General of the General Council of Italians Abroad (CGIE) for non-European English-speaking countries; and Alessandra Montalbano, Professor at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
For many years, Paolo Masini has been committed to promoting historical memory through inclusive and innovative initiatives. He has held several public offices, including positions as City Council Member and Councilor of the Municipality of Rome. He also served as an advisor to the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism (MiBACT), focusing on the relationship between culture, migration, cinema, performing arts, education, and sports, and as Vice President of the Foundation for the Museum of the Shoah. He currently serves as President of the MEI in Genoa, where, together with the Board of Directors, staff, and numerous partner organizations, he works to develop projects that bring the history of Italian emigration to life through collective storytelling. Among these initiatives Il Civico delle Radici will be presented in greater detail at the Miami conference, with an additional contribution from Professor Maria Grazia Lancellotti, the project’s creator.
Silvana Mangione has long been committed to promoting Italian culture and language. Her work has focused on developing cultural and artistic exchange projects, protecting the rights of Italians abroad, and enhancing the participation and contribution of Italian communities around the world.
Completing the program will be an in-depth presentation on the Italian presence in Alabama by Professor Alessandra Montalbano. She has contributed to the development of Italian Studies at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and has conducted research on the history and sociology of the Italian community established in the region.
Through personal accounts, historical analysis, and academic insights, the event seeks to celebrate a shared history, strengthen dialogue between Italy and the United States, and recognize the role of Italian communities in building the cultural and social ties that connect the two countries.
Free admission with advance registration: iicmiami.segreteria@esteri.it