In Washington to open “The Year of Italian Culture in the United States”. That is the main reason for Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi’s visit to the United States, which ends on 13 December 2012.
An initiative of Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi, the Year of Italian Culture enjoys the patronage of the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano. The opening ceremony will take place in the distinguished setting of the National Gallery of Arts in Washington. To mark the occasion, Michelangelo’s famous “David-Apollo”, on loan from the Bargello Museum in Florence, will be on display. The work is thus making a return visit to the National Gallery, having been on show in 1949 at the time of President Truman’s inauguration.
Over 180 events
The Year of Culture is being promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Ministries for Cultural Heritage, Economic Development, and Universities and Research, and with the Agency for the Promotion of Italy Abroad (ICE) and the National Tourism Board (ENIT Italia). The initiative will include more than 180 events in over 40 American cities.
The “keywords” will be: research, discovery and innovation. The idea is to showcase an Italy that is proud of its historic and artistic traditions yet stands on the cutting edge of innovation and looks to the future. A united effort that was also made possible by the support of numerous private sector sponsors, including the ENI and Intesa San Paolo Corporate Ambassadors. The “Year of Italian Culture” will see the involvement of some of the most renowned cultural and scientific institutions of the two countries, with around 70 American organisations taking part.
A book on the Italian Embassy
The programme of events will be announced during the press conference marking the opening of the “Year”. At the Embassy of Italy in Washington, Minister Terzi will also be presenting the English-language version of the book “Il Palazzo sul Potomac – The Embassy of Italy in Washington”, by Ambassador Gaetano Cortese (now retired). Also attending the event will be Ambassador Marisa Lino, the former Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and, as moderator, Sebastian Rotella, a journalist and winner of the latest edition of the Urbino Press Award. The meeting will also provide an opportunity to discuss bilateral Italian-US relations from a historical perspective.
