PINO CICALA MARKS 60 YEARS OF SERVICE
Long-time AMHS member Pino Cicala recently marked 60 years of service to the Italian-American community in Washington, D.C. Pino officially marked the 60-year milestone on February 1. You may recall that Pino was recently honored by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) with a “Special Achievement Award in Community Leadership.”
During our March 29, 2015 program with NIAF President John Viola (see related article in this issue), AMHS President Maria D’Andrea noted that Pino was among the 16 Washington Italian-American leaders in initial meetings leading to the foundation of NIAF. And Pino, who is an architect in his other life, had a hand in the planning and organizing of the National Museum for Women in the Arts, which recently had a magnificent exhibition, “Picturing Mary: Woman, Mother, Idea,” with paintings from the Vatican Museum, Uffizi Gallery and elsewhere. Bravo, Pino. Congratulations and keep up the good work!! (submitted by Nancy DeSanti). (For more information you can go to the AMICO website. (http://italianamericancommunications.org/)
AMHS PAST PRESIDENT OMERO SABATINI
HOSPITALIZED
AMHS Past President Omero Sabatini would like to thank
AMHS members and friends for their prayers and get-well
wishes. Omero has been hospitalized since January after
falling at home, and he and his family are grateful for your
concern and prayers. (submitted by Nancy DeSanti).
EXPO MILAN 2015 OPENS MAY 1
The spotlight is shining brightly on Italy as Expo Milan 2015 is set to open May 1. Designed to make a powerful impact on the critical global issues of hunger and nutrition, the theme of this world’s fair is “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.” The event, which runs until October 31, is showcasing the most advanced innovations and technologies with participation by over 140 countries. The focus is on improving the lives of people while respecting the planet. Over 20 million visitors are expected, which will be a welcome boost to the economy of Italy.
Expo Milan 2015 is being built on 250 acres as a small city with streets featuring all kinds of restaurants, live concerts, performances by the world-famous Cirque du Soleil, and inspirational workshops and exhibitions around every corner. Many of the participating countries are building their own pavilions, so the event will truly show the best the world has to offer. The USA pavilion is being constructed in the style of a barn, with a boardwalk made of wood from Coney Island. It will highlight the culinary culture, ingenuity and diversity of the United States.
The Vatican pavilion is ready, announcing “Not By Bread Alone” in a number of languages. The Italian pavilion is at the crossroads of the entire world’s fair. Its design is taken from ancient Rome and a simple cross, known as the “Cardo” delineates the form of the “town.” The Cardo was the name given to the street running from north to south in ancient Roman cities and military camps, and it is reproduced in the Italian pavilion’s main street. The Cardo is flanked by buildings and small squares designed to evoke the feel of a traditional Italian village. Visitors strolling through the Cardo will find foods typical of every region of Italy and a vast choice of 1,400 different kinds of wine to sample (for example, the island of Pantelleria is featuring its famous Zibibbo wine).
At the northern end of the Cardo is Lake Arena, a pond with pebbles at the bottom that create a mirrored effect. At the center of the pond sits a showpiece of the Italian pavilion, the Tree of Life, which is the highest structure on the site. The only building on the Cardo that will remain after the Expo is over is the Palazzo Italia, the unique building with a modern glass and concrete exterior, which is nearly zero-energy with many innovative features. The pavilion’s architectural design is meant to resemble the shapes of branches in a thick forest. The entire outdoor surface and part of the interior consist of cement panels made from a new material developed in Italy called biodynamic cement—said to be the brainchild of 15 researchers and 12,500 hours of research, experiments and scale tests carried out in conjunction with the architects.
The cement captures pollutants in the air and turns them into inert salts, and it is 80% made up of recycled aggregates, which makes it shinier than traditional white cement and also far more fluid, thus allowing builders to pour, stretch and bend it to achieve complex shapes such as those of Palazzo Italia - truly an amazing structure!! Also on the Cardo, there will be typical neighborhood markets, Renato Guttoso’s painting of the famous Vucciria street market in Palermo, enormous 3D interactive figures, and a chance to sign the Milan Charter which will be delivered to the U.N. Secretary General on October 16.
The Cardo’s cross street will feature the Lombardia region as well as the Coldiretti agricultural group’s space which will have flooring made out of special material that simulates walking on bare earth. Coldiretti will feature pizza made with traditional specialties including buffalo mozzarella from Campania, Sorrento extra virgin olive oil, San Marzano tomatoes and Vesuvio cherry tomatoes - all protected under the European Union’s system of geographical indications. Pizza consumption in Italy is second only to the U.S. In Italy, 5 million pizzas are baked every day but unfortunately authentic Italian ingredients are frequently not used. According to Expo 2015 S.p.A. President Diana Bracco, “the Cardo will be fun, and I think it will be very full of crowds.” Since all the regions of Italy are showcasing their specialties, we wondered what the regions of Abruzzo and Molise were doing.
Ennio DiTullio and Lucio D’Andrea found out for us. For Abruzzo, the region sees it as “a unique occasion for valuing Abruzzo that boasts the title of ‘Greenest Region of Europe,’ thanks to its parks and protected nature reserves.” The region’s efforts are concentrated in Casa Abruzzo which will promote tourism and culture of the region. Many events and meetings are planned, such as the “Palazzo delle Stelline” on June 19 - a gala dinner featuring international chefs. From June 30 until July 5, workshops and cooking demonstrations will be presented by Abruzzo’s catering schools. On July 8, during the “Settimana del Protagonismo,” the “Feast of Return” will be celebrated, dedicated to Abruzzo’s citizens around the world.
In “Chiostro Bramante” on September 3-5, the focus will be on trade, design, fashion and wine. For Molise, the region hopes to boost tourism by showcasing its ambiance, history and culture, gastronomy and folklore. Visitors can learn about the “cammino dei tratture,” the ancient shepherds’ trails which nowadays can be used for horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking, all done in a pastoral setting typical of Molise. In keeping with Expo’s theme, the Molise exhibit will examine the properties and efficacy of herbs and natural products for the physical and psychological well-being of mankind. Visitors will also find out about sports and “turismo naturalistico,” such as bicycling, canoeing, hiking, and excursions into the beautiful parks.
Traditions and folklore typical of the Molise region, religious tourism, archaeology and paleontology will also be featured. Meanwhile, along with the expected 20 million visitors to the Expo, many chefs are coming from all over the world. Expo Commissioner Giuseppe Sala commented that “there is an opening of restaurants in Milan that I never saw in the last 50 years.” He added: “When we sell Expo, we sell Milan itself a lot and the things people ask us for are the Duomo, the Castle, the Last Supper and then there is all the glamour that happens around Milan,” the fashion capital of Italy. Sala noted that about 2,000 video cameras will be used as part of a massive security operation, 600 soldiers will be on duty, and there will be X-ray checks for all trucks entering the site, among other steps being taken to ensure security.
As of last month, over 1 million tickets were sold in the U.S., 300,000 tickets were sold in Argentina, and there has been a huge response from Asia, especially China. In honor of the world’s fair, Italy is issuing a 2-euro commemorative coin dedicated to Milan Expo 2015. Italy is also issuing a 2-euro coin in honor of the 750th anniversary of the poet Dante Alighieri’s birth. Dante, the author of the “Divine Comedy,” is considered the father of the Italian language. Both of these coins will be legal tender throughout all the Eurozone countries. If any of our members or friends will be going to the Expo, we would love to hear from you. And for anyone wishing to experience Milan Expo 2015, tickets are still available!!