Gambescia to Speak on AtoZ of Italian Culture

Our second program of the year features author Carla Gambescia, the author of “La Dolce Vita University: An Unconventional Guide to Italian Culture from A to Z.” The book is a light-hearted series of mini-essays on everything from Arlecchino to Zanni — Arlecchino being the engaging trickster Harlequin (the “true star” of the Commedia dell’Arte) and Zanni being the practitioners of a madcap form of comedy just this side of crazy (think Roberto Benigni). Carla is a walking encyclopedia of Italian culture and history, and she said her talk will provide a good opportunity to discover new insights. Carla said she is planning to have a trivia quiz to test our knowledge — like how did the Colosseum get its name? But not to worry, she said if we get 5 right out of 12, we are doing well.

Carla, who lives in upstate New York, opened and ran an Italian restaurant for 12 years and which was known not just for delicious food but also for transforming the interior for fun Italian-themed events. She also had a successful career in marketing and advertising. Carla’s family roots are in Sulmona in Abruzzo. She traces her love for all things Italian to her mother’s interest in the Renaissance Masters. Her passion grew when, 25 years ago, she went on a bicycle trip in Sicily, when she said “Something magical happened ... I fell deeply in love with the land of my ancestors.” That experience led her to take dozens of trips all over Italy. Being very adventurous, she has hiked or biked in every region of Italy and recently led a bicycle tour in Sicily, from Palermo to Agrigento.