The year of 2010 was another culturally stimulating year for southeast Michigan through the Dante.
In January, we began the year in a traditional Italian way, with "Festa della Befana" in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The children were so excited waiting for la Befana, they could barely concentrate on the activities which were planned for them! Once la Befana chose some assistants, she opened her bag and the children were treated to stockings filled with Italian delicacies!
With March, came a reading from "The Ides of March" by its author, Professor Valerio Massimo Manfredi. Prof. Manfredi- Italian author, historian, and archeologist mesmerized the audience as he recited works from Dante; and spoke of the importance of history: "History is a long term investment; it is at the base
of everything; it is our foundation. Mr. Manfredi has published fifteen books. His trilogy series, "Alexander", was translated into twenty-four different languages. "The last Legion", was made into a film, starring Colin Firth and Sir Ben Kingsley. Detroit was Prof. Manfredi's first stop of his American tour.
April was celebrated with the third annual Italian Film Festival USA, Detroit- Ann Arbor. For the second straight year, the Dante sponsored the opening night, which was held in the beautiful Detroit Film Theatre, located in the Detroit Institute of Arts. The opening film was," Baaria", by Giuseppe Tornatore, and it was enjoyed by an audience of three hundred fifty The film festival, which has free screenings at the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University, included two more venues in 2010- The Macomb Center, and Henry Ford Community College. With funds donated to the festival, local organizers purchased copies some of the festivals' featured films, and requested that the Dante office house these films for public use, along with those of the Consul's film collection.
On the topic of Italian films, the Dante Education Committee screened films free to the public on Friday nights in the Dante office through the autumn season.
In October, the Dante created the event, "Flavors of Italy - Wine tasting and Perspectives in Photography". Renowned, Vicara Vineyards of Monferrato, Italy – and Dante sponsor, provided wines and a guided tour through their flavors with Massimo Fracchia of Vicara wines, and sommelier, Luciano Dellarovere. The event also included a photographic exhibit of Richard Haskin, entitled, "Italy- a Personal Perspective". Our guests enjoyed the wine, food, and art, all within the ambience of another flavor of Italy: the showroom of Cauley Ferrari, where the evenings' festivities were held.
The Dante Year End Gala- "An Evening of Elegance and Benevolence" was held on December 3rd, and was a night to remember. The brief Dante business included honoring Luigi Cutraro, with the "Dante Distinctive Citizens' Award".
This honor is presented each year to citizens who have generously contributed to the community through selfless acts. Dante sponsor, and owner of Roma Sposa Atelier, Anna Roselli also received this honor. The award is a bronze medallion created by internationally acclaimed sculptor, Sergio Di Giusti, especially for the Dante.
The evening also included dinner; an haute couture fashion show by Roma Sposa; and a local designer competition created by "Fashion for Compassion". "Fashion for Compassion", the Assunta Lisi Foundation, was created by Anna Roselli in honor of her late mother. The foundation donates funds for beauty treatment and massages to patients undergoing chemo and radiation therapies. Local designer finalists chose models, created their dresses for them, which were paraded down the runway. Area fashion experts judged the designs, "from the drawing boards to the finished design". The Dante awarded the first place finalists $1,500 towards an Italian fashion design course, and a Dante -provided Italian language course. Second and third place winners also received the eight week Italian language course through the Dante. The evening continued with dancing to the music of the Simone Vitale Band. Our last event of the year was a visit from author, Josephine Gambini, who did a book signing and reading from her book, "Ciao I am Poetino". Ms. Gambini read to the children at the Dante office. Although the book is primarily written in English, it introduces the readers to Italian words.