FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

or Stefania Nicotra in Rome 011/39/06/84242655

CONFERENCE: ITALIANS & ITALIAN AMERICANS: Fact vs. Fiction

Sponsors: The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and The Center for American Studies

WHEN: Thursday, May 17, 2001

WHERE: The Center for American Studies Via Michelangelo Caetani #32, Rome (06/680/1613)

The one-day conference will inform Italian media, policy makers, academics, and the general public about modern Italian Americans, and their Italian counterparts.

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM Opening Remarks
Dr. Aileen Riotto Sirey, NIAF vice chairman & NOIAW founder

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM Who are the Italian Americans?
Phillip Cannistraro, executive director, Calandra Institute, NY

Who are the Italians in relation to the Europeans?
Giovanna Milandri, Italy’s minister of culture

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM Break

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Panel Discussion: How are Italians and Italian Americans Portrayed in the Popular Culture?

Moderator:
• Beebe Tarantelli

Panelists:
• Helen Bartolini, writer, Umbertina
• Francesco Durante, writer, The Story and Literature of Italians in the United States
• Marco Nese, journalist, Il Corriere della Sera
• Renzo Arbore, singer (invited)

Closing Remarks:
• Baronessa Mariuccia Zerilli-Marimo, NIAF board member

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM Luncheon

Keynote Address: The Future of Italian American Culture

8:00PM – 9:30PM Evening Reception