FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

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

(WASHINGTON, DC—September 16, 2005) The year 2005 marks the 29th anniversary of the 1976 proclamation by President Jimmy Carter designating October as Italian American Heritage Month. To celebrate, the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), is hosting a series of free beginner Italian language classes in six U.S. cities. All classes are free and open to the public and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

In Boston, Mass., NIAF has scheduled a series of four beginner Italian classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings in October. The classes are taught by native Italian teachers at the Dante Alighieri Society in Cambridge on October 5, 10, 19, and 24.

The Foundation is also hosting four beginner Italian classes in New York City. They will be conducted at the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute on Tuesday evenings beginning October 4th.

In Pittsburgh, Pa., NIAF will host a series of four free beginner Italian classes at Duquesne University on Tuesday evenings beginning October 4th. In downtown Philadelphia, Pa., NIAF will also host a series of four free beginner Italian classes at The America Italy Society on Thursday evenings beginning October 6th.

A series of four beginner Italian language classes are being offered in downtown San Diego at the office of the Honorary Vice Consulate of Italy on Tuesday evenings beginning October 4th.

NIAF will host four beginner Italian language classes in St. Louis, Mo. at the Southwest Bank in downtown St. Louis on Thursday evenings beginning October 6th.

All must register to receive class details. To register, go to www.niaf.org/october.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan foundation dedicated to promoting the contributions of Italian Americans. The Foundation has a wide-range of programs that provide scholarships and grants, conferences and cultural seminars. Visit our website at www.niaf.org.