FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Free Italian Language Classes in Chicago, De Pere, La Jolla, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.—September 5, 2008) The year 2008 marks the 19th anniversary of the 1989 proclamation by President George H. W. Bush and the United States Congress designating October as National Italian American Heritage and Culture Month. To celebrate, the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is hosting a series of free beginner Italian language classes in six cities in the United States. All classes are free and open to the public and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

In Chicago, Ill., classes will be held at the Italidea from 4 – 5 p.m. on October 7, 14, 21 and 28.

Four beginner Italian language classes are scheduled at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis. They will start Monday, October 6 from 5 – 6 p.m.

A series of five language classes are being offered in La Jolla, Calif., beginning October 1 from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.

In Pittsburgh, Pa., a series of four Italian classes at Duquesne University on Monday evenings will begin October 6 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

NIAF will host five language classes in downtown St. Louis, Mo., on Thursday evenings beginning October 2 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Five classes in Washington, D.C. will also be held at The Italian Culture Society of Washington, D.C., starting Wednesday, October 1 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Additional Italian language classes may be added in other locations. Visit www.niaf.org/october for updates.

Participants must register to receive class details. To register, go to www.niaf.org/october. For more information, contact Giuseppina Spillane at 202/939-3107 or gspillane@niaf.org.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. Visit www.niaf.org.