Rome Gala to be Held at Prestigious Palazzo Colonna

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ROME, ITALY (May 27, 2025) – The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is proud to announce a special gala in Rome Italy, to be held on June 3, 2025, at the historic Palazzo Colonna. The exclusive event, organized by NIAF Italia, NIAF’s sister organization in Italy, is designed to celebrate NIAF’s 50^th anniversary in the Italian capital and to commemorate NIAF’s long history of strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties between the United States and Italy.

The gala coincides with NIAF’s Annual Board Mission Trip to Italy – a week-long series of institutional and cultural meetings with local and national officials designed to strengthen connections between the United States and Italy. This timing allows NIAF leadership to fully engage with Italian partners while celebrating this historic anniversary.

“We are honored to continue the yearlong celebration of our 50th anniversary with an event in Rome, the eternal city that represents the heart of our ancestral homeland,” said John Calvelli, NIAF Chairman. “This gala symbolizes the strong bond between Italian Americans and Italy that has only grown stronger over the past five decades of NIAF’s work.”

“For 50 years, NIAF has been the preeminent organization connecting Italian Americans to their heritage,” said Robert Allegrini, NIAF President and CEO. “Hosting this special anniversary celebration in Rome perfectly embodies our ongoing mission to promote and preserve the Italian American experience while fostering stronger connections between the United States and Italy.”

Claudia Vanni, distinguished Mediaset journalist, news anchor, and head of the Tgcom24 Foreign Affairs desk, will serve as mistress of ceremonies for the evening. The gala will welcome notable attendees from both sides of the Atlantic, including high-ranking officials from Italian and American institutions, along with prominent figures from government, business, and cultural sectors.

“This celebration underscores the importance of our ongoing work connecting Italian and American communities,” said Paolo Catalfamo, President of NIAF Italia and NIAF Board Member. “We continue to build bridges that honor our shared heritage.”

“As we mark this historic milestone, we aim to make NIAF and its activities better known in Italy and to share how strong are the Italian values and the respect for our culture with the Americans of Italian descent,” said Andrea Delfini, Vice President of NIAF Italia and member of the NIAF Board of Directors.

In conjunction with the 50th anniversary celebration, NIAF has designated Lazio as its “Region of Honor” for 2025, a particularly meaningful recognition as it coincides with Rome’s Jubilee Year. This designation aims to enhance the visibility of Lazio’s excellence in the American market, promote “Made in Lazio” products and services, and foster new investment and business opportunities between the region and the United States.

“It is a great honor to serve as Honorary Chair for this historic evening that celebrates the enduring relationship between Italy and the United States,” said Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, NIAF Board Member and Executive Chairman of Heritage Group. “This gala represents not only a celebration of our past accomplishments but also a commitment to strengthening our cultural and economic ties for generations to come.”

Umberto Mucci, editor of We the Italians, shared his enthusiasm for the event: “We are very pleased to pass the baton to our friends at NIAF for June 2025 and to celebrate their first extraordinary 50 years: our best wishes and thanks go to NIAF for all they have done so far. The We the Italians gala in Rome has become a well-established tradition in celebrating the Italian American community and the relationship between Italy and the United States, and it will return in June 2026 with even greater enthusiasm and a strengthened friendship between We the Italians and NIAF.”

Proceeds from the Rome Gala will support NIAF’s important work in furthering the organization’s commitment to preserving Italian heritage and culture through education. Since its founding, NIAF has awarded over $10,000,000 in scholarships. Annually, the foundation distributes approximately $1.5 million in scholarships, grants and heritage travel programs aimed to connect Italian American students with their ancestral roots and develop the skills needed to become the next generation of cultural ambassadors.

For more information about the NIAF 50th Anniversary Gala in Rome please visit www.niaf.org.

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CONTACT:
NIAF:
Gabriella Mileti
Director of Special Programs and PR
202-939-3116
gmileti@niaf.org

Barabino and Partners USA:
Marco Lastrico
Partner – CEO
212-308-8710
m.lastrico@barabinousa.com

About NIAF

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes the Italian culture and heritage. Founded in 1975, NIAF has been a leading advocate for Italian Americans, preserving their legacy and promoting their contributions to the United States.