A monthly bulletin for Italian American organizations and media outlets, dedicated to promoting the language, culture and traditions of Italians and Italian Americans.
Robert Davi’s, “The Dukes”
 More than 600 people filled the world-famous Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood for a NIAF-sponsored screening of the award-winning film, “The Dukes,” written, directed and produced by Italian-American actor Robert Davi.
“The Dukes” is Davi’s directorial debut. The film, which deals with the plight of aging Italian Doo Wop singers, has won eight awards from festivals around the world. It was in the premiere section at the Roma Film Festival, along with films by Francis Ford Coppola, Sean Penn and Robert Redford. The cast includes Chazz Palmiteri, Davi, Peter Bogdanovich, Eloise DeJoria, Joe Campanella, Miriam Margolyes, Dominic Scott Kay and Melora Hardin.
A longtime NIAF supporter, Davi’s body of work includes more than 60 films, in which he collaborated with prominent directors and producers such as Steven Spielberg. His love affair with cinema began as a child. Davi, whose parents were both descendants of Italian immigrants, grew up watching Italian films and was influenced by the storytelling of legendary directors Federico Fellini, Vittorio de Sica, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Luchino Visconti and Roberto Rossellini.
The movie will be released nationally in October. Visit www.imdb.com.
Dante’s “Divine Comedy” on DVD
Academy Award-winning actor Roberto Benigni is not only known for being a popular Italian celebrity, but also for his love of Dante’s “Divine Comedy.” Now, after making countless appearances throughout Italy reciting one of the greatest works of world literature, Benigni’s performances will be available on DVD.
The five recordings will include his recitation of “Dante’s Inferno” in Florence’s Piazza di Santa Croce and performances on RAI-1.
In 2003, Benigni was honored with a NIAF Special Achievement Award in Entertainment during the Foundation’s 28th Anniversary Awards Gala.
For more information about Benigni, visit wikipedia.
Shroud of Turin
Pope Benedict XVI has announced that the Holy Shroud of Turin will be available for public viewing during spring 2010.
The Holy Shroud of Turin is a linen sheet kept in the royal chapel of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin, Italy. It is traditionally believed that the cloth was placed on Jesus of Nazareth at the time of his burial. The image of a man found on the shroud has been the subject of debate among scientists and historians regarding where, when and how its image was created. The Holy Shroud was last displayed in 2000, 1998 and 1978. Italy’s region of Piedmont is expecting more than two million pilgrims for the event, almost double the number of visitors at the display in 2000.
The Feast of San Gennaro
 September 19 marks the feast day of San Gennaro, a saint and martyr for both the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. At the age of 20, San Gennaro became Bishop of Naples. During the persecution of Christians by Emperor Diocletian, he hid his fellow Christians and prevented them from being caught. According to legendary sources, San Gennaro was beheaded and died in 305.
The Feast of San Gennaro, originally a one-day religious commemoration, is now an 11-day street fair beginning on the second Thursday in September in New York’s Little Italy. It’s one of the largest celebrations of Italian culture for the Italian-American community in Manhattan. This year marks its 81st festival with more than one million people attending. Events include, religious processions with the statue of San Gennaro, parades, free entertainment, food stands and a cannoli eating contest.
Visit www.sangennaro.org.
“Serenissima: Venice in Winter”
 Italian American author Frank Van Riper captures Venice with his new book, “Serenissima: Venice in Winter.” Filled with more than 85 architectural imagery and documentary photography, the 132-page book in black and white took six years to complete. The book will be released in October.
Van Riper is a Washington Post columnist and award-winning documentary photographer columnist. His photographs are in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery. Go to www.gvrphoto.com or www.talkingphotography.com.
Vendemmia da Vinci
Vendemmia da Vinci will celebrate the tradition of the Italian grape harvest on Sunday, October 12 from 2 - 6 p.m. at Tubman Garrett Park in Wilmington, Del. The fall festival will also include homemade wine and gravy contests and feature wines from the regions of Italy and cuisines from local restaurants.
For more information, visit www.societadavinci.com.
Brumidi Gold Medal Bill Passes Congress
Constantino Brumidi, known as the artist of the United States Capitol, will receive the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously. The bill was signed on July 1 by President George W. Bush. A gold medal bearing his image will be designed and cast by the U.S. Mint. Born in Rome to a Greek father and an Italian mother in 1805, the painter immigrated to the United States in 1852. Brumidi’s work is found in numerous rooms in the Capitol, including his famous “The Apotheosis of Washington” in the eye of the Capitol dome.
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Please send your group or city’s news on Italian American exhibits, cultural events, scholarships and special events to: Elissa Ruffino, the NIAF, 1860 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009. Or write her on the internet, e-mail address: elissa@niaf.org
N.B. Events/programs noted are not necessarily endorsed or sponsored by NIAF.
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