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

MEDIA ADVISORY

Event:   THE 8th ANNUAL NIAF YOUTH RETREAT in Providence, RI
sponsored by The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)

When:   Friday, July 20, 2001 1:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.
Saturday, July 21, 9:30 AM to 10:00 P.M.
Sunday, July 22, 10:00 A.M. to Noon

Where:   Holiday Inn
21 Atwells Avenue
Providence, RI 02903
(401/831-3900401/831-3900)

NIAF HOSTS 8Th ANNUAL YOUTH RETREAT FOR YOUNG ITALIAN AMERICANS
** 40 University Students from Italy to Join Group**

Find out “What it means to be a young Italian American in the 21st century” at the eighth annual NIAF Youth Retreat for young Italian Americans held in Providence, RI, July 20-22. Explore Providence with its thriving Italian American community of 157,000 living in the city and suburbs. Providence’s sister city is Florence, Italy and its waterways harbor Venetian gondolas.

The retreat brings together young adults ages 18 to 30 who share a common interest in Italy and Italian American issues for a weekend of cultural, educational and social activities. This year, 40 Italian students who are participants in the Gift of Discovery: Learning Exchange, Italy and America, will join the group to socialize with their Italian American counterparts and compare shared traditions.

The event begins on Friday, July 20, with a walking tour of Providence and an evening welcome reception and dinner hosted by Johnson and Wales Culinary School. NIAF Board Member Ronald W. Del Sesto, honorary vice consul of Italy in Rhode Island, and NIAF area coordinator for the state, will greet the attendees. Saturday begins with a discussion led by Giovanna Bellesia, an expert on Italian and Italian American culture, and is followed by a boat tour of the rivers of Providence and a multimedia downtown artistic display called WaterFire Providence. The retreat concludes with brunch followed by an ethnoconscious workshop.

The NIAF weekend is open to all Italian Americans and Italian enthusiasts. Come alone or bring a friend or relative who shares your enthusiasm for Italian culture. Dress is casual. The retreat package begins at $75 and can include two nights hotel, transportation to events, and meals. For reservations, Contact Rich Santoro at richard@niaf.org or 1/800-989-NIAF ext. 41.