Salute to Italian Culture Held at Queens Campus

November 5, 2013

More than 350 people joined Hon. Helen M. Marshall, Queens borough president, to celebrate Italian heritage and culture at St. John’s University on October 22.

The event, “The Italian-American Experience in 2013,” was held at Marillac Hall Terrace on the University’s Queens campus and featured a wide range of Italian dishes and traditional and popular Italian music. Above all, the event provided an opportunity to appreciate Italy’s contributions around the globe. 

"The annual Italian Heritage and Culture Month celebration is always a wonderful event,” said Joseph Sciame, vice president for community relations and president/chair of the Italian Heritage and Culture Committee of New York. “The attendance was great, the food was terrific, and the music was a delight.”

A highlight of the evening was Marshall’s presentation of several proclamations and awards to Italians and Italian-Americans who have made considerable contributions to the Greater New York community.  Additionally, Sciame received a citation on behalf of the work achieved by the Italian Heritage and Culture Committee of New York—of which he is chair—for the Year of Italian Culture in the United States.

Guests enjoyed musical performances by strolling musicians and singers, including Naples-born singer-songwriter Simona De Rosa, Italian-American tenor Christopher Macchio, and singer-songwriter Giada Valenti, who hails from Venice. DeRosa also performed the national anthems of both the United States and Italy.

Several St. John’s students took part in the celebration. “It was great to see our students participate,” Sciame said. “For many of them, the evening provided insights into Italian heritage and served as a fun and memorable learning experience.”