COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN ITALY AND THE UNITED STATES
ON THE OCCASION OF AMERICA 250
America250 is a major initiative of the United States Government to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, an event of extraordinary historical and symbolic significance for the American nation and the international community.
Given the significance of the anniversary and the deep ties that unite Italy and the United States, on December 10, 2025, the Italian Ambassador to Washington, Marco Peronaci, and the President of the America250 Committee, Rosie Rios, signed an agreement formalizing cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement provides for Italian participation in the official celebrations for America250 through an “Italian Program,” aimed at highlighting the contribution of Italy and the Italian-American community to the history, culture, and development of the United States’ identity, further strengthening the historic and enduring bilateral friendship that unites our two nations. The agreement also allows the Embassy to use the “America 250” logo.
The main initiatives scheduled are described below, by date.
Contents
Winter 2025-2026
America250: A Legacy of Friendship ~ Washington D.C., Villa Firenze ~ December 10, 2025
Signing ceremony of the agreement between the Italian Embassy and the America250 Committee, preceded by a conversation on relations between Italy and the United States, from the Declaration of Independence to the shared commitment to promoting culture as a driver of mutual understanding, innovation, and growth.
Custodians of Culture ~ Washington D.C., Villa Firenze ~ January 20
Signing ceremony of the renewed agreement on restrictions on the import of art objects and exhibition of some artifacts recovered at Villa Firenze in collaboration with Carabinieri TPC, U.S. State Department, Homeland Security Investigation, and FBI Art Crime.
Happiness as the Supreme Law: Gaetano Finagieri and the Declaration of Independence on the 250th Anniversary ~ Philadelphia, Consulate General of Italy ~ March 12
Lecture on the influence of Neapolitan philosopher Gaetano Filangieri on the 1776 Declaration of Independence, with Professor Amedeo Arena (Federico II University of Naples).
250 Years of Cultural Relations between the US and Italy: Filippo Mazzei and Other Key Figures ~ Philadelphia, Consulate General of Italy ~ March 18
At the Free Library of Philadelphia, Dr. Barbara Faedda, Executive Director of the Italian Academy at Columbia University, explained the cultural, political, and historical ties between Italy and the United States, focusing in particular on figures such as Filippo Mazzei. The lecture series, organized by Luca Zipoli (Bryn Mawr College) and the Consulate, was created in collaboration with the America-Italy Society of Philadelphia and PI-Philly.
Spring 2026
Art Across the Atlantic: The Italian Legacy in Philadelphia ~ Philadelphia, Consulate General of Italy ~ March 27
A lecture by Professor Luca Zipoli of the Department of Transnational Italian Studies at Bryn Mawr College, who explored the impact and legacy of Italian art and architecture on the landscape of Philadelphia from the 18th century to the present. By analyzing some of Philadelphia’s lesser-known sites, monuments, and artworks, the lecture highlighted the role played by Italian immigrant artists in the city’s development, demonstrating how places, art forms, and identities that are now perceived as “American” often have a transnational story to tell. The event was part of the conference series “Shaping the United States: Italian Contributions and the Philadelphia Legacy,” organized by Bryn Mawr College in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Philadelphia, the America-Italy Society, and PI-Philly.
Operation Bathyscaphe Trieste ~ Washington D.C., Embassy of Italy ~ March 31
Screening of Finazzer Flory’s documentary on the extraordinary story of the Bathyscaphe Trieste, a pioneering submarine designed and built in Italy, which in 1960 set a world record by descending to 10,916 meters in the Mariana Trench with Jacques Piccard and Walsh aboard. Event organized in collaboration with the National Museum of the US Navy and the Italian Navy, in conjunction with the Vespucci Training Ship Campaign.
How Cesare Beccaria and the Italian Enlightenment Shaped the Founding Fathers and Early American Law ~ Philadelphia, Consulate General of Italy ~ April 11
Lecture by Professor John Bessler of the University of Baltimore on Cesare Beccaria’s 1764 treatise, “On Crimes and Punishments,” a seminal work that profoundly shaped American law, influencing Founding Fathers such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Wilson to advocate for proportionate punishment, due process, and the abolition of torture. Cesare Beccaria’s work introduced the theory of the social contract to criminal justice, arguing against the death penalty and in favor of crime prevention over punitive vengeance. The event was organized as part of the conference series “Shaping the United States: Italian Contributions and the Philadelphia Legacy.”
80 Years of Fulbright: The Transatlantic Dialogue between Italy and the United States Continues ~ Philadelphia, Consulate General of Italy ~ April 16
Commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Program, with a focus on its role in promoting intellectual exchange between Italy and the United States. The event included discussions on the program’s impact and enduring transatlantic dialogue. The discussions highlighted the longstanding collaboration in education and culture, which continues to be a strong and ongoing dialogue between the two nations.
Meet the Italian and American Fulbright scholarship recipients ~ New York, Consulate General of Italy ~ April 20, 2026
Held as part of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Program and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution, this gathering—organized in collaboration with the U.S.-Italy Fulbright Commission— was aimed to highlight the cultural ties between Italy and New York through the Fulbright community network. The event opened with a conversation among three distinguished alumni—Paolo Mastrolilli, Viviana Mazza, and Gianni Riotta—who are now leading voices in Italian journalism. These three correspondents, prominent figures in the media landscape, shared how their Italian-American experiences continue to shape their perspective on the United States and influence how they interpret and report on its reality.
Regenerating Memories and Places: Triennale Milano, The Palazzo dell’Arte and its Collections ~ New York, Consulate General of Italy ~ April 28, 2026
Part of the Italian Design Day celebrations, this event featured Marco Sammicheli—Curator of Design, Fashion, and Crafts at Triennale Milano, Director of the Italian Design Museum, and an “Ambassador” of Italian design worldwide. The initiative showcased Triennale Milano’s exhibition program, which this year explores the cultural bond between Italy and the United States through exhibitions dedicated to three Italian creators: Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Costantino Nivola, and Francesco Clemente. These figures developed much of their professional careers in the U.S., embodying the cultural exchange between the two nations. The meeting focused on the role of design as a tool for social innovation, with a special look at the history and projects of the Triennale that connect Italy and New York. This event featured distinguished guests, including the founders of Magazzino Italian Art—the only museum of contemporary Italian art in North America—and senior representatives from prestigious U.S. institutions such as the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum (the national museum of American design).
Lella & Massimo Vignelli – Designing American Life ~ New York, Consulate General of Italy ~ April 29, 2026
Part of the Italian Design Day celebrations, featuring Marco Sammicheli—Curator of Design, Fashion, and Crafts at Triennale Milano, Director of the Italian Design Museum, and a global “Ambassador” of Italian design. Hosted at Salotto—a Brooklyn-based cultural and creative hub founded by a collective of Italian artists, illustrators, and architects—the initiative highlighted the artistic and design legacy of Massimo and Lella Vignelli, the creators of the iconic New York City subway map (1972).
“Puccini the American” ~ Washington D.C., Embassy of Italy ~ April 30
On the occasion of the concert “Puccini’s Trittico” at the National Symphony Orchestra, a conversation on Puccini’s influence on American musical narratives will take place with Virgilio Bernardoni, vice president of the Giacomo Puccini Study Center, and Patrizia Mavilla, director of the Simonetta Puccini Foundation for Giacomo Puccini. The conversation will be moderated by Carla Moreni, music critic for Il Sole 24 Ore, followed by a gala evening at the Embassy, in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Society, featuring Maestro Gianandrea Noseda.
“Puccini, the American” Conference ~ New York ~ Italian Cultural Institute of New York ~ May 2, 2026
A panel discussion dedicated to Giacomo Puccini’s fascination with America, accompanied by an exhibition of photographs taken in New York by the composer. Participants included conductor Gianandrea Noseda; music theater scholar Virgilio Bernardoni; music critic Carla Moreni (Il Sole 24 Ore); and Patrizia Mavilla, Director of the Simonetta Puccini Foundation for Giacomo Puccini; the discussion was moderated by Claudio Pagliara.
“Italy and America in Dialogue: Pizzetti, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Bernstein” Concert – part of the “United in Sound at 250” Festival ~ New York ~ Italian Cultural Institute of New York ~ May 8, 2026
A concert by Trio Hermes. The trio—comprising Ginevra Bassetti (violin), Francesca Giglio (cello), and Greta Maria Lobefaro (piano)—performed works by three composers whose music embodies an intense transatlantic dialogue: Pizzetti, deeply rooted in the Italian tradition; Castelnuovo-Tedesco, forced to emigrate to the United States in 1939 due to Fascist racial laws, bringing with him a Mediterranean sensibility that would influence Hollywood; and Bernstein, an American composer trained on European and Italian models, who reinterpreted music through a distinctly American sensibility.
Exhibition “Sicily 1954: The Musical Journey of Alan Lomax and Diego Carpitella” – part of the *United in Sound at 250* Festival ~ New York ~ Italian Cultural Institute of New York ~ May 15–31, 2026
Opening of the exhibition—which ran until May 31—featuring photographs, videos, and recordings collected by Alan Lomax and Diego Carpitella, two pioneers of American and Italian ethnomusicology, taken during their 1954 research trip to Sicily. Speakers included Sergio Bonanzinga (University of Palermo), Anna Lomax Wood (Association for Cultural Equity), Jo Ann Cavallo (Columbia University), and Joseph Sciorra (John D. Calandra Italian American Institute).
“When Jazz Meets Hip Hop” Concert ~ New York ~ Italian Cultural Institute of New York ~ May 22, 2026.
Pianist, composer, and producer Francesco Cavestri performed alongside two young New York-based talents from the international scene: Mattia Muller (drums) and Joav Ganor (bass), both alumni of the Berklee College of Music. The trio serves as a space for sonic exploration where jazz, electronica, and hip-hop engage in a free-flowing dialogue.
“Nick La Rocca & His Brothers” Concert by Some Like It Hot – part of the *United in Sound at 250* Festival ~ New York ~ Italian Cultural Institute of New York ~ May 29, 2026
“Nick La Rocca & His Brothers” concert featuring the Some Like It Hot Jazz Band, held at The Players, 16 Gramercy Park South, New York. Performers included: Luca Velotti (clarinet and saxophones, musical director), Rossano Sportiello (piano), James Cirillo (guitar), Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet), Harvey Tibbs (trombone), Neal Miner (double bass), Kevin Dorn (drums), and Imani Rousselle (vocals). The concert celebrated the origins of jazz and the contributions of Italian and Italian-American musicians to American music. In February 1917, the Original Dixieland Jass Band—led by Italian-American cornetist Nick La Rocca, who was of Sicilian descent—recorded what is considered the first jazz record in history.
Summer 2026
“HIGH NOTES – A New Generation of Italian Musicians” Music Festival ~ Event 1 ~ New York ~ Italian Cultural Institute of New York ~ June 4, 2026
This is the first of four events in the “High Notes – A New Generation of Italian Musicians” series, curated by Francesca Dego, which celebrates 250 years of musical friendship between Italy and the United States. The festival opened on June 4th featuring pianist Martina Consonni; violinists Giuseppe Gibboni (winner of the 2021 Paganini Competition and fresh from debuts with the Atlanta, Milwaukee, and Detroit symphony orchestras) and Lucilla Mariotti, joined by pianist Alessio Enea; guitarist Carlotta Dalia; and cellist Erica Piccotti, joined by pianist Leonardo Pierdomenico. Together, they performed works inspired by Italy, composed by some of the greatest minds in music history.
“Enrico Caruso: From Naples to New York” Exhibition – part of the *United in Sound at 250* Festival initiatives ~ New York ~ Italian Cultural Institute of New York ~ June 5, 2026 – August 31, 2026
A documentary and exhibition dedicated to a pivotal figure in music history: Enrico Caruso. Through his artistic and personal journey, Enrico Caruso embodies the story of Italian emigration and its cultural impact on the United States. The opening event featured a screening of the documentary *Enrico Caruso: The Greatest Singer in the World*, curated by Giuliana Muscio. Previously presented at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples in 2022 and now showing in New York for the first time, the exhibition includes photographic, video, and audio materials and will remain open until August 31.
Noi italiani d’America ~ Boston, Consolate General of Italy ~ June 7, 2026
We Italians in America is a theatrical journey through the history of Italian immigration to the United States, told through stories, testimonies, and memories that have shaped more than a century of Italian presence across the Atlantic. The performance gives voice to the men and women who left Italy in search of new opportunities, facing hardship, challenges, and hope while helping to build American society through their work, talent, and determination. Blending personal experiences with broader historical events, the production highlights the enduring bond between Italy and the United States and celebrates the cultural heritage, values, and identity of Italian American communities.
1776 La Rivoluzione Americana vista dall’Italia ~ Boston, Consolate General of Italy ~ June 9, 2026
Conference-style conversation with Professor David Salomoni, of Università per Stranieri di Siena who will explore the role played by Italian States following the events that took place in 1776 on this side of the world. The Italian Peninsula participated emotionally and intellectually in these transformations, gathering information, debating, and attempting to understand the scope of the epochal changes underway, while maintaining diplomatic relations, publishing extensive reports in their Gazettes, and seeking information from the courts of the major European kingdoms. The echo of the American Revolution thus spread through Italian political, cultural, and intellectual circles, fostering reflections on the relationship between liberty, representation, commerce, and political modernity. It was during this period that the myth of America was born—a myth that still inhabits the Italian collective imagination today—conceived at once as a space of emancipation, a political laboratory, and a symbolic horizon of renewal.
“Ennio” Documentary – part of the *United in Sound at 250* Festival initiatives ~ New York ~ Italian Cultural Institute of New York ~ June 18, 2026
Screening of the documentary *Ennio* by Giuseppe Tornatore. A tribute to Ennio Morricone, whose film scores helped shape the landscape of American cinema. The screening was introduced by a video message from director Giuseppe Tornatore.
Roundtable: “250 Years of the American Dream” ~ New York ~ Italian Cultural Institute of New York ~ June 23, 2026
The 250th anniversary of the United States falls at a time when transatlantic relations are facing significant challenges. Federico Rampini and Bret Stephens, two journalists with extensive international experience, will offer their perspectives on this highly topical subject. The event will be moderated by Claudio Pagliara, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in New York.
Inkwaves with Nicola Lagioia on *Gilead* by Marilynne Robinson – New York ~ Italian Cultural Institute of New York ~ June 24, 2026
In celebration of the 250-year friendship between Italy and the United States, this *Inkwaves* event—the third in the series—features Italian writers discussing the influence of American literature on their work. Nicola Lagioia explained his choice of *Gilead* with these words: “It is a long letter traveling toward the future, addressed to a seven-year-old boy who will only be able to read it once the sender—his father—is no longer alive.”
Vespucci Training Ship Campaign ~ Various locations ~ June-July
The Italian Navy plans a Vespucci campaign in New York, Boston, and Baltimore for America 250, with the possibility of holding public events.
From Vespucci to America 250: A Musical Journey ~ Philadelphia, Consulate General of Italy ~ June 29
An immersive musical experience featuring internationally renowned pianist Cristiana Pegoraro.
An Italian Homage to the United States ~ Philadelphia, Consulate General of Italy ~ July 2
Internationally renowned pianist Cristiana Pegoraro will share her musical imagination at the Union League of Philadelphia.
Sail250: Celebrating American Independence ~ New York, Consulate General of Italy ~ July 4, 2026
A gathering on the Hudson River to commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary, featuring a parade of 25 vessels from major nations, including the training ship *Amerigo Vespucci*. The ship will be open to the public in the days leading up to and following the event.
Autumn 2026
Screening of the Documentary “American Michelangelo” ~ Washington D.C., Embassy of Italy ~ (To Be Confirmed)
Documentary produced by Antonella Ciancio on the life of Constantino Brumidi and the cultural dialogue between Italy and the United States reflected in his work
Roman Art Exhibition ~ Washington D.C., Ambasciata d’Italia ~ (To Be Confirmed)
An exhibition of classical Roman sculptures and frescoes, exploring the Roman legacy in American art, law, and architecture.
From Independence to Republic: 1776 and 1946 in Transatlantic Perspective ~ San Francisco, Consulate General of Italy ~ September 2
A roundtable exploring two pivotal moments in the history of the United States and Italy: the 1776 Declaration of Independence and the 1946 institutional referendum that marked Italy’s transition from Monarchy to Republic. Though separated by time and historical context, these milestones represent foundational turning points that defined the democratic identity of both nations and informed the drafting of their respective Constitutions. Panelists: Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, California Legislature; Prof. Amanda L. Tyler, University of California, Berkeley; Attorney Daniela Franchini. Moderator: Attorney Michael W. Homer, former Honorary Consul of Italy in Salt Lake City (UT)
“HIGH NOTES – A New Generation of Italian Musicians” Music Festival ~ Event 2 ~ New York ~ Italian Cultural Institute of New York ~ September 15, 2026
The second of four events in the “High Notes: A New Generation of Italian Musicians” series—curated by Francesca Dego—celebrating 250 years of musical friendship between Italy and the United States. Erica Piccotti (cello) and Leonardo Pierdomenico (piano) perform: M. Castelnuovo-Tedesco: *I nottambuli* (Fantastic Variations, Op. 47); S. Barber: Sonata, Op. 6 in C minor for cello and piano (I. Allegro ma non troppo; II. Adagio; III. Allegro appassionato); Enrico Scaccaglia (b. 1989): New work for cello and piano (2026) – World Premiere; I. Stravinsky: *Suite Italienne* for cello and piano (I. Introduzione; II. Serenata; III. Aria; IV. Tarantella; V. Minuetto e Finale).
Gaetano Filangieri and the American Constitution ~ Detroit, Consulate of Italy ~ September 27
The conference, in collaboration with the Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan, featuring Professor Amedeo Arena of the Federico II University of Naples, will focus on the influence of Gaetano Filangieri and Italian historical and philosophical thought on the American Constitution. The conference will take place at the historic Marygrove Theater in Detroit.
Detroit and the Italian Community – A Close History ~ Detroit, Consulate of Italy ~ September 27
Inauguration of the exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Archivio Storico Diplomatico (Diplomatic Historical Archives) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, focusing on the history that links the city of Detroit to the contributions of the Italian community, starting with the appointment of First Consul Pietro Cardiello in 1899, to the contributions to the automobile industry, the music scene and the history of Motown, and the important events of the struggle for civil rights and the emancipation of the African-American community. The exhibition will be hosted at the historic Marygrove Theater in Detroit.
Filippo Mazzei and the Transatlantic Dialogue of Ideas – From Tuscany to Virginia: The Italian Roots of American Freedom ~ Washington D.C., Embassy of Italy ~ October
A conference organized by the Italian Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C., in collaboration with Smithsonian Associates, on the influence of European Enlightenment thought on the constitutional process of the United States, through the figure of Filippo Mazzei, a Tuscan intellectual and friend of Thomas Jefferson. The event highlights the Italian contribution to American political culture, emphasizing the “transatlantic dialogue” of ideas.
Science Without Borders: Italian Physicists in American Discoveries ~ Washington D.C., Embassy of Italy ~ October 27
A conference organized by the Italian Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C., in collaboration with Smithsonian Associates, highlighting the contributions of Italian physicists (Fermi, Segrè, Pontecorvo) to major American scientific advances of the 20th century.
“HIGH NOTES – A New Generation of Italian Musicians” Music Festival ~ Event 3 ~ New York, Italian Cultural Institute of New York~ October 27, 2026
The third of four events in the “High Notes: A New Generation of Italian Musicians” series—curated by Francesca Dego—celebrating 250 years of musical friendship between Italy and the United States. Lucilla Mariotti (violin) and Alessio Enea (piano) perform: *Echoes of Salons* – Gershwin: Summertime (from *Porgy and Bess*); D’Ambrosio: Canzonetta; Romanza, Op. 9; Two Pieces, Op. 38 (1. Aveu; 2. Le Rouet); Rêverie in A major; Wieniawski: Polonaise de concert in D major, Op. 4; Respighi: Romanza and Aubade; Sergei Rachmaninoff: *Deux Morceaux de salon*, Op. 6 (1. Romance; 2. Danse hongroise). D’Ambrosio: Romance, Op. 27; Gershwin: It Ain’t Necessarily So (from Porgy and Bess), arr. Heifetz
“HIGH NOTES – A New Generation of Italian Musicians” Music Festival ~ 4th Event ~ New York, Italian Cultural Institute of New York ~ November 19, 2026
The final event of the “High Notes – A New Generation of Italian Musicians” series—curated by Francesca Dego and celebrating 250 years of musical friendship between Italy and the United States. Violinist Giuseppe Gibboni and guitarist Carlotta Dalia perform: Paganini: Sonatina in E minor, Op. 3 No. 6 (I. Andante; II. Allegro vivo e spiritoso); Tartini: Sonata in G minor (*The Devil’s Trill*); Ernst: *The Last Rose of Summer* (for solo violin); Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Siciliana from Sonatina, Op. 205; Capriccio No. XVIII, Op. 195 (for solo guitar); Beach: Romance, Op. 23 (arr. Gibboni/Dalia for violin and guitar); Paganini: *La Campanella*
Conversation with the National Gallery ~ Washington D.C., Embassy of Italy ~ Fall 2026
A conversation on Italian art in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art.
Cinecittà and American Productions Today as It Was Tomorrow ~ Washington D.C., Embassy of Italy ~ Fall 2026
An event dedicated to the historical, economic, and contemporary connection between Cinecittà, Italy, and American film productions, in collaboration with the Motion Pictures Association (MPA).
Exhibition on Filippo Mazzei, in partnership with the Italian Cultural Institute in Washington ~ New York, Italian Cultural Institute of New York ~ TBC, Fall 2026
Opera Dinner Concert in collaboration with the Washington National Opera ~ Washington D.C., Embassy of Italy ~ October-November
In collaboration with the Washington National Opera.
Last update: June 24, 2026