AMBASSADOR PERONACI SIGNS A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE AMERICA250 ORGANIZING COMMITTEE. A 2026 “ITALIAN PROGRAM” WAS ANNOUNCED.

The Ambassador of Italy to the United States, Marco Peronaci, and the Chair of America250, Rosie Rios, signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Embassy of Italy in Washington and the America250 Commission at Villa Firenze yesterday, formalizing the cooperation between Italy and the United States on joint initiatives related to the 250th anniversary of the American independence.”Italy wishes to commemorate the important anniversary of 2026 and the friendship that binds us to the United States by participating in next year’s celebrations with an ‘Italian program’: a series of events and initiatives that highlight the contribution that our country and the Italian-American community have made to the development of the United States’ identity, from the history of emigration to contributions in the cultural, scientific, and social fields,” the Ambassador said.

As announced by the Ambassador, the Italian program for America250 will begin in January 2026, with an event dedicated to the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Italy-US MoU against illicit trafficking of archaeological artifacts, which was renewed in Rome by the Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli and the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah B. Rogers on December 5th.

There will be plenty of initiatives and events, from music — in collaboration with Maestro Gianandrea Noseda, Music Director at the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) in Washington— to cinema as well as science, including events highlighting key figures in the journey to American independence, such as Filippo Mazzei. A highlight in the celebrations will be an exhibition of Roman statues dedicated to Emperor Trajan and the enduring impact of Roman civilization. These initiatives will be organized in collaboration with several partners. Among them, the first partner will be the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF).

After the signing ceremony, a panel discussion on the relationship between our two countries followed. The panel was driven by Anita McBride, NIAF’s Vice Chair and member of the White House Historical Association; Barbara Faedda, Director of the Italian Academy at Columbia University; and Lisa Sasaki, Under Secretary for Special Projects at the Smithsonian Institute. The discussion offered a fresh look on what continues to make unique the friendship between Italy and the United States.

Special guests included: Assistant Secretary of State for Cultural Affairs, Darren Beattie; NIAF’s President Robert Allegrini; NIAF’s Chairman John Calvelli; National Symphony Orchestra Conductor Jean Davidson; and The Kennedy Center’s Board Member Paolo Zampolli.