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COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN ITALY AND THE UNITED STATES 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The main initiatives scheduled are described below, by date.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n America250: A Legacy of Friendship ~ Washington D.C., Villa Firenze ~ December 10, 2025<\/em><\/strong> Custodians of Culture ~ Washington D.C., <\/em>Villa Firenze ~ January 20<\/em><\/strong> Happiness as the Supreme Law: Gaetano Finagieri and the Declaration of Independence on the 250th Anniversary ~ Philadelphia, Consulate General of Italy ~ March 12\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> 250 Years of Cultural Relations between the US and Italy: Filippo Mazzei and Other Key Figures ~ Philadelphia, Consulate General of Italy ~ March 18\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> \u2b06 Back to contents<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Art Across the Atlantic: The Italian Legacy in Philadelphia ~ Philadelphia, Consulate General of Italy ~ <\/em>March 27 Operation Bathyscaphe Trieste ~ Washington D.C., <\/em>Embassy of Italy ~ \u200b\u200bMarch 31<\/em> How Cesare Beccaria and the Italian Enlightenment Shaped the Founding Fathers and Early American Law ~ Philadelphia, Consulate General of Italy ~ April 11\u00a0<\/em> 80 Years of Fulbright: The Transatlantic Dialogue between Italy and the United States Continues ~ Philadelphia, Consulate General of Italy ~ April 16\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> “Puccini the American” ~ Washington D.C., Embassy of Italy ~ April 30<\/em><\/strong> \u2b06 Back to contents<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Vespucci Training Ship Campaign ~ \u00a0Various locations ~ June-July\u00a0<\/em> From Vespucci to America 250: A Musical Journey ~ Philadelphia, Consulate General of Italy ~ <\/em>June 29 <\/em>(To Be Confirmed)<\/strong> An Italian Homage to the United States ~ Philadelphia, Consulate General of Italy ~ <\/em>July 2\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\nON THE OCCASION OF AMERICA 250<\/strong><\/p>\nContents<\/h4>\n
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Winter 2025-2026<\/h3>\n
\nSigning ceremony of the agreement between the Italian Embassy and the America250 Committee<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n
\nSigning ceremony of the renewed agreement<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n
\nLecture on the influence of Neapolitan philosopher Gaetano Filangieri on the 1776 Declaration of Independence, with Professor\u00a0Amedeo Arena (Federico II University of Naples).<\/p>\n
\nAt 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.<\/p>\nSpring 2026<\/h3>\n
\n<\/em><\/strong>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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Screening of Finazzer Flory’s documentary on the extraordinary story of the Bathyscaphe Trieste<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>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\u00a0over punitive vengeance. The event was organized as part of the conference series “Shaping the United States: Italian Contributions and the Philadelphia Legacy.”<\/p>\n
\nCommemoration 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.<\/p>\n
\nOn 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, \u200b\u200bin collaboration with the Italian Cultural Society, featuring Maestro Gianandrea Noseda.<\/p>\nSummer 2026<\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>The Italian Navy plans a Vespucci campaign in New York, Boston, and Baltimore for America 250, with the possibility of holding public events.<\/p>\n
\nAn immersive musical experience featuring internationally renowned pianist Cristiana Pegoraro.<\/p>\n
\nInternationally renowned pianist Cristiana Pegoraro will share her musical imagination at the Union League of Philadelphia.<\/p>\n