Part 1. Commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day with a Book Presentation “It Happened in Italy, Untold Stories of How the People of Italy Defied the Horrors of the Holocaust” presented by Elizabeth Bettina.
Imagine Elizabeth Bettina’s surprise when she discovered that her grandmother’s village had a secret: over a half century ago, many of Campagna’s residents defied the Nazis and risked their lives to shelter and save hundreds of Jews during the Holocaust. What followed her discovery became an adventure as she uncovered fascinating untold stories of Jews in Italy during World War II and the many Italians who risked everything to save them. It is a work that brings to light the little-known history of how approximately 80% of Jews in Italy were saved during the Holocaust.
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Four-Part Series: “If you are not indifferent... -
Part 2: Primo Levi (1919-1987), a Holocaust survivor. How can one find the words to describe the trauma and agony suffered at Auschwitz after one’s humanity has been taken away? For Primo Levi, a Holocaust survivor, the real drama was finding the appropriate language to describe the horrors and unspeakable events he encountered while imprisoned by the Nazis at Auschwitz during World War II. Levi wanted to tell a story that embodied the living testimony for millions of people who did not survive to talk about their own experience. He had a burning desire to be the spokesperson for those who were mercilessly exterminated. In this virtual presentation, we will explore Levi’s life; how Italian Jews saw themselves vis-à-vis the rise of fascism; his experience at Auschwitz; and his commitment to keep alive the narrative of the Holocaust, lest we forget. -
How Italian Are You? Discover if you qualify for Italian citizenship and what its benefits can mean for you! Presented by Carla Megale Di Tommaso
When someone asks, “Are you Italian?,” you probably answer “Yes!” Whether you are a native citizen of Italy or not, being Italian is part of who you are. And Italy is in your blood - more than you may know.
Italy’s Jure Sanguinis - a “Blood Law” - gives you the legal right to inherit citizenship from your parents or grandparents, regardless of where you were born.
What about your children? Does being an Italian citizen, even with a valid passport, mean your children are also Italian? Probably, but only if Italian authorities have a record of their birth.
And what if you’re married to an Italian citizen? You’ve grown to love Italy, you love to visit, you dream of retiring in Italy. Being married to an Italian gives you a good chance of acquiring Italian citizenship along with all its rights and benefits.
Some of you may just want to know more about your Italian ancestors, to discover details that will unlock mysteries about their lives. Answers may be found by searching township archives in Italy. They contain centuries of certificates of birth, of marriage and of death; they even record recurring names, changed names and other surprising, little-known facts.
All these different scenarios require different procedures that can seem dauntingly complicated. In fact, they are not simple. They entail knowing the requisite documents and correct sequence for obtaining them that will lead to certification of Italian citizenship.
If your life goals include becoming an Italian citizen or having your important life events recorded in Italy, check out this special presentation.
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Everyone knows Italians speak with their hands. However, many people think that they are just waving their hands and arms in the air while speaking. This is not true. There are at least 250 gestures with very specific meanings, that Italians use when speaking about certain things. Eloquent in their movements, Italians can offer a wealth of information without saying a word! Join Anita Sanseverino and Lou Leonini on January 19 in an informative and entertaining presentation to learn not only what these gestures mean, but also why, more than any other people, did they become so much a part of the Italian way of communicating. -
Celebrating Valentine’s Day with Dante’s Inferno The Passion of Love, as seen in Dante’s V Canto of the Inferno Maria Bonavita, in collaboration with actress Giusy Lo Schiavo joining us live from Rome, Italy, invites you to descend to Dante’s second circle of the Inferno to experience the intense passion of love between Paolo and Francesca, who allowed themselves to be swept away by carnal love. -
Special Holocaust Series: “If you are not indifferent, things can be different.” Part 5: Meet the Survivors and Their Families Moderated by Author Elizabeth Bettina
Join us via Zoom to meet Holocaust survivors who were saved because Italians risked their lives to help them. They hid them, provided fake documents and gave them food and shelter.
Hear words of gratitude from those who lived through one of the worst times in history and see living examples of the famous quote in the Talmud, "When you save one life, it is as if you saved the entire world."
Help shine a light on this important part of history, how approximately 80% of the Jews in Italy survived the Holocaust, because individuals chose to take action and see them as "cristiani come noi" - people just like us.
If you missed Parts 1 and 2 of the “If you are not indifferent, things can be different” series, watch it on demand via Casa Belvedere’s website:
Click here for Part One: “It Happened in Italy – Untold Stories of How the People of Italy Defied the Horrors of the Holocaust” presented by author Elizabeth Bettina.
Click here for Part Two: Primo Levi, a Holocaust survivor committed to keep alive the narrative of the Holocaust, lest we forget. Presented by Prof. Francesco Bonavita.
This event is presented in partnership with:
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Celebrating Naples: A Journey Through History Presented by Anita Sanseverino
Naples is a city filled with art treasures, churches of magnificent design, palazzi, an ancient centro storico, the magnificent seafront area called Lungomare with its majestic view of Mount Vesuvius, and many other historic and artistic sights.
Naples has been called “the stepchild of Italy” - and Anita Sanseverino is determined to change that undeserved perception.
“When you say to most people that you are going to Naples, they say, “Oh, don’t go there, it’s dangerous,” she said. “Aside from the fact that it is not true, the irony of this statement is that none of the people who say this have ever been there!”
Anita is certain that her fascinating lecture and beautiful photographs will ensure that Naples is on the priority list of people who plan to travel to Italy, just as much as Venice, Florence and Rome.
She will highlight the illustrious history of this once-royal kingdom dating back to its origins as the Greek city of Partenope. She will discuss the various rulers and dynasties that occupied Naples, and why unification might not have been the best thing to happen to this former kingdom.
Anita will share her personal experiences in Naples, especially with its generous citizens. “When people talk about Italians and their characteristics, they are unknowingly talking specifically about Neapolitans,” she said. “As much as Italians in general are known for their love of food, music, of life in general, these qualities are 10-fold in Neapolitans. They are the quintessential Italians.”
Presented in partnership with:
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Celebrating the history and scenic beauty of Campania Thursday, March 18 at 7 pm Featuring Anita Sanseverino and Louis Barrella
Campania felix translates to “happy countryside,” which is what the early Romans called this region in southwestern Italy. This area was settled long before the Romans - even before the Greeks! Join Anita Sanseverino and Lou Barella as they celebrate the history and scenic beauty of the Campania region.
Learn about Magna Graecia, Partenopea, the Kingdom of Naples, the maritime Republic of Amalfi with its beautiful coast … these are just some of the highlights that Anita will describe in her presentation. Enjoy Anita’s photographs, and a video created by Lou Barella to further enhance your appreciation for this beautiful region of Italy.
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Before There Was Venice..........! with Anita Sanseverino and Louis Leonini Although the city of Venice is the most well-known part of the Veneto, there are islands, towns and cities that are far older,with a history all their own. In this presentation Louis and Anita will explore the histories of great cities such as Verona, Padova, Treviso, smaller but equally important cities to the development of the region such as Aquileia, and Adria. Join Anita Sanseverino and Louis Leonini as they discuss the places close to Venice, such as Torcello, the place that is considered the birthplace of Venice itself, the island of Burano, a fishing village of brilliantly colored houses, painted so that the returning fishermen could see their houses through the fog. During the presentation Anita will share her photographs of the various areas being discussed. -
Puglia: Better Than The Caribbean! Presented by Anita Sanseverino and Lou Barrella Puglia, until recently, was one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. Puglia has everything: castles, fortresses, lighthouses, an abundance of seascapes in rainbow colors, beaches and rock formations that resemble moonscapes, caves formed over millions of years, landscapes and gardens and flowering trees, blinding white limestone buildings, and above all, olive trees with roots that go back a thousand years! Join Anita Sanseverino and Lou Barella in learning about this fascinating region, through Anita’s personal experiences in traveling throughout the Salento coast. See the unique beauty as photographed by Anita and made vividly alive by Lou’s genius for putting photos and music together to create a magical video which creates a lively experience, both knowledgeable and entertaining. -
Vito Pietanza and Rosa Riccio Pietanza were both born in Mola di Bari (Puglia) Italy. They arrived in NYC at young ages and lived in a community in Red Hook Brooklyn (later to become Carroll Gardens). Vito’s family celebrates a long tradition in agriculture. Soon after Vito and Rosa were married (and later with their 3 children) they would spend a few weeks during the summer in Mola on the Pietanza family farm. It then became a tradition for them to spend several hours a day engaging in the almond harvest. Via photos and videos, Vito and Rosa want to share with you their love and passion for the almond harvest and for everything “Almond”. -
Make great Prosecco cocktails from the comfort of your own home—and learn about the world’s most popular Italian bubbly with drinks author Amy Zavatto Do you know the difference between Prosecco and Champagne? Have you ever seen the stunning, hand-harvested, near vertical Cartizze vineyards of Prosecco’s DOCG region in the Veneto? Did you know that paying attention to a few simple (but sometimes cleverly hidden!) words on a Prosecco label can make you more savvy when selecting just the right sparkling for your occasion? Are you ready to be convinced that bubbles make everything (especially cocktails) better?! Let's virtually tour the effervescent world of Prosecco with wine and spirits journalist and Staten Island resident Amy Zavatto, the author of Prosecco Made Me Do It: 60 Seriously Sparkling Cocktails. Shewill take you on a sparkling tour through the effervescent world of Prosecco, from where and how its made, its fascinating history, to (most important!) how to properly pop a bottle and to use it to make several great cocktails for any celebration. From the comfort of your own ghome, join in the bubbly fun as Amy teaches you about the world's most popular sparkling wine, and helps you to find a few new favorite bubble-based tipples with which to toast this holiday season.