10|09|15 - At a press preview yesterday of the National Gallery of Art’s new exhibit, “Arcimboldo: Nature and Fantasy,” Italian Amb. Giulio Terzi announced the launching of ITALY@150, a series of activities celebrating the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification. ITALY@150’s program of events will make 2011 an “all Italian year.” The highlights of the events will take place during the week of March 17, 2011 – the actual “birthday” of Italy – in conjunction with the official anniversary ceremony to be held in Turin, Italy.

“The unique partnership between our two countries is represented by a common wealth of values, historical ties, cultural and human relations,” said Amb. Terzi. “This shared identity dates back to the time when our two nations had not even been created yet. Its roots can be found in the legacy of Florentine Renaissance, in the lives and ideas of great men and women like Andrea Palladio and Thomas Jefferson, Gaetano Filangeri and Benjamin Franklin.”

Pictured above: Earl A. Powell III, Director National Gallery of Art, Bruces Gates ,senior vice president, government affairs, Altria Group, and Italy's Amb. Giulio Terzi.

Links: Text of Amb. Terzi's remarks

|CiaoAmerica.net|