The Year of Italian Culture in the USA

On December 13th in Washington, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Giulio Terzi, the American authorities and the diplomatic, cultural and economic representatives of the American capital witnessed the inauguration of the Year of Italian Culture in the United States, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This year-long journey will promote Italy for the duration of 2013, involving and inspiring Americans, and strengthening the ties between the two countries, while building new ones as well. It is a chance to endorse the excellence and values of Italy, which exists somewhere between the past and contemporaneity, all while relying on Italian innovation and looking forward to a future of economic growth and social development.

Research – Discovery – Innovation: these are the main themes of the initiatives planned for the year, featuring the most excellent representatives of the Bel Paese, those that represent the best use of Italian resources while attracting foreign investment. Among these, the food and wine industry is king, envied the world over for its Made-in-Italy quality, its rich products, the unmistakable flavours of a growing tradition and the genuine ingredients of the local territories.

There are six Italian representatives of excellence that will play the role of Ambassadors, bringing the magical Italian art of living to the American people. Indeed, it is for his magical interpretations that Italian Chef Massimo Bottura was chosen as the sixth representative. Bottura is held in high regard on the global haute cuisine scene for his personality as a great innovator, and was granted his third Michelin star in 2011; his unique Italianness continues to earn him a place among the top World’s 50 Best Restaurants with his restaurant Osteria Francescana in Modena.

• S.Pellegrino, is the official water of the Year of Culture, with its unique flavour and elegance that have made it an emblem of fine dining. S. Pellegrino perfectly interprets the Italian style of living through conviviality and regards the culinary experience as an occasion for finding oneself and sharing emotions. This passion knows no boundaries, geographical or cultural: whatever language you speak, you can “live in Italian”.
• Marchesi De’ Frescobaldi, has produced Tuscan wines of excellent quality for 700 years, boasting a profound sense of identity and territorial uniqueness. From the Chianti area to that of Pomino DOC, from Montalcino to Maremma, from Mugello to the province of Livorno, Marchesi De’ Frescobaldi exercises its passion, experience, ability and love for the territory of Tuscany.
• Masi Agricola, vineyards are part of a long family history in Verona, Veneto. The name comes from the “Vaio dei Masi”, the little valley purchased at the end of the 18th century by the Boscaini family, who remain the owners today. Masi produces highly acclaimed wine, and is anchored in the values of the territory; it uses mostly local grapes and methods, with constant technological upgrades. Today it is a world leader in the production of Amarone and is recognized everywhere for its expertise in the technique of Appassimento, the drying of grapes, which it uses in the production of its five Amarone labels and its Superventians like Campofiorin and Masianco.
• Donnafugata, in Sicily, boasts 160 years of Rallo family experience in the production of quality wines, always according to the potential of the territory. Donnafugata wines are born in Contessa Entellina, in the heart of Western Sicily, and on the volcanic island of Pantelleria, a daring location for the vineyards that produce Ben Ryè, Passito di Pantelleria DOP, a naturally sweet wine that is a symbol of Made in Italy excellence.
• Alma, the internationally renowned training centre of Italian Cuisine, trains cooks, pastry chefs and sommeliers from every country of the world, making true professionals of them through high-level programs run by the most eminent teachers

"2013, the Year of Italian Culture, with its rich calendar of events, will show Americans the best our country has to offer,” declared Minister Terzi. “Italy is a country loved and respected throughout the world, proud of its great historical and cultural tradition, and focused towards the future. ‘2013’ is mainly dedicated to the younger generations of our two countries,” Terzi added, “long term beneficiaries of this dynamic impulse to bilateral relations, which is the main objective of Italy in the US 2013".

During this special year, Italian culture and identity will be promoted, representing all the areas that characterize the Italian tradition of yesterday and today: art, music, theatre, architecture, cinema, literature, science, design, fashion, scenic heritage and the food and wine culture. Italy is an ideal cradle of culture in the fullest sense, with historical depth and matchless offerings. This heritage is experiencing an unparalleled moment in the evolution of culinary expression – a synthesis of the savoir faire and the innate good taste of the Italian people.

“The will to be world ambassadors of Italian style and values, promoting the culture and productivity of the Bel Paese and, more generally, enhancing its image, is in our blood,” state S.Pellegrino, Frescobaldi, Masi, Donnafugata, Alma and Bottura. “This is even more true in this particular historic, economic and social moment in time, during which Made-in-Italy companies and brands must prove themselves a true dynamic asset, able to create value for the whole country and contribute to its growth and competitiveness.”