Italian Piazzas of New York: A Guided Tour (Oct. 19)

Tourists from the U.S. often dream of a walk through a piazza – think Piazza Navona in Rome, Piazza del Duomo in Milan, but also, smaller ones like la Piazzetta di Capri as part of a never-dying Grand Tour allure. But what if one could get a taste of Italian history and art, as well as lived experience, in piazzas that are much more reachable for people living in the Tri-State area? Manhattan offers numerous opportunities to experience public places infused with Italian stories, and this tour will provide a taste of them. From statues of both canonical literary and musical authors (Dante and Verdi) as well as more contested explorers (Columbus) to a recent labor-focused project that speaks of collective memories of pain and transformation (Triangle Fire Memorial), this passeggiata (walk) through Italian squares in New York from the Village through Columbus Circle to the Upper West Side will provide important insights into the formation of national Italian identity in the transnational space of the diaspora. And it will offer opportunities for material and social interactions that deliver much more than digital journeys in the space of the Internet and social media.

When: Sat. Oct. 19     9am-3:30pm
Where: Pick-up and drop-off spot on campus (Red Hawk Deck, Montclair State University)
Cost: Free (priority will be given to MSU students, alumni, and faculty)
Reserve a spot here soon (limited space available)
For more info, click here.

Organized and sponsored by the Inserra Endowed Chair in Italian and Italian American Studies in collaboration with the Italian Program (Department of World Languages and Cultures). This tour is presented in connection with Italian American Heritage and Culture Month.