Italian-inspired cultural festival draws large crowds, lays groundwork for recurring annual celebration
A celebration of Italian and Italian-American culture was on full display last weekend, as the IDEA Boston festival kicked off its inaugural annual event at the Dante Alighieri Cultural Center in Cambridge, Mass., on Nov. 2-3.
“It was a tremendous success,” said Nicola Orichuia, the festival’s director and president of I AM Books, the Boston-based independent bookstore at the heart of IDEA Boston’s organization. “We had 24 events packed in two days and hundreds of people participate in the festival. There are definitely all the premises to do it again next year.”
Among the more than 50 speakers and panelists that participated in this year’s event were award-winning children’s books’ author Tomie dePaola, celebrity chef Mary Ann Esposito, Europa Editions editor-in-chief Michael Reynolds and actress and author Marianne Leone. Also among the attendees were Italian Consul General in Boston Federica Sereni and Italian Senator Francesca Alderisi, who flew in from Rome for the special occasion.
“I AM Books is a small jewel that reproduces a precious outlook on Italy,” said Senator Alderisi. “From this initiative, Nicola Orichuia has come up with an exciting festival full of events that celebrate our cultural heritage through books, arte and authors.”
Events spanned from panel presentations on immigration, literature, film, and language, and also included a sold-out theater play by Boston-based company ImproNati.
“There is a lot that has been accomplished, but there’s also a lot that still needs to be done,” said Orichuia at the end of the festival.
“There is a strong and growing love for Italian culture in the Boston area. Next year we’ll have more time to plan the festival and to organize ourselves. I know it will be even better than this year’s event!”
For more information, hi-res photos or interview requests, please contact Nicola Orichuia:
617-230-7495
nicola@iambooksboston.com
BOSTON (October 25, 2017) —Jack Kelly, lifelong Charlestown resident and former city councilor-at-large candidate, endorsed Lydia Edwards for district one Boston city councilor.
“I am proud to endorse Lydia Edwards for Boston City Council to represent East Boston, the North End, and my beloved home of Charlestown,” says Kelly. “Lydia will bring a fresh perspective, an independent voice and above all else, a relentless advocacy for all residents of Charlestown.”
“Lydia and I met initially as opponents. Over the course of the summer, she knocked on my door, as she did for many of my neighbors. I was impressed by her tenacious intellect, experience and desire to learn about all of the important issues facing our community.”
“In addition, Lydia's willingness to listen and receive feedback from those in recovery, demonstrate her ability to lead on day one for all.”
“We need bold, independent leadership as Charlestown faces major projects like One Charlestown, the North Washington Street Bridge, and Wynn Casino. I trust Lydia to do right by our neighborhood and I know she’ll stand with us.”
“I hope my neighbors in District 1 will join me in voting for Lydia on November 7th.”
"Jack's endorsement means a lot to me,” said Edwards. “His personal journey deserves an immense amount of respect. But more than just his personal story, his work in Charlestown on many of the issues we face in District 1 - such as traffic, addiction prevention and housing is something I highly value. I am beyond humbled to receive his support.”
“We met as opponents and became friends while we discussed ideas for recovery, traffic and the need for strong, independent leadership in Charlestown. If elected, I will continue to rely on Jack for his friendship, guidance and leadership for all of District 1, but especially Charlestown.”
Edwards, a public interest attorney and community advocate, is no stranger to public service. She has spent her career fighting for women and working families. In her role as the Deputy Director of the city’s new Office of Housing Stability, she found innovative solutions to mitigating Boston’s housing crisis and stood up for vulnerable members of our community by co-founding East Boston’s community soup kitchen.
Lydia's top priorities include ensuring pathways to homeownership for all residents, quality public schools for local families, responsible community-driven development, and reliable transportation.
Edwards is a resident of East Boston with her husband, Rogerio, a licensed electrician and small business owner. The general election will take place on Tuesday November, 7th. For more information please visit: www.lydiaedwards.org.
###
Source: Edwards Campaign 10/25
