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2005 COLUMBUS WEEK CELEBRATIONS IN NEW YORK:
MORE THAN JUST A GREAT PARADE Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is Parade Grand Marshal, European Union Vice President Franco Frattini is Special Honored Guest from Italy Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Supreme Court Display In Exhibitions at Vanderbilt Hall Grand Marshal of 2005 Columbus Day Parade Key Documents, Letters by Founding Fathers Shed Light on Italian Philosophical and Activist Influence Parade Held on October 10th on Fifth Avenue New York, NY, September 28, 2005 - The spirit of exploration, historical American and Italian documents and living Italian-American culture will be highlighted during the 2005 Columbus Week Celebrations. Running from October 3 to October 10, the week-long celebrations will feature informative and entertaining exhibitions, performances and events that culminate in a Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Columbus Day Parade on Monday, October 10. The Celebrations are produced by the Columbus Citizens Foundation, a non-profit philanthropic organization that supports education and cultural programs. As part of the Celebrations, Grand Central Terminal and its Vanderbilt Hall will feature historical and contemporary exhibitions that include American historical documents, correspondence between Founding Fathers and leading Italian philosophers and activists and information about the Supreme Court. Also presented will be dazzling Lamborghinis, one of which will be raffled to benefit the Columbus Citizens scholarship programs. Exhibitions at Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall 42nd Street and Park Avenue October 3rd to 10th • 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM The opulent Vanderbilt Hall, in Grand Central Terminal, will be the site of historical and contemporary exhibitions about America and Italy. "Founding Fathers, Italian Ideals" A multi-faceted exhibition presents important early American documents, including the Congressionally-authorized 1823 exact replica of the Declaration of Independence; the 1787 Connecticut Courant, and Weekly Intelligencer printing of the U.S. Constitution; letters and documents signed by Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington; and the correspondence between two Founding Fathers and two Italian supporters of the republic, Jefferson and Filippo Mazzei, and Franklin and Gaetano Filangieri. "The Supreme Court" The processes and procedures of the nation’s highest court are illustrated in a series of storyboards, mural-sized images and a video, all of which are set behind a 27-foot tall by 32-foot wide replica of the Supreme Court Building’s façade. "Lombardia: The Lake Region" The enchanting beauty of Northern Italy is presented in an exhibition about the region’s exquisite highlights, including its famous Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda. The exhibition also includes putting greens that are suggestive of the region of Lombardy’s exceptional golf courses. Lamborghini Gallardo Raffle, Concert by The Banda Musicale della Polizia di Stato Main Concourse, Grand Central Terminal 42nd Street and Park Avenue October 7th • Raffle of Lamborghini Gallardo at 8:45 PM; Concert at 9:00 PM Italy’s internationally acclaimed Banda della Polizia will give a free performance of Italian and American standards under Grand Central’s luminous constellations. The band’s history dates to the 19th century, and in recent years it has performed with the choirs of the Accademia di Santa Cecilia, Teatro Regio in Turin, Teatro dell’Opera in Rome, the Associazione Filarmonici della Scala in Milan, the Florence Comunale and Teatro Massimo in Palermo. Preceding the performance, the Foundation will raffle off a 2005 Lamborghini Gallardo. Proceeds from the Raffle will benefit the Foundation’s scholarship programs. The Columbus Citizens Foundation’s 61st Annual Gala Dinner The Waldorf-Astoria Grand Ballroom • Park Avenue at 49th Street October 8th • 6:30 PM Maria Bartiromo hosts the Foundation’s annual gala, an evening of tributes and performances by internationally acclaimed tenor Salvatore Licitra of the Metropolitan Opera House and singer and comedian Joe Piscopo. Honorees include Special Honored Guest from Italy, Franco Frattini, Vice President of the European Union and its Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security; Pasquale J. D’Amuro, of Giuliani Security and Safety; and Frank J. Fusaro, of Forum Personnel Associates. Concert by The Banda Musicale della Polizia di Stato, Wreath Laying Ceremony Columbus Circle • 59th Street and Eighth Avenue October 9th, 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM The internationally celebrated Italian Police Band (see above) will perform in a half hour concert following a wreath laying ceremony held by the Columbus Citizens Foundation in conjunction with the National Council of Columbian Associations, which represent the Italian-American members of New York City’s Departments of Police, Fire, Sanitation, Correction Officers, Transit and Court Officers. The Annual Columbus Day Mass St. Patrick’s Cathedral • 50th Street and Fifth Avenue October 10th • 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM The annual Columbus Day Mass will be celebrated by His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan. Tickets are free but required for admission, as is a photo ID. Those wishing to attend should send an e-mail to evacirca@columbuscitizens.org requesting the number of tickets needed and the names of those attending or call (212) 249-9923. The 61st Annual Columbus Day Parade Fifth Avenue from 44th to 79th Streets October 10th • 11:45 AM to 3:30 PM The internationally broadcast Parade celebrates Italian and Italian-American culture, traditions and innovations. United States Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is Grand Marshal, and he will be joined by the Foundation’s distinguished honorees: European Union Vice-President and Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security, Franco Frattini; security expert Pasquale J. D’Amuro, of Giuliani Security and Safety; and Forum Personnel Associates Co-Founder and President, Frank Fusaro. The pageant features Italian music and folk dance, including Le Arti per Via, from the City of Bassano del Grappa, which combines street theater, strolling musicians and a folk group to create a living museum of 19th century entertainment; floats presenting Lombardy’s spectacular lake region, Italian-American folk groups, civil service representatives and marching bands from the United States and Italy. The Parade is telecast live by WNBC-TV in New York, with anchors Maria Bartiromo and Joe Piscopo, and internationally by RAI International. The parade is also broadcast live by NBC affiliates in Providence, Rhode Island on WJAR, in Hartford, Connecticut on WVIT and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on WCAU. The Columbus Citizens Foundation (www.columbuscitizensfd.org) celebrates Italian-American heritage and produces New York City’s Columbus Day Parade. The Foundation supports cultural programs and provides scholarships for elementary school, high school and college students. This summer, the Foundation awarded new, multi-year scholarships to 224 students. During the 2005-2006 academic year, the Foundation will provide scholarship assistance totaling $2.1 million to 608 students. Press Contacts: Andrew Decker: T. 212.222.4688 • F. 212.222.3188 • Andrew.Decker@att.net Giuliana Ridolfi Cardillo, Italian Cultural Institute: T. 212.879.4242 x 324 • gridolfi@italcultny.org HOME PRESS RELEASES |