February 2025
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
The Dante Alighieri Society of Denver will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in October!
The Dante Alighieri Society of Denver was chartered in 1985 by a handful of people dedicated to celebrating and sharing the many traditional, wonderful aspects of the Italian culture. As you would expect, the organization has gone through many changes in operations, programs, and leadership over the years. But it has continued to fulfill the mission upon which it was created -- bringing the Italian culture to life in the Denver area. It’s only appropriate that the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver should celebrate not only its successes of the past forty years but also its promise of continued successes in the future.
Credit must go to Gianfranco Marcantonio who painstakingly documented the history of the Dante Alighieri Society in a series of photo albums until his passing last year. His wife, Pamela, has now taken on the project and continues to memorialize the Society’s activities. If you are interested in seeing pictures, articles, programs, etc. from long past to present, please let us know. I can’t think of a better way to understand and appreciate why celebrating forty years of existence is so meaningful.
Even though we were living in Leadville at the time, I joined the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver in the early 90’s because I recognized that this was an organization primarily focused on the Italian culture. Living a hundred miles away, I rarely had the opportunity to take advantage of all the Society had to offer. But when we moved to Denver in 2004 that changed. At first, I was just a general member, then I became a member of the Scholarship Committee, then served as its Chair for more than ten years, eventually becoming president of the Society. Though it does require a good deal of time, I have no regrets about leading this time-proven organization that continues to change and grow to meet the demands of the times in order to fulfill its mission. I can’t imagine that the Dante Alighieri Society won’t be here for another forty years. We’d like to think you feel that way too.
Grazie, John Giardino
SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDY IN ITALY 2025-2026
We will again be awarding scholarships to university students planning to study in Italy in the coming year. If you or a student you know might be a candidate for a scholarship, please look for more information and application forms on our website:
CREMONA: the Torrazzo, nougat and Stradivari.
By John Giardino
po river mouth Cremona may not be a big city, but it's a great one. It's known for its culture, music and of course the city's pride and joy: its violins. Not forgetting the local specialities, starting with mustard. The identity of Cremona is enriched by the rich and diverse architecture and historical heritage. Around every corner you can see traces of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, both sacred and profane, rural traditions and tempting treats like the famous Cremonese nougat.
The Color of Dreams: An Umbrian Tale Book Presentation
Presentation by Dr. Roberta Waldbaum
Travel back in time to rural Umbria in the late 19th century where the protagonist of the novel undertakes a magical journey that may change her destiny in her quest to chase her dreams. A narrative of historical fiction, the book is a love letter to Italian culture, landscapes, and womanhood.
The Dante Alighieri Society will provide the beverages and dessert.
Dr. Waldbaum will do a book signing for people who wish to purchase it.
WHEN: Friday, Feb 14th, 7:30 PM
LOCATION: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Hall
ADDRESS: 3549 Navajo Street, Denver CO 80211
CULINARY CLASS HONORING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
Rather than Adam setting the menu, he thought it would be fun for the participants to share an old family recipe (preferably Italian) with the class. It can be an appetizer, entree or dessert and needs to fit into the three-hour window we have for preparation and cooking.
WHEN: Saturday, March 08, 9am
COST: $60 per person
LOCATION: Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Parish Hall)
ADDRESS: 3549 Navajo Street, Denver Co 80211
2024 Bravo! Awards & Gala
The Bravo! Awards & Gala is open to anyone interested in celebrating the Italian American lifestyle, culture and the outstanding accomplishments of Italian Americans in Colorado. The event is a great opportunity to connect and network with the Italian American community in a fun, celebratory environment.
The Bravo! Awards & Gala includes:
- Red carpet welcome
- Open bar serving Italian wine and beer
- Appetizers
- Delicious dinner buffet
- Dessert bar
- Dancing to live music from Funk Knuf
- Raffle to benefit Caruso Family Charities
- Bravo! Awards Ceremony
WHEN: Saturday, March 08, 5:30pm - 10pm
Visit the Bravo Awards Website
MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
STRADIVARIUS VIOLINS: The Sweetest Sound You’ve Never Heard!
In anticipation of the Quartetto di Cremona and Basil Vendryes, Viola concert being hosted by the Friends of Chamber Music on April 9, 2025, John Giardino, Dante Alighieri Society president, will enlighten attendees on the history, construction, and status of this classical instrument known to aficionados as the “Strad”. You might be surprised by what you learn about this world-renowned violin that made Cremona famous.
The Dante Alighieri Society will provide beverages and dessert.
WHEN: Friday, March 14, 7:30pm
COST: Free and open to the public. No registration required.
LOCATION: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Hall
ADDRESS: 3549 Navajo Street, Denver CO 80211
For more information on the Quartetto di Cremona concert
ST. JOSEPH’S TABLE
This year a St. Joseph's dinner will be held in the Servite Hall of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on March 15 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm and on March 16 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. A free-will donation for the poor will be accepted. If you would like to volunteer for the St. Joseph's dinner by baking cookies and/or helping to serve the dinner, please contact Barb Pietrafeso at 303-358-5708.
Here's a brief history of St. Joseph's Table: The St. Joseph's Altar is a Sicilian tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. During a lengthy famine, the community prayed to St. Joseph to intercede for them. Their prayers were answered as a rain filled the dry wells and streams and gave birth to crops. These poor farmers and fishermen wanted to pay homage to St. Joseph for answering their prayers. An altar was constructed and precious foods that were common to them became elaborately decorated feasts. Here in Denver, the tradition was celebrated for the first time in 1977 in the home of Mary and Al Rotola. The following year, the St. Joseph's Table was held for the first time at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Denver, March 19, 1978 and has continued ever since.
SAVE THE DATE: May 4, 2025
Our annual Awards Luncheon will honor the winner of this year’s Donne di Merito Award and present our 2025 Scholarships. This event will be held at the Mt. Vernon Canyon Club Colorado, and details will be available in coming editions of the Notiziario and on the Society’s website. Please plan now to join us for this highlight of our year’s activities. Information about our scholarships is available online.
“The wisest are the most annoyed at the loss of time.”
―
TIPS ON ITALY by Tonya Clement
The best Italian name?
Do you have blank slate when it comes to trying to choose the best Italian name? You just may because all Italian names are beautiful and have a special ring to them. Americans just love Italian names. Depending on where you look, you will find the following to be reported or referenced:
Most popular male name in Italy (2023) = Leonardo- Most popular female name in Italy (2023) = Sofia
- Common male names in the US = Antonio, Luca, Giovanni
- Common female names in the US = Mia, Bella, Arianna
- Common male names in Italy = Giorgio, Paolo, Stefano, Gilberto, Federico, Giuseppe, Fabrizio, Fausto, Giulio, Filippo, Ricco
- Common female names in Italy = Isabella, Camilla, Giulia, Chiara, Francesca, Serena, Bianca, Alessandra, Siena
- Unique baby names = Cipriana, Ettore, Donella, Contessa, Amadeo, Vito, Dulce, Cielo, Serafina
- Classic female Italian names = Vittoria, Beatrice, Ludovica, Anna, Maria, Sara, Laura, Aurora, Valentina, Rosa, Angela, Sofia, Stella, Olivia, Emma, Eva, Elena
- Classic male Italian names = Marco, Roberto, Andrea, Mario, Luigi, Alessandro, Giuseppe, Francesco
This is but a sampling to get you thinking should you be in the middle of naming a baby, a pet or an animate object and you are looking for a great Italian name. Do not be sad if your name was not listed. There are literally hundreds of both common and classic names. This article was simply meant to make you smile.
SCOLARSHIP RECIPIENT - FLORENCE ITALY
This past summer spent in Florence, Italy, was eye-opening and inspiring. I am grateful for your support and the scholarship as it allowed me to visit Italy and have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With Lorenzo de' Medici, I was able to take an Italy language course and take field trips around the city to get to know Florence better. Through these field trips and walks around the city, I was able to admire the architecture and appreciate the history of Florence and Italy. It was inspiring how history is treasured and how in Florence you get to see a perfect blend of historical and modern aspects that make Florence a uniquely beautiful place.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
It's that time of year again. Membership in the Dante Alighieri Society runs from January through December so 2025 renewal cards have been mailed. Please make any corrections on the card before mailing it back with your payment. If you would like to renew and pay online, you can do so easily on our website.
Language students: You can renew and pay for your 2025 membership online when you register for the January classes.
TRAVEL REFLECTIONS BLOG
Travel Reflections, our community blog that celebrates your captivating travel stories! This is your chance to transport readers to the enchanting corners of Italy through your experiences. Whether you've uncovered a hidden gem in Sicily or wandered the scenic vineyards of Tuscany, we want to hear your unique tales.
Ready to contribute? It’s easy! Just fill out our simple online form and let your unique stories weave a vibrant tapestry of Italy’s culture. Don’t miss the chance to spark curiosity and inspire others—submit your story today and celebrate the magic of travel with our community!
DANTE GLOBAL - A BENEFIT FOR OUR MEMBERS
The Dante Alighieri Society is a worldwide organization with chapters in 60 countries. Members of our local chapter will soon have access to Dante Global which offers information on numerous cultural experiences and a variety of Italian language classes including in-person classes in five Italian cities.
The website www.dante.global will give you an overview of Dante Global. In order to sign in to the site it will be necessary for you to fill out a form and receive a numbered card from The Dante Alighieri Society of Denver. In the near future we will have the form posted on our website along with our new branding.
ITALIAN COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Use this link to view community-wide events by Italian organizations in the Denver metro area
The Dante Alighieri Society of Denver exists to share and celebrate
the richness of the Italian culture and language with the entire community.
