Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Consul General Mario Bartoli pulled out all the stops for the first Festa della Repubblica celebration of his tenure at the Italian Consulate in Chicago.
Around 450 leaders from both sides of the Atlantic packed the Morse Genius Chicago Room of the Chicago History Museum and poured out onto the plaza behind the museum during the June 9 festivities.
Food stations and information booths were arrayed indoors and out, with a Lamborghini gracing the plaza. Food service was coordinated by Joe Monastero with the assistance of Michelle Durpetti Events and Onesti Entertainment. Music was provided by DJ Tommaso Conforti.
Presentations were made by Bartoli; Francesca La Marca, the Italian senator representing North America; and Christian Diego Di Sanzo, one of two members representing the continent in Italy’s Chamber of Deputies. Letters of greetings and appreciation were presented by representatives of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
Bartoli bestowed cavaliere honors on Michelle Durpetti, owner of Gene & Georgetti and Michelle Durpetti Events and a member of the Milano Sister City Committee, and Georgia Marsh, founder and maestro of the Chicago chapter of the Order of Knights of the Truffle and Wines of Alba.
The event was hosted by the Italian Consulate, Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Italian Trade Agency, Italian National Tourist Board and Italian American Chamber of Commerce Chicago-Midwest with the support of Barilla, Bracco, Eataly, Elio Pizza on Fire, Ferrero, Gene & Georgetti, ITA Airways, Ron Onesti’s Rock ’N Ravioli, Perillo Chicago, Rana, Smeraldina, Terlato, Vero and Volare.
