THE THIRD ANNUAL "DIVINAMENTE NYC - FRATELLI DI TERRA" FESTIVAL ON SPIRITUALITY IN THE

ARTS WILL TAKE PLACE FROM MAY 18TH-22ND

Introducing American audiences to the "DIVINAMENTE NYC - FRATELLI DI TERRA" international festival

conceived and directed by renowned Italian actress and cultural personality PAMELA VILLORESI, with the

special support of Presidency of the Italian Council of Ministers and the collaboration of Lagazzaladra

and A.R.Mu.S.e R., leading cultural producers in Italy.

The festival, launched for the first time in Rome in 2008, presents productions in theater, music, and dance,

which have been directly or indirectly inspired by the great spiritual traditions. The underlying idea is based on

the spiritual and sacred, rather than the religious. While religious beliefs have often been a source of

divisiveness and conflict, that which is spiritual and sacred underlies all the art forms and creates the common

emotional language which carries the potential of bringing people together towards greater understanding.

The first festival in Rome was a resounding success and led quickly to the confirmation of the festival as an

annual event which takes place each year during the Easter period. The first DIVINAMENTE NYC was held in

2009. As is the case for the festival in Rome, each production is presented once as the festival unfolds on

consecutive days with each production in a different venue. In past years, performances have taken place at

the Asia Society, La Mama Theater, the Rubin Museum of Art, St. Mark’s Church, Symphony Space, the Primo

Levi Center, etc.

The theme of DIVINAMENTE Roma 2011 was that of the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy.

DIVINAMENTE NYC - FRATELLI DI TERRA will center around the idea of “home”: the home of our birthplace,

the home we have chosen, or the home that we have been forced to adopt.

“The country that we want to celebrate is not only the one buried in the past, but the country we dream of for

the future: a work in progress inspired by the ideas of diversity, solidarity, and community”. Pamela Villoresi

The festival is sponsored by: Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

Italian Cultural Institute, Fondazione Roma Arte – Musei, Direzione Generale per le Biblioteche, gli

Istituti Culturali e il Diritto d'Autore, Camera di Commercio di Prato, Lagazzaladra, A.R.Mu.S.e R,

Alitalia, Delta.

www.divinamente.info

www.pamelavilloresi.it

Press Contact:

Eva Zanardi, Head of Communications, Italian Cultural Institute New York

Tel. 212 879-4242 ext.333

Fax 212 861-4018

eva .zanardi@esteri.i t

NYC Coordination:

Luisa Gui, 917 907 3094

PROGRAM

Wednesday, May 18th, 6:00 PM

SACRED HOME, Round Table

Debate on the theme of a “promised land”, exile, acceptance, or rejection in another society. Speakers will

include representatives of 4 major religions. Reading of selected poems from “Fratelli di terra”

Italian Cultural Institute

686 Park Avenue

RSVP 212-879-4242, ext. 365

www.iicnewyork.esteri.it/IIC_Newyork

Thursday, May 19th, 6:00 PM

IL LEONE MAREMMANO

A tribute to the poet Giosue Carducci

directed and performed by Pamela Villoresi

live music by Luciano Vavolo

Italian Cultural Institute

686 Park Avenue

RSVP 212-879-4242, ext. 365

www.iicnewyork.esteri.it/IIC_Newyork

Friday, May 20th, 8:00 PM

PASSIO CAECILIAE

(US premiere)

Sacred cantata in 9 movements for orchestra, chorus, soprano and narrator

composed by Monsignor Marco Frisina

Saint Cecilia’s Parish

120 East 106th Street

212-534-1350

www.saint-cecilia-parish.org

Suggested donation $20

Saturday, May 21st, 8:00 PM

AN ANGEL IN THE SLUMS

(US premiere)

A theatrical production directed by Gianluca Barbadori with performers from

the Italian and Chinese communities of Prato

Asia Society

The Lila Acheson Wallace Auditorium

725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street)

212-288-6400

www.asiasociety.org/centers/new-york

$15 for Asia Society and ICI members, $18 for students, $20 for general public

Sunday, May 22nd, 2:30 PM

LA ROMA EBRAICA

Concert by the Choir of the Tempio Maggiore of Rome

conducted by Claudio Di Segni and featuring the hazan of Rome Alberto Funaro and organist Federico Del

Sordo

Museum of Jewish Heritage

Edmond J. Safra Plaza

36 Battery Place

646-437-4202

www.primolevicenter.org, www.mjhnyc.org

$10 for Museum of Jewish Heritage, Centro Primo Levi and ICI members

$15 for general public