Variety500 is an index of the 500 most influential business leaders shaping the global media industry. Updated on December 18, 2024, the Variety500 reflects the accomplishments of its members over the previous 12 months. There are 8 Italians in the 2024 Variety500 list: Alberto Barbera, Marco Bassetti, Luca Bernabei, Paolo Del Brocco, Khaby Lame, R...
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, an iconic symbol of the holiday season in New York City, has its roots deeply embedded in Italian American history. This tradition, now celebrated worldwide, began humbly in 1931 during the Great Depression when Italian immigrant construction workers, employed at the Rockefeller Center site, came together to e...
Rome's iconic Trevi Fountain has reopened to visitors following an extensive three-month renovation. This restoration was completed just in time for the 2025 Jubilee Holy Year, a major event expected to draw millions of pilgrims and tourists to the Italian capital. The meticulous work involved removing dirt, pollution, and limescale to restore the...
My mother’s family came to America from their home in Acerra and eventually settled in the near-west side of Chicago in the Little Italy area, much of which has since disappeared under the concrete of The University of Illinois-Chicago. They established a grocery store and meat counter that saw them through the Depression, supporting the five child...
Conegliano secured the title of Volleyball Women’s Club World Champions by triumphing over China’s Tianjin Bohai Bank in a resounding 3-0 victory in Hangzhou, China. This win marked Conegliano's third world title, having previously claimed the championship in 2019 and 2022. The Italian team dominated the tournament, maintaining an impeccable record...
Growing up in an Italian family, superstitions were as common as pasta on Sundays. Join us as we share the quirkiest tales of Italian superstitions in our part 2 of this episode! From the mysterious power of the evil eye, “il malocchio,” to the peculiar rituals involving hidden horns and the mano cornuto hand gesture. We take you on a journey throu...
The Vatican has unveiled an innovative mobile application to enhance the experience of pilgrims visiting Rome for the Jubilee Year 2025. Known as a Holy Year, the Jubilee is dedicated to prayer, pilgrimage, and spiritual renewal. Millions of faithful from across the globe are expected to visit Rome, and this app aims to facilitate their journey whi...
The Vasari Corridor, a remarkable 16th-century architectural masterpiece in Florence, has reopened to the public after a meticulous restoration project . This elevated passageway, an iconic symbol of Florence’s Renaissance heritage, offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the city from the perspective of the Medici family, one of the mos...
Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays around the world, symbolizing joy, family, and togetherness. It is deeply associated with Christian traditions commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. However, many of the customs we associate with Christmas, such as gift-giving, feasting, and decorating our homes, have their roots in much ol...
Tilman J. Fertitta, a renowned American businessman, philanthropist, and sports team owner, has been nominated by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the United States Ambassador to Italy. Fertitta is well-known for his leadership in business and his contributions to the hospitality and entertainment industries, as well as his significant...
I’ll admit that when I first started planning my recent trip to Sardinia, I didn’t have a grasp on how big the island really is. I thought I could stay in the north and make day trips to the south, and vice versa. But after booking accommodations in Costa Smeralda and plugging Cagliari — Sardinia’s capital city — into Google Maps, I realized that t...
Peter Cancro was just 17 when he pulled off a deal that would shape his destiny. In 1975, with a $125,000 loan from his football coach, the high school senior bought Mike's Subs, a Point Pleasant, New Jersey sandwich shop where he had worked since he was 14. At the time, Cancro wasn't even old enough to legally operate the deli slicer. Fast forward...