The Fogolâr Furlan of Northern California, in the United States, gathered last Saturday, March 15, to celebrate its 11th anniversary at Club Fugazi, located in the North Beach area, San Francisco's Italian neighborhood. The building, a symbol of the Italian community since the 19th century, hosted the celebration.

A special recognition was given to Ezio Valdevit, an outstanding Friulian from the Bay Area, originally from Sacile, who has long upheld the name of Friuli in the High Tech world and within the local Fogolâr. He also serves as the president of the "Leonardo da Vinci Society," founded in San Francisco in 1949. Lido Cantarutti, the dean of the Fogolâr and president of the Bay Area Italian Film Festival, was also present at the event.

The catering service for the evening was provided by Chef Rudy Fanetti-Durán of "C’era una volta” in Alameda, who delighted guests with exquisite dishes from his renowned cuisine. As in previous years, the wines were supplied by Friuli Italians Wines, an importer of prestigious Friulian labels in the United States and a strong supporter of the local Fogolâr Furlan.

There were fewer attendees this year due to the coincidence with St. Patrick's Day, but the event was graced by some Friulian professionals who came from Friuli and are involved in technology and research in the Bay Area, further confirming the role of the local Fogolâr in making regional members feel at home.