Despite an unusually brutal cold that gripped Cleveland for a few days at the end of January forcing schools, universities and numerous prominent local institutions to close or cancel previously scheduled events, the Western Reserve Historical Society kept its door open on Wednesday, Jan. 30 to welcome a large group of participants to “To be or not to be an Italian citizen: this is THE question!”

The presentation was organized by NOIA Foundation in collaboration with WRHS and guest speaker, Serena Scaiola, former Hon. Consul of Italy in Ohio. After brief opening remarks offered on behalf of Angie Lowrie, Director of the Cleveland History Center, by Pamela Dorazio Dean, Curator for Italian American History at WRHS and a warm welcome by Angie Spitalieri, NOIA Foundation Executive Director, Serena Scaiola took the podium to present attendees with the possibility for U.S. citizens to derive Italian citizenship from Italian ancestors.