Consulate of Italy in Detroit and the Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan, with the contribution of its membership and the Società Dante Alighieri headquartered in Rome, are proud to announce the unveiling of the newly restored Dante Alighieri monument on Belle Isle.

The unveiling ceremony will take place on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Belle Isle, 82100 Vista Dr., Detroit, MI—48207, near Shed 12. Consul Allegra Baistrocchi and President of Dante Alighieri Michigan, Lia Adelfi, will be joined by Mayor Mike Duggan and representaAves of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division of Belle Isle Park in celebrating this occasion.

This significant event marks the completion of a major restoration project highlighting the lasting impact of Dante Alighieri, Italy's most respected poet. It aims to celebrate the vibrant Italian-American community in Detroit. The restoration project is committed to preserving cultural heritage and strengthening the bond between Italy and the United States. The project breathes new life into an important historical artifact and reaffirms the significance of Dante's work in promoting understanding and appreciation of Italian culture.

The event is part of the LoveITDetroit project, which celebrates Italian culture and heritage in the city and is particularly noteworthy this year because of the Centennial Anniversary of the Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan. The restoration is also of significant impact, as the ambition is for the Italian community to continue to give back to Detroit.

The LoveITDetroit project was founded in 2021 and wouldn’t have been possible without the contributions of many: the sponsors, the volunteers, the contributors (both from Italy and locally), the vendors, and all Italians and Detroiters who have participated with great enthusiasm in this coming together with a unity of purpose. The Consulate of Italy in Detroit and the Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan donated the new base and pedestal as a gift to the City of Detroit as a symbol of our shared friendship and resilience.

The journey of the Dante bust in Detroit is a story marked by artistic vision, cultural pride, bureaucratic challenges, and a testament to perseverance.

In 1921, as the world commemorated the 600th anniversary of Dante Alighieri’s death, the Italian community in Detroit sought to honor the legendary poet with a bust. They commissioned Carlo Rivalta, a prominent Italian sculptor, to create the work. However, Rivalta's bust did not meet the expectations of the commissioning committees. Caught in a web of disagreements over its design and presentation, the Public Library (where the bust was to be housed) ultimately rejected it. The Rivalta bust was left without a home and was donated to the Detroit Institute of Arts, where it found temporary refuge.

The Italian community thus encountered obstacles in their mission to honor Dante, but they persisted. Raffaello Romanelli, a renowned Italian sculptor, was commissioned to create a second bust of Dante. However, the new bust faced challenges upon arrival in Detroit, as it was considered too large for the intended space in the library. Consequently, it was placed in storage with an uncertain fate.

In 1927, efforts spearheaded by Consul Pietro Cardiello and Vincenzo Giuliano, publisher of what was then “La Tribuna Italiana del Michigan” (now La Tribuna del Popolo), led to a breakthrough. The City Plan Commission recognized the Dante bust as having cultural and historical significance and agreed to erect the monument on Belle Isle, Detroit.

Dante’s original pedestal, also brought over from Italy, symbolized a bridge between the old world and the new, a fitting foundation for the poet who continues to bridge cultures and centuries. Despite finally being displayed, the Dante bust faced ongoing challenges, such as environmental wear and the passage of time, which affected its condition. Periodic restoration efforts were necessary to preserve the monument's beauty and integrity. Each restoration was a delicate balance of respecting the original artistry while using modern techniques to ensure longevity.

Today, the Dante Alighieri monument is a tribute to a literary giant and a symbol of perseverance and community pride. Its journey from creation to acceptance, through challenges and restoration, reflects the resilience of Detroit's Italian community and its unwavering dedication to celebrating its heritage. The bust's presence serves as a reminder of the enduring power of art to unite and inspire across generations.