As part of the Dante Alighieri Society of Westerly’s 50th-anniversary celebrations, the organization hosted a free public talk featuring Arnaldo Minuti – Consul General of Italy in Boston – at the United Theatre on Friday, November 7, 2025. Society president Lou Toscano and event chair Edward Morrone served as co-masters of ceremony.
During his remarks, Minuti reflected on his diplomatic career, the evolving relationship between Italy and the Italian American community, and the history – and future – of Italian immigration to the United States.
A career diplomat, Minuti has held senior posts at Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including heading the Office for International Cooperation against Global Threats and Counterterrorism. His foreign assignments have included Ethiopia, Canada, Mexico, and Paris, where he served as Italy’s Deputy Permanent Representative to UNESCO.
“It was a great pleasure,” Minuti said, describing his participation in the anniversary celebration and his meeting with the Italian American community in Westerly. Founded in 1975, the Dante Alighieri Society marked “fifty years of promoting Italian language and culture, and of preserving the ties with Italy – its values and its traditions.”
Minuti added that he was “very honored to meet Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore,” and expressed his gratitude to Society president Lou Toscano, board members Ed Morrone and Steve Cofone, representatives of the State of Rhode Island, members of the Westerly Town Council and School Committee in attendance, and all participants for the “warm welcome” he received.
