Matteo Daffadà, president of the Consulta of Emiliano-Romagnoli in the World, recently led a focused mission to New York City aimed at strengthening cultural, institutional, and civic connections between Italian-American communities and their homeland in Emilia Romagna.
The visit took place over a concentrated weekend, featuring a mix of community gatherings, institutional engagements, and promotional events that highlighted both heritage and future collaboration.
A central event of the mission was a major meeting organized at a historic venue in Manhattan, where active Italian-American associations came together with local consular representation. Leaders from several groups based in the New York area participated, representing decades of community work. These organizations serve as bridges between the region of origin and descendants living thousands of miles away, preserving identity, language, and shared values while addressing contemporary needs.
At the gathering, prominent local figures delivered reflections alongside Italian representatives, emphasizing the importance of maintaining active dialogue between communities and institutional bodies. Participants discussed topics ranging from civic engagement and regional heritage to the role of community associations in supporting relief efforts during past emergencies, such as sending medical supplies during health crises and contributing to recovery after natural disasters.
At a celebratory dinner that marked the 75th anniversary of a historic Italian American society, more than 300 attendees gathered to honor more than seven decades of committed cultural activity. The anniversary spotlighted how regional identity from areas like Parma and Piacenza has been nurtured and transmitted through generations of families in the United States. At the event, individual community contributors were publicly acknowledged for their decades of voluntary service, reinforcing the idea that personal dedication fuels sustained community life abroad.
In addition to cultural meetings, Daffadà and associates took part in business and promotional events designed to showcase the region’s cultural and food productions to an American audience. These included participation in a major international food exhibition in New York, where local producers had networking opportunities with industry professionals.
The mission also included targeted discussions with professional groups, such as U.S.–based medical specialists of Italian descent, exploring strategies to connect talent with opportunities tied to Emilia Romagna. Institutional meetings at the Italian Consulate in New York further aimed to expand bilateral dialogue around cultural and commercial partnerships.
Overall, the trip demonstrated strong engagement among Italian-American communities with historical roots in Emilia Romagna and highlighted ongoing efforts to build relationships that support both cultural heritage and practical cooperation across the Atlantic.
