The City of Capri announces the institutional event scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, 2026, organized in collaboration with the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), under the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and with the participation of the Capri Tourist Port, the initiative’s institutional partner.
The meeting represents an important opportunity for dialogue and cooperation between institutions, aimed at strengthening the relationship between the island of Capri and one of the most authoritative organizations dedicated to promoting Italian culture and Italian American identity around the world.
Representing the National Italian American Foundation will be President Robert Allegrini, a leading figure in cultural and institutional relations between Italy and the United States, together with John Calvelli, Chairman of the Board of NIAF and one of the foremost advocates for strengthening ties between Italy, the United States, and the Italian American community.
The central moment of the event will be the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Capri and the National Italian American Foundation, with the goal of establishing a stable and structured collaboration focused on promoting cultural, educational, social, and institutional initiatives.
The agreement stems from a shared desire to build a permanent bridge between Capri and the Italian American world, enhancing the island’s historical, cultural, and identity heritage while creating new opportunities for international dialogue, the promotion of excellence, and the development of projects of mutual interest.
Among the objectives of the Memorandum are the promotion of joint cultural programs, youth-focused initiatives, educational and research activities, international exchange opportunities, and the creation of events and projects designed to strengthen Capri’s image as a meeting place for cultures, institutions, and innovation.
On the occasion of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, an idea conceived by author Germana Valentini has led to the creation of the “Capri–NIAF Award,” a recognition dedicated to Italian and Italian American individuals who have distinguished themselves worldwide through their contribution to promoting Italian identity, the culture of emigration, and dialogue between Italy and the United States.
Capri thus becomes a symbolic place for an Italy that remembers, celebrates, and builds bridges toward the future. The award was created with the aim of honoring the stories of Italian emigration, past and present; strengthening cultural and institutional ties between Italy and the United States; and highlighting Italian and Italian American excellence that has helped promote Italy’s image around the world.
The award itself will be an exclusive creation by sculptor Dante Mortet, a leading figure in contemporary Italian art whose work symbolizes the union of tradition and innovation and the cultural ties between Italy and the United States.
With its beauty, history, and international symbolic value, Capri will be the centerpiece of this new initiative dedicated to the memory of emigration, Italian talent around the world, and the development of cultural relations across the Atlantic.
Dr. Paolo Falco, Mayor of the City of Capri, stated:
“The signing of this Memorandum represents a significant moment for our community and an important opportunity for international outreach. Capri has a natural vocation for dialogue and hospitality, values that today find concrete expression in a collaboration destined to create new cultural and institutional opportunities for our territory.”
Dr. Salvatore Ciuccio, Councilor for Major Events of the City of Capri, added:
“We strongly wanted to create a project that would go beyond a single institutional occasion. This agreement marks the beginning of a path capable of connecting institutions, culture, and international relations, creating value for Capri and strengthening its role as a point of reference in the landscape of internationally significant events.”
Robert Allegrini, President and CEO of the National Italian American Foundation, stated:
“The Italian American community, represented by the National Italian American Foundation, is the largest ambassador of the ‘Made in Italy’ brand in the United States. Therefore, it is entirely natural and appropriate that our Foundation enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Capri, which embodies the very best of everything that ‘Made in Italy’ represents.
We intend to increase awareness in the United States of all that Capri has to offer, not only to Italian Americans, but to all Americans who love Italy and its culture.”
Dante Mortet, artist, engraver, and sculptor, commented:
“Bronze has the ability to tell stories and travel through time. NIAF will help it shine so that Capri becomes even more visible and desirable to Americans.”
The initiative is part of the “Campania Divina” project, promoted with the support of the Campania Region and the Campania Tourism Agency, within the framework of the FSC 2021–2027 Cohesion Agreement strategies and the Revolving Fund established under Law No. 183/1987. The project is financed through CIPESS Resolution No. 70/2024 as part of the initiative “Widespread Actions for Regional Competitiveness in the National and International Tourism Market – Integrated Communication and Marketing Project,” included in the 2025 Strategic Culture and Tourism Plan.
