WTI Magazine #60    2015 May, 15
Author : IACE      Translation by:

For the last three consecutive years the Italian American Committee on Education Summer Program has enjoyed a residency in the medieval town of Narni, province of Terni, in southern Umbria. Through close collaboration with the Narni Arts Academy and its Artistic Director, pianist and composer, Cristiana Pegoraro, the doors of the city have been opened wide.

Each summer for two weeks, twenty American students, ages 14 to 18 years old attend daily lessons in language, art and music history. Narni's mayor, Francesco De Rebotti, personally welcomes each group and has placed the cultural patrimony of his beloved town at the students' disposal, helping to make available entrance to its many historic sites.

Ms. Pegoraro has helped to facilitate unique experiences in the local arts and crafts. At La Scuola delle Arti della Città di Narni, participants work with ceramic masters Sergio Meloni and Donatella Moriconi to create unique ceramic objects in the great tradition of the Umbrian school. A visit to the nearby ceramic capital of Umbria, Deruta, exposes the children to the best of what the area has to offer.

During the 2014 edition of the program, artisans of the Associazione Culturale il Borgo with the President of Mosaico Valnestore, Milena Betta, introduced the students to the art of creating the famous straw-woven-covered bottles so characteristic of Italian tables. Students were able to work with the artisans to create their own covered bottles as a souvenir of their stay in Umbria.

Under the guidance of Chef Umbra Francescangeli, IACE students also have had the opportunity to learn how to prepare an authentic Umbrian meal. Using the facilities provided by the Taverna del Ristorante La Loggia di Narni, Chef Francescangeli gets the teens to do everything from preparing a first course and entree to a scrumptious tiramisù. And oh what satisfaction they have consuming it!

Evening concerts, using the venues of the ancient churches of Narni and its "jewel-box" of a small opera house occur almost daily during the program. Music, dance and theatre are offered by the world class faculty of the Narni Arts Academy and its students. Visiting international troupes also bring performances of the highest level and diversity.

At the invitation of the regional Assesore alla Cultura, Gianni Giombolini, the IACE students have been invited to the picturesque hill-top villages in the vicinity to soak in their unique beauty and taste the authentic dishes prepared by their inhabitants. Often, Narni Arts Academy Students provide impromptu concerts under the stars to the delight of their hosts and fellow visitors. Visits to the more well-known tourist destinations have also charmed IACE students. In 2014, those places included Assisi, Spoleto, the Marmore Falls and, of course a visit to the capital city of Italy, Rome.

IACE Summer Program 2015 will take place in Milan from July 13th to July 15th where the students will have the opportunity to visit the EXPO and in Narni from July 15th to July 27th for the Narnia Arts Festival.

The Award Ceremony for the 20 students recipients of IACE scholarship will be held on May 22nd at the Consulate General of Italy.