The Italian Community of St Louis congratulates the new leaders of our local Comites, including CRISTINA GARIZIO-TINNIRELLO of Torino (Turin) in northwestern Italy, who obtained the most votes. Cristina lives in Chicago and works as an experienced and certified translator and interpreter from English and German into Italian. She graduated from the translation and interpretation program at the Scuola Superiore per Interpreti e Traduttori in Turin, Italy. She then specialized in business, legal and technical translations. In 2011, she obtained her M.A. in Didactics of Italian as a Second/Foreign Language from the Universita’ del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy, and then moved to the United States, where she trained and specialized in teaching her native language to young students (kindergarten through 12 grade) in the Chicago area. Cristina is involved in the promotion of Italian language and culture programs throughout Chicago and the Midwest.

Also elected to the the Comites was Dr. Michelangelo Giampaoli, a native of Perugia in the central Italian province of Umbria and a university professor at the University of Illinois. Renowned academic, Dr. Pietro Lorenzini, professor at Loyola University Chicago, was also elected as a representative. 

Notable losses from the Comites include the following individuals: Mr. Frank Galati of St Louis, Mr. Anthony Gandolfo of St Louis, Mr. Angelo Sita of St Louis, and Mr. Luigi Sciortino of Chicago. 

The Italian Community of St Louis congratulates those who have won the election and is eager to work with our new representatives in promoting authentic Italian culture and especially the Italian language in our region. Moreover, we are thrilled that there are so many newer and younger candidates who deeply understand the situation of Italians living abroad. We are confident that the new members of the Comites will represent Italian expats in the St Louis region and we are excited for this new chapter in our relation with the Consulate of Italy in Chicago. We also thank our Consul Thomas Botzios for his continued support. 

In qualità di presidente delle Sister Cities di St Louis - Bologna, desidero esprimere la mia gratitudine a tutti coloro che sono venuti al nostro terzo concerto di Natale per il terzo anno consecutivo. Devo ringraziare tante persone per il successo del nostro concerto. Benedetta Orsi è stata brillante come sempre con la sua magnifica voce e siamo fortunati ad averla. Ringraziamo Gail Hintz, pianista, che ha davvero coordinato tutto alla perfezione. Ringraziamo il Coro dell'Università di Missouri-St Louis ed il suo direttore Jim Henry per aver portato a termine un lavoro così spettacolare. Ringraziamo i musicisti della St Louis Symphony Orchestra per aver dedicato il loro tempo per condividere con noi i loro bellissimi doni. È importantissimo per me ringraziare tutti gli sponsor ed i donatori che hanno reso possibile questo evento. 

Sono eventi come questi che rendono la nostra comunità più compatta e felice. La cultura italiana è ricca di bellezza nella sua musica ed arte. Ringraziamo Evelyn Astegno per averci dato la possibilità di vedere il suo magnifico dipinto La Madonna ed i suoi figli. Che gioia è stato ammirare una Madre Benedetta e un Gesù Bambino così tenero. Natale significa sperimentare la bellezza dei misteri sublimi in cui crediamo. Credo fermamente e spero che siamo riusciti a trasmettervi la bellezza e la pace del Natale durante il nostro concerto. Non vediamo l'ora di rivedervi l'anno prossimo.

Colgo l’occasione per porgere i miei più cordiali saluti.

On your 10 day inclusive tour experience stunning architecture, rich history, vibrant culture, and world-class food as we make our way through two of the most beautiful and historic areas of Italy.

Spend 5 nights in Rome as we explore the winding cobblestone streets and top highlights of the Eternal City. Take a private tour of the Vatican and Colosseum, walk down the streets of the ancient forum, have dinner in a local home, sip wine on a rooftop bar, and get to truly live like a Roman. Enjoy a day trip outside the city to the famous Castelli Romani, "Roman Castles", and the quaint village of Tivoli.

Spend 4 nights in Siena, the heart of Tuscany, exploring hilltop villages, dramatic landscapes, and historic vineyards all while being treated to first-class foods and top-notch wines.

We will visit the famous villages of Montepulciano and San Gimignano including a special lunch and wine tasting, plus a guided tour of Florence and the Accademia Gallery, which houses the famous Statue of David.

Expertly selected 4-star accommodations and private transfers to and from the airport. In case you wish to book pre or post tour hotel accommodations, the tour manger can assist with those arrangements. Hotel Genio, Rome, is a perfectly situated 4-star property with a prestigious location in the historic heart of Rome. The location just opposite the famous Piazza Navona Square makes it the ideal base to explore the city with countless landmarks just minutes away. From the modern and elegant Hotel NH Siena, a short walk takes you into the heart of Siena, with its wealth of historical landmarks, Gothic architecture and pavement cafés.

The St Louis - Bologna Sister Cities organization is proud to announce a new member of our board, Sgt. Kristine Galati, a former sergeant of the City of St Louis Police Department. Sgt. Galati had served the police department for 30 years before she retired. Galati's family comes from Cinisi, a small village near Palermo, Sicily. Sgt. Galati grew up in St Margaret of Scotland Parish on Flora Place in Shaw neighborhood. She recently obtained her Italian citizenship and is currently taking Italian lessons with the St Louis Italian Language Program. We are thrilled to have her on our team and we thoroughly enjoy her enthusiasm for all things Italian. It is an honor to have one of St Louis' finest protecting our Italian community.