2020 Events Calendar
Greetings from the Dante Alighieri Society of Virginia! On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish to thank you for your interest and support of Dante as we continue to adjust to the pandemic protocol of our times. Like other cultural arts organizations in our community, we have found it necessary to put our programming and special events on hold. When the protocol is lifted and it’s safe to reconvene, we’ll be ready!
In the meantime, we invite you to enjoy this newsletter, explore the links listed below, and participate in our inaugural Zoom film discussion! In addition, we would love to know what you have enjoyed in the past few months – Italian cooking … Italian films… Italian literature … Italian art and architecture … Italian music . . . and invite you to share your special interests with us as we plan for future newsletters, programs, and events.
Gail Morrison, President
VIVA L’ITALIA
In September 2019 members of the Dante Alighieri Society of Virginia were able to celebrate the reunification of Italy together with our Viva l'Italia festa at Riverviews. This video, featuring clips from Italian history, culture, sport, opera, movies, and songs, served as a backdrop for that event and reminds us of some of the many ways we can still experience Italy virtually. The audio joins the video after a slight pause. We hope you enjoy!
https://www.dantealighierisocietyofvirginia.org/italian-language-and-culture.html.
'FESTA DELLA REPUBBLICA
If you love the Italian national anthem, young voices, and images of beautiful Italy, you will be completely charmed by this 2020 video. La Festa della Repubblica is celebrated on 2 June each year, commemorating the date of the 1946 referendum that transformed Italy from a monarchy into a republic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fyfi1kumCU
FILM SERIES
Since our traditional film series at Riverviews Artspace has been postponed, we invite you to stream The Leopard (rented from Amazon Prime, Netflix, Apple TV, Vudu, and iTunes) and to participate in a Zoom discussion led by Dante board member Bettye Chambers on Wednesday, October 28, 5-6pm. Please register directly with Bettye (bettyethomaschambers@gmail.com) and indicate your interest by October 22.
Based on the 1958 novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa (highly recommended and beloved by critics and readers alike), The Leopard (Il gattopardo in Italian) is a 1963 film that takes place in Sicily in 1860, where the revolutionary followers of Giuseppe Garibaldi are battling against the forces of the aristocratic Establishment. This clash, known as the Risorgimento, dominated the Italian peninsula for much of the 19th century and culminated in the capture of Rome from the Papal States on September 20, 1870, thus providing the final piece in the jigsaw puzzle that was the reunification of Italy.
SONGS OF HOPE
Opera on the James presents a live concert of opera arias, songs, and chamber music in a spectacular outdoor venue, Point of Honor. Sunday, October 11, 5pm.
Limited tickets available: $35 online http://www.lynchburgtickets.com/songsofhope, $40 at the gate. Bring masks and chairs!
PARLIAMO ITALIANO
This popular Italian language class will be taught in person at Lynchburg Parks and Rec by Dante member and native Italian Francesca Calabretta. Please register directly:
https://webapps.lynchburgva.gov/registration/ViewCourseActivityDetails.aspx?id=C6887
RENAISSANCE VILLAS OF ANDREA PALLADIO AT POPLAR FOREST
Thomas Jefferson once said that Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio's Four Books of Architecture (1570) was his Bible. Poplar Forest reflects the true spirit of Palladio in many of its architectural features.
Renaissance Villas of Andrea Palladio was originally scheduled to be presented to the Dante Society in spring 2020 by Director of Architectural Restoration, Travis McDonald. He has graciously agreed to postpone the program and to reschedule for spring 2021. To prepare us for our visit, Travis has created this very rich and informative video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AENBRiHa_60
We appreciate your enthusiastic support of The Dante Alighieri Society in the past. For all of us, 2020 has been a difficult year in so many ways, impairing our ability to provide the high quality programs we had scheduled this year. We are hopeful that 2021 will provide us the opportunity to re-engage and enjoy our movies, dinners, and other special events we envision going forward. Although we must adhere to the guidelines for COVID 19 before we can once again gather safely, we nevertheless encourage you to consider renewing your membership for calendar year 2021 so that when we are able to offer our programs, you are ready to attend. Membership dues (Family $35, Individual $25, Student $5) may be mailed to The Dante Alighieri Society, P.O. Box 2391, Lynchburg, VA 24505. Please contact our Membership Chair, Jeff Schneider (jeffery1947@gmail.com), for additional information.
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