On June 3rd, 2025, the stunning Galleria Colonna in Rome hosted an unprecedented event: the Italian Gala of NIAF (National Italian American Foundation), organized by NERO Lifestyle to celebrate the Foundation’s 50th anniversary.
Among the evening’s guests were the Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies Giorgio Mulé, the Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti, the Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè, the Deputy Minister of Justice Francesco Paolo Sisto, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of San Marino Luca Beccari, the Secretary of State for Finance of the Republic of San Marino Marco Gatti, and the President of the Lazio Region Francesco Rocca. Also attending were the Grand Master of the Order of Malta, Fra' John T. Dunlap, and the representative of the U.S. Embassy in Italy, Rachel Cooke.
Andrea Delfini, Vice-President of NIAF Italia and member of the NIAF Board of Directors in Washington DC, spoke during the evening as co-chair of the event, alongside Prof. Paolo Catalfamo, President of NIAF Italia and member of the NIAF Board of Directors, and the Honorary Chairman Dr. Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, highlighting the importance of the Foundation’s events:
"Soltanto frequentando i grandiosi gala americani di NIAF e vivendo da vicino questa comunità si può comprendere quanto sia forte, anche a distanza di generazioni, l’amore degli italoamericani per la nostra cultura e le nostre radici. Un amore che ci ricorda quanto dobbiamo essere fieri di essere italiani."
During the evening, the new members of the NIAF Italia Board of Directors were officially welcomed and awarded: Paolo Barletta, Hugo Patrick Doyle, Andrea Gemma, Lucia Magnani, Paola Rovellini, and Valerio Zanaglio, ready to contribute to the Foundation’s activities.
The event was hosted by Claudia Vanni, journalist and presenter for Mediaset and head of the Foreign Desk at Tgcom24. The anthem performances were entrusted to Cecille Sordoni, who has represented Italy at prestigious events in Washington, including a performance at the White House. Tasting Opera curated the entertainment, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and melodies by intertwining arias from great composers with dishes inspired by their favorite recipes. During the evening, “Friends of NIAF” honors were awarded to Berta Zezza, Riccardo D’Andrea, and Arianna Baracco “for their valuable contribution, dedication, and friendship shown to the National Italian American Foundation.”
NERO Lifestyle proudly organized this special evening for NIAF Italia, reaffirming its commitment to promoting Italian excellence and strengthening the ties that unite Italy and the USA. At the end of the evening, more than 280 guests received a bag containing the special NIAF New York edition of the magazine, some personalized gifts, a gift card for a stay at the Lucia Magnani Health Clinic, a discount voucher for travel with Trenitalia, a gift card valid for car rentals with Primerent, and other informational materials.