Italics – Experts to Speak on Modern Day Italy and The Jews in Two-Day Symposium

By Gabrielle Apuzzo*

The Charles and Joan Alberto Italian Studies Institute is co-sponsoring a two-day symposium: “New Italy and the Jews: From Massimo D’Azeglio to Primo Levi”, from February 28th to March 1st in partnership with the Italian Academy for Advanced Studies in America, Columbia University. This symposium is taking place in conjunction with the publication of Annali d’Italianistica 36.

Annali d’Italianistica is an Italian Studies Journal published in North America and focused on Italian culture from various literary and historical perspectives.

Its 36th volume, The New Italy and the Jews, was published in December 2018, with contributions from scholars around the world, including Gabriella Romani, professor of Italian and director of the Alberto Institute. Visit the Arizona Center of Medieval and Renaissance Studies for more information about the volume.

The Alberto Institute is hosting the first day of the symposium, which will take place on Thursday, February 28 from 2 to 5 p.m., in the Beck Rooms. Speakers will talk about Jews in 19th century Italy at a round table. Students and faculty members are welcome to participate. View the calendar event for more information.

The highlight of the evening will be the keynote address at 6 p.m. in the Beck Rooms presented by Carlotta Ferrara degli Uberti from the University College London who will speak on Patriots and Jews in Italy, Navigating the Challenge of Equality and Integration. The lecture will be free of charge, and those interested in attending are encouraged to R.S.V.P. to Barbara Ritchie at (973) 275-2967 or barbara.ritchie@shu.edu. A reception will follow with light refreshments.

The second day of the symposium will take place at the Italian Academy for Advanced Studies in America, Columbia University from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“This book and symposium are an amazing opportunity for Seton Hall to continue expanding its work in Italian studies,” said Romani. “The interdisciplinary, interfaith, and international aspect of this symposium is of great interest to the mission of the Alberto Institute who strives to advance Italian Studies within and beyond the Seton Hall campus.”

Romani has written and edited several books, and is currently writing a book on the role of Jews in the making of a national Italian culture, connecting literary studies and historical events between 1860 and WWI.

*The article was published in shu.edu on February 13, 2019