News

A fantastic time was had by all on October 12 at Caffe Appassionato near Fisherman's Terminal when SPSCA member Karin McCullough, a pianist whose prize possession is a Fazioli grand piano, played Italian and Neapolitan songs on the cafe's baby grand for a sing-along. Karin had printed out lyrics to classics like "Santa Lucia," "Volare," and "Quando Quando Quando," so we could belt out the canzoni with abandon. What a great way to practice Italian pronunciation and make a joyful noise! Please join us at the next Incontro Musicale, December 15, 2:30 pm at Horizon House, for a Natale-themed event!

SANDFORD&GOSTI, a renowned artistic duo from our sister city Perugia, are recognized worldwide for their innovative work. In October we were lucky enough to have them bring their captivating 15-minute bilingual performance "Vocabolario: Construction Grammar Geode 2" to Seattle as part of their acclaimed global journey. An enthusiastic audience at the Women's University Club watched the artists break apart papier-mâché “geodes” made from two iconic dictionaries, the Nuovo Zingarelli and the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Jodi Sandford read random English words from the insides of these geodes, in which the dictionary pages represented the crystal core of volcanic rocks, and Valter Gosti intoned Italian ones, and the artists contrasted Carlo Levi’s idea that “words are stones” with the "sticks and stones" of English proverb. The piece ultimately advocated nonviolence and constructive language.

This performance, part of Giornata del Contemporaneo (Italy's "Day of Contemporary Art") was supported by AMACI (Association of Italian Contemporary Art Museums), the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco, and Italy's Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, promoting Italian contemporary art worldwide.

On Thursday, October 10, art historian and SPSCA board member Rebecca Albiani lectured on on Pietro Perugino's spectacular Collegio del Cambio frescoes to a packed crowd of Seattle-Perugia members and Horizon House residents.

One of Perugia's greatest treasures, the Collegio del Cambio in the headquarters of the Bankers' Guild in Perugia's medieval town hall was decorated by Perugia's most famous resident, Perugino, around the year 1500. The young Raphael may have had a hand in its execution. Its gorgeous murals combine sacred and classical themes, including sibyls and prophets, which Michelangelo later combined in the Sistine Ceiling. Our members enjoyed learning about the central position of Perugia in Italian art on the verge of the High Renaissance.

At our September board meeting, Mark Ippolito was nominated and unanimously elected as SPSCA’s new President, beginning his term immediately. Mark shared his focus with all members:

“In our ever-complicated and sometimes isolated world, the vision and mission of Seattle’s Sister City Program is more relevant than ever. Quoting from our charter document: ‘Our Vision: For Seattle to be a city where every resident understands their power and responsibility as a global citizen and has the tools to become globally engaged. Our Mission: Develop active and lasting cultural connections for the mutual benefit of the people of Seattle and its sister cities through educational, humanitarian, economic, and other endeavors.’

Since joining SPSCA in 2022 and serving as Membership Chair since 2023, I have seen firsthand how our work breathes life into our sister city vision and mission. Two powerful examples include welcoming delegates from Perugia to our 30th Anniversary Gala Celebration and witnessing the personal transformation of members who have been recipients of our annual scholarship program. I have also had the extreme pleasure of meeting and working with our members and board, all of whom bring a diversity of experience to our association and as a group are joyful and share a passion for deep, meaningful connection as global citizens.

With these examples in mind, I plan to build on our legacy of connection that delivers mutual benefit to our members in Seattle and Perugia. I’ve asked our board to help lead some key initiatives including expanding our scholarship program, creating more opportunities to foster and grow vibrant relationships between our Seattle and Perugia members, and engaging more deeply with the sponsors and partners who make our mission possible. Additionally, I will ask our board to be in direct contact with each one of our active members so we can better understand what our members want from SPSCA and find more opportunities for members to collaborate on our shared mission.

I am deeply indebted to German Rodriguez for his stewardship as President and, in his new role as President Emeritus, I will continue to rely on his deep knowledge and experience to help me and all of our board effectively deliver on our mission.

Thank you for your continued membership and support. None of our work is possible without our members by our side. I look forward to getting to know you at our next Seattle-Perugia Sister City event. Please say hello! If you have any questions or suggestions, please email me: mark@seattle-perugia.org.

Mille grazie, Mark”

We had a wonderful annual meeting at the beautiful Piazza Perugia, welcoming new SPSCA board members Kathy Hastings, Heather Battaglia, and Donna James. During the event we announced the calendar of upcoming activities and events. Attendees also enjoyed the stunning L'Antica Deruta ceramic adorning the Piazza symbolizing our strong sister city bond. Thank you to everyone who attended and made the day special – we look forward to a great year ahead!