The Italian Radio Hour

06/09/2026

This week on The Italian Radio Hour: Sagre, Santi e Cannoli - Discovering authentic Italy.

Today we're traveling through Italy in a way that most tourists never do—not through famous landmarks or crowded attractions, but through the heart and soul of local communities: Italy's sagre, festivals, historic celebrations, religious processions, and food traditions.

Our guest is Katerina Ferrara, travel writer, podcaster, and author of the acclaimed Ultimate Festival and Travel Guide series. For more than twenty-five years, Katerina has explored Italy one festival at a time, documenting everything from centuries-old religious celebrations and medieval reenactments to truffle fairs, wine festivals, and village sagre that preserve traditions passed down through generations.

Through her books, podcast, and travels, Katerina helps visitors experience an Italy that exists far beyond Rome, Venice, and Florence—an Italy where entire towns come alive to celebrate their history, their food, their saints, and their identity.

INTERVIEW LINK IN THE FIRST COMMENT

06/02/2026

🚨 NEWSFLASH! 80 Years Ago Today, Italy Changed its History! 🇮🇹
On June 2, 1946, Italians chose the Republic over the Monarchy, opening a new chapter for the nation. It was also the first time Italian women were able to vote, giving voice to millions and helping shape the future of Italy.
🎉 Celebrate this historic anniversary today:
✅ Share your reflection on what the Republic means to you at www.ivoltidellarepubblica.quirinale.it
The website is already online and collecting stories, memories, and reflections on the republican choice and Italy's recent history. By participating, you'll help create a living archive of women and men of all ages and regions whose voices and experiences make up the faces of our beloved Republic.
✅ Talk with a parent, grandparent, or friend about the significance of June 2nd and the values of democracy, freedom, and civic participation.
🚨 ULTIM'ORA! 80 Anni Fa l'Italia Cambiò la Sua Storia! 🇮🇹
Il 2 giugno 1946 gli italiani scelsero la Repubblica al posto della Monarchia, inaugurando una nuova era per il Paese. Fu anche la prima volta che le donne italiane poterono votare, contribuendo a costruire il futuro della nazione.
🎉 Festeggia questa ricorrenza storica:
✅ Condividi la tua riflessione su cosa significa per te la Repubblica su www.ivoltidellarepubblica.quirinale.it
Il sito è già online e raccoglie testimonianze, ricordi e riflessioni sul significato della scelta repubblicana e sulla storia recente del nostro Paese. Partecipando contribuirai a creare un archivio vivente di donne e uomini, di ogni età e regione, che ogni giorno danno volto e voce alla nostra amata Repubblica.
✅ Parla con un genitore, un nonno o un amico del significato del 2 giugno e dei valori della democrazia, della libertà e della partecipazione.
🇮🇹 Viva la Repubblica! Viva la democrazia!

06/02/2026

05/28/2026

This week on The Italian Radio Hour: PLACES OF ORIGIN: Wines of Southern Italy with Maria Christina Liotta

What do Campania, Calabria, Basilicata, and Puglia have in common?
Volcanoes. Ancient vines. Greek history. Rugged landscapes. And some of the most extraordinary wines in Italy — wines that, for far too long, have remained overlooked outside their own territories.

While much of the wine world continues to focus on Tuscany and Piedmont, Southern Italy has quietly preserved something deeply authentic: indigenous grapes, ancient farming traditions, dramatic volcanic terroir, and a profound connection between wine, culture, and identity.

Our guest today has dedicated more than twenty years to documenting that world.
Maria Christina Liotta is the author of the newly published Places of Origin: Wines of Southern Italy — Campania, Calabria, Basilicata and Puglia, an extraordinary journey through the vineyards, villages, volcanic slopes, and hidden wine territories of Italy’s South.

Through years of travel, hundreds of producer interviews, and visits to all 65 protected wine appellations of Southern Italy, Maria has created one of the most comprehensive explorations ever written on the wines and cultures of the Italian South.

Today we’ll explore not only wine, but also the deeper meaning of place, heritage, resilience, and what Southern Italy can still teach us about authenticity in a rapidly globalizing world.

LINK TO THE INTERVIEW IN THE COMMENTS

05/14/2026

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - Bridging Italy and America: A Conversation with Consul General Nico Frandi

Today, it is my great pleasure to welcome the Consul General of Italy in Philadelphia, Nico Frandi.
Since beginning his mandate in the fall of 2025, Consul General Frandi has focused on strengthening the ties between Italy and the Italian-American communities throughout the region, promoting Italian culture and language, supporting business and academic collaborations, and highlighting the enduring friendship between Italy and the United States.

With a diplomatic career that has taken him from multilateral economic negotiations to public diplomacy here in the United States, he brings a global perspective — but also a deep appreciation for local communities and cultural connections.

🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations celebrating Italian culture, heritage, food, language, travel, and community.

INTERVIEW LINK IN THE COMMENTS

05/08/2026

✨ Opening Night in Pittsburgh! ✨

Tonight, Pittsburgh will witness something truly special with the opening night of August Wilson’s Jitney — a powerful, timeless story that continues to resonate across generations.

What will make this production even more extraordinary is that it will be performed in Italian — a rare and meaningful artistic choice that highlights the universality of Wilson’s message while celebrating the beauty of language, identity, and cultural connection. Hearing these characters speak in Italian will add a unique layer of emotion and depth, proving once again that great stories belong to the world.

Istituto Mondo Italiano is honored to be among the sponsors of this production. We truly believe in the importance of performances like this — projects that build bridges between cultures, spark dialogue, and remind us how art can connect communities across borders.

The Italian Radio Hour brought you the story in March followed by well-deserved press and excitement surrounding this production, and tonight will be an important moment for Pittsburgh’s arts scene.

👏 Best wishes to the entire cast, creative team, and everyone who has worked to bring this remarkable performance to life. We can’t wait to experience it.
In bocca al lupo! 🇮🇹🎭

05/07/2026

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - The Hidden Mysteries of Calabria: Templars, Megaliths & Lost Civilizations with Giuseppe Oliva

Today we’re traveling to Calabria—not only the Calabria of beautiful landscapes and family roots, but a hidden Calabria.
A Calabria of caves, megaliths, forgotten civilizations, sacred symbols, ancient astronomy, and mysteries carved into stone.

My guest today is Giuseppe Oliva, president of Associazione Culturale Mistery Hunters, a cultural association dedicated to researching and documenting the hidden historical and symbolic heritage of Calabria and beyond.

Through documentaries, field research, photography, and storytelling, they explore places that seem suspended between archaeology, memory, myth, and mystery.

LINK TO THE INTERVIEW IN THE COMMENTS

05/02/2026

🌞 Estate Italiana: A Summer to Remember! 🇮🇹
Join us for a season filled with laughter, tradition, and la dolce vita—Italian style!

From lively evenings to unforgettable celebrations, there’s something for everyone:

♠️ May 15th - Card Night - An evening of fun, friendly competition, and great company.

🎨🍷 June 13th - Sip & Paint - Unleash your creativity with a glass of wine in hand—no experience needed, just come ready to relax and have fun!

🎄 July 11th - Christmas in July - Because a little holiday magic belongs in every season… Buon Natale in estate!

🎯 August 16th Bocce Tournament & Picnic - Sunshine, delicious food, and a bit of sana competizione—may the best team win!

🤍 Sept 13th - All White Party - Our most elegant night of the summer—dress in white and celebrate under the stars.

🍝 Great food. Great people. Italian flair.

🍷 Music, laughter, and memories waiting to be made.

✨ Book early and secure your spot—these events fill quickly!

Bring your friends, meet new ones, and experience a summer full of joy, connection, and Italian charm.

Mangia, ridi, festeggia… and celebrate with us!

We can’t wait to welcome you.

If you are not on our mailung list, please visit: www.istitutomondoitaliano.org

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Email from ISTITUTO MONDO ITALIANO Food, Friends, and Fun with an Italian flair     🌞 Estate Italiana: A Summer to Remember! 🇮🇹 Join us for a season filled with laughter, tradition, and la dolce vi