Giving
Voice: Italian American Poets and Writers at Hofstra University’s
Italian Experience 2001-05:
The
Poets' Piazza
Vito
& Carolyn De Simone & Louisa Calio: Organizers
Conceived
of and spearheaded three years ago by former President of the
Association of Italian American Educators (AIAE), Dr.
Vito De Simone
and his wife, teacher, Carolyn DeSimone, with the talented and
versitile Robert T. Spiotto, Artistic Director of Community Arts
Programs at Hofstra University, The Poets and Writers Piazza has
become an integral feature of The Italian Experience Festival,
an event that offers the community the best of Italian culture,
food, music and fun at Hofstra University’s Campus for the
past twelve years. The value of the literary word, especially
poetry in our culture and its extension into America has sometimes
been overlooked at such Festivals. With the intention of introducing
the vast talent of Italian and Italian American writers, AIAE
along with Hofstra has presented over 40 authors as well as an
open mike to allow up and coming writers an opportunity to share
their voices.
This
year, the day began with Ms. De Simone and Ms. Calio bringing
100 packets of writings which contained the selected works
and biographical sketches of each presenter to the Italian Teachers
Breakfast sponsored by the Sons of Italy. Poetry as a creative
force in our world was talked about, especially within in the
context of offering a genuine perception of the Italian people
rather than a stereotype. Then at the Emily Lowe Hall poetry filled
the room with its music as
readers shared their unique voices and perceptions and their books
were sold along with other works by Italian and Italian American
Writers at the book display put on by Italian American Bookshelf.
[Photo: Carolyn De
Simone, Organizer and Co-Host,
with Daniela Gioseff, Featured Poet]
Organized
for the third time by co-chairs, Poet Louisa
Calio and teacher Carolyn De Simone,
an outstanding selection of authors were featured:
Ms. Calio, pictured at right, (a winner of the Connecticut commission
of the Arts Award for Writers) read from her epic poem: Journey
to the Heart Waters; Dr. Luigi Fontanella,
editor of Gradiva and Professor of Italian at SUNY Stonybrook
read a [selection of his poetry in both Italian and English, as
did Irene Machegiani, also of SUNY Stonybrook. Bordighera award
winner, Paola Corso, read her poetry
as did Mary Jo Bona, George Guida, Robert
Viscusi, Aldo Tambellini, and
Rachel Guido DeVrees.
Daniela
Gioseffi, the renowned American Book Award winning author
of Women on War, and the winnerof
a lifetime achievement award from the Association of Italian American
Educators, read in the main tent as featured poet and held a large
audience's interest achieving a big round of applause. She read
from her books of poems, Word Wounds & Water Flowers
and Going On (VIA Folios: Bordighera
Press.)[Photo:
Vito DiSimone Presents Ms. Gioseffi with
a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The
majority of readings took place in Lowe Hall. That evening the
DeSimone family generously hosted all the writers at a sumptuos
candelight dinner, "a spaghettata" a special thank you
for their contribution, an opportunity to exchange ideas while
getting to know each other.
Photo of some who attended the dinner reception 2004-05.
and his wife, teacher, Carolyn DeSimone, with the talented and
versitile Robert T. Spiotto, Artistic Director of Community Arts
Programs at Hofstra University, The Poets and Writers Piazza has
become an integral feature of The Italian Experience Festival,
an event that offers the community the best of Italian culture,
food, music and fun at Hofstra University’s Campus for the
past twelve years. The value of the literary word, especially
poetry in our culture and its extension into America has sometimes
been overlooked at such Festivals. With the intention of introducing
the vast talent of Italian and Italian American writers, AIAE
along with Hofstra has presented over 40 authors as well as an
open mike to allow up and coming writers an opportunity to share
their voices.
works
and biographical sketches of each presenter to the Italian Teachers
Breakfast sponsored by the Sons of Italy. Poetry as a creative
force in our world was talked about, especially within in the
context of offering a genuine perception of the Italian people
rather than a stereotype. Then at the Emily Lowe Hall poetry filled
the room with its music as
readers shared their unique voices and perceptions and their books
were sold along with other works by Italian and Italian American
Writers at the book display put on by Italian American Bookshelf.
[Photo: Carolyn De
Simone, Organizer and Co-Host,
with Daniela Gioseff, Featured Poet]
Ms. Calio, pictured at right, (a winner of the Connecticut commission
of the Arts Award for Writers) read from her epic poem: Journey
to the Heart Waters; 
winnerof
a lifetime achievement award from the Association of Italian American
Educators, read in the main tent as featured poet and held a large
audience's interest achieving a big round of applause. She read
from her books of poems, Word Wounds & Water Flowers
and Going On (VIA Folios: 
