Last night I attended Toscana in New York, a spectacular, sumptuous event sponsored by The Region of Tuscany and Toscana Promozione, in the Grand Ballroom of The Plaza Hotel in New York City.
Hosted by the Tuscan Ministers of Health, Tourism and Economic Development, Toscana in New York, a weeklong series of events, will celebrate Tuscan lifestyle and give New Yorkers a chance to experience the art, cinema and way of life of this beloved Italian region.
An understanding of Italian traditional society can allow a greater insight into the complexities of Poland’s cultural heritage.
Poland has been connected historically and culturally to Italy for centuries through papal legates, commissioners, and secretaries. Beginning in the 15th century, merchants, miners, adventurers and scholars began arriving with increasing frequency. Hundreds of Poles studied at the Universities of Padua, Bologna, and Ferrara
Poles viewed Italy as a center of art and scholarship – a model of administration and life, and as a country whose customs were noble and worthy. Italian influences in Polish culture came from Poland's Italian Queen Bona Sforza d'Aragona (1494-1558).
"Voglio Vivere Cosi" Tuscany's new branding campaign was premiered at the cocktail reception. The evening of elegance, ambiance, music and luscious Italian wine and cuisine featured a preview of three magnificent Oscar-winning costumes from Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film Romeo and Juliet. The full exhibit of 20 costumes premieres tonight at the Time Warner Center (Columbus Circle and 59th St) and can be seen through May 31.
