All American double for the International COLUMBUS INTERNATIONAL AWARD® Award, in the month dedicated to Italian pride: XI edition in New York and XII in San Francisco.
The international award, itinerant from conception, is aimed at those who, each in their own sphere, have distinguished themselves in the diffusion and/or protection of Italian culture or in being close to the needs of the Italian community of reference.
Photos and videos are available on www.columbusinternationalaward.org.
In both editions the opening was entrusted to the writings of Christopher Columbus: “Our Lord knows well that I cannot bear all these hardships to accumulate treasures or to discover them for me, for, as far as I am concerned, I know that all that is done in this low world is vain, if it is not done in honor and service of God.” The text has come to us and is preserved within theHistoria de Las Indias (Volume I, Chapter 146), the monumental historical work written by the Dominican friar Bartolomé de las Casas, who transcribed and incorporated the journals and the original documents of the Genoese navigator.
Due thanks to the Support Partners that made possible the American editions 2026, General Fruit, AdviceTourism, Bottega Branca, COLUMBUS SPRITZ and Polot 1882, as well as to all those who, for various reasons, helped the success of these American editions and in particular to Pasqualino Buonfiglio, Andrea Castello, Fabio Chiavassa and Joe Kage.
The New York edition 2026, the eleventh, took place, on 12 October, at Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral School and was an Italian event dedicated to anniversaries and/or important goals.
The prize is represented by a large personalized certificate in parchment paper and a large dish, also personalized, completely crafted and Made in Italy, the work of the excellent Maestro Agostino Branca.
Massimiliano Ferrara, president of Fondazione ITALY, creator and founder of the award, thanked for the hospitality Don Luigi Portarulo, who also granted the patronage of the Crow Together Foundation, along with Patronato ACLI USA, in the person of Stefano Marruso, and Mediterranean Foundation, in the person of Jennifer Adriana LaDelfa.
As usual, a thought also for all the Forces of the Order, which President Ferrara calls “our Human Guardian Angels”.
Before starting the ceremony, Dr. Ferrara gave the word to Don Luigi Portarulo of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and Father Claudio Antecini of the historic church of Brooklyn Visitation of Blessed the Virgin Mary, who in turn introduced the exciting musical intermezzo of Máire S. Close that delighted the present with the sweet melody of its flute in a musical history made of departures, greetings, travels, arrivals, welcome and discoveries of new realities never forgetting.
The translation in English, in real time, also for reading the motivations, was entrusted to the very good Zuzanna Altamanova.
These are the winners:
Rappresentanza Permanente d’Italia presso le Nazioni Unite – New York. Il premio è stato consegnato direttamente nelle mani dell’Ambasciatore Giorgio Marrapodi che si è detto felice di riceverlo e l’ha condiviso con tutto lo staff (passato, presente e futuro) che quotidianamente si impegna per i fini istituzionali. In questo caso il premio è stato conferito in occasione di un incontro privato negli uffici istituzionali presso le Nazioni Unite. S.E. l’Ambasciatore Marrapodi è stato anche omaggiato, primo negli Stati Uniti, del cofanetto COLUMBUS COLLECTION.
Motivation: For the fundamental contribution to multilateral dialogue and the constant commitment to promoting the values of peace and international cooperation on the prestigious global stage of the United Nations. The Permanent Representation imposes itself as the guardian of human rights and the guardian of Italian culture and knowledge, embodying the spirit of union and bridge between cultures that defines the legacy of Christopher Columbus.
Blaise Biagio Benevenga. L’82ª Columbus Parade della mattina del 12 ottobre per le vie di New York è stata l’occasione per la consegna del premio tra migliaia di persone giunte per ricordare gli italiani in America. A bordo di un carro tra canti e bandiere tricolore, il presidente Ferrara ha premiato un grande artista che con le sue decine di esibizioni e concerti in America e in Canada diffonde la musica e la cultura italiana.
Motivation: Through his revisitation, Blaise Biagio Benevenga, an authentic voice of the Italian-American soul, managed to connect the generations of the Italian-American community, renewing with modern energy the great classics of the Italian song, transforming the love for its roots into a musical bridge between two worlds.
The Italian Heritage & Culture Committee of New York. Ha ritirato il premio l’instancabile e proattiva vicepresidente Maria Marinello, che ha fatto dono al presidente Ferrara di un bello e significativo quadro con la copertina del 50° magazine ritraente tutte le prime pagine di questi primi 50 anni di attività dell’organizzazione.
Motivation: For the extraordinary and unbroken commitment of 50 years in the protection, enhancement and dissemination of cultural heritage, language and Italian traditions in the United States. Thanks to their work, every October the city of New York is colored in Italy, celebrating the arts, language, science and the priceless contribution that Italians have given to the construction of this country.
Ciao USA TV. Premio consegnato a Joe Barone, CEO della piattaforma, che si è detto onorato di ricevere il premio internazionale.
Motivation: With constant and rigorous commitment he has been able to create a solid and innovative cultural bridge between Italy and the United States, enhancing excellence, identity and Italian culture abroad and offering the Italian-American community the promotion of Italian heritage.
Il Newyorkese. Un sorridente ed entusiasta Davide Ippolito, fondatore del giornale, ha ritirato il premio dalle mani dell’organizzatore.
Motivation: It stands out in the media and journalistic landscape as an indispensable reference point for the Italian and Italian community in New York and the United States and knows how to tell with passion and effectiveness the union between American reality and Italian excellence, enhancing the stories, talents and traditions of Made in Italy.
FDNY – New York City Fire Department. Un momento particolare quello del ricordo delle molte vittime, americane e italo-americane, a 25 anni dalla tragedia delle Torri Gemelle. La premiazione è stata anticipata dall’esibizione al violino di un bravissimo Padre Johannes Siegert. In uniforme ha ritirato il premio Paul Miano, orgoglioso membro del FDNY e responsabile delle operazioni di emergenza medica.
Motivation: On the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the vile attack on the Twin Towers, we recall with deep emotion and pride the many Italian, Italian and American hero firefighters who, with the very high price of their lives or with tireless dedication on the days of the rescue, have embodied the noblest values of our community and the indissoluble bond between Italy and the United States. Their sacrifice remains an indelible light of hope, brotherhood and heroism for the extraordinary and eternal example of courage, self-denial and spirit of service to the community.
Figli di San Gennaro Inc.. Le premiazioni si sono concluse ricordando e festeggiando i 100 anni dalla prima edizione del 1926 e 30 anni dalla fondazione dell’Inc. dei Figli di San Gennaro. Ha ritirato il premio il presidente Vivian Catenaccio, felice del riconoscimento.
Motivation: The president of folkloristic, religious and concrete reality to protect Italian culture, through an extraordinary and constant effort, has been able to transform tradition into an indissoluble bridge between Italy, New York and the United States, thus celebrating 100 years from the first edition of 1926 and 30 years from the foundation.
The event ended with an extraordinary personal interpretation of “Volare” by the talented young artist Mario Vinci, pronipote of the great Domenico Modugno.
Following a delicious toast offered by the Patronage ACLI New York.
The twelfth edition, in the renowned and excellent Italian restaurant Mona Lisa of San Francisco, for over 40 years in the city, has been honored also by the presence of personalities arrived on the occasion of the exhibition dedicated to San Francesco for the 800 years since the death of the patron of Italy, for the first time in the United States.
After initial greetings to the twelfth edition of COLUMBUS, day 15 October, Dr. Ferrara gave the floor to the Mayor of Assisi, Valter Stoppini, to the President of the Council of Assisi, Annalisa Rossi, to the Councillor for Tourism and Gemellaggi, Fabrizio Leggio, to Fra Marco Vianelli, Provincial Minister of Umbria and Sardinia, to Fra Saul Tambini, Custos of the Porziuncola, to Fra David, Guardian of the Sanctuary of La Verna and finally to Vice-President Pasqualino Buonfiglio.
It then went to the awards, with the delivery of the personalized certificate in parchment paper and the great dish, also personalized, completely artisan and Made in Italy, the work of the excellent Maestro Agostino Branca:
Premio Sezione Amazing ad Angela Mia Alioto. La prima ad essere premiata è stata l’instancabile ed emozionata Angela Mia Alioto, promotrice della mostra dedicata a San Francesco a San Francisco, prima città ad essere gemellata con Assisi.
Motivation: Given his brilliant career as well as his passionate work of promoting the figure of St. Francis of Assisi and the values of peace, solidarity and international cooperation, Angela Mia Alioto represents an example of excellence and global inspiration.
Premio Sezione Amazing a Maurizio Florese. E’ stata poi la volta dell’imprenditore nel mondo della ristorazione Maurizio Florese: Con la sua visione e il suo impegno costante, Maurizio Florese è stato capace di trasformare la cultura enogastronomica italiana in un ponte di connessione culturale e umana tra l’Italia e gli Stati Uniti, facendosi ambasciatore autentico del Made in Italy.
Premio Sezione Excellence a Knights of Saint Francis of Assisi. A ritirare il premio una deliziata Tiziana Borsellini, membro dei Cavalieri di San Francesco d’Assisi in Italia.
Motivation: Given the tireless dedication to preserving and promoting the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi, this recognition celebrates the fundamental role of spiritual, cultural and charitable bridge between Italy and the United States.
A toast with all present ended the event in the state of California.
The article Columbus International Awards between New York and San Francisco: among the award-winning New Yorkers also comes from IlNewyorkese.
