The 48th National Italian American Foundation’s gala was held last month in Washington. It’s a tradition held every October to celebrate and honor Italian American Heritage and Culture Month. It’s an unmatched cultural event with an enchantment and aura felt as soon as one steps foot in the gala’s lobby. It’s a joyous occasion that brings people together for a night of glitz, glamour, and history of Italian Americans in the country.
Last night at the NIAF 48th Anniversary Gala, the First Lady opened the evening with a heartfelt speech about growing up in an Italian American household and the values that are characteristic of Italian Americans. Then partway through her speech, she made a surprise announcement… pic.twitter.com/g2QbYOq8eNJill Biden is the first Italian American first lady and greeted attendees to last year’s gala with a recorded message.
“They just carve until they set it free. And you have a whole hell of a lot of angels, starting with this one right here,” Joe Biden said about his wife. Several awards were given to Italians and Italian Americans for their cultural contributions and for improving society. Perhaps the most well-known recipient was Veronica Berti Bocelli, who was awarded the foundation’s Leonardo da Vinci Award for humanitarianism. Bocelli is the wife of the famous Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.