Founded by Stefano Vaccara

Subscribe for only $6/Year
  • Login

Editor in Chief: Giampaolo Pioli

VNY La Voce di New York

The First Italian English Digital Daily in the US

English Editor: Grace Russo Bullaro

  • English Edition
  • Letters
  • New York
  • U.N.
  • News
  • People
  • Entertainment
  • Arts
  • Lifestyles
  • Food & Wine
  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Italian Edition
No Result
View All Result
VNY
  • English Edition
  • Letters
  • New York
  • U.N.
  • News
  • People
  • Entertainment
  • Arts
  • Lifestyles
  • Food & Wine
  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Italian Edition
No Result
View All Result
VNY La Voce di New York
No Result
View All Result
in
New York
April 26, 2022
in
New York
April 26, 2022
0

Barbara Faedda and the Italian Academy, the Precious Gem of Columbia University

An interview with the executive director of the Center for Advanced Studies, which was founded in 1991 as part of an inquiry into the Italian heritage

Nicola CorradibyNicola Corradi
Barbara Faedda e l’Italian Academy, il gioiello prezioso della Columbia University

Barbara Faedda - Photo by Terry W. Sanders

Time: 3 mins read

In the heart of Columbia University, the most famous university campus of the Upper West Side, a six-story gem stands out from the rest of the buildings.

It is the headquarters of the Italian Academy, which was founded in 1991, subsequent to a deal made between Columbia University and the Italian Republic and that, before that time, had been the “Casa Italiana”. The new phase started under the leadership of former President of the Republic Francesco Cossiga who became its honorary president—as has every other incumbent residing in the presidential palace after him. It became a center for advanced studies, not meant for students but for postdoctoral scholars, who spend one or two semesters conducting their research there.

It was executive director Barbara Faedda who welcomed us (the Director is the noted art historian David Freedberg)–her elegance and formality in perfect harmony with the ambiance of the Academy. She is originally from Rome and arrived in New York after spending some time in Boston, along with her husband, also Roman and involved in higher education. They met, shared the same passions, and moved overseas from the Italian capital.

The Casa Italiana, headquarters of the Italian Academy at Columbia University – Photo/Terry W. Sanders

She has been the executive director for almost 16 years, and has gotten to a point where the Academy feels like a second home to her. “Although I have been here since 2006, I still see a lot of potential in the center, which is why we continue to create projects that give great satisfaction to the Italian government, which sees this institution as the most prestigious academic center globally.”

The building is a joy to behold. The interior is similar to what you’d expect from a Renaissance building: there’s the loggia, where Faedda was standing while speaking to us; the study, the theater, and the inner courtyard, in addition to a stunning library intended for the members of the Italian Academy, which still retains its original cork floor. “It was chosen specifically to avoid disturbance,” Faedda explained, “because it’s a material that silences the noise of people walking over it.”

The Italian government owns the building, which was purchased for 17 million dollars, split between two different functions: 7 for restoration and 10 as a base that Columbia invests and from which, every year, they draw the sum that is used to fund initiatives and fellows.

The historical library of the Italian Academy – Photo/Terry W. Sanders

In addition to regular employees, the Academy hosts a number of fellows, chosen from among scholars for specific academic gifts that they possess. Under normal conditions there’s about twenty of them but even during the pandemic, thanks to the hard work of the organization, they were able to open the doors to a considerable number of them.

“Our main characteristic is being multidisciplinary and international. Our fellowships range from neuroscience to history, from philosophy to anthropology.”

When the pandemic started in March 2020, there were scholars of all ages who found themselves without a home in a matter of days. “It was a really bad moment, because Columbia closed and many fellows that lived in the residence were unable to plan their trips back home to their families: there were no tickets or face masks to be found anywhere. But once almost everyone had gone back home the program started again and the fellows were able to continue with the weekly seminars that are required to complete the journey at the Academy.”

Barbara Faedda in the Italian Academy’s theater – Photo/Terry W. Sanders

Over many years, Faedda has seen dozens of events organized at the Academy. She remembers two of them with special affection: the annual symposium for the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, established in 2008, and the International Observatory for Cultural Heritage, launched in 2016. “Italy is not an international leader in many fields, but if there is one where it has undisputed supremacy, it is in its cultural heritage.”

During the pandemic, like many others, Columbia had to open its doors to the digital revolution. “To salvage the salvageable, we had to reconsider the entire programming. We did not have much experience with online events because our strong point has always been this wonderful building, and we have always been used to planning in person initiatives.”

With hard work, however, the digital transition was rolled out, allowing everyone, even those who were physically in Italy, to attend the gatherings taking place in New York.

Barbara Faedda – Photo/Terry W. Sanders

Now that the pandemic is loosening its grip, and the mood is improving with the beginning of spring, we can look to the future with more optimism.

“Starting in September, we expect to have all of our fellows here in person. We will probably continue to hold some conferences remotely, to avoid impairing any of the most vulnerable organizations, but most of them will return in person. On February 25th we officially reopened the building to the public and we were able to experience the joy of sitting side by side once again at a live cultural event.”

Dr. Faedda’s eyes sparkle as she speaks about future projects. She is excited at the prospect of helping visitors discover the beauty of the Italian Academy once again. She speaks of the building as a beloved and studious child who is bewitched by Italian culture.

 

Translated by Emma Pistarino

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Nicola Corradi

Nicola Corradi

DELLO STESSO AUTORE

Da Parma al mondo: storie di emigrazione in “Do You Speak Pramzan?”

Da Parma al mondo: storie di emigrazione in “Do You Speak Pramzan?”

byNicola Corradi
Los Angeles si prepara a nuove fiamme e attende l’arrivo di Trump

Los Angeles si prepara a nuove fiamme e attende l’arrivo di Trump

byNicola Corradi

A PROPOSITO DI...

Tags: Barbara FaeddaCasa ItalianaColumbia UniversityCOVID-19Italian Academy Columbia UniversityItalian cultureitalian literatureItalianamericanPandemic
Previous Post

UN Experts Urge U.S. to Ease Afghanistan Assets Freeze Amidst Humanitarian Crisis

Next Post

Gli Stati Uniti mirano ad attenuare la capacità della Russia di agire militarmente

DELLO STESSO AUTORE

Us Open: a 9 anni da Vinci-Pennetta, l’Italia a New York riprova l’exploit

Us Open: a 9 anni da Vinci-Pennetta, l’Italia a New York riprova l’exploit

byNicola Corradi
A New Path Forward: Democrats Embrace Joy and Unity at DNC

A New Path Forward: Democrats Embrace Joy and Unity at DNC

byNicola Corradi

Latest News

Johnson, non ci fidiamo di TikTok, aveva 9 mesi per vendere

Donald Trump Pressures House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tax Hikes for the Wealthy

byRalph Savona
Nazioni Unite: Guterres accoglie con entusiasmo l’elezione di Papa Leone XIV

Nazioni Unite: Guterres accoglie con entusiasmo l’elezione di Papa Leone XIV

byStefano Vaccara

New York

Agenti USA / Ansa

Spara a un corriere di Door Dash: arrestato funzionario di New York

byGrazia Abbate
Times Square, aggrediti agenti: sospetti legati alla gang Tren de Aragua

Times Square, aggrediti agenti: sospetti legati alla gang Tren de Aragua

byMaria Nelli

Italiany

Il Prosecco italiano conquista i cuori delle donne USA

Il Prosecco italiano conquista i cuori delle donne USA

byAndrea Zaghi
Da sinistra: Elvira Raviele (Ministero delle Imprese e del Made in Italy), Fabrizio Di Michele (Console Generale d’Italia a New York), Maurizio Marinella, Luigi Liberti (Direttore Patrimonio Italiano TV), Mariangela Zappia (Ambasciatrice italiana a Washington), e Diego Puricelli Guerra (Preside Istituto Bernini De Sanctis di Napoli)

Marinella a New York: l’eleganza del Made in Italy all’Istituto Italiano di Cultura

byMonica Straniero
Next Post
Gli Stati Uniti mirano ad attenuare la capacità della Russia di agire militarmente

Gli Stati Uniti mirano ad attenuare la capacità della Russia di agire militarmente

La Voce di New York

Editor in Chief:  Giampaolo Pioli   |   English Editor: Grace Russo Bullaro   |   Founded by Stefano Vaccara

Editor in Chief:  Giampaolo Pioli
—
English Editor: Grace Russo Bullaro
—
Founded by Stefano Vaccara

  • New York
    • Eventi a New York
  • Onu
  • News
    • Primo Piano
    • Politica
    • Voto Estero
    • Economia
    • First Amendment
  • People
    • Nuovo Mondo
  • Arts
    • Arte e Design
    • Spettacolo
    • Musica
    • Libri
    • Lingua Italiana
  • Lifestyles
    • Fashion
    • Scienza e Salute
    • Sport
    • Religioni
  • Food & Wine
  • Travel
    • Italia
  • Mediterraneo
  • English
  • Search/Archive
  • About us
    • Editorial Staff
    • President
    • Administration
    • Advertising

VNY Media La Voce di New York © 2016 / 2025 — La testata fruisce dei contributi diretti editoria d.lgs. 70/2017
Main Office: 230 Park Avenue, 21floor, New York, NY 10169 | Editorial Office/Redazione: UN Secretariat Building, International Press Corps S-301, New York, NY 10017 | 112 East 71, Street Suite 1A, New York, NY 10021

VNY Media La Voce di New York © 2016 / 2025
La testata fruisce dei contributi diretti editoria d.lgs. 70/2017

Main Office: 230 Park Avenue, 21floor, New York, NY 10169 | Editorial Office/Redazione: UN Secretariat Building, International Press Corps S-301, New York, NY 10017 | 112 East 71, Street Suite 1A, New York, NY 10021

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
La Voce di New York
Gestisci Consenso
Per fornire le migliori esperienze, utilizziamo tecnologie come i cookie per memorizzare e/o accedere alle informazioni del dispositivo. Il consenso a queste tecnologie ci permetterà di elaborare dati come il comportamento di navigazione o ID unici su questo sito. Non acconsentire o ritirare il consenso può influire negativamente su alcune caratteristiche e funzioni.
Funzionale Always active
L'archiviazione tecnica o l'accesso sono strettamente necessari al fine legittimo di consentire l'uso di un servizio specifico esplicitamente richiesto dall'abbonato o dall'utente, o al solo scopo di effettuare la trasmissione di una comunicazione su una rete di comunicazione elettronica.
Preferenze
L'archiviazione tecnica o l'accesso sono necessari per lo scopo legittimo di memorizzare le preferenze che non sono richieste dall'abbonato o dall'utente.
Statistiche
L'archiviazione tecnica o l'accesso che viene utilizzato esclusivamente per scopi statistici. L'archiviazione tecnica o l'accesso che viene utilizzato esclusivamente per scopi statistici anonimi. Senza un mandato di comparizione, una conformità volontaria da parte del vostro Fornitore di Servizi Internet, o ulteriori registrazioni da parte di terzi, le informazioni memorizzate o recuperate per questo scopo da sole non possono di solito essere utilizzate per l'identificazione.
Marketing
L'archiviazione tecnica o l'accesso sono necessari per creare profili di utenti per inviare pubblicità, o per tracciare l'utente su un sito web o su diversi siti web per scopi di marketing simili.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
Visualizza preferenze
{title} {title} {title}
La Voce di New York
Gestisci Consenso
Per fornire le migliori esperienze, utilizziamo tecnologie come i cookie per memorizzare e/o accedere alle informazioni del dispositivo. Il consenso a queste tecnologie ci permetterà di elaborare dati come il comportamento di navigazione o ID unici su questo sito. Non acconsentire o ritirare il consenso può influire negativamente su alcune caratteristiche e funzioni.
Funzionale Always active
L'archiviazione tecnica o l'accesso sono strettamente necessari al fine legittimo di consentire l'uso di un servizio specifico esplicitamente richiesto dall'abbonato o dall'utente, o al solo scopo di effettuare la trasmissione di una comunicazione su una rete di comunicazione elettronica.
Preferenze
L'archiviazione tecnica o l'accesso sono necessari per lo scopo legittimo di memorizzare le preferenze che non sono richieste dall'abbonato o dall'utente.
Statistiche
L'archiviazione tecnica o l'accesso che viene utilizzato esclusivamente per scopi statistici. L'archiviazione tecnica o l'accesso che viene utilizzato esclusivamente per scopi statistici anonimi. Senza un mandato di comparizione, una conformità volontaria da parte del vostro Fornitore di Servizi Internet, o ulteriori registrazioni da parte di terzi, le informazioni memorizzate o recuperate per questo scopo da sole non possono di solito essere utilizzate per l'identificazione.
Marketing
L'archiviazione tecnica o l'accesso sono necessari per creare profili di utenti per inviare pubblicità, o per tracciare l'utente su un sito web o su diversi siti web per scopi di marketing simili.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
Visualizza preferenze
{title} {title} {title}
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • New York
  • Onu
  • News
    • Primo Piano
    • Politica
    • Economia
    • First Amendment
  • Arts
    • Arte e Design
    • Spettacolo
    • Musica
    • Libri
  • Lifestyles
    • Fashion
    • Scienza e Salute
    • Sport
    • Religioni
  • Food & Wine
    • Cucina Italiana
  • Travel
    • Italia
  • Video
  • English
    • Arts
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Food & Wine
    • Letters
    • Lifestyles
    • Mediterranean
    • New York
    • News
  • Subscribe for only $6/Year

© 2016/2022 VNY Media La Voce di New York

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?