The Allure of Sardinia Comes to New York

Celebrations for the “Sardinian Week Around World” in the Big Apple

New York, NY (PRWEB) April 18, 2006 -- The flavors of the Sardinia Region will be in New York from April 28th to the 30th , for the celebration of the “Sardinian Week Around the World.” This suggestive island with an intriguing history will be celebrated in the US with gatherings, tastings and even a comedy in the Sardinian language in the heart of Broadway.

Promoter of the initiative is Circolo Shardana-USA, a non-profit organization founded in 2000 in New York. Although numerically smaller than other Italian immigrant groups, and dispersed in a vast territory, members of the Circolo are quite motivated and well organized. Circolo Shardana has so far distinguished itself with intense activity dedicated to fostering and promoting the appreciation and the knowledge of this island, its values and traditions, and has established itself among the many Italian regional organizations in the area.

a special acknowledgment goes to Regione Sardegna, which always supports and encourages any initiative by Sardinian organizations worldwide to promote the island in every aspect.

Among its accomplishments, Circolo Shardana organized an educational tour for 13 Sardinian mayors, who got the opportunity to meet with their counterparts of several small cities in New York and New Jersey. In May 2005 the Circolo organized a conference on “Sardinia, its Language, its Culture” at Fordham University, with special focus on the literary works of Sardinian writer Grazia Deledda, Nobel price winner for Literature. In some cases, the Circolo provided crucial help, like with the promotion of ancient Sardinian instrument players at the New York International Festival of Mediterranean Music. The collaboration was renewed the following year, with a concert by the musical group “Tenores” of Oniferi.

Throughout the years, the association has offered its support to several visiting Sardinians, especially graduates coming to universities and hospitals in New York to study and/or undertake research. Among the members of Circolo Shardana, there are, in fact, medical doctors, researchers, managers in the finance and technology industry, and some renowned chefs. Each year, the Circolo also organizes a “Day in the Park” (“Giornata al Parco”) and the traditional convivial gathering “Sardinian Night” (“Serata Sarda”), which are simple and nourishing occasions to share values and emotions among family and friends; they also provide good opportunities to speak Sardo, a romance language (its revival was underscored by the recognition as a minority language within the European Union).

The program consists of three events, each one being a good opportunity to learn more about the “Made in Sardinia.” The rich agenda starts on Friday, April 28, with the celebration of “Sa Die de sa Sardigna” (which commemorates the short but significant expulsion of the Piedmontese from the island in 1794). There will be a “Sardinia Open House,” at the elegant premises of the New York Academy of Science in Manhattan (63rd Street and Fifth Avenue), from 6 to 9 PM. The same event will be taking place on the following day at the Museo dell’Emigrazione Italiana in Jersey City (New Jersey). The highlight of the celebrations will be on Sunday, April 30, 2006 at 1:00 PM, with the performance, in the Sardinian language, of the comedy “Cicciu Fruschedda” by Antonio Garau, at the Sage Theatre, in Times Square! The protagonist of the event will be the “Tragodia” group, arriving directly from the island for this occasion.

“We are happy to present the splendor and some typical products of our island on such a joyous occasion,” says Bruno Orrù, President of Circolo Shardana, “a special acknowledgment goes to Regione Sardegna, which always supports and encourages any initiative by Sardinian organizations worldwide to promote the island in every aspect.”

For further information and reservations, please call (908) 212 7846 or visit www.settimanasardany.org

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