The Consulate General of Italy in New York and Rai-Radiotelevisione Italiana organised a special event at their Park Avenue headquarters dedicated to 100 years of radio and 70 years of Italian television, in collaboration with Rai Teche and Rai Fiction and under the patronage of the Mike Bongiorno Foundation. The evening was opened by Consul General Fabrizio Di Michele, who read a message from the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, followed by the greetings of the Vice President of the Senate, Licia Ronzulli, and the Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies Giorgio Mulè, both present at the event. This was the only celebration of the double anniversary of Italian radio and television held outside Italy.
In fact, as Mattarella recalled, 'celebrating in New York the 100th anniversary of the first programme of the Italian Radio Union and the 70th anniversary of the first television broadcast by RAI takes on a special value and meaning' and highlights how Italian radio and television have played a 'valuable role in connecting with our fellow citizens abroad and with their descendants, strengthening their roots'. The event - curated by Marco Giudici, advisor at the Italian Academy of Columbia University - retraced, through the projection of period sounds and images, Rai's most symbolic programmes and moments. A special memory, on the occasion of the centenary of his birth, was dedicated to Mike Bongiorno. Leading the public along this path was the speech by Umberto Broccoli, archaeologist, writer, as well as author and television and radio presenter, followed by the preview projection of the first images of the Rai fiction 'Mike' commented by his son Nicolò Bongiorno, president of the Foundation.
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