By Felicity Claire

The 12 Annual Italian Festival provided a lively celebration of the arts for University students and the Long Island community on Sunday.

The University’s South Campus was alive with the sounds and smells of Italy, a convenient alternative to New York City’s San Gennaro Festival. Eager patrons snatched up Italian arts and crafts, recipes and imported snacks, while local organizations promoted interest in Italian genealogy, language and culture on Long Island and the metropolitan area.

Sporting a shirt with the familiar words “Be Italian” printed on the front, Bob Spiotto, entertainment producer of the festival, greeted prominent authors such as Mario Fratti, Maria Mazziotti Gillan, Louisa Calio, Rosette Capotorto, Paola Corso and Aldo Tembellini.

Sponsored by the Association of Italian-American Educators, the Poets’ and Writers’ Piazza brought these and many other artists together in Emily Lowe Hall for readings of Italian-American poetry and drama.

Poet and novelist Maria Mazziotti Gillan reminded guests of the struggle, stereotype and repression in a reading of her poem “Growing Up Italian.”

On the Verdi Stage, located directly behind Hofstra Hall, L’Esperienza Italia celebrated the popular and classical music of Italy. Guests sprang to their feet and joined in with Joe Dovi and Angelo Giudici’s lively rendition of “That’s Amore.”

Soprano and third-year Julliard student Jeanette Baxter followed with Puccini’s “Il Mio Bambino Caro” and “Quando m’en vo’ soletta,” ending with a stylistically contrasting “Mambo Italiano.” International opera star Cristina Fontanelli and vocal duo Mina and Brian Woodward rounded out this portion of the afternoon entertainment. Soprano Julianne Davis and tenor Albert Neil of the Bronx Opera Company continued the presentation of Italian classics and pop songs with “Popera.”

Children flocked around Katie’s Puppet Show (complete with a star stealing sequined dragon), feasted on funnel cake and danced to music that sounded throughout the South Campus, as their parents leafed through books in front of the John Cranford Adam’s Playhouse, taste-tested pasta sauce and olive oil and purchased gourmet Italian coffee.

The University’s Italian Festival combined tradition and modernity to bring out the beauty of the culture and of the people.

“The world can thank the Italians for all of these wonderful art forms,” Spiotto said. “On this day, these art forms were masterfully presented and lovingly embraced by the public.”

Attendees celebrated the Italian Festival last weekend.The South Campus came to life with featuredItalian arts and crafts. (Stephanie Woodrow)