Upcoming events:

October 2, 2025
4 – 6:15 PM

Biennial Sorbello Conference: Opening & Keynote

Cultural Exchanges Between Italy and the United States: ‘Italian’ Intellectuals in the U.S. / ‘Italian’ Intellectuals and the U.S."
Ruggero Ranieri (Sorbello Foundation) will open the conference with a brief presentation on the history and mission of the Sorbello Foundation. Anthony Julian Tamburri (John D. Calandra Institute) will deliver the Keynote Lecture, "Knowledge. What is it Good For? Absolutely Something!"

E-4340 Melville Library, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3358.

Hosted by the Center for Italian Studies at Stony Brook University, in partnership with the Romeyne Robert and Uguccione Sorbello Foundation, and co-sponsored by Ragusa Foundation for the Humanities, New York. Additional support provided by the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, CUNY, and Università per Stranieri di Perugia, Italy. 

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October 3, 2025
8 AM – 5:30 PM

Biennial Sorbello Conference: Conference Panels

Cultural Exchanges Between Italy and the United States: ‘Italian’ Intellectuals in the U.S. / ‘Italian’ Intellectuals and the U.S."The Center for Italian Studies will host several panels of Cultural Exchanges Between Italy and The United States. Program forthcoming.

E-4340 Melville Library, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3358.

Hosted by the Center for Italian Studies at Stony Brook University, in partnership with the Romeyne Robert and Uguccione Sorbello Foundation, and co-sponsored by Ragusa Foundation for the Humanities, New York. Additional support provided by the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, CUNY, and Università per Stranieri di Perugia, Italy. 

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October 7, 2025
5 – 6:30 PM

Lecture: Francesco Rombaldi, "Material Narratives: My Journey through Photobooks and Independent Publishing"

Francesco Rombaldi (Rome, Italy), curator and editor-in-chief of Yogurt, will explore the evolving role of photobooks and independent publishing in shaping contemporary photographic narratives. Through a reflective analysis of Rombaldi's own curatorial strategies, editorial design, and storytelling methodologies,this talk examines how materiality, sequencing, and interdisciplinary influences contribute to new visual discourses. Drawing on collaborations with artists such as Alba Zari and Francesco Zizola, this presentation highlights practical approaches to concept development, fieldwork, and dynamic layout design, positioning the photobook as both a creative and critical tool for cultural production. 

Open to all.
E-4340 Melville Library, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3358.

Register

October 9, 2025
5 PM

Book Talk: Diaries
Diaries is a journey through conflicts and crises, where images and words merge like fragments of a diary. It is a deep investigation into memory, collective responsibility, and the repetition of history. Francesco Zizola (author) and Francesco Rombaldi (curator) will engage in conversation with Simone Brioni, Andrea Fedi, and Loredana Polezzi.
Open to all.
On Zoom and Poetry Center, Humanities Building, Stony Brook University.

October 16, 2025
5 – 6:30 PM

Narrative Talk, Gabriella Ghermandi, "Queen of Flowers and Pearls"
Join Italo-Ethiopian singer, performer, and writer Gabriella Ghermandi for an evening performance. Co-sponsored by the D’Amato Chair and the Department of Africana Studies.
Open to all.
Lecture Hall 1, Wang Center, Stony Brook University

Register

November 3, 2025
5:30 – 6:30 PM

Alumni–Student Career Panel
Join a panel of recent alumni discussing how they use Italian language in their careers and how language and cultural competency gave them an edge in a competitive job market. SBU Career Center Internship Manager Sila Gecir will discuss the resources available to students.

Open to SBU Students and Alumni only.
Online only (register to receive a Zoom link).

Register

November 10, 2025
5 – 7 PM

Film Screening: Big Night (1996) w/ discussion by Loredana Polezzi
Chef Primo (Tony Shalhoub) and businessman Secondo (Stanley Tucci), immigrant brothers from Italy, open their dream restaurant. However, Primo's food is unfamiliar to the local palate, and the restaurant is struggling. When famous Italian-American bandleader Louis Prima is scheduled to appear at the restaurant, the two brothers put all of their efforts into the important meal, which will likely decide the fate of their restaurant. Rated R; run time: 109 min.

Location: Humanities 1006, reception to follow in Humanities 1009.

Open to all, SBU Students encouraged to attend.

Register

November 20, 2025
5 – 6:30 PM

Lecture: Raymond Carlson (Yale University Art Gallery), “Seeking Michelangelo’s Poetic Origins and Finding his Artistic Profession”
Michelangelo Buonarroti wrote over 300 poems during his life. But which one came first? To address unresolved questions of when and why Michelangelo began writing poetry, this lecture reevaluates his artistic practice at the dawn of the sixteenth century.
Open to all, SBU Students encouraged to attend.
E-4340 Melville Library, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3358.

Register

December 10, 2025
5 – 8 PM

Holiday Gathering and Student Awards
Join us for our annual holiday party. We will have a spread of delicious food and drink.
Open to all.
E-4340 Melville Library, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3358.

September 3, 2025
12:30 – 1:50 PM

Student Club Involvement Fair
CIAO Club will be tabling at the Fall 2025 Student Club Involvement Fair. Check them out!
Open to SBU students only.
Academic Mall, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794.

September 10, 2025
12:30 – 3:45 PM

Caffè Italiano
Join us for espresso and biscotti to kick off our fall season of events!
Open to SBU students, faculty, and staff only.
E-4340 Melville Library, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3358.

September 14, 2025
10 AM – 1 PM

XIX Concorso d'Eleganza
The Center cordially invites you to its XIX annual Dr. Robert D. Cess Concorso d'Eleganza. Display vehicles will rally on Stony Brook University campus, where registration and viewing will be free to the public. Registration is required to display a vehicle at the event. Register by September 1, 2025 to have your vehicle listed in the event program.
Open to the public.
Please direct any inquiries to ctritalianstudies@stonybrook.edu or call us at (631) 632-7444.

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September 16, 2025
5 – 6:30 PM

Book Presentation
Giulia Riccò (University of Michigan) will present her new book, The Italian Colony of São Paulo: Race, Class, and Cultural Capital in Brazil. Co-sponsored by the D’Amato Chair and Institute for Globalization Studies.
Open to the public.
E-4340 Melville Library, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3358.

September 19, 2025
4 – 7 PM

CIS-AATI Serata in Vigneto
Join AATI members for a delightful evening at this Long Island vineyard, where good company and great times await.
Open to AATI Members and SBU Alumni & Faculty of Italian Studies (ages 21+). Registration is required, as well as a $25 fee.
Del Vino Vineyards, 29 Norwood Rd, Northport, NY 11768.

September 27, 2025
12 – 4 PM

CommUniversity Day
Join the Center and nearly 100 departments and community partners for a day of family fun! We'll be giving away LEGO sets and a basket full of Italian goodies.
Open to all.
Academic Mall, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794.

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