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• Educational Travel 2025 - TORINO and Piemonte: SOLD OUT

  • Start
    20 Jan 2025
  •  
    6:00 AM
  • End
    18 Oct 2025
  • Location
    Torino, Italy
  • Spaces left
    10

  Register

  
  

  I am delighted to invite you to Torino, my hometown, a true hidden gem off the beaten path, in the northwestern region of Piemonte, Italy.

  Torino has been described as Italy’s most elegant city, with its Baroque and Art Deco architecture, featuring a fascinating historic center with grand squares, cobbled streets, and art nouveau cafes. For centuries, Torino was the seat of the royal Savoy family and from 1861 to 1865 it was the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy. 

  A vibrant and elegant city, seat of a prestigious University founded in 1404, Torino has a unique legacy that blends dedication for creativity and innovation, a strong literary and visual art tradition and a passion for good food and wine, as shown by the innumerable bars, restaurants and bookstores present throughout the city. 

  Torino offers a unique blend of history, art, culture and fantastic culinary and wine experiences.  With its proximity to UNESCO World heritage sites of Langhe and Monferrato — that we will visit — along with the lesser known but equally spectacular area of Vercellese, Torino is a fantastic destination for a memorable vacation. 

  I am looking forward to accompanying you on this trip and show you everything I know of this city and region that I love and still call home. 

  Astrid Garino, MD
  President, The Italian Cultural Center of Minneapolis/St.Paul

  .......................................

  DATES: October 4 to October 18, 2025

  Our package includes:  
  

  • Accomodation in a 4-star boutique hotel in historic downtown Torino (14 nights), breakfast included
  • Italian language lessons, 15hr/week at an accredited language school
  • Two extra 1.5hr conversation classes
  • All day excursion in the Langhe, with private bus and guide
  • All day excursion in the Vercellese and Monferrato, with private bus and guide
  • Guided visits to select museums, royal residences and castles
  • Excursion to the ancient Abbey Sacra di San Michele
  • Wine tastings
  • Aperitivi, lunches and dinners as described  in the program (7) 
  • Cooking class with professional chef 

  For a detailed description of the program click  HERE

  RATES

  DOUBLE occupancy	SINGLE occupancy
  $4,750	$5,450

  Registration fee: $500 (non refundable)

  First half of the balance due by March 15, 2025

  Balance due by June 15, 2025

  .....................................................

   A detailed presentation of the program  will be offered in person on

   Sunday , January 26, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM 

    at the Italian Cultural Center

  To register to the free presentation click HERE

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• Premio Strega 2025

  • Start
    15 Apr 2025
  • End
    01 Jun 2025

  

  For the fifth consecutive year, the Italian Cultural Center of Minneapolis-St. Paul, as a Presidio Letterario of the Società Dante Alighieri, will take part in selecting the five finalists for the prestigious 2025 Premio Strega, Italy's most renowned literary award.

  You can be part of the jury by registering!

  Participants will read 12 books in Italian and select their top three favorites—no book reports required! The books will be available in digital and print formats by mid-April. Each participant will then submit their top three selections through an online voting form by June 1st.

  This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with others who share a passion for contemporary Italian fiction and nonfiction.

  After the reading and voting, we'll gather for aperitivo, stuzzichini e chiacchiere to share impressions and celebrate the experience together.

  It's fun—join us!

  To learn more about the Premio Strega, click here.

  Please email Pieranna Garavaso at garavapf@morris.umn.edu to confirm your participation in the Gruppo di Lettura as soon as possible, but no later than April 5.

  Grazie! Speriamo di sentirti presto!

  

  Show details
• Savor Italy: A Regional Wine Experience

  • When
    25 Apr 2025
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    250 Third Avenue N, Suite 625, Minneapolis
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  
  

  Savor Italy: A Regional Wine Experience

  Embark on an unforgettable tasting adventure with the Italian Cultural Center’s Savor Italy: A Regional Wine Experience events hosted by wine expert and ICC Board Member Stefano Follega. Each event will feature five carefully selected wines, light appetizers, and a guided presentation blending history, geography, and storytelling. Through stunning visuals and expert insights, attendees will refine their palates while immersing themselves in the culture and landscapes that shape Italy’s winemaking traditions.

  Friday, April 25 – Northern Italy: Discover the elegance of wines from Piedmont, Veneto, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, where crisp whites and bold reds define the landscape.

  Friday, May 16 – Central Italy: Experience the iconic wines of Tuscany, Umbria, and Marche, home to renowned varietals like Sangiovese and Verdicchio.

  Friday, June 6 – Southern Italy: Savor the warmth and intensity of wines from Campania, Puglia, and Basilicata, where ancient traditions meet bold flavors.

  Friday, June 27 – The Islands: Journey to Sicily and Sardinia, where volcanic soils and coastal breezes shape wines as vibrant as the landscapes.

  Born and raised in Rome, Stefano brings a lifetime of passion and expertise to each tasting. Growing up, he helped his family tend their olive groves, learned the secrets of homemade Italian cooking from his mother and grandmother, and watched his father and grandfather craft wine with grapes from the hill towns outside the city. Formally trained through the International Sommelier Guild, Stefano has worked professionally in the wine industry and loves sharing his knowledge.

  Whether you join us for one event or all four, this is your chance to travel through Italy’s vineyards without leaving the Twin Cities!

  Tickets are $60 for ICC members for a single event or $200 for the entire series. For non-members, tickets are $80 for a single event or $280 for the entire series.

  A special concluding wine dinner will be announced at a later date. Reserve your seat and raise a glass to this extraordinary journey!

  Show details
• Aperitivo & Conversation with Maestro Christopher Franklin of MN Opera

  • When
    02 May 2025
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    250 Third Avenue N, Suite 625, Minneapolis
  • Spaces left
    20

  Register

  
  

  Join us for a special evening of Italian hospitality—exclusively for ICC members and their guests—featuring prosecco, light bites, and conversation with Maestro Christopher Franklin, Principal Conductor of Minnesota Opera and conductor of the upcoming production The Barber of Seville, running May 3–18.

  This free event offers a rare opportunity to meet the maestro in an intimate setting, just one day before he takes the podium for one of opera’s most beloved comedies.

  Praised for his vibrant performances, keen theatrical instincts, and deep connection to the Italian operatic tradition, Maestro Franklin launched his career in Italy, where he continues to live and work, and has built an international reputation for bringing energy, clarity, and artistry to both the concert stage and the opera house.

  His recent engagements include Otello in Novara and Rovigo, a concert with Juan Diego Flórez in Budapest, and productions at major houses including Minnesota Opera (La bohème, Roméo et Juliette, L’elisir d’amore), Teatro Regio in Parma, and Opéra Royal de Wallonie. Upcoming projects include Cavalleria Rusticana, Così fan tutte, Pagliacci, as well as a return to the prestigious Rossini Opera Festival.

  Appointed Principal Conductor of MN Opera in 2024, Maestro Franklin's tenure has recently been extended through the 2028–29 season.

  Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with one of today’s leading conductors in a warm and welcoming setting. Enjoy lively conversation, Italian hospitality, and a behind-the-scenes look at the world of opera.

  Space is limited—registration required.

  Show details
• Aperitivo & Italian Bites

  • When
    09 May 2025
  •  
    5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    250 Third Avenue N, Suite 625, Minneapolis

  Register

  
  

  You're invited to an evening that captures the heart of what makes the ICC special—warm conversation, good company, and the simple joy of gathering around food and wine.

  Aperitivo & Italian Bites is a time to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones in a setting that feels more like home than an event. We’ll pour a spritz or prosecco, set out a few small bites, and let the evening unfold naturally—no program, no pressure.

  Whether you’ve been part of ICC for years or it’s been a while since your last visit, this is your place. Come as you are, stay as long as you like, and feel right at home with others who share a love for Italy and community.

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• Savor Italy: A Regional Wine Experience

  • When
    16 May 2025
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    250 Third Avenue N, Suite 625, Minneapolis
  • Spaces left
    6

  Register

  
  

  Savor Italy: A Regional Wine Experience

  Embark on an unforgettable tasting adventure with the Italian Cultural Center’s Savor Italy: A Regional Wine Experience events hosted by wine expert and ICC Board Member Stefano Follega. Each event will feature five carefully selected wines, light appetizers, and a guided presentation blending history, geography, and storytelling. Through stunning visuals and expert insights, attendees will refine their palates while immersing themselves in the culture and landscapes that shape Italy’s winemaking traditions.

  Friday, April 25 – Northern Italy: Discover the elegance of wines from Piedmont, Veneto, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, where crisp whites and bold reds define the landscape.

  Friday, May 16 – Central Italy: Experience the iconic wines of Tuscany, Umbria, and Marche, home to renowned varietals like Sangiovese and Verdicchio.

  Friday, June 6 – Southern Italy: Savor the warmth and intensity of wines from Campania, Puglia, and Basilicata, where ancient traditions meet bold flavors.

  Friday, June 27 – The Islands: Journey to Sicily and Sardinia, where volcanic soils and coastal breezes shape wines as vibrant as the landscapes.

  Born and raised in Rome, Stefano brings a lifetime of passion and expertise to each tasting. Growing up, he helped his family tend their olive groves, learned the secrets of homemade Italian cooking from his mother and grandmother, and watched his father and grandfather craft wine with grapes from the hill towns outside the city. Formally trained through the International Sommelier Guild, Stefano has worked professionally in the wine industry and loves sharing his knowledge.

  Whether you join us for one event or all four, this is your chance to travel through Italy’s vineyards without leaving the Twin Cities!

  Tickets are $60 for ICC members for a single event or $200 for the entire series. For non-members, tickets are $80 for a single event or $280 for the entire series.

  A special concluding wine dinner will be announced at a later date. Reserve your seat and raise a glass to this extraordinary journey!

  Show details
• CineFocus – Italian Cinema in Depth

  • When
    30 May 2025
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    250 Third Avenue N, Suite 625, Minneapolis

  Register

  
  

  The Golden Couple of Italian Cinema: Marcello Mastroianni and Sophia Loren

  The Italian Cultural Center is thrilled to announce a new event series: CineFocus – Italian Cinema in Depth.

  CineFocus is designed for those who love not just watching Italian films, but understanding them. Each session features an aperitivo and a deep dive into a specific topic—from iconic directors and groundbreaking genres to cultural trends and cinematic movements. You’ll enjoy curated film clips, commentary, and lively discussion that bring fresh perspective to the artistry and impact of Italian cinema.

  CineFocus invites you to deepen your knowledge and enjoyment of Italian film in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Whether you're a devoted cinephile or simply curious about what makes Italian cinema so enduring, CineFocus offers an engaging and accessible space to explore, learn, and connect.

  This event is open to everybody and no knowledge of Italian is necessary.
  

  Presented by Ileana Tamberlani, Programming and Administrative Manager of the Italian Cultural Center’s annual Italian Film Festival.

  Show details
• Savor Italy: A Regional Wine Experience

  • When
    06 Jun 2025
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    250 Third Avenue N, Suite 625, Minneapolis
  • Spaces left
    14

  Register

  
  

  Savor Italy: A Regional Wine Experience

  Embark on an unforgettable tasting adventure with the Italian Cultural Center’s Savor Italy: A Regional Wine Experience events hosted by wine expert and ICC Board Member Stefano Follega. Each event will feature five carefully selected wines, light appetizers, and a guided presentation blending history, geography, and storytelling. Through stunning visuals and expert insights, attendees will refine their palates while immersing themselves in the culture and landscapes that shape Italy’s winemaking traditions.

  Friday, April 25 – Northern Italy: Discover the elegance of wines from Piedmont, Veneto, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, where crisp whites and bold reds define the landscape.

  Friday, May 16 – Central Italy: Experience the iconic wines of Tuscany, Umbria, and Marche, home to renowned varietals like Sangiovese and Verdicchio.

  Friday, June 6 – Southern Italy: Savor the warmth and intensity of wines from Campania, Puglia, and Basilicata, where ancient traditions meet bold flavors.

  Friday, June 27 – The Islands: Journey to Sicily and Sardinia, where volcanic soils and coastal breezes shape wines as vibrant as the landscapes.

  Born and raised in Rome, Stefano brings a lifetime of passion and expertise to each tasting. Growing up, he helped his family tend their olive groves, learned the secrets of homemade Italian cooking from his mother and grandmother, and watched his father and grandfather craft wine with grapes from the hill towns outside the city. Formally trained through the International Sommelier Guild, Stefano has worked professionally in the wine industry and loves sharing his knowledge.

  Whether you join us for one event or all four, this is your chance to travel through Italy’s vineyards without leaving the Twin Cities!

  Tickets are $60 for ICC members for a single event or $200 for the entire series. For non-members, tickets are $80 for a single event or $280 for the entire series.

  A special concluding wine dinner will be announced at a later date. Reserve your seat and raise a glass to this extraordinary journey!

  Show details
• Savor Italy: A Regional Wine Experience

  • When
    27 Jun 2025
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    250 Third Avenue N, Suite 625, Minneapolis
  • Spaces left
    18

  Register

  
  

  Savor Italy: A Regional Wine Experience

  Embark on an unforgettable tasting adventure with the Italian Cultural Center’s Savor Italy: A Regional Wine Experience events hosted by wine expert and ICC Board Member Stefano Follega. Each event will feature five carefully selected wines, light appetizers, and a guided presentation blending history, geography, and storytelling. Through stunning visuals and expert insights, attendees will refine their palates while immersing themselves in the culture and landscapes that shape Italy’s winemaking traditions.

  Friday, April 25 – Northern Italy: Discover the elegance of wines from Piedmont, Veneto, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, where crisp whites and bold reds define the landscape.

  Friday, May 16 – Central Italy: Experience the iconic wines of Tuscany, Umbria, and Marche, home to renowned varietals like Sangiovese and Verdicchio.

  Friday, June 6 – Southern Italy: Savor the warmth and intensity of wines from Campania, Puglia, and Basilicata, where ancient traditions meet bold flavors.

  Friday, June 27 – The Islands: Journey to Sicily and Sardinia, where volcanic soils and coastal breezes shape wines as vibrant as the landscapes.

  Born and raised in Rome, Stefano brings a lifetime of passion and expertise to each tasting. Growing up, he helped his family tend their olive groves, learned the secrets of homemade Italian cooking from his mother and grandmother, and watched his father and grandfather craft wine with grapes from the hill towns outside the city. Formally trained through the International Sommelier Guild, Stefano has worked professionally in the wine industry and loves sharing his knowledge.

  Whether you join us for one event or all four, this is your chance to travel through Italy’s vineyards without leaving the Twin Cities!

  Tickets are $60 for ICC members for a single event or $200 for the entire series. For non-members, tickets are $80 for a single event or $280 for the entire series.

  A special concluding wine dinner will be announced at a later date. Reserve your seat and raise a glass to this extraordinary journey!

  Show details