'WHAT ITALY HAS GIVEN THE WORLD' to be Held at Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, 9/21

On Sunday, September 21 at 2 p.m. Professor Gaetano Cipolla will present some thoughtful, funny and informative answers to the question: "What would the world be like if Italy had never emerged from the sea?" Based on his popular booklet, "What Italy Has Given the World," his presentation will focus on the invaluable contributions Italians have made to world culture in everything from art, fashion and cuisine, to science, literature and architecture-basically every human endeavor.

A well-known authority on Sicily, Professor Cipolla is a Professor Emeritus at St. John's University and President and Editor of Arba Sicula, a non-profit international organization that promotes Sicilian language and culture. He has translated numerous works from Sicilian, and as publisher/editor of Legas, he founded two series of books dealing with Sicilian culture: "Pueti d'Arba Sicula," which has already published 13 volumes, and "Sicilian Studies" with 27 volumes to its credit. Dr. Cipolla also edited J. Kirk Bonner's "Introduction to Sicilian Grammar," and is the author of "The Sounds of Sicilian: a Pronunciation Guide," (Legas) available on CD. His most recent book is "Learn Sicilian/Mparamu lu sicilianu," a 336-page volume accompanied by an audio DVD. It is the first college textbook of Sicilian in the world.

Admission of $10 or $5 for members, includes a light reception.

The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, located at 420 Tompkins Avenue, Staten Island, NY, was the home of Antonio Meucci, the true inventor of the telephone, and a refuge to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the legendary hero who championed the unification of Italy. For over 50 years the museum has fulfilled its mission to preserve the legacies of these great men, and to promote understanding of the Italian-American heritage through cultural, artistic and educational programs and classes. The historic Italian landmark on Staten Island, the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum is owned by the Sons of Italy Foundation and administered by the NYSOSIA?GMM?Board of Commissioners.

Regular museum hours are 1 p.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is $5 per person, members and children under 10 are free. Call ahead for groups of 10 or more. The first floor of the museum is wheelchair accessible, but the restroom is on the second floor. At press time, program funding has been provided through the Order Sons of Italy in America; by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; Richmond County Savings Foundation; Northfield Bank Foundation; Coccia Foundation; JP Morgan Chase Regrant in partnership with the Council on the Arts & Humanities for Staten Island (COAHSI); The Staten Island Foundation; The Lois and Richard Nicotra Foundation and by grants allocated by New York City Council members Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo.