The Tuscan American Association Onlus, presided by its co-presidents Andrea Davis and Federico Frediani, holds a welcome ceremony every year for American students who initiate their studies in the various universities located in Tuscany. One of the Association’s main objectives is to enhance cultural exchanges between Tuscany and the United States, and the ceremony is an important institutional event organized with the City of Florence.
This year Welcome Day will be held on Wednesday, October 25th at 5:00 pm in the Salone de’ 500 of Palazzo Vecchio. Opening remarks will be made by the Mayor of Florence Dario Nardella and Vice-Mayor of Florence Cristina Giachi, the Consul General of the US Consulate General in Florence Benjamin V. Wohlauer, as well as by the TAA’s two Co-Presidents.
The pop group “Vocal Blue Trains” directed by Alessandro Gerini will perform during the event.
An integral part of Welcome Day is the ceremony for the Tuscan American Award, given each year to two award recipients, one Tuscan and the other American, who have contributed significantly to further developing the ties of friendship and exchange between the United States and Tuscany and who serve as role models for the American students.
This year’s award recipients are Mr. Luigi Lazzareschi, CEO of Sofidel Spa, the sixth largest manufacturer of tissue paper in the world, for his work both as the Italian ambassador of the WWF, with Sofidel being the first Italian company to adhere to the WWF’s Climate Savers program, as well as for his significant contribution creating jobs in the US through various companies of the Sofidel America group; and Prof.
Nancy Thomson de Grummond, Professor of Classics at Florida State University and an expert in Etruscan, Hellenistic and Roman archeology, for her work as director of archeological excavations at Cetamura del Chianti, Tuscany, research and publications that have contributed to knowledge of the Etruscans. An exhibit of artifacts from the site is currently on display at the Archeological Museum of Florence.
