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Complimenti e grazie mille to our 30th Anniversary Committee and the SPSCA members who organized and executed an amazing week-long welcome in October to our Perugia delegation to celebrate and commemorate Seattle-Perugia Sister City Association’s 30th Anniversary.

The celebration began in Perugia in early September with a gathering at the Sister Orca sculpture, which included Andrea Romizi, mayor of Perugia; Clara Pastorelli, deputy mayor of Perugia and head of sports and commerce; and Elisabetta Valentini, Perugia native and long-time SPSCA board member, along with other friends of the sister cities.

The anniversary activities picked up again in Seattle in early October when a 16-person delegation from Perugia came to town to continue the tribute. Among the Perugia guests we were honored to welcome: Clara Pastorelli, deputy mayor; Mario Valentini, former mayor of Perugia and instrumental in the formation of SPSCA; Olimpia Bartolucci, director of the Umbria Library System; Dr. Katia Perruccio, president of Perugia’s Lions Club; Marialucia Luongo, cooking instructor and author; Riccardo Spadolini, entrepreneur and longtime sister city friend. \Also joining the delegation was Giorgio Moretti, ceramic artist and artistic director of L’Antica Deruta, whose studio produced the limited-edition ceramic commemorative plate, hand painted with a Pacific Northwest image created by the late internationally renowned Native American artist Marvin Oliver, who also designed the Sister Orca sculpture in Perugia.

From a ferry trip to Bainbridge Island, a visit to the Pike Place Market, a stop at Piazza Perugia, a tour of Caffe’ Umbria’s roasting plant, an introductory meeting between Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and Perugia Deputy Mayor Carla Pastorelli, intimate hosted dinners at the homes of former and current Board members, the celebration was capped off by the grand finale, a gala dinner with ~100 in attendance enjoying good food and wine, great conversation and connections at Women’s University Club, in celebration of our 30-year “sisterhood.” EVVIVA!

To read more, link here for an article authored by former SPSCA board member and a contributor to L’Italo-Americano publication.

Benvenuto a Mark Ippolito, our new Board member, who was elected at our August 13, 2023 annual membership general meeting and picnic. As a second generation Italian-American, Mark is delighted to share his lifelong passion for, and study of, Italian culture, art, language, food and wine with the members of the SPSCA community.

Mark brings over 30+ years of leadership experience from Seattle's technology industry and previously served as a board member with several non-profits including City Year, MIT Enterprise Forum, and the American Association of Picture Professionals. He also currently serves as a volunteer ESL instructor with Lutheran Community Services NorthWest working with refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine.

In 2023, he and his wife Alison became members of SPSCA and have been impressed with the engagement of our members and all that the SPSCA offers. As a board member, Mark plans to apply his skills to retain and grow membership and contribute to nurturing and deepening the connection between Seattle members and members from our sister city Perugia through expanded opportunities for cultural exchange, sponsorships, and education. In addition to his passion for all things Italian, Mark is an avid musician, photographer, golfer, runner and home cook. He recently debuted his first album, "New Moon," (available on any music streaming service).

Thank you to our members who turned out for our annual members picnic and annual meeting on Sunday, August 13. It was a lovely (and warm) afternoon filled with good food and conversation!

We had a great turnout this year and appreciate all the contributions to our “potluck” – albeit we ran out of a few items given the attendance! And special thanks to Dan Borracchini for the spectacular venue.

What an amazing eveningof art history – specifically that of Pietro Perugino, il Perugino – presented by Rebecca Albiani, art historian and board member of SPSCA, at Horizon House in Seattle on May 30, 2023. Pietro Perugino (c. 1446/1452 – 1523), born Pietro Vannucci, was an Italian Renaissance painter of the Umbrian school, who developed some of the qualities that found classic expression in the High Renaissance. Raphael was his most famous pupil. This lecture, along with a stunning exhibit of his work at Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria Perugia, celebrate the 500th anniversary of the passing of Il Perugino. The exhibit in Perugia continues until June 11, 2023.

Rebecca’s passion for - and expertise in – art history, and her lively, emotive presentation style delivered a fantastic lecture to our members and Horizon House residents in attendance.

May 21 was a special day in Umbria, the last day of the third annual “Civic Week,” Settimana Civica, which culminated in the March for Peace (La Marcia PerugiAssisi).

SPSCA is proud to have had two members of our organization participating in the 24km march from Perugia to Assisi: German Rodriguez, our president and longtime member, and member Winson Law, our May scholar, studying Italian at the Università per Stranieri in Perugia. It was a beautiful day and an important cause!

A short promotional video on La Marcia PerugiAssisi.