Fifty selected guests were invited this week to a "one-day-art-event: Nourishment for the Soul" in New York. Hosted by the Comune di Milano and EXPO2015, this event was held in the Italian Cultural Institute on Park Avenue.
Representatives of Milan's government and arts spoke. Photo: John Lee.
The event included food and wine, poetry, music, and food for the body and the soul, in a special two hours-event to draw attention to Milano, cradle of culture - and future host of the 2015 World Exposition.
The flag flies proudly on Park Avenue at the Italian Cultural Institute of N.Y.
The international renowned poetess Alda Merini's last interview was screened over a delightful vegetarian lunch by a Michelin-rated chef flown in from Milan, Pietro Leeman. The short film dedicated to Alda Merini, Reato di Vita by Elena Maggioni, was also shown.
The select guests were able to vie scenes of Milano on a special light table. Photo: John Lee.
The interview was conducted by Paolo Ortaggi for TV 2000. Elena is a very young regisseur also flown in from Milan, representing the Scuola Civica del cinema di Milano to promote the philosophy "Milano for the Young Generation."
Duomo di Milano -- the Cathedral of Milan -- from the Square. Photo: John Lee.
Caterina Demetz, a very young musician coming from Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi, played the piano at the conclusion of this event, "Milano: a story of art, food, literature, design... nourishment for the soul."
Via Monte Napoleone is the most famous high fashion shopping district
and the houses of many Italian high fashion designers. Photo: John Lee.
The afternoon was conceived and coordinated by Francesca Parvyziar for Thinx Events. It was characterized by tradition, quality and simplicity, in preparation of EXPO 2015, the Universal Exposition.
Celestial Dome, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Milano. Photo: John Lee.
Francesca organized the first event linked to the theme of Expo "Waiting for Carmen" - the first edition of 'Milan Prizes its Youth,' last December at the premiere of the Bizet Opera at Teatro alla Scala.
La Scala (Teatro alla Scala) is the world renowned opera house in Milan. Photo: John Lee.
Milanese excellences such as the Mayor of Milan, Ms. Letizia Moratti and Milanese chef Pietro Leeman were present.
The elegant lobby of La Scala, world epicenter for opera. Photo: John Lee.
Pietro prepared the light lunch in cooperation with St. Ambroeus New York, inspired by Milanesian traditions and cooked with natural products, all coming from Lombardia and served on Alessi pottery. See John Lee's review of the food in The Stewardship Report.
Chef Pietro Leeman presented a light vegetarian lunch for the hot summer day. Photo: John Lee.
Bread was the heart of the lunch, as a simple basic food having a key role in the Mediterranean cuisine. The wine was server courtesy of Poderi di San Pietro.
The enchanting and sophisticated Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Photo: John Lee.
The event was part of Lincoln Center's Festival Circuit, along with I Demoni by Fedor Michailovič Dostoevskij, produced by the Municipality of Milan.
