The Italian American Museum Rings The Nasdaq Opening Bell in Recognition
of Italian American Heritage Month in NYC
Story By: Jennifer Adriana LaDelfa
The Nasdaq Opening Bell Ceremony in partnership with The Italian American Museum kicked off Italian Heritage Month in New York City on October 3, 2024;the year of Italian Roots Tourism in the world! In honor of the occasion, Marie Palladino, Head of Education, represented Dr. Joseph Scelsa, the Founder of the Italian American Museum, ringing the opening bell. This special event was curated by Jennifer Adriana LaDelfa of Jennifer Adriana Public Relations, Inc. and Founder of La Media New York.
The immersive experience at 4 Times Square included prayers led by Don Luigi Portarulo of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Donee’ Smalls, MBA represented the Department of Veterans Affairs on behalf of 103 year old Italian born WW ll Veteran, Knight Dominick Critelli. Cav. Giuliana Ridolfi Cardillo attended the event in promotion of the 500th Anniversary since the Florentine explorer, Giovanni Da Verrazzano, discovered New York Bay. She represented the Tuscan Association & the prestigious Italian Heritage and Culture Committee of New York. Marzia Bortolin, former publicist for the National Italian Board of Tourism attended along with guests from the Columbus Citizens Foundation and many young Italian Americans that represent the future of the Italian community.
A Nasdaq representative welcomed the Italian American Museum, IAM, in opening remarks expressing, “we are so exited that you can join us right here at the cross roads of the world in Times Square New York as we get set to ring todays opening bell in recognition of Italian American Heritage Month. In 2001, the Italian American Museum in New York State was chartered as the first Italian Museum in America and since then their mission has been to tell inspiring stories highlighting Italian American accomplishments through hard work, ingenuity and perseverance. The future holds many opportunities for the Italian American Museum to provide enhanced programing, increased access, deeper understanding and broader community engagement. Marie, we are thrilled to have you and your team here to celebrate Italian American Heritage Month. Nasdaq knows the meaning of hard work, ingenuity and perseverance and we applaud you and your entire team for all of your hard work in keeping the Italian American culture alive. Now please join me in welcoming Marie Palladino.”
“Good morning, my name is Marie Palladino, the Head of Education at New York’s Italian American Museum, the first Museum in America’s history dedicated to telling the story of Italian American heritage and history. The Museum itself was originally a financial center for the immigrants in Little Italy, the historic Banca Stabile still located in the Heart of Little Italy at 151 Mulberry Street. On behalf of the Museum, I am honored and excited to be here kicking off Italian American Heritage and Culture Month as we ring the Nasdaq bell. After years of dedication and hard work we are thrilled to reopen the Museum’s doors to the public this month on October 14th after a 5 year redesign project with three inaugural exhibitions: “Puppet Homecoming, papà Manteo marionettes “The Quincentenary,” and “Good Night, Maria”. In Spring 2025, we will debut our permanent exhibit which will feature the achievements of Italians in America from 500 years ago when Verrazzano first sailed into New York Bay up until today. Today I humbly speak on behalf of the 18 million Italian Americans across the nation, and countless unheard voices from the past, our ancestors, that made unimaginable sacrifices to contribute to the mosaic of America. Grazie mille a Nasdaq for this honor and to all who have supported the Italian American Museum on this rewarding journey.”
As Marie Palladino rang the Nasdaq Opening Bell at 9:30 am, all guests at this intimate VIP event were transported to Italy living la dolce vita! The Italian hit song Volare played loudly through the studio, while green, white & red confetti & streamers representing the Italian flag’s colors cascaded down. There was not a single person in the room that wasn’t smiling, laughing, singing, and dancing in celebration as we honored our beloved Italy.
The Nasdaq opening bell ceremony is the opening of the stock market. It is televised live around the world on Fox Business, CNBC, Bloomberg, Bloomberg BNN, Yahoo Finance, MSN & on the Times Square Billboard. The bell has been rung by celebrities distinguished guests and members of notable not for profit organizations. Some past bell ringers include Ebay, Amazon, Tom Hanks, Zoe Saldana, Michael Phelps, and Serena Williams. This recognition by Nasdaq partnering with the museum was significantas it announced to the world that New York’s Italian American Museum has arrived!
