Filitalia Activities, Language & Tradition
Language Classes
Filitalia offers Italian language classes in 5 week sessions. Classes range from Beginner to Advanced. We have four sessions per year: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. We also offer Italian Cooking Classes and plan to expand our courses even further.
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded to students at many different levels of education and for many different fields of study. Currently, we offer 24 different scholarships to members and non-members of Filitalia. New as of 2011 is our Student Exchange Program for qualified students from both the United States and Italy to experience a cultural and lingual immersion for 2 weeks a year.
Columbus Day Parade
Every year Filitalia celebrates the great Italian explorer, Christopher Columbus, by walking in the Columbus Day Parade. We carry flags and a banner for each Chapter in Filitalia. After the parade we open our center for the Annual Wine & Soppressata Contest. Judges and participants taste each of the contestant’s homemade wines and soppressata. A fun day for the entire family!
La Festa Della Repubblica – Italian National Day & Italian Street Festival
On the first Sunday of each June, Filitalia International & Foundation holds an Italian Street Festival on East Passyunk Avenue in the heart of South Philadelphia, under the auspice of the Italian General Consulate of Philadelphia. The event offers food, entertainment, games, and Italian novelty items, and it draws thousands of people who love and support the Italian culture. This event marks the birth of the Italian Republic after WWII.
Networking & Motivation
Meet & Build Relationships w/ Successful Italian-American Professionals Through Our Business Networking Committee
Join Filitalia’s LinkedIn Networking group.
Culture & Cuisine
Wine & Food Tasting Events
Italy is home to some of the oldest wine producing regions in the world. The Etruscans and Greeks produced wine long before the Romans started developing their own vineyards. Currently, there are over 1 million vineyards in cultivation. Filitalia holds several events throughout the year to bring the experience of Italian wine to you.
Art & Music Events
The art of Italy has influenced everything from sculpture to architecture and design throughout the world. A long history and wealth of art is displayed both in Italy and throughout the world. The Italians are credited for many techniques used throughout art and music, i.e. chiaroscuro (a contrast between light and dark in painting) and allegro (a fast tempo at which a piece of music is played). Filitalia holds many events throughout the year to expand knowledge of the vibrant and exciting history of art and music in Italy.
Sports
The “Giovanni Monterosso Bocce Tournament”
An ageless game, bocce ball has been played since the ancient Romans. Beginning with the Emperor Augustus, bocce became the sport of statesmen and rulers. The first bocce league was formed in Italy in 1947, the same year as the first Bocce World Championships. Thanks to early Italian immigrants, today we have a thriving bocce scene in America as well. Every year Filitalia holds a Bocce Tournament in September, where each chapter sends a team to compete for the trophy.
The “Franco Ceraso Foosball Tournament”
Although this sport was created in the United Kingdom, it has become a popular pastime of many Italians, perhaps because of Italian love for soccer. Every April, Filitalia International holds a foosball tournament after our annual Convention. Each chapter sends their best players in hope of achieving 1st place.
Recognition
The Annual Gala Dinner Awards
Citizenship Award
This award is presented to individuals who have shown significant contribution to the community.
Education & Leadership Award
This prestigious award is given to an individual of Italian descent who has given significant contributions and demonstrates incredible leadership skills in the field of education.
Humanitarian Award
This award is given to an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary acts in helping the poor, the sick, and needy people.