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| Germana Valentini |
The evening centered on In Sanguine Foedus. Nuovo Mondo (“Bonded by Blood. New World”), the monumental mural installed on the historic Molo San Vincenzo at the Port of Naples. Painted on the very pier where millions of Italians departed for America, the artwork stands as a powerful tribute to one of the greatest migrations in modern history. It reminds us that the story of Italian America begins not at Ellis Island, but on the docks of Naples, where countless families took their final steps on Italian soil before embarking for the New World.
Following welcoming remarks by Dr. Joseph V. Scelsa, author and cultural researcher Germana Valentini presented the remarkable story behind the project. Her research and passion for preserving the history of Italian migration were evident throughout, demonstrating how public art can serve not only as a memorial to the past but also as a bridge between Italy and its diaspora.
Among the most exciting moments of the evening was the announcement of several initiatives that will further strengthen that bridge. Plans are underway to create a companion mural on the façade of Grotta Azzurra in New York’s Little Italy, creating a visual dialogue between Naples and New York. Also announced were plans for the City of Naples to present the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral with a replica of the statue of San Gennaro that stands at the Port of Naples.
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| Don Luigi and Dr. Scelsa |
Taken together, these initiatives demonstrated that In Sanguine Foedus has grown beyond a single mural into a broader cultural initiative that uses art, history, and faith to strengthen the enduring ties between Naples and New York.
Rev. Luigi Portarulo also shared that the city of Naples intends to present the Basilica with a first-class relic of San Gennaro—a relic containing an actual bone of the saint. According to him, this would mark the first time Naples has bestowed such a gift. For generations, the faithful in New York have venerated second- and third-class relics associated with the saint, making the prospect of receiving a first-class relic a remarkable spiritual and historical milestone for the Italian American community.
The Italian American Museum provided the perfect setting for the evening. Nestled in the heart of Little Italy, where so much of this history unfolded, the museum continues to serve as an important center for preserving and celebrating the Italian American experience.
The program concluded on a particularly moving note when Dominic Chianese sang Santa Lucia Luntana a cappella. The beloved Neapolitan song, with its themes of departure, longing, and love for one’s homeland, served as a poignant and fitting finale to an evening devoted to the story of Italian emigration and the enduring bond between Naples and New York.
~ By Giovanni di Napoli, July 12th, Feast of Santa Veronica
