AUR promotes Filippo Mazzei – The Bridge Award

The Filippo Mazzei – The Bridge Award was celebrated on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at Palazzo Ambrosino in Venticamo (Avellino province), where guests were welcomed, and at the Hotel Europa where the actual award ceremony took place in the evening.

Awards were assigned to Mario e Matilda Cuomo, Antonio Iavarone, Carlo Mantica, Maurizio Marinella, Peter Caruso, Piero Di Pasquale, Monica Mandelli ed Antonio Mastroberardino for their commitment to building US-Italy relations..

US Consul General in Naples Robert W. Carlson, represented the US Government at the ceremony and read out President’ George W. Bush’s wishful message, featuring special reference to The American University of Rome.

The Award, promoted by The American University of Rome, is a tribute to Filippo Mazzei, an Italian surgeon, diplomat, historian and philosopher, ardent supporter of both religious and political freedom in America, who inspired Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, James Madison, James Monroe and especially Thomas Jefferson’s writing of the Declaration of Independence by inspiring the phrase "all men are created equal."

It is conferred upon Italian-American, American and Italian women and men who have contributed to the economic, political and cultural development of both the United States of America and Italy.
This year’s edition was dedicated to the 19.643 Italian-American soldiers who gave their lives for Italy’s freedom during WWII. The award will honor personalities who have contributed to building a cultural and economic Bridge between Italy and the United States of America.

The location of this year’s award, Venticano (AV), is a place in the Irpinia region, Valle del Calore, historic theatre of the bloody Samnitic battles for independence from Rome, led by Hannibal. This is where the remains of the Ponte Appiano, an old Roman bridge uniting West and East, still lay, symbolizing people’s harmony.

For further information: www.premiofilippomazzei.com