Celebrate Italian Culture in Philadelphia at "The Piazza"

March 4, 8:58 AMItalian Living ExaminerSerenella Leoni

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For those of you who love everything Italian and cannot take a trip to Italy right now, get yourself to Philadelphia this week.

The best of Italy can be found right in the heart of Philadelphia – or at least in the heart of Philadelphia’s 2009 Flower Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center! The show, entitled “Bella Italia,” showcases along with gardens, flowers and landscapes, the best of Italian food, accessories and design in the Grand Hall. The space, meaningfully named “The Piazza,” the social space throughout Italy where people meet, shop and live the Dolce Vita, will feature the Lazio Region (Sviluppo Lazio agency), Eurosportello from the Campania Region and outstanding companies such as Vespa, Colavita among others. Opening from March 1-8, the Piazza will give visitors the chance to become immersed in a lifestyle that is uniquely Italian.

“In Italy, the Piazza is the heart of the community,” says Rosa Agliata Abruzzese, producer of the Piazza within the Flower Show. “It is where commerce takes place, young lovers steal a kiss, a family shares gelato, and grandparents discuss politics. the Piazza is Italy.” Samplings of Italian treats will be offered daily in this new, cozy place where authentic Italian-made products such as pasta, cookies, chocolate, canned tomatoes, clothing, and ceramics will be for sale. The Piazza will also be located at Show Bridge and represents a unique opportunity to shop directly from the manufacturers.

For the first time this year, visitors can sample a selection of Italian wines in a wine tasting room and purchase their favorites at the Wine & Spirits store. More than 100 red, white and sparkling wines, (including Bolla, Frescobaldi, Nozzole, Ruffino, Villa Antinori and Folonari wineries), will be offered at the on-site store. As a special treat, film and television star, Danny DeVito, will visit the Flower Show on Saturday, March 7, to introduce his own brand of the classic after-dinner liqueur, limoncello. From spicy Italian to heart-healthy, recipes from Philadelphia’s best chefs will be demonstrated live, for all to view. Hosted by Chef Joseph Shilling and assisted by the chefs and students of the International Culinary School of the Art Institute of Philadelphia, the presentations will be held three times each day with a special “Totally Italian” demo at noon.

Philadelphia’s ties to Italy are not new. In the mid-1800s, Italian tradesmen, scholars, entrepreneurs and artists began settling in South Philadelphia and established the new community known as “Little Italy.” The neighborhood created a sense of belonging for the large wave of immigrants making Philadelphia’s Italian community the second-largest in the country. Even today, the heart of South Philadelphia is the 100-year-old Italian Market, which bills itself as the oldest and largest working outdoor market in the U.S. The market consists of 10 blocks of Italian eateries, bakeries, butcher shops and more along 9th Street and the surrounding neighborhood.

The Philadelphia Flower Show, the oldest and largest indoor show of its kind, is produced by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and presented by PNC Bank. PHS has more than 15,000 members throughout the country, offers hundreds of gardening programs year-round, and is considered the nation’s leading authority on urban renewal through greening. Its Philadelphia Green program has served as a model for communities throughout the country.