Dr. Leonardo Lastilla, who teaches our popular class Vine to Table: Italian Wines in Context, has just published a book of poetry, Epifanie interotte: Canzoniere Postmoderno (“Epiphany Interrupted: Postmodern Sonnets”). As explained on the back cover, this postmodern remake of Petrarch’s Sonnets is an ode to love in all its guises, “inexperienced, tender, romantic, erotic, destructive.”
Florence native Lastilla got his PhD in Italian Literature from University College, Dublin, and has taught Italian language and literature, travel writing, English literature, and food and wine studies for over 20 years. He has also published poetry and short stories in various
On October 19, 2023 Syracuse Florence alumnus Daniel D’Aniello, who donated $10 million to the program in May 2022, was presented with the keys to the city of Florence by Mayor Dario Nardella. Syracuse Chancellor Kent Syverud also made the trip from the US for the special occasion.
Mayor Nardella showed D’Aniello and guests around the Palazzo Vecchio, the fortress-like building that has been home to Florence’s government since the Middle Ages.
Members of the Syracuse Florence community attended the ceremony, which was solemnly marked by trumpet players in traditional costume. Speeches were made by Director Sasha Perugini, Chancellor Syverud, Town Councilor Elisabetta Meucci, and Mayor Nardella, who spoke in both Italian and English. Everyone touched on Syracuse’s extraordinary relationship with the city of Florence.
Philanthropist and business man D’Aniello gave an especially moving speech, all in Italian, in which he said that of all his accomplishments, he is most proud of having been a Mud Angel, one of the students who helped Florence clean up after its devastating flood in 1966.
This semester, four veteran students were awarded full scholarships to attend the Syracuse Florence program, thanks to D’Aniello’s generous donation. Our program has since been renamed in his honor.
In late September, Fashion in Focus professor Niccolò Sbaraglia flew to Paris to serve as one of nine judges for the Hult Prize Global Finals 2023. The prestigious Hult Prize awards $1M USD to a team of young entrepreneurs challenged with proposing solutions for pressing world issues, and this year’s theme was Redesigning Fashion.
The winner was a team of Yale University students who started Banofi Leather, which converts banana-crop waste into sustainable, vegan, cruelty-free leather. Fashion design icon Stella McCarthy presented them with the prize, and former US president Bill Clinton announced next year’s theme via pre-recorded video.
In addition to teaching for Syracuse, Professor Sbaraglia is also the Head of Commercial Development at Polimoda Fashion School in Florence and a production manager dedicated to fashion and luxury accessories.
Jean Monnet modules are short courses in European Union studies at higher education institutions aimed at promoting the research and teaching of scholars in EU issues and fostering the publication of their work. The goal of Professor Scotto’s project is to strengthen peace-mediation skills within the EU through teaching and learning, policy dialogue, and outreach.
Scotto is also involved in the online platform Love Storm to combat different forms of hate speech and the “Little School of Peace” in Florence’s Isolotto neighborhood, a grassroots organization that shares information on practices of non-violence, dialogue, and sustainability.
Goldsmith and jewelry designer Jen Leddy runs a successful business out of her studio in Austin, Texas. In this interview, she tells us how it all started with a class she took at Syracuse Florence.
When did you study here?
Fall semester 2007.
Jen with fellow student Cassiope Sydoriak (also from University of Colorado at Boulder) on the Ponte Vecchio
What was your impression of Florence?
I absolutely fell in love with Florence. To this day I feel Florence has a piece of my heart. It captured me with its fascinating history, architecture, art, L’Arno, food, wine, cafés and palpable vibrancy and energy.
With host family members Michela and Lea
What do you remember most about your study abroad experience?
My entire study abroad experience was unforgettable and pivotally transformative for me. But there are two things that stand out in my memory in relation to classes: 1) my daily pre-class walk from the Villa Rossa to Fuji Studios because I felt immersed in the city, engaged in the culture, and learning a medium that filled me with a new and determined purpose. 2) my art history class with Prof. Jonathan Nelson, studying Italian masterpieces first-hand in person, sparked an interest and excitement about learning art history for the first time in my academic life. The scope and gravity of the work and talent truly came to life.
Listening on a site visit for Professor Jonathan Nelson’s art history class
You were introduced to jewelry making through a class at Fuji Studios, a class we still offer, though the studio is now called Laboratorio Firenze. Please tell us more about how that led to your career as a goldsmith and jewelry designer.
The Introduction to Metalsmithing class I took ignited my passion for working in metal and making jewelry. It was that exposure alone that led me to determinedly chasing more niche learning opportunities of traditional goldsmithing and jewelry designing from an internship, self-training, to advanced technical courses later at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts. All of which firmly set my footing as being a goldsmith and having my own jewelry business today.
Florence Program Director Sasha Perugini received the prestigious Syracuse University Chancellor’s Fellowship to recognize her exemplary contributions and service to the university. The fellowship supported her two-month residency on home campus in Syracuse, New York, this summer during which she learned more about university administration. While there, Dr. Perugini, who also teaches our class on Cross-Cultural Management, engaged in leadership development opportunities and worked with the study abroad office on planning and priorities and new special projects.
On July 2, the exhibition “Kraczyna 50 years in Barga” opened in Barga (province of Lucca) and will remain open to the public until September 3.
Housed in the spacious Santa Elisabetta Conservatory, the show pays homage to Master Printmaker Swietlan (Nick) Kraczyna, who recently retired from Syracuse University’s Florence program and has been spending his summers in Barga since 1973. Best known for his iconic multi-plate color etching of Barga Castello, Kraczyna has been creating images based on his personal relationship with the picturesque medieval town for the past 50 years.
The retrospective includes over 65 pieces of his work including woodcuts; aquatint, drypoint, and multi-plate color etchings; mixed media works; and oil-on-canvas paintings. It is promoted by the Municipality of Barga in collaboration with the Giovanni Pascoli Foundation and the Santa Elisabetta Conservatory Foundation under the patronage of the Tuscan Region and with the support of Villa Pascoli Onlus.
Professor Roberto Pacciani, who teaches our class on thermodynamics has won a Best Paper Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The ASME Turbo Expo has long been recognized as the world’s leading conference on all aspects of turbine technology and attracts global leaders from industry, academia, and government.
Each year, committees select papers presented at the previous year’s Expo to receive special recognition. This year, the Turbomachinery Committee selected the paper co-authored by Pacciani and his colleagues from the University of Florence (Ing. Lorenzo Pinelli and Prof. Michele Marconcini) and the Politecnico di Milano (Prof. Paolo Gaetani and Ing. Andrea Notaristefano): “The Effects of Swirling Flows in Entropy Wave Convection Through High Pressure Turbine Stage.”
The renowned award was presented during the five-day conference held in Boston, Massachusetts in June. The theme of this year’s Expo was “Collaborate, Innovate & Empower – Propulsion & Power for a Sustainable Future.”
This summer, not only did Syracuse students Emily Bruck and Yasmin Nayrouz get real-world experience to put on their resumes, they also got bylines on their host organization’s websites. Bruck wrote articles about Florence fashion for US influencer Georgette Jupe’s popular blog Girl in Florence, and Nayrouz wrote about the study abroad experience for the firm Mazzeschi, which specializes in immigration law.
Hopefully, this inspires a vintage shopping session with your friends and serves as a reminder that Florence is not only a city of sightseeing and leather shops but one of historical trinkets and clothes with a story to tell. So use this as your guide (and save the map below) to a few walkable vintage stores to begin your journey into the beautiful history of Florence and its vintage items.
Emily Bruck, “Shopping Vintage in Florence: Five Walkable Picks,” Girl in Florence
The pressure to look and feel perfect for your short or long time abroad is certainly present; how can you not feel put together in such a flawless location? But, there are many ways to avoid breaking the bank while achieving your Eurosummer closet goal, and the tips above can aid you in this endeavor. Just don’t forget to have fun planning, and make memories while bringing your outfit ideas to life.
Emily Bruck, “How to Perfect Your Italian Summer Wardrobe,” Girl in Florence
I learned about immigration and citizenship processes in Italy through my internship, while learning about Italian culture during my free time. I enjoyed going to leather or food markets, visiting art museums, and simply walking around to explore. I suggest asking locals for recommendations to learn about hidden gems (like a view of the Duomo from a library). I also met many other students studying abroad, since Italy is a popular destination.
Current Syracuse University student Madi Christiansen has posted two delightful videos to her YouTube channel sharing various aspects of her experience studying in Florence for our summer session. Part 1 includes enthusiastic reviews of our I-Explore trip to the southern Tuscan coast and the wine, olive oil, and balsamic tasting organized by our Student Life office. Part 2 features an interview with Made in Italy Professor Simone Anselmi and clips from the various site visits she did in his class, as well as heartwarming descriptions of her experience living with a host family.
