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Sandra
Serafini,
President of
Laziali nel
Mondo
in the
Capital
District |
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History of
Laziali nel
Mondo
Professore
Pasquale
Bianchi, of
Fontechiari,
Frosinone,
formed an
organization in
1956 to promote
the beauty and
value of the
Italian culture
and language. He
wanted to give
thousands of
emigrants from
Italy an
opportunity to
unite and work
towards
preserving their
heritage for
generations to
come.
This
organization
was, at first,
called l’Unione
degli Italiani
all’Estero
(UNITES).
Professore
Bianchi wanted
to start this
organization in
Schenectady, New
York. Due to
jobs available
at General
Electric,
Schenectady was
where many
Italians from
Fontechiari, and
its surrounding
areas, had
settled. In
1968, UNITES was
renamed Laziali
nel Mondo and it
quickly became
one of the
largest Italian
American
organizations in
the world.
Professore
Bianchi is the
Presidente
Generale of 153
worldwide
chapters that
are recognized
by the Italian
government.
In the summer of
2003, Professore
Bianchi
commenced work
on the creation
of a new chapter
that would be
comprised of
Schenectady,
Albany, Saratoga
and Troy with
the eventual
goal of forming
a gemellaggio
between the
Capital District
area and the
Lazio region of
Italy. He
contacted Sandra
Serafini, Dante
Bianchi and
Viviana Bianchi
and encouraged
them to begin
this chapter.
The three worked
diligently,
along with the
help of Delio
and Celestina
Mesercola who
served as one of
their liaisons
in Italy. After
several
meetings, a
board of members
was formed and
Sandra Serafini
was unanimously
elected as
President. On
September 21st,
2003, the
chapter became
officially known
as Laziali nel
Mondo of the
Capital District
of New York.
Today, our
chapter is
growing steadily
in membership
and each event
held has been a
total success,
thanks to the
hard work and
support of all
of its members
and friends. We
are excited
about the future
of the
organization as
we move towards
the gemellaggio
and many more
cultural events
that showcase
the magnificence
and wonder of
the Italian
language and
culture.
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Professore Pasquale Bianchi, General
President, reflecting on the successes of
the 153 chapters
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Dante and Viviana Bianchi (back, right),
their 5 children and 13 grandchildren
All are members of Laziali nel Mondo. |
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Monthly Membership
Meetings
Our Laziali
nel Mondo of the Capital District
membership meetings are held every
2nd Wednesday of each month. The
Dinner Meetings will be held at
the Glen Sanders Mansion,
1 Glen Ave., Scotia, NY.
6pm board members, 7pm general
membership meeting.
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