News - March 26, 2010

SUF Patrons 2010 calendar kicks off with ‘invisible lunch’

Who would have thought an invisible lunch could draw such a crowd? Over thirty guests attended the opening event of the SUF Patrons 2010 events calendar: a special tour of the exhibit De Chirico, Max Ernst, Magritte, Balthus: A look into the invisible, currently showing at the Palazzo Strozzi, followed by a lunch at the Villa Rossa.

This event kicked off the 2010 Patrons calendar and was thus open to both members and potential members as an introduction to the program. James Bradburne, Director General of the Fondazione Strozzi, was on-hand to welcome the group. Art Historian Mary Anne Calo then accompanied them on an exploration of the early career of De Chirico, and through her insight and knowledge brought to life this fascinating period in art. 

The visit was followed by a reception and lunch at the Villa Rossa, where guests were greeted by SUF Director Michael Calo, and members of the staff and faculty.

Elaine Ruffolo, SUF Patrons Coordinator, says the focus this year will be on Florence and Tuscany, and the calendar is “filled with opportunities to explore many aspects of Florence and Tuscany through museum visits, special itineraries, and hands-on experiences, many of which are sponsored by our academic community in Florence.”

Notes Ruffolo, “We had an unprecedented turn-out for this first event—I was very pleased to see so many newcomers interested in joining the program. I am anticipating another successful year of the Patrons Program for Syracuse University in Florence.”

For more information, contact Elaine at enruffol@syr.fi.it or see SUF Patrons.


Upcoming SUF Events

"Fascism: Past and Present"
Andrea Mammone
Kingston University London
Sponsored by Matteo Duni, Associate Professor, SUF
Monday, March 29, 2010

This lecture will briefly analyze the genesis and developments of fascism in inter-war Europe. It will then discuss the evolution of the extreme/radical right since 1945. With examples from contemporary Italy, France, England and the U.S., it will raise some doubts as to whether the contemporary extreme/radical right should be perceived as something particularly novel.
In this lecture, the idea of the existence of an alleged new “national populism” in Western Europe and the U.S. will be discussed, and challenged, showing that such parties still manifest fascist, xenophobic
and undemocratic tendencies.

All lectures, unless otherwise specified, will be held at 6:20pm, in room 13 of the Villa Rossa.