The Italian Radio Hour

Most of us think we know Pinocchio.
We think it’s a story about lying.
But the original novel begins withhunger.
Before the nose grows, before the fairyappears, before the moral lessons — there is poverty, injustice, and a childwho cannot learn because he cannot eat.
Tonight, we’re stepping beyond theDisney myth and returning to 19th-century Italy — to a book that is far morepolitical, unsettling, and modern than we’ve been led to believe.
And there is no better guide for thatjourney than Anna Kraczyna.
Born and raised in Florence, bilingualand bicultural, with American and Italian roots and a background that spansinternational fashion, literature, and translation, Anna brings both livedcultural fluency and scholarly depth to this story. She is co-translator of thenew annotated Penguin Classics edition of The Adventures of Pinocchio, aversion that restores the novel’s sharp satire and social urgency.

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - “Venice doesn’t need souvenirs — she needs guardians.Today I’m inside a historic Venetian workshop to talk with Marco Jovon, from Eredi Jovon, a family operated Jewelry since 1934From the Mano Fico to the Gobbetto, from coral to hand-carved cameos, Marco Jovon explains why symbolic jewelry is more than decoration — it’s culture, protection, and identity.According to Marco, Venetian artisans must evolve into entrepreneurs, storytellers, and guardians of authenticity, using both tradition and digital tools to keep Venice alive, meaningful, and respected.Visit: www.eredijovon.com#Venice#MadeInItaly#ItalianCraftsmanship#AuthenticItaly#GeniusLoci#CulturalHeritage#ItalianArtisans#VenetianArtisans#RialtoBridge#VeniceCulture#VeniceAuthentic#LivingVenice#NotASouvenir#CulturalConversations#StoryOfCraft#BehindTheCraft#ItalianStories#VoicesOfItaly#TrueCameo#HandCarved#ArtisanMade#SlowCraft#HeritageCraft#SupportArtisans

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - The 1000 Miglia—often called “the most beautiful race in the world”—has written a bold new chapter in its legendary history.In this episode of The Italian Radio Hour, we go behind the scenes of the 1000 Miglia Experience USA, including its thrilling new edition and the unforgettable moment when historic Italian automotive excellence met the iconic Sebring International Raceway.🎙️ Our guest: Alessandro Comoglio, representing the vision and evolution of the 1000 Miglia ExperienceTogether, we explore:🏁 How the 1000 Miglia successfully crossed the Atlantic🇮🇹 Why this race is a symbol of Italian innovation, tradition, and lifestyle🛣️ What’s new in the latest edition, including the redesigned route🔥 The significance of driving on the legendary Sebring Raceway🚗 Fascinating stories, rare cars, passionate drivers, and behind-the-scenes moments🌎 How American audiences—and Floridians in particular—embraced this iconic Italian eventThis conversation is about more than speed. It’s about storytelling, heritage, engineering excellence, and the living soul of Italy—now experienced on American roads.📌 Whether you’re a motorsport enthusiast, a lover of Italian culture, or simply drawn to stories of innovation and beauty, this episode will take you on an unforgettable journey.🔔 Subscribe to The Italian Radio Hour for conversations that bring Italy to life—one story at a time.Follow the race and learn about the cars at: https://1000migliaexperienceflorida.us/events/#1000miglia #1000MigliaExperience #florida #1000MigliaUSA#frecciarossa #italianexcellence #madeinitaly #ItalianHeritage#automotivehistory #luxurylifestyle #InnovationMeetsTradition#italianradiohour #ItalyUSA #Sebring International Raceway#NIAF

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - “If you’ve ever been told: ‘Sit. Sit..Sit.’ — this episode is for you. Today, for you, I have Actor, writer, performer, and story teller Frank Ingrasciotta.With the acclaimed Off-Broadway solo play Blood Type: Ragu… things get very Italian, very fast.”With Blood Type: Ragu, Frank brings family, food, memory, and a lot of laughter to the stage — and today, right here, to The Italian Radio Hour!So, sit back and relax, be ready to laugh!Watch the entire Off-Broadway production on Broadway on Demand:https://www.broadwayondemand.com/rentals/7ebd5cb8-fbd6-41dc-aebc-7ca198ef4a4eShow’s website:www.bloodtyperagu.com #ItalianRadioHour #BloodTypeRagu #ItalianAmerican #ItalianAmericanStories #FoodIsLove #Mangia #ItalianFamily #Storytelling #SoloTheatre #ItalianRoots #CulturalIdentity #ItalianHumor #FamilyStories

This week on The Italian Radio Hour - I am joined by Prof. Joseph V. Scelsa, Founder and President of the Italian American Museum of New York to discuss: Telling the Italian American Story—Ourselves.A scholar, educator, and lifelong advocate for cultural recognition, Dr. Scelsa transformed more than two decades of research, activism, and perseverance into the first permanent Italian American Museum in the United States, located in the heart of historic Little Italy on Mulberry Street.Together, they explore ongoing exhibitions at the Museum, major expansion project, the importance of telling our own story, and why Italian American history is essential to understanding America itself. This conversation is about truth, dignity, and the responsibility of building institutions when none exist.As Dr. Scelsa reminds us: “If you want to do it, just do it.”Museum HoursMonday: No public hoursTuesday: By appointment onlyWednesday: By appointment onlyThursday: 12:00 – 5:00 pmFriday: 12:00 – 5:00 pmSaturday: 12:00 – 5:00 pmSunday: No public hoursVisit the Museum:151 Mulberry StreetNew York, NY 10013(212) 965-9000The Italian American Museum of NY, • #JosephScelsa• #ItalianAmericanMuseum• #ItalianAmericanHistory• #LittleItalyNYC• #ItalianAmericanLegacy• #TellingOurStory• #CulturalJustice• #AmericanMosaic• #BeyondTheStereotype• #ItalianAmericanVoices• #TheItalianRadioHour• #ItalianAmericanExcellence• #HistoryMatters• #CulturalMemory