Tuesday, April 25, 2017 @ 7:00 PM - The Italian Cultural Foundation at Casa Belvedere, T. 718-273-7660, 79 Howard Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10301. The Making of St. Peter's Basilica: History, Controversy & Genius at Work. A Presentation by Francesco Bonavita, PhD

The Basilica of St. Peter in Rome is one of the most celebrated churches in the world. Its construction began in the fourth century AD and it has evolved ever since. Its lower base is the equivalent of three soccer fields, which can receive thousands of pilgrims each day. Its interior is as impressive as the Sistine Chapel that forms the heart of the Vatican Museums. The church is not just the majestic holy site of Roman Catholicism. It is also a testimony of nearly two thousand years of world history.

This presentation will explore the origins of the church and the principal players who created and defined its aesthetic and physical structure. As with any endeavors of this magnitude, the making of the Basilica is not void of controversies, as it involved artistic personalities as diverse as Bramante, Michelangelo and Bernini, as well as assertive popes who injected their own vision of how the Basilica ought to be shaped. The Basilica houses a wealth of treasures, many of which have come to light within the last few decades. The aim of this presentation is to offer the participants a deeper appreciation of the Basilica, which may not be apparent upon visiting the grounds, even through the eyes of a good-guided tour.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Francesco Bonavita is a native of Rome, Italy and the author of Giardinoitaliano: An Intermediate Language Program, published by Pearson Prentice Hall, 2012. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and he is a linguist. He has taught Italian, French, German, Japanese, Spanish and Portuguese at the middle school level as well as high school and college. He is currently a professor of second language methodology at New York University where he trains second language teachers, from K-12. Together with his wife, Maria Raffaella Ascioti, he is completing a text for children, Italian for Children.

Please reserve in advance for this interesting program so that we can plan accordingly. Donation for Lecture and Reception: $20 per person (Refreshments and light hors d'oeuvres). Pre-payment is recommended and appreciated. We accept credit cards over the phone. Parking will be located directly across the street at Notre Dame Academy Elementary School. For any questions or to RSVP, please call 718-273-7660 or email [email protected]