Istituto Italiano di Cultura New York

Istituto Italiano di Cultura New York Official Profile | Italian Cultural Institute of New York
A home for Italian culture, open to all who love it

Founded in 1961, the Italian Cultural Institute of New York is an office of the Italian government, dedicated to the promotion of Italian language and culture in the United States through the organization of cultural events. Under the guidance of its trustees at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, its advisory board, and its staff, the Italian Institute of Culture of New York conforms to this commitm

ent by fostering the cultural exchange between Italy and the US in a variety of areas, from the arts to the humanities to science. Central to the Italian Cultural Institute’s mission is a constant effort to encourage the understanding and enjoyment of Italian culture by organizing and promoting cultural events in collaboration with the most prominent academic and cultural institutions of the East Coast. The Italian Cultural Institute of New York focuses on the development of initiatives aimed at showcasing Italian excellence in various fields, such as science, technology, the arts and design. The development of academic exchanges, the organization and support of visual arts exhibitions, the grants for translation and publication of Italian books, the promotion of Italian studies, and the cooperation with local institutions in planning various events that focus on Italian music, dance, cinema, theater, architecture, literature, philosophy etc., are just a few examples of the Institute’s initiatives. In conclusion, the Italian Cultural Institute of New York provides an “open window” on the cultural and social aspects of past and current Italy.

Say it the Italian way  #07: Rompere le uova nel paniere 🧺🥚Breaking the eggs inside someone’s basket? That definitely ru...
07/20/2026

Say it the Italian way #07: Rompere le uova nel paniere 🧺🥚

Breaking the eggs inside someone’s basket? That definitely ruins the day!

This popular Italian expression is used when someone ruins your plans at the last minute, completely blowing up a well-organized project. Just imagine heading out for a beautiful picnic with a basket full of fresh eggs, only for someone to come along and crush them!

The English equivalents would be “to upset the apple cart” or “to rain on someone’s parade.” It perfectly describes that frustrating moment when someone throws an unexpected wrench into your carefully laid plans.

What other Italian sayings would you like us to decode? Let us know in the comments 👇

Say it the Italian way  #06: Passare dalla padella alla brace 🍳🔥Moving from the frying pan straight into the glowing emb...
07/17/2026

Say it the Italian way #06: Passare dalla padella alla brace 🍳🔥

Moving from the frying pan straight into the glowing embers? Sounds painful!
This common Italian expression is used when someone goes from a bad situation into an even worse one. Its English equivalent is practically identical: “to go out of the frying pan and into the fire.”

It perfectly captures those moments when a change of scenery lands you in a much tougher spot than where you started, like quitting a job because you don’t get along with your boss, only to find your new employers treat you even worse!

What other Italian sayings would you like us to decode? Let us know in the comments 👇

Say it the Italian way  #05: Essere un pezzo di pane 🥖Can a person actually be a piece of bread? In Italy, absolutely!Th...
07/13/2026

Say it the Italian way #05: Essere un pezzo di pane 🥖

Can a person actually be a piece of bread? In Italy, absolutely!

This heartwarming expression is used to describe someone who is exceptionally good-hearted and generous, completely unable to hurt anybody. In Italian culture, bread is sacred, comforting, and essential, so calling someone a “pezzo di pane” is one of the warmest, most affectionate compliments you can give to describe a truly kind soul. The English equivalent would be saying someone has a “heart of gold.”
What other Italian sayings would you like us to decode? Let us know in the comments 👇

LanguageLearning IICNY

Say it the Italian way  #04: Avere la botte piena e la moglie ubriaca 🍷Can you really have a full wine barrel and a drun...
07/10/2026

Say it the Italian way #04: Avere la botte piena e la moglie ubriaca 🍷

Can you really have a full wine barrel and a drunk wife at the same time? Not quite.

This famous Italian expression is used when someone wants to have two completely incompatible things at once, refusing to make a compromise. Its English equivalent is “to have your cake and eat it too.” It perfectly captures that classic human desire to get the absolute best of both worlds, even when it’s logically impossible!

What other Italian sayings would you like us to decode? Let us know in the comments 👇

SayItTheItalianWay LanguageLearning IICNY

07/08/2026

🎶 A glimpse into the musical events hosted at the Institute this season. From spiced up jazz concerts, to intimate solo piano performances, ending up in the land of echoes of hiphop music. Wether it was through solo performances, stunning vocals or fresh jazz improv, the Institute was glad to host a musical journey that explored Italian talents, traditions and culture, often displayed through their link to American music.

More is yet to come, stay tuned for the next season of musical events hosted at the Italian Institute of Culture!

Say it the Italian way  #03: Mettere il carro davanti ai buoi 🐂Should the cart go in front of the oxen? Definitely not.T...
07/06/2026

Say it the Italian way #03: Mettere il carro davanti ai buoi 🐂

Should the cart go in front of the oxen? Definitely not.
This popular Italian expression is used when someone does things in the completely wrong order. While the English equivalent swaps out the oxen for a horse, the logic behind this saying dates all the way back to Classical antiquity, reminding us that proper planning and order are key to getting things done right.

What other Italian sayings would you like us to decode? Let us know in the comments 👇

SayItTheItalianWay

🎵🗽 CONCERT | Enrico Granafei: HarmoNY in the Big AppleThe Italian Cultural Institute of New York hosted “HarmoNY in the ...
06/26/2026

🎵🗽 CONCERT | Enrico Granafei: HarmoNY in the Big Apple

The Italian Cultural Institute of New York hosted “HarmoNY in the Big Apple,” a concert celebrating the music of Enrico Granafei. The evening presented a musical journey bridging classical tradition, jazz improvisation, and innovation.
Granafei, who earned his Master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music as a student of the legendary T***s Thielemans, demonstrated his unique artistic approach, including his pioneering hands-free chromatic harmonica technique, which allows him to play both the guitar and harmonica simultaneously.

Accompanied by a ensemble of Italian and Italian-American jazz musicians: John Di Martino on piano, Federico Foli on upright bass, and Christopher Latona on drums, the event combined live performance and storytelling, exploring the intersection of Italian heritage and New York jazz.

📍 IIC New York, 686 Park Avenue

INKWAVES 🌊 Inkwaves: GileadThe Italian Cultural Institute of New York hosted Nicola Lagioia for the third event of Inkwa...
06/25/2026

INKWAVES
🌊 Inkwaves: Gilead
The Italian Cultural Institute of New York hosted Nicola Lagioia for the third event of Inkwaves, our literary series in collaboration with Alferj Agency.

During the evening, Nicola Lagioia reflected on Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead:

“Gilead is a long letter sent into the future, addressed to a seven-year-old boy who will be able to read it only after the sender, his father, is no longer alive. We read this novel, written as a letter, one of the most delicate and profound works of recent decades, in the narrator’s present. At the same time, we know that its contents will be unsealed when the writer is already gone, so we are also in the future, inside the heart of a boy who has grown into a man, that miraculous spark in which clocks stand still and all time is finally redeemed.”

One of the most important voices in contemporary Italian literature and former director of the Turin International Book Fair, Nicola Lagioia was in conversation with the Director of the Institute, Claudio Pagliara.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this engaging literary event.

📍 IIC New York, 686 Park Avenue

Address

686 Park Avenue
New York, NY
10065

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 5am
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

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