IASA - Italian American Studies Association

Buona Festa dei Lavoratori! 🇮🇹

Observed every May 1st, Italian Labor Day—also known as Primo Maggio—is more than just a public holiday; it’s a tribute to the generations of individuals whose hard work has shaped industries, communities, and the nation itself. From artisans preserving centuries-old traditions to modern professionals driving innovation, every role contributes to the fabric of society.

This day is also a reminder of the ongoing importance of fair wages, safe working conditions, and equal opportunities. It honors past struggles while encouraging continued progress toward a more just and balanced future for all workers.

Whether spent enjoying time with loved ones, attending concerts like the famous “Concertone” in Rome, or simply reflecting on the value of work, today invites us to pause and appreciate the effort behind every achievement.

Fellowship Opportunity from The Calandra Institute

“The Pietro “Pete” Panto Italian Diaspora Labor Dissertation Fellowship

Scope of the Fellowship
The John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, a university-wide institute under the aegis of Queens College, The City University of New York, is offering a fellowship for doctoral students who are writing their dissertation on any topic involving Italian emigrant and/or Italian ethnic labor and/or working-class life either in the United States or in the wider Italian diaspora. Submissions may come from all relevant fields of study in the social sciences and humanities, including, but not limited to, history, literary studies, film studies, gender studies, and political science.

The fellowship is named after dockworker and labor activist Pietro “Pete” Panto (1910–1939), who was murdered for leading rank-and-file stevedores in a struggle for safe and democratic working conditions on the Brooklyn waterfront, which had long been in the grip of mobsters and corrupt elements in the union.

The fellowship will run for six years with one award given each year. The fellowship award is $1,000 US per year, distributed by check or bank transfer after the awardee is announced.

Eligibility
Doctoral students will need to have been registered at their university in the twelve months previous to the application deadline. Recently graduated students are eligible to apply as long as they were registered within the twelve months immediately previous.

Applicants must have passed their qualifying exams, been admitted to candidacy, and have submitted an accepted dissertation proposal. This status must be confirmed in the dissertation director’s letter (see below).

Applicants who do not win in a given year but continue to work on their dissertation in the following year are welcome to apply again.

Submission Guidelines
Application materials must be in English and submitted in .pdf format. The dissertation itself may be written in any language.
Project description: In no more than 750 words (double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font with 1-inch margins), provide a title and brief description of the dissertation project, your progress toward its completion, and an explanation of the project’s contribution to the field of diasporic Italian emigrant and/or ethnic labor and/or working-class life.
Curriculum vitae: The CV should include your current mailing address, email address, and telephone number and should focus on publications, courses taken and/or taught, professional activities, and awards. Maximum length not to exceed two pages.
Unofficial transcripts: Proof of good standing. There is no need for the transcript to be translated into English.
Two letters of reference: One letter must come from the dissertation director and explicitly address the relevance of your project to the furthering of Italian diaspora and labor and/or working-class studies. Both letters must be in English.

Applications can be mailed to https://bordigherapress.submittable.com/submit.

Deadline for submissions is May 1, 2026. The winner will be notified on Labor Day, September 7, 2026.

If you have any questions, please write to the Calandra Institute at the following email: [email protected].”

In Canada

National Day of Mourning: Italian Fallen Workers
Tuesday, April 28 at 3:00pm

Mark the 10th anniversary of the Italian Fallen Workers Memorial Project.

On the National Day of Mourning for injured and fallen workers, we will remember the thousands of Italian workers who lost their lives in workplace tragedies across Canada. The event will include a screening of “Caduti,” followed by a moment of reflection to honour their memory and sacrifice. Villa Charities is proud to be the home of the Italian Fallen Workers Memorial Wall, unveiled in 2016 in partnership with the Committee for the Italian Fallen Workers Memorial Project.

wp.villacharities.com

In Philadelphia

“Opening this weekend, “Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments” examines how a fictional fighter became a real-world symbol, placing the statue within the sweep of art history and Philadelphia’s identity. The exhibition is the brainchild of guest curator Paul Farber, who spent years exploring the meaning of the statue and public monuments — including through his NPR podcasts — before bringing the conversation into the museum.”

Philadelphia museum brings Rocky statue inside after decades of tension The Philadelphia Museum of Art is embracing a statue it once kept at arm’s length. A new exhibition, “Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments,” brings the bronze figure of Rocky Balboa inside for the first time, reframing it as both pop culture icon and part of a 2,000-year tradition of b...

One day left to send a proposal for the IASA 2026 conference!

Kirkus Reviews calls The Jews of Italy "a richly researched, fluently written history of Italian Judaism, revealing its centrality to the rise of art and science." Read the full review here: https://hubs.ly/Q04dblqk0

AATI new Editor search

AATI is seeking a new Editor for "Italica"

Inquiries, nominations, and applications are requested by June 30, and should be directed to Anthony Julian Tamburri via email ([email protected]) with “Editor of Italica” in the subject line.

Deadline 30.04.2026