LibraryLinks Fall 2007/Spring2008
Professor Luciano Pizziconi Presents Gifts to the Libraries
By Sandro Sticca and Jean Root Green
Professor Luciano Pizziconi visited the Binghamton area from Italy in October 2007. Professor Pizziconi, one of Italy’s leading poets, is the recipient of many international honors and awards, such as the International Prize Raoul Follereau and the Grand Prize Italy for Culture. He has worked with enthusiasm and dedication to establish close cultural ties between Italy and the United States, particularly with the cities of Vestal and Binghamton, and with Binghamton University, to which he has generously donated art volumes. During his visit to the United States, he was conferred an Honorary Citizenship by both the City of Binghamton and the Town of Vestal.
John M. Meador, Jr., and Binghamton University Libraries hosted a reception for Professor Pizziconi on October 11 in Special Collections in the Glenn G. Bartle Library. Distinguished guests included Dr. Sandro Sticca, Binghamton University Professor of French and Comparative Literature, Senator Thomas Libous, and Mayor Matthew Ryan. Binghamton University was presented an eight volume collection of Italian popular music and songs from the 1920s to modern times, titled La Canzone Italiana. The eight volume collection is accompanied by a four volume critical analysis and commentary. In addition, Professor Pizziconi sent four reproductions of original archaeological artifacts from the region of Abruzzo, now kept in the Museum of the city of Boiano, which includes a matrimonial fibula originating from central Italy and dated to the 9th-10th century B.C., and a small fictile head of a woman of Etruscan origin dated to the 6th century B.C. The gift also includes a bronze reproduction in two tablets of the Tavola Osca (Oscan Tablet), now kept in the London British Museum, which provides information on the language and religion of the Samnites, dated to the 3rd century B.C. These gifts were given in the hope that they would help to “further deepen the aspects of Italian culture and increase perspectives and friendship between Binghamton University and Athanòr.” Indeed, they are a wonderful addition to gifts already generously endowed upon Binghamton University Libraries in recent years.