by InTrieste
As the year draws to a close, National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) board member John F. Calvelli reflects on a journey that’s felt both personal and profound. Calvelli, whose roots trace to Calabria, Italy, and who serves on the boards of New York City and Company, the Belmont Business Improvement District, the Picture House Regional Film Center, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, and Preserve Plum Island, describes his recent travels to Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy’s celebrated northeast region, as a voyage of self-discovery.
“This experience has been transformative,” Calvelli shared, recounting how the trip opened up unexpected family ties. While in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Calvelli’s mother encouraged him to call his uncle in Portland, Oregon, who surprised him with a family photograph of his grandfather stationed in Trieste during World War I. “It’s deeply emotional to consider how connected our family history is with this region.”
Visiting the year’s honored region at NIAF, Calvelli found Friuli Venezia Giulia to be more than just a destination. “This region is more than a place—it’s the heart of Italy, with cuisine, culture, and a warm spirit that embodies the best of Italy.”
Looking to the future, Calvelli envisions a growing partnership between Friuli Venezia Giulia and New York City, where he brought representatives from New York City Tourism and the Convention Bureau to discuss potential collaborations. “The beauty of this relationship,” he added, “is that it only grows stronger. The conversation has only just begun.”
