SPECIAL VISIT AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WITH LUCIA WOLF
“Italian Futurists and the Italian Gastronomic Tradition in Contrast”
On Thursday, January 30th, 2025, we had the pleasure of hosting an engaging and thought-provoking event, “Italian Futurists and the Italian Gastronomic Tradition in Contrast,” held at the Library of Congress, European Reading Room. This captivating presentation, led by Lucia Alma Wolf, Reference Specialist Librarian for Italian and related collections, delved into the revolutionary world of Italian Futurism and its unexpected relationship with gastronomy.
Attendees explored how Futurism, a bold and avant-garde artistic movement of the early 20th century, sought to break from tradition—including in the realm of food. The presentation highlighted Futurist manifestos that rejected conventional Italian cuisine, advocating instead for experimental and provocative culinary creations that challenged sensory norms.
A special exhibition accompanied the discussion, featuring newly acquired Futurist books and rare materials from the Library of Congress collections. Among these were key texts that defined the movement’s radical approach to culture, juxtaposed with some of Italy’s most iconic gastronomic works, including La scienza in cucina e l’arte di mangiar bene by Pellegrino Artusi. The contrast between tradition and innovation sparked insightful conversations about the evolution of Italian identity through food and art.
We are grateful to Lucia Alma Wolf for her expertise and to all who joined us for this fascinating journey into Italy’s cultural history. We look forward to welcoming you to more inspiring programs in the future!