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EXCLUSIVE WEBINAR | “‘Here We Make Italy’: The Italian Risorgimento”
Presented by Ross King
with Additional Commentary by Dr. Rocky Ruggiero

Why does virtually every city, town and village in Italy have a monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi? Ross King, author of The Shortest History of Italy, will look at the role of Garibaldi and others in the Risorgimento, the dramatic and pivotal period when the Italian peninsula – divided into regions and dominated by foreign powers – united under one rule for the first time since the Fall of the Roman Empire. The dozen years between 1859 and 1871 offer a compelling narrative marked by political upheaval, military conquests and the tireless efforts of visionary figures such as Garibaldi, Camillo Cavour and the legendary “Thousand.” While military victories and political diplomacy played a crucial role in unifying Italy under a single flag, the lecture will also examine the enduring challenges of cultural and linguistic integration, reminding us that the quest for national identity is not merely won with rifles and cannons, but through the shared bonds of language, heritage and tradition.

The webinar will include a 45-minute lecture followed by 15-minutes of Q&A.

Please note:

• Your participation is confirmed once you have purchased your ticket. You will receive the Zoom link to join the presentation circa 30 minutes before the start time.
• VIDEO RECORDING of the webinar will be available for unlimited streaming at your convenience for 7 days after the event.

Lecturer

Ross King is the award-winning author of numerous books on Italian and French art and history, including Brunelleschi’s Dome and Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling. His biography Machiavelli: Philosopher of Power has been called a “convincing portrait of one of the most misunderstood thinkers of all time.” His most recent book, published in April 2021, is The Bookseller of Florence: The Story of the Manuscripts That Illuminated the Renaissance.