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Chilean Consul Juan Nilo, Adriana Sabino and Uruguayan Consul Alvaro Gallardo. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Claudio Pastor and Mayor Cason about to cut the ceremonial ribbon. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Executive Director Claudio Pastor celebrates at the opening. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Claudio Pastor, Mayor jim Cason and Erin and Volker Anding. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Harpist performs at the reception. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Javier Ramos, Margarita Dilabio, Adriana Loyola and Emzo Carpemtieri. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Julie and Ted Arch, artist Daniel Ballerini and Kendell Turner. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Mario Estabil, Mariuska Rivas and Kate Ballerini. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Michael Gisonda; Tony Cardinali, board president of Societa' Dante Alighieri; and William Hill. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Claudio Pastor, executive director of Societa' Dante Alighieri, and Caffe Abbracci's Nino Pernetti. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Sandy Collins, Ellen Pataro and Elisa Oliverio. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Virginia Miller, Cynthia Birdsill and Bill DuPriest. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Serving the interests of Italy and Italians in South Florida through cultural events, language programs and more, Societa’ Dante Alighieri recently relocated to Aragon Avenue.

Mayor Jim Cason joined Claudio Pastor, executive director of Societa’ Dante Alighieri, and numerous guests at a ribbon-cutting and reception at the new headquarters, 300 Aragon Ave., on Oct. 11. Patrons enjoyed hors d’oeuvres from Caffe Abbracci, whose owner Nino Pernetti was among the guests.

The Societa’ Dante Alighieri has become a vibrant cultural and academic institution with ongoing Italian language courses, wine tasting and cooking programs, and a rich agenda that is supported by more than 2,000 active members and students.

Founded in 1889 and headquartered in Rome, the society’s principal aim is to promote Italian language and culture in the world by reinvigorating the ties that link Italians abroad with their country, and by encouraging a love of things Italian among non-Italians.

The society is named after Italy’s most illustrious poet and author of the Divine Comedy. Born in Florence in the 13th century, he chose not to write his famous work in Latin, but used a new language, Italian, based on the regional dialect of Tuscany with some elements of Latin and other regional dialects.

Its Miami location opened in 1997 in the historic Douglas Entrance building. For more information visit www.dantemiami.org

Photos by Betty Alvarez / Events Photographer