Reimagining Columbus: A City's Journey with Its History

-Doors Open at 5:30pm

-Remarks at 5:45pm

-Screening Begins at 6pm followed by a roundtable discussion with the Audience.

Light Refreshments Provided!

About the Film:Since its founding in 1812, Columbus, Ohio, has carried the name of explorer Christopher Columbus. This connection became particularly significant to Italian immigrants who settled in the city in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, celebrating their heritage and a special bond with Genoa, Italy, Columbus's birthplace.

In 1955, Genoa gifted Columbus a statue of Christopher Columbus, intended as a symbol of Italian pride and international cooperation. However, over time, the statue's meaning evolved, particularly as the impact of Columbus's voyages on Indigenous populations became more widely understood.

The events of 2020, marked by protests against racial injustice, led the city to remove the statue. This action, while welcomed by many, left some in the Italian community feeling that their contributions were being overlooked.

Reimagining Columbus is a two-year initiative, supported by the Mellon Foundation’s Monuments Project, that seeks to:

• Confront the complexities of the city's namesake and history.
• Foster inclusive conversations about cultural heritage and belonging.
• Envision a future where all residents feel represented in public spaces.

This project acknowledges the diverse perspectives within Columbus, including the historical contributions of Italian Americans and the experiences of non-Italian communities. It aims to create a more inclusive and representative public narrative.

This event features a screening of a video exploring these issues, followed by a roundtable discussion with the audience.