Contact: Colleen Roche/Samantha Lugo(212) 788-2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Figli Di San Gennaro President Anne Compoccia today announced the kick-off of the 1998 Feast of San Gennaro, marking the 72nd year in which the traditional Italian-American festival is celebrated along Mulberry Street in Manhattan's Little Italy. This year's festival will take place from September 10th to September 20th.
"For the third year in a row, Figli di San Gennaro, Inc., under the leadership of Anne Compoccia, will ensure that all the festival's proceeds go to charity," said Mayor Giuliani. "That's a tremendous turnaround from 1994, when the festival generated revenues of over $324,000, with less than $7,700 donated to charity while the rest of the money lined the pockets of organized criminals.
"The new vitality of the San Gennaro festival conveys a fundamental spirit of charity that is at the core of Italian-American culture," the Mayor added. "I want to thank Figli di San Gennaro and all the supporters who have helped transform the festival into a feast which vendors, organizers, participants, and the City as a whole can be proud."
The Feast of San Gennaro is one of the oldest and most popular New York City street celebrations. Over one million people visit the 11-day festival every year, to enjoy the religious, cultural and culinary events celebrated in honor of San Gennaro, the Patron Saint of Naples.
Figli di San Gennaro, Inc. is a non-for-profit, charitable organization. They have been operating the Feast of San Gennaro since 1996. During this period, the organization has distributed more than $335,000 in net proceeds to schools and local charities on the Lower East Side, in addition to groups throughout the City, including the Hale House and Gods Love We Deliver.