On May 14 (rain date May 15), a fundraising dinner and concert will be held from 6 to 9 pm in the garden of the International School of Italian Cuisine, in Lucca. Proceeds will go to the charity Caritas Lucca to help in its many efforts to support Ukrainian refugees who have fled to the province.
Ukrainian chef Roman Korol, co-owner of Lucca-based bistro and wine bar Stravinsky, will create a dinner of traditional Ukrainian dishes, such as borscht and nalisniki (dessert crepes filled with cottage cheese and raisins). Wines have been donated by local and regional producers, such as Tenuta Adamo, The Wine Club Italy and the Montecarlo di Toscana wine consortium.
Guests will be entertained with music coordinated by violist Tommaso Valenti and Elio Antichi. The lineup will feature the Elisa Baciocchi Ensemble presenting works by Luigi Boccherini and, with harpist Anna-Livia Walker and soprano Mirella Di Vita, songs by Francesco Paolo Tosti. As a sweet addition to the evening, members of the Laboratorio Orchestrale Lucchese Fratel Arturo Paoli, a children’s orchestra organized by Caritas and directed by Valenti, will perform the “March of the Lion” and “Aquarium” from Camille Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals.
Jonell Galloway, writer, food expert and Lucca resident, conceived the idea for the event and is captaining a hardworking team of volunteers to make it a reality, alongside professional event planner Diana Stidl and finance chairman Peter White.
Tickets are limited. To reserve yours, please make your donation of 100 per person euro (larger donations are welcome) here. No tickets will be available at the door. Those unable to attend but wishing to donate any amount may do so through the same website, which will continue to accept donations after tickets are sold out. The dinner is one of the initiatives promoted by the city of Lucca supporting the hospitality for displaced Ukrainian refugees coordinated by Caritas of Lucca, which has found generous support also from the Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca Foundation, as a further sign of the widespread solidarity in the province.
The need for assistance is urgent and ongoing as the war in Ukraine continues. To enable Caritas to provide as much help as possible, the organizers are seeking individuals, businesses or foundations to become sponsors of the event for donations of 500 euro or more. If interested, contact Peter White at phw1205@gmail.com or +39 351 8629660.
