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The 100 Year Anniversary of the Dante Alighieri Society of Massachusetts & The PillarsINFORMATION AND PRESS

Dante Alighieri Society of Massachusetts100 Year Anniversary of Dante Alighieri Society of Massachusetts celebrates with The Pillars, 06/21/14

Dante Alighieri Society of Massachusetts41 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA 02139

Dante Alighieri Society of Massachusetts is a worldwide and internationally recognized no-profit organization that promotes the Italian culture in the world. It has its centers in more than 30 countries around the globe included Japan, Brazil, United States, India, China, South Korea, Australia, Russia, Philippines, Columbia, numerous countries in Europe, South Africa and Israel. Its mission is helping to develop an appreciation of Italian achievements in the arts, literature, science and industry; promoting the study of the Italian language and a spirit of understanding among people through the arts and other cultural activities.

The Dante Alighieri has its headquarter in Rome and is highly supported by the Italian Government and First Minister. In fact, on the occasion of the 150 year anniversary of Italian Unification the Dante Alighieri Society, has organized two major events at the Boston Symphony Hall and at the New york Skirball Center in collaboration with the Italian President and First Minister, bringing the Symphonic Orchestra of United Europe, Conductor Maestro Francesco Maria Carminati and pianist Rossana Tomassi Golkar.

100 Year Anniversary of Dante Alighieri Society of Massachusetts was an exclusive and unique event that celebrated the greatness of the work done so far by the Dante Alighieri Society in Boston and Cambridge. The Major of Boston, the Italian Consulate members in Boston, Professors from Harvard, MIT, Berklee College of Music and the whole Dante Alighieri Committee were invited to celebrate this incredible achievement. The Society has provided an excellence in the menu and in the live music, inviting Italian singer-songwriter Cristina Vaira, to perform as leading singer with her band The Pillars.

The Pillars is one of the most culturally innovative bands performing in the United States. Founded byAlejandro Ramirez Cisneros and Cristina Vaira, The Pillars' sound is a blend of American, Latin and Italian influences that is unlike any other. The Pillars' first single, The Pillars, garnered rave reviews from critics and earned them a massive following. They continue to perform at some of the most prestigious venues in the country and outside United States. In 2014, the band was invited to perform at the Dante Alighieri Society of Massachusetts 100th Anniversary to celebrate musical excellence in Boston. The audience was composed by prestigious people in Boston: the Major Martin Walsh, members of the Italian Consulate,

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professors of Harvard, MIT, Berklee College of Music and the whole Dante Alighieri Committee. The performance received significant international media attention, being covered by the Italian publications In Folio Magazine, Style Magazine (Italian Edition) and Segrate Oggi, and the American magazine Bostoniano.

Source: http://www.dantemass.org/

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“Cristina Vaira...with...Alejandro Ramirez Cisneros...started a band called 'The Pillars'..., whosethe first single has been recently spread through the web and it will be performed at the Dante Alighieri Society in Cambridge: “The cultural center will celebrate 100 years of activities in promoting the Italian culture and traditions in US, and for this occasion the V.P. of Cultural Affair, Luisa Marino, has invited us for a triumphant debut – said the singer- Among the audience there will be the Mayor of Boston, Martin Walsh, the Italian Consul Giuseppe Pastorelli and many other great personality of the cultural, educational and political fields in Boston. There will be Professor from Harvard, MIT and Berklee College of Music. It will be a true privilege for us to play in such an event and we can’t wait!”. In the meantime the couple is working on the first album of “The Pillars” and in August they will perform at the great stage of the Boston GreenFest 2014.”

In Folio MagazineMusic: The talented Vaira from Segrate is invited at the Dante Alighieri Society on the occasion of the 100 year anniversary on June 21stEditorial, 06/18/14, Print Publication

“Boston’s latest Italy-inspired musical project, The Pillars, made its debut on June 28 at the Dante Alighieri Society...Headed by the powerful and sensual vocals of Milan-native singer-songwriter Cristina Vaira and Jandro Cisneros...and filmic contents that uplift people’s lives, based on the proverb: “If you want to go fast go alone, but if you want to go far go together.”

BostonianoThe Pillars Joins Growing Italian Music Scene in Boston,By Nicola Orichuia, 6/30/14http://bostoniano.info/italian_news_boston/the-pillars-boston-berklee-italian-music/

“With her Mexican partner Alejandro Ramirez Cisneros, Cristina [Viara] created a band called 'The Pillars'...[a] project is based on an ancient African proverb that says - If you want to go fastgo alone, if you want to go far go together...The live debut of Cristina and Ramirez is going to

1 ORIGINAL ARTICLES AND TRANSLATIONS CAN BE FOUND IN THE DOCUMENT: THE PILLARS - BAND

BIOGRAPHY AND PRESS.

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be this Saturday June 21st on the stage dedicated to the Italian poet, which celebrate 100 years of the promotion of Italian treasures and culture in US. For the occasion, the Italian singer, called to represent Italy, will sing for the Mayor of Boston Martin Walsh and the Italian Consul Giuseppe Pastorelli. More notorious people will be part of the event: Professors from Harvard, MIT and Berklee College of Music and Nicola Orichuia, assignment editor of the “Bostoniano”, the most popular Italian magazine in Boston. “It will be a priviledge for us to play at this event and we can’t wait!” told us Cristina few days before the concert.”

The Voice of Segrate thrills UsaMusica: Cristina Vaira will sing in Massachusetts on Saturday to celebrate the 100 year of Italian cultural promotion in USEditorial, June 17, 2014

Dante Alighieri Society Committee:Ex- President Spencer di Scala and Mrs. di ScalaNew President Anthony Cassano and Mrs. CassanoV.P. of Cultural Affair Luisa Marino

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The Pillars - From Left to Right:

Cristina Vaira – voiceAleJandro Cisneros – guitar and voiceHelen de la Rosa – cajonLee Seung-Ha – double bass