Il Cavaliere
The Knight
The President of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, has awarded me the highest honor the government can bestow on a foreigner: honorary knighthood, with the title of Cavaliere dell’ Ordine della Stella della Solidarietà Italiana (Knight of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity) in recognition of La Bella Lingua as "an invaluable tool for promoting the Italian language." The onorificenza (honor) was presented at a ceremony at the Italian Consulate in San Francisco on March 25. (Photo above; i will post more at my website in the coming week.)
Italy has a long tradition of honoring citizens who have served their country in extraordinary ways with a cavalierato (knighthood). Individuals in the military and in civilian life may be named to a specific ordine cavalleresco (knightly or chivalrous order), depending on the nature of their achievements. The noun cavaliere is always masculine, and both male and female knights are referred to as Cavaliere, abbreviated as Cav.
After World War II the Italian government created the Ordine della stella della solidarietà italiana (Order of the star of Italian solidarity) to honor and express appreciation to those outside the country who contributed to the reconstruction of Italy (la ricostruzione dell’Italia). This designation is now conferred upon Italian expatriates and foreigners (stranieri, like myself) who have contributed to la preservazione dell'italianità (the preservation of the Italian spirit) and il prestigio nazionale all'estero (the national prestige abroad) through various activities.
The first mentioned is la promozione della lingua italiana (promotion of the Italian language), and I am proud that LA BELLA LINGUA has served this worthy purpose. Other honorees have been recognized for their volunteer work, philanthropy, scientific and technological research, commercial ventures, and la promozione eno-gastronomica (promotion of wine and gastronomy).
The nomination process involves an advisory committee called Il Consiglio dell’Ordine, whose members include il Capo del Cerimoniale Diplomatico della Repubblica (the head of Diplomatic Ceremony for the Republic). They make recommendations to the Ministro degli Esteri (Foreign Minister), who presents the final nominees to Il Presidente della Repubblica.
I am, for once, senza parole (without words). To receive un’onorificenza così particolare, così grande, dal governo d’Italia (an award so special, so great, from the government of Italy) is a great and unexpected honor. However, the recognition does not belong only to me. I accepted the beautiful medallion (in three sizes and forms for various occasions) con profonda umiltà e gratitudine a nome di tutti coloro che considerano la lingua italiana uno dei più bei regali che Italia ha fatto al mondo intero (with profound humility and gratitude in the name of all who consider the Italian language one of the most beautiful gifts that Italy has made to the world).
To the government of Italy and to the many Italian sostenitori (supporters) of La Bella Lingua, grazie di cuore (thanks from the heart). Viva l’italiano!
Words and Expressions
cavaliere errante –- knight errant
cavaliere servente –- ladies’ man
cavalleria –- chivalry
Il Cavaliere–- political nickname for Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi
Click below for a particularly moving rendition of Italy’s national anthem, Fratelli d’Italia, sung a cappella by Roberto Benigni at this year’s San Remo music festival
Dianne Hales is author of LA BELLA LINGUA: My Love Affair with Italian, the World's Most Enchanting Language.
Congrats! I think I'll read your book.
Since you're so keen on the Italian language can I tell you which are, in my view, the best Italian voices (that I kno at least)
male voice :Roberto Chevalier, who regularly dubs Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks
female voice: difficult to say but probably Maria Concetta Mattei, who presents the evening news on the second RAI channel. And she is a beautiful woman too!
ANCORA COMPLIMENTI ! Federico
Posted by: fd | March 31, 2011 at 01:53 PM
Meraviglioso! Can I get one? After all, Enogastronomia is my middle name...
Posted by: John Rose | March 28, 2011 at 10:23 PM
Bravissima! You can now keep company with Berlusconi, that other Cavaliere!
What a great accomplishment - really.
And now, if we can just get Italian taught in schools alongside French & Spanish, everyone would know how enchanting it is.
As for me, I hope to learn how to pronounce the title one day...
Auguroni -
FMaggi
Burnt by the Tuscan Sun
Posted by: Francesca Maggi | March 28, 2011 at 02:51 PM
Congratulations, Cavaliere. A great honor so much deserved and so very useful works.
You have become a wonderful personal resource for my own advocacy here from New Jersey. Hopefully someday I will have an opportunity to meet you.
tanti abbracci,
Joe DeFelice
filitaliainternational.com italianamericanfestival.com/
Posted by: Joe De Felice (Advisor to NJIIAHC State Commission), BOD FilitaliaInternational | March 28, 2011 at 11:36 AM
How exciting! Auguri!!!
Posted by: Jann Huizenga | March 28, 2011 at 07:29 AM
Congratulazioni Dianne! Che rispetto! To be given
this award during the celebratory year of the 150th
anniversary of the founding of modern Italy is an
additional honor. Brava!
Posted by: Salvatore Prisco | March 28, 2011 at 05:43 AM
A truly wonderful and well deserved honour Dianne.
Posted by: LindyLouMac in Italy | March 28, 2011 at 04:23 AM
Auguri!! I agree, well-deserved. Your book and your blog have topped the list of my must-reads for awhile now. Truly inspiring!
Posted by: Crystal | March 27, 2011 at 02:50 PM
Auguri, Dianne! What a magnificent honor, and so well deserved. A presto -- Linda
Posted by: Linda Dini Jenkins | March 27, 2011 at 08:31 AM