What makes Viviana Altieri with Istituto Mondo Italiano a good neighbor?  What happens when a Roman takes a $100 bet and ends up in Pittsburgh? Viviana Altieri's journey from Italy to the Steel City led to the creation of Istituto Mondo Italiano, a cultural hub celebrating all things Italian for the past 15 years.Viviana's story begins with an unlikely wager made with two Duquesne University students who bet she would never leave Italy. Months later, she arrived on their doorstep, suitcase in hand. Though she never collected the $100, Viviana found something far more valuable - a welcoming community that would eventually inspire her mission. After years in the tech industry, she felt a growing disconnect from the city that had embraced her. This realization sparked the creation of Istituto Mondo Italiano, her way of giving back through cultural connection.Today, the institute serves as Pittsburgh's gateway to Italian culture, offering language classes for all ages, popular cooking workshops, La Dolce Vita Boutique, and the Italian Radio Hour podcast. What makes Viviana's approach special is its inclusivity - no membership fees, no Italian heritage required. "We're open to anyone," she emphasizes, creating a space where everyone from toddlers to nonagenarians can experience authentic Italian culture. Beyond the institute's walls, Viviana brings Italy to the community through pasta-making demonstrations at local events, cooking videos streamed live every Friday, and a podcast reaching listeners in over 100 countries.Ready to experience la dolce vita right in Pittsburgh? Visit istitutomondoitaliano.org, follow Viviana's social media, or search "Italian in Pittsburgh" to find the Italian Radio Hour. Whether you're planning a trip to Italy, exploring your heritage, or simply want to be "Italian for a day," Viviana's passionate cultural mission proves that sometimes, the best journeys begin with a small bet and a big dream.To learn more about Istituto Mondo Italiano go to: http://www.istitutomondoitaliano.org/Istituto Mondo Italiano(412) 478-2681

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