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Celebrating Cortona, Carmel's Italian Sister City

A special exhibit from December 8–March 8

2024-02-29 00:00:00 2024-02-29 23:59:00 America/Indiana/Indianapolis Celebrating Cortona, Carmel's Italian Sister City Main Library -

Thursday, February 29
All day

Add to Calendar 2024-02-29 00:00:00 2024-02-29 23:59:00 America/Indiana/Indianapolis Celebrating Cortona, Carmel's Italian Sister City (All Ages) Stop by the Main Library Kids Area to see items celebrating Italian culture. This special exhibit is presented in partnership with the Carmel-Cortona Sister City Committee. Main Library -

(All Ages) Stop by the Main Library Kids Area to see items celebrating Italian culture. This special exhibit is presented in partnership with the Carmel-Cortona Sister City Committee.

Learn About Cortona

Cortona is a small hilltop town in Tuscany, Italy. In early history, this region was known as Etruria, and Cortona was such an important Etruscan center that the existence of ancient settlements is still visible today, with walls dating back to the 5th century BC! The town is particularly picturesque due to its predominantly medieval architecture, consisting of ancient palazzos (palatial buildings), narrow cobbled streets, small artisan shops, classic Tuscan trattorias (restaurants), and views of the Chiana Valley.

More About the Items in the Exhibit

Sports 
Soccer, called football in Italy, is the most popular sport for playing and watching. Volleyball is also very popular. The sport of bocce was developed in Italy and is now played around the world. Cortona has amateur sports leagues for soccer, volleyball, and bocce.
  
Pinocchio 
You know the famous story. A piece of wood is turned into a puppet called Pinocchio, and the puppet comes to life in the book The Adventures of Pinocchio. This story is the first internationally known work of Italian children’s literature and has been adapted for film 18 times, including 2 movies. Disney and Netflix are both in the process of producing new versions.
  
La Befana 
January 6 is a national holiday in Italy, celebrating the Christian festival Epiphany. In Italian folklore, on the eve of the Epiphany, La Befana—an old woman who looks like a witch—travels around Italy on her broomstick, bringing presents and sweets to good children.
   
Signorelli 
Luca Signorelli (1441–1523) was an Italian Renaissance painter from Cortona, noted in particular for his ability as a draftsman and his use of the technique of foreshortening. His massive frescos of the Last Judgment (1499–1503) in Orvieto Cathedral are considered his masterpiece. Many credit Signorelli with influencing Michelangelo and Raphael. Cortona celebrated the 500th anniversary of Signorelli's death by bringing together his works from around the world in a special exhibit. As part of the celebration, Carmel teens participated in a local art contest, and the top three artists' work was displayed at the MAEC Museum in Cortona. First place: "Adrienne's Silken Glare" by Ella Lipnik. Second place: "Traditions" by Megan Xia. Third place: "Wintertide in Tuscany" by Ismail Kheiri.
 
Flag 
The flag represents the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, an ancient Italian state that existed for 290 years—between 1569 and 1859. Cortona was a part of this state. 

AGE GROUP: | Teens | Kids Ages 5-12 | Kids Ages 0-5 | All Ages | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Exhibit/Display |

TAGS: | |

Main Library

Phone: 317.814.3900

Hours
About the library

Upcoming events

Sun, Dec 01, All day
Main Library
Bring in your gently used puzzles and games and trade them in for new challenges.

Sun, Dec 01, All day
Main Library
(All Ages) Stop by the Main Library Kids Area to see items celebrating German culture. This special exhibit is presented in partnership with the Carmel-Seiffen Sister City Committee.

Mon, Dec 02, All day
Joyce Winner West Branch
Enjoy a cozy craft experience from the comfort of home!

Mon, Dec 02, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library - Meeting Room C
Are you interested in genealogy? Need help getting started or want to bounce ideas off others? Stop by our weekly genealogy drop-in sessions. Bring your own tablet or laptop. No registration required.

Mon, Dec 02, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Main Library - Community Room A
Any high school student who enjoys playing D&D or wants to learn the basics can join for a mini adventure that will teach newcomers and entertain experienced players alike.

Mon, Dec 02, 6:00pm - 6:30pm
Main Library - Discovery Room A
(Ages 6–11) Move, breathe, stretch, and have fun! Yoga mats are available for use, or you can bring your own. Wear comfortable clothes! Read the full event description for info about required tickets.

Tue, Dec 03, 10:00am - 11:30am
Main Library - Discovery Room
(Ages 2–5) Celebrate Seiffen, Carmel's German Sister City, by making a nutcracker popsicle stick craft! No registration or tickets are required. Stop by the Discovery Room between 10:00am and 11:30am.

Tue, Dec 03, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Main Library - Meeting Room A
Next Chapter Book Club is the library's book group for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Registration is required. (Please read full description for important details.)

Tue, Dec 03, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - Meeting Room C
Let's get crafty and make some homemade gift tags! This workshop will provide supplies, samples, and instructions on how to make gift tags for all occasions. Registration is required.
This event is full

Wed, Dec 04, 10:00am - 10:30am
Main Library - Exploration Lab
(Ages 4–6) Come for stories about trees and use Play-Doh to make a pretend tree to take home with you. Read the full description for info about required tickets. No younger/older siblings may attend.

Wed, Dec 04, 11:00am - 11:30am
Main Library - Exploration Lab
(Ages 4–6) Come for stories about trees and use Play-Doh to make a pretend tree to take home with you. Read the full description for info about required tickets. No younger/older siblings may attend.

Wed, Dec 04, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library - Meeting Room A
Bring your competitive spirit and see if you can outscore your fellow word enthusiasts. Don’t miss out—your best move is to join us. No registration necessary.

Wed, Dec 04, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Main Library - Teens Program Room
Read and review Young Adult and Middle Grade books. This volunteer opportunity is open to all interested teens in grades 6–12.

Wed, Dec 04, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - Meeting Room A
Our evening book group that reads thought-provoking literature.

Thu, Dec 05, 1:30pm - 7:00pm
Main Library - Community Room
Local businesses will showcase green gifts for family and friends at this one-day event. Presented in partnership with the Carmel Green Initiative.

Thu, Dec 05, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Main Library - Teens Program Room
Inklings is a student-led creative writing club for high school students. From brainstorming ideas to giving and receiving feedback, you‘ll find something to inspire you.

Fri, Dec 06, 10:00am - 11:00am
Main Library - Discovery Room
(Ages 4–6) With their caregivers, kids can try out a special selection of STEAM kits. Read the full description for info about required tickets or call 317.814.3992.

Fri, Dec 06, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Main Library - Teens Program Room
In this free club run by former Artist in Residence Ella Wilson, teens will talk about art, create things, and go on random, fun tangents. All creatives are welcome, regardless of experience.

Fri, Dec 06, 3:45pm - 4:45pm
Main Library - Discovery Room
(Ages 4–6) With their caregivers, kids can try out a special selection of STEAM kits. Read the full description for info about required tickets or call 317.814.3992.

Fri, Dec 06, 4:30pm - 5:15pm
Main Library
Take a break from homework and hang out with a registered therapy dog. Presented in partnership with the Chris Center.

Sat, Dec 07, 10:00am - 10:30am
Main Library - Discovery Room
(Ages 2+) Caregivers and children will enjoy yoga together! Free tickets are required and will be available—first come, first served—at the Kids Desk 30 minutes prior to the program start time.

Sat, Dec 07, 11:00am - 11:30am
Main Library - Discovery Room
(Ages 2+) Caregivers and children will enjoy yoga together! Free tickets are required and will be available—first come, first served—at the Kids Desk 30 minutes prior to the program start time.

Sat, Dec 07, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Main Library - Discovery Room A,Discovery Room B,Kids Study Room 1A,Kids Study Room 1B
(Ages 6–12) Like dogs? Come read for 15 minutes to a Paws & Think therapy dog! Registration is required—first come, first served—in person at the Kids Desk beginning at 1:30pm the day of the program.

Sun, Dec 08, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library - Meeting Room B,Meeting Room C
Practice speaking English in a relaxed setting. This group meets on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. Registration is not required.

Mon, Dec 09, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library - Meeting Room C
Are you interested in genealogy? Need help getting started or want to bounce ideas off others? Stop by our weekly genealogy drop-in sessions. Bring your own tablet or laptop. No registration required.

Mon, Dec 09, 2:30pm - 5:00pm
Main Library - Digital Media Lab
Need to replace or duplicate a part for a physical object but can't find a 3D model online? Stop by and get 3D modeling help from a Digital Media Lab specialist.

Mon, Dec 09, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Main Library - Teens Program Room
Teens in Grades 6–12 can drop in to play a variety of games on the Nintendo Switch. No experience is necessary.

Mon, Dec 09, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - Board Room
Our book group with an intentional LGBTQ+ focus.

Tue, Dec 10, 10:00am - 10:30am
Main Library - Community Room
Join us on four special occasions to watch the enchanting story of The Nutcracker as told by the beautiful dancers of area ballet groups. Read the full description for dates, times, and details.

Tue, Dec 10, 10:00am - 11:30am
Main Library - Meeting Room A
Work on your current craft project while enjoying coffee and community. No registration required.

Tue, Dec 10, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Main Library - Meeting Room A
Next Chapter Book Club is the library's book group for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Registration is required. (Please read full description for important details.)

Tue, Dec 10, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - Community Room
(Grade 4–Adults) Play chess against others of all skill levels. Open to anyone in grade 4 and up who has experience with chess. Registration is required.
This event is full

Wed, Dec 11, 9:30am - 11:00am
Main Library - Meeting Room A
Page Turners is the library's Wednesday morning book group for fiction lovers.

Wed, Dec 11, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Main Library - Teens Program Room
Crochet or knit for charity. This volunteer opportunity is open to all interested teens in grades 6–12.

Cancelled
Wed, Dec 11, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library
Enjoy a relaxing hour of coloring while meeting new people. This program is designed for adults. Registration is not required.

Wed, Dec 11, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - Community Room
Join us on four special occasions to watch the enchanting story of The Nutcracker as told by the beautiful dancers of area ballet groups. Read the full description for dates, times, and details.

Thu, Dec 12, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Main Library - Teens Program Room
This student-led book club for grades 9–12 meets every other Thursday. Discuss books, color and craft, eat snacks, and meet new friends.

Fri, Dec 13, 10:00am - 11:30am
Main Library - Community Room B
(Ages 2–5) Drop in for stories about the winter season and enjoy activity stations and a craft! No tickets are required. Stories and rhymes will be read aloud at 10am and repeated at 11:15am.

Mon, Dec 16, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library - Meeting Room C
Are you interested in genealogy? Need help getting started or want to bounce ideas off others? Stop by our weekly genealogy drop-in sessions. Bring your own tablet or laptop. No registration required.

Mon, Dec 16, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Main Library - Board Room
Books After Lunch is the library's monthly mid-day book club.

Wed, Dec 18, 9:30am - 11:00am
Main Library - Meeting Room A
Page Turners is the library's Wednesday morning book group for fiction lovers.

Thu, Dec 19, 7:00pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - Discovery Room A
(Ages 2–5) Join us for stories, rhymes, and songs—and don’t forget to wear your jammies and bring your favorite stuffed animal! No tickets are required.

Fri, Dec 20, 10:00am - 11:30am
Main Library - Discovery Room
(Ages 2–5) Come create with colorful paper, crayons, and glue! No registration or tickets are required. Stop by the Discovery Room anytime between 10:00am and 11:30am.

Sat, Dec 21, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Main Library - Discovery Room A,Discovery Room B,Kids Study Room 1A,Kids Study Room 1B
(Ages 6–12) Like dogs? Come read for 15 minutes to a Paws & Think therapy dog! Registration is required—first come, first served—in person at the Kids Desk beginning at 1:30pm the day of the program.

Cancelled
Sun, Dec 22, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library
Practice speaking English in a relaxed setting. This group meets on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. Registration is not required.

Mon, Dec 23, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library - Meeting Room C
Are you interested in genealogy? Need help getting started or want to bounce ideas off others? Stop by our weekly genealogy drop-in sessions. Bring your own tablet or laptop. No registration required.

Mon, Dec 23, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Main Library - Teens Program Room
Teens in Grades 6–12 can drop in to play a variety of games on the Nintendo Switch. No experience is necessary.

Sat, Dec 28, 2:00pm - 2:30pm
Main Library - Discovery Room
(Ages 4+) Come for stories about trees and use Play-Doh to make a pretend tree to take home with you. Read the full description for info about required tickets. No younger siblings may attend.

Mon, Dec 30, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library - Meeting Room C
Are you interested in genealogy? Need help getting started or want to bounce ideas off others? Stop by our weekly genealogy drop-in sessions. Bring your own tablet or laptop. No registration required.