The Farmington-Vacri Gemellaggio Committee invites the community to “Fired Up for Vacri” on Sunday, October 18, from 2–4 p.m. at Fired and Fused (32326 Grand River Ave.), for an afternoon celebrating Italian culture, glass artistry, and Farmington’s growing connection with its sister city of Vacri, Italy. Deputy Italian Consul General Simona Barresi will attend the event and give welcome remarks.

The event will feature a raffle of select blown-glass pieces created by Murano Glass Maestro Gabriele Urban and local Master Blown Glass Artist Mark Vandenberg. The pieces were created during a recent visit by the team from La Fornasotta in Venice, following an invitation from the Italian Consul General in Detroit. There are currently a couple of other "featured" pieces available for sale now if you're interested: https://firedandfused.square.site/

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Farmington-Vacri Gemellaggio Committee, which supports transnational cultural exchange and connection between the two communities and countries.

Guests are invited to learn more about Vacri and the developing relationship between the two cities while enjoying Italian appetizers and mingling with fellow community members. A live glass-blowing demonstration will also be featured, with additional glass pieces available for purchase. Attendees can also participate in the raffle featuring pieces from the committee’s most recent glassblowing event.

“As we celebrate the one year anniversary of the visit by the Vacri delegation, this event is another example of the strength of the connection between the two cities,” said Farmington Mayor Joe LaRussa. “I’m excited that Farmington residents have a chance to own artisanal glass artwork from masters of the craft because of our connection to Vacri.”

The Farmington-Vacri Gemellaggio Committee is made up of volunteers with an interest in the relationship with Vacri and Italian culture. The committee works to cultivate ongoing dialogue and collaboration in areas including historic preservation, economic development, and cultural exchange, while raising funds to support activities that strengthen the connection between the two communities.

The relationship between Farmington and Vacri began with a chance encounter between Farmington representatives and the Sindaco Piergiusseppe Mammarella of Vacri at an event at the Huron River Club. Conversations about the two communities revealed both similarities and differences and sparked an interest in building a lasting connection with shared goals related to economic development, responsible growth, and cultural exchange.