From Vesuvio to Silicon Valley and back

UNITE THE TWO BAYS – from Vesuvio to Silicon Valley

“Naples is not New York”, writes sociologist Alberto Abruzzese in the introduction he wrote at the beginning of the eighties to “Napoli No/ New York’, a book exploring similitudes and differences running among the magmatic creativity of the Italian port-city and the American metropolis. But if Naples is not New York, are now emerging elements confirming not only that Naples and San Francisco are connected by deep and historical cultural ties, but also that this ties could soon be revived under the auspices of the operatic traditions that have bound the two cities since Gold Rush era.

It was in fact due to the courage of a young Neapolitan orchestra director, Gaetano Merola, and the daring spirit of the Teatro San Carlo of Naples–which forayed into frontier territories, both geographical and artistic, touring California ahead of other institutions during the 18hundreds–that San Francisco came to develop one of the world’s richest operatic traditions, and to establish a world class Opera House such as the War Memorial Opera House.

A cultural landmark in its own right The War Memorial Opera House, not only has become a temple of artistic excellence but has also hosted events of seminal historical relevance, like the meeting of Nations that gave rise the United Nations at the end of WWII. And as Maestro Merola swung the doors of Bel Canto and Opera performing open to the explorers laying the foundations of the California Dream, hope is that reviving the creative ties binding the two cities may serve also as an occasion to connect Napoli’s innovative ingenuity, and pioneering spirit, to Silicon Valley’s world of cutting edge entrepreneurship.

An endeavor launched a few years ago by a group of Neapolitans living in the San Francisco Bay Area: “From Vesuvio to the Silicon Valley – Unite the Two Bays”; is now coming to fruition and promises to create a channel for ongoing economic and cultural exchanges between the capital of the Campania region and the world’s major center of technological innovation.

Revolving around projects fostering a close collaboration between artists and entrepreneurs on the shores of distant Oceans, Unite the Two Bays mires to promote actions—such as Startup Booth Camps, Startup Schools, and venture capital tours–that will encourage startup entrepreneurship both in the Bay Area and in Campania and promote mutual growth.

Endorsed also by San Francisco Bay Area Italian-American foundations and non-profit organizations, such as Mind the Bridge, the Silicon Valley Italian American Executive Council, the National Italian American Foundation, and the Business Association Italy America, Unite the Two Bays—which enjoys the high Patronage of The Mayor of Naples and of the Regione Campania—is promoting also events to encourage academic institutions, scientists and research and development center, both in Bay Area and in Campania, to work on projects of mutual interest.
Embraced already by a vast coalition of entrepreneurs, journalists, venture capitalists, politicians and diplomats, Unite the Two Bays is attracting every day new sponsors and supporters.