Cyril Lagvanec, PhD, the curator of the American-Italian Research Library located on the second floor of the East Bank Regional Library, will give a lecture titled “The History of Ustica” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 14, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.

This event is free of charge and open to the public. There is no registration.

Ustica is a small island in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is about three miles across and is situated 32 miles north of Capo Gallo, Sicily. An estimated 1,300 people occupy the island. There is regular ferry service from the island to Palermo in Sicily.

During the lecture, Dr. Lagvanec will discuss the island’s archeology and history up to World War I.

After Dr. Lagvanec’s lecture, four or five people with roots in Ustica will speak on their heritage. They are members of Congregazione di San Bartolomeo Apostolo, an organization that was founded in New Orleans in 1879 by Italian immigrants from the Island of Ustica, so that "members shall find relief and assistance in case of need and wherein members shall exercise towards one another benevolence, charity and camaraderie".

Cyril Lagvanec delivers a lecture on various aspects of history. He earned his undergraduate degree in history from Baylor University, his master’s degree in British and European History from Tulane University, and his doctoral degree in American History from Texas A&M University. Through his long career, Dr. Lagvanec has taught at Jesuit High School, Tulane, Loyola, Delgado, Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, East Carolina University, and Texas A&M.

For more information regarding this event, contact Chris Smith, Manager of Adult Programming for the library, at 504-889-8143 or wcsmith@jefferson.lib.la.us.