History of IFAFA

 

The Italian Folklore Arts Federation (IFAFA) is the result of an Italian Folk Art Project that began in 1977 at the Nationalities Service Center (NSC) in Philadelphia.

With the help of the NSC and the direction and devotion of Cav. Elba Farabegoli Gurzau, IFAFA was incorporated on May 7, 1979 in the state of Pennsylvania as a non-profit cultural and educational organization.

IFAFA is a member of the Italian Federation of Popular Traditions in Rome.

Elba Gurzau - Founder
Elba Gurzau, the founder of IFAFA

Click here to read more about Cav.  Elba Farabegoli Gurzau’s life and her involvement with IFAFA

IFAFA originally consisted of the following groups

  • I Ballerini, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Balli d’Italia, Baltimore, Maryland
  • I Campagnoli, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Il Circolo Dancers, Cherry Hill, New Jersey
  • Gruppo Folkloristico Duroniese, USA, North Bergen, New Jersey
  • Italian Folklore Group, Montclair, New Jersey
  • Italian Folklore Group of Washington, Washington, D.C.
  • Italian Folk Ensemble “Ricordi d’Italia”, Fort Lee, New Jersey
  • Italian Folk Singers “I Paesani”, Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania