Festival Founders Barrett Wissman and Nina Kotova Accept Award
The TUSCAN SUN FESTIVAL, produced by IMG Artists, won the Tuscan-American Award (TAA) for 2011 on September 22nd in Florence. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2012, the Festival was given the award in recognition of its contribution to increasing cultural exchange and friendly relationships between the people of Tuscany and the people of the United States of America. The award also recognises the quality and prestige of the Tuscan Sun Festival’s programming that has brought the little jewel town of Cortona, Italy, to international recognition.
The Tuscan-American Award for the Tuscan Sun Festival was presented to the founders of the Festival, Barrett Wissman and Nina Kotova, by the Tuscan American Association in Florence. Italian and American visitors together make the highest proportion of Tuscan Sun Festival attendees. Further American associations with the Tuscan Sun Festival include concert appearances with American artists such as actors Robert Redford and Anthony Hopkins, violinist Joshua Bell and soprano Renee Fleming; literary events led by writer and festival co-founder Frances Mayes; major exposure on the US network The Cooking Channel (Extra Virgin programme); previous sponsorship by American Express.