We wish to thank Cecilia Zanelli for her precious support in the preparation of the English translations for our site.
I was born in Santiago, Chile and my parents emigrated to the United States when I was only three years old.
I grew up in Houston, Texas and studied psychology at the University of Houston, where I had the opportunity to come to Italy on a student exchange program for a summer. After completing my summer stay, I returned to the U.S but missed the beauty of the country and the language so much that I decided to return.
I worked for Firestone International Tire and Rubber Company in Rome where I met my husband, and then later for Winchester S.p.A. After a couple of years we returned to the U.S. for about seven years, where I obtained an Associate's degree in Arts and Sciences at the University of Akron (Ohio), and then once again returned to Rome.
I then worked for two United Nations organizations, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for ten years, and later the World Food Programme (WFP) for thirteen years. I have been here for about 35 years and for the last 17 years have lived in the Sabina area, specifically in the countryside of Castelnuovo di Farfa.
During my working years in the U.S. and in Italy I executed Italian/English translations and worked on occasion as an interpreter.
I am a dual national American/Italian, and also speak French and Spanish (my original mother tongue).
In the U.S. I studied art and pottery at university and Japanese Sumi (watercolor) painting in private from a well-known Japanese artist.
I have always been creative in many ways, and during my free time, while raising two beautiful daughters, I enjoyed making pots and vases in clay, with a particular interest in Raku pottery. During the last four years, I have developed a passion for creating hand-made jewelry pieces, an activity to which I dedicate most of my free time.
Cecilia Zanelli
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