(gentle music) - [Will] On Detroit's Bell Isle down Vista Drive near shed 12, sits a bust of revered Italian poet Dante Alighieri.

Erected in 1927, the near century old bust had endured the elements and was in need of restoration.

The Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan, the Consulate of Italy in Detroit and partners spearheaded the restoration of the Dante Alighieri bust on Bell Isle.

We join them for the unveiling.

- Bonjourno.

My name is Allegra Baistrocchi.

I'm the Consulate of Italy in Detroit.

Dante Alighieri was the father of the Italian language.

He's known as one of the most world renowned poets of all times.

And he's a very important figure for us.

- [Will] This is president of the Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan, Lia Adelfi.

- We organize Italian classes for children, for adults.

We are an official certification center for the Italian language.

We were founded in Michigan in 1924.

Our first main society is in Rome, founded in 1889.

And it was founded to promote Italian language and culture all over the world, to support Italian community when they start the immigration.

And this is our goal and the mission still today.

- [Will] Dozens of people attended the event to hear speeches from the mayor's office and DNR, in addition to the Consulate and Dante society - Today we were here to celebrate many things, friendship, resilience, 100 years of Dante, Michigan here, and the restoration of this beautiful monument of Dante Alighieri.

Language is one of the keys, the bridge to communicate with each other.

For us, represent our culture, traditions, and our heritage.

It is important to preserve this for future generations.

- We have two and a half million Americans of Italian descent in the five states that I'm in charge of, of which over half a million in Michigan alone.

So there's an incredible Italian American population.

They're super proud of their heritage.

We wanna help them to celebrate it.

And we want to give back with little things that can be reminders, also for those that don't know about Italian culture, don't know about the heritage that is here, and 'cause we love Detroit.

(Allegra speaking Italian) So consider your origins.

You are not made to live as brutes, but to follow virtue and knowledge.

- We are very proud for this restoration.

Thank you very much for helping and viva Dante.

(audience applauding)