At the Italian Cultural Institute in New York, internationally acclaimed writer and Pulitzer Prize Award Winner of "The Hours"–Michael Cunningham–presented his lyrical lecture on the exceptional city of Matera (Basilicata). The American author visited the city in 2016 when he was invited by APT Basilicata (the agency that promotes tourism in that area). In conversation with Giorgio van Straten–director of the Institute–Cunningham enchanted the audience with his passionate ode to the city and talked about his connection to Italy, as well as about his work.