The Network of Italian Cultural Institutes

The 90 Italian Cultural Institutes (ICI) currently in operation can be found in major cities in all five continents. They are an ideal setting for meetings and discussions between thinkers, artists and others working in the cultural sphere. But they are also an ideal place for members of the public, Italian and otherwise, to establish or maintain links with our country.
More than just a “shop-window” for Italy and source of current information on the country as a whole, the Institutes are also a driving force for cultural cooperation initiatives and activities. They act as a landmark for the Italian community abroad and for the growing demand for Italian culture worldwide. Supporting the activity already carried out by the Embassies and Consulates, the Italian Cultural Institutes identify the most suitable ways to promote Italy’s image as a centre for the production, conservation and dissemination of culture, from the classical era till our own day.
In concrete terms, the Cultural Institutes organise events in various sectors (art, music, cinema, theatre, dance, fashion, design and photography). They also:

• provide an opportunity for anyone wishing to learn more about the Italian language and culture. They do this by organising courses, running libraries and providing teaching material and publications;
• create the contacts and the right conditions to help Italian cultural operators take part in international production and exchange processes;
• provide information and logistical support to public- and private-sector cultural operators, both Italian and foreign;
• support initiatives that foster intercultural dialogue based on the principles of democracy and international solidarity.