Week of the Italian Language: theatre, music and puppets in Belo Horizonte

Knowledge of the Italian language and its relations with music and theater are at the center of the initiatives planned by the Italian Consulate of Belo Horizonte to celebrate the 19th Week of the Italian Language in the World. The events, which take place in different cities of the state of Minas Gerais, begin with the Congress of the Brazilian Association of Professors of Italian, a privileged forum for specialists of Italian studies who will meet to exchange views, have discussions and update their knowledge. In addition to the Consulate, the event is supported by the Italian Embassy in Brasilia and the Italian Cultural Institute of San Paolo. Among the other scheduled appointments there is the theatrical show ‘Astaroth’ by Stefano Benni which tells of a fallen angel condemned to spend eternity on an infernal rock where he judges the passing souls. A text characterized by sudden variations in tone, which switches from surreal comedy to everyday tragedy. A conference/show will focus on the great Italian tradition linked to theater and music, from opera to pop music. The conference is accompanied by music, arias from operas, songs and theatrical moments that will offer the public a medley of scenes representing the history, customs and traditions of Italy and its language and a taste of Italian music. The show, mounted by the Italian Consulate of Belo Horizonte, is a new and original work written by the Italian author Roberto Innocente specifically for the Italian Language Week. It lasts one hour and is bilingual. The pianist Matheus Alborghetti and actress Márcia Kaiser will be among the performers. Finally, an event that children are looking forward to is an exhibition of marionettes and puppets of the Pinocchio show by Carlo Collodi of the Giramundo puppet theater group, which can be visited at the headquarters of the Turin Foundation.