Upon the initiative of the European Cultural Institutes of the EUNIC cluster (European Union National Institutes for Culture) in Prague, of which the Italian Cultural Institute of Prague is one of the founding members, language, literature and design took again centre stage in the Czech capital.
Last 26 September, on the occasion of the European Day of Languages 2024 and in collaboration with the European Commission’s Representation in the Czech Republic, a “Speak dating” was held in the Kampus Hybernská, during which interested parties took part in mini-lessons in over thirty languages, including Italian.
As part of the activities, the “Languages for Peace” initiative was held, with the creation of a poster that, through a combination of symbols, quotations and artwork, conveyed messages of unity and understanding between different languages and actively contributed to the use of languages as a vehicle for overcoming linguistic and cultural divides.
On 18 September, the spotlight was on literature. Readings dedicated to contemporary writers took place in various districts of Prague and other places in the Czech Republic at 15-minute intervals. Thanks to the support of the Italian Cultural Institute, Italy also participated in the initiative, presenting Inciampi, a collection of short stories by writer Gian Marco Griffi, in the evocative Schwarzenberg Palace. Actor Jan Nedbal read one of the stories contained in the volume, translated into Czech by Sára Rodová and published by the Meridione publishing house. Griffi was also the protagonist of readings in numerous cities in the Czech Republic, including České Budějovice, Mladá Boleslav, Příbram, Benešov and Tabor.
The EUNIC cluster organised the Literature Night, in cooperation with the Czech Centres and the Labyrint publishing house, with the aim of increasing public interest in contemporary European literature, emphasising the importance of multilingualism and translations. Numerous European and non-European cities also participated in the initiative.
From 2 to 6 October, it was the turn of design at the 26th International Designblok Festival (https://www.designblok.cz/cz/designblok), the largest design and fashion exhibition in Central and Eastern Europe, which this year had the theme “YOUTH”. Again in 2024 Designblok took visitors to extraordinary locations in the capital such as Prague Castle and the Museum of Applied Arts, which was turned into the ‘YOUTH’ exhibition venue. The festival presented new Czech and international design with hundreds of exhibitors. The event was supported by a rich programme of educational lectures, debates, fashion shows, competitions, business meetings, and retrospective exhibitions. The collaboration of the Italian Cultural Institute was renewed again this year with a significant participation of guests from Italy. The festival provided a showcase for young talents with the Diploma Selection competition, presenting the best graduation projects from Europe, with the participation of Italian professionals such as Rosanna Orlandi, an important gallery owner and talent scout from Milan, and Stephan Hamel, brand catalyst and design consultant.