The Italian Language in the World States General will take place in Florence on 21 and 22 October 2014, in Palazzo Vecchio and the Teatro della Pergola. The event is an initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) in collaboration with the Ministry for Education, the Universities and Research (MIUR) and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Activities and Tourism (MIBACT).
The States General will be an opportunity to examine the strategies for the dissemination of the Italian language abroad and engage in constructive discussion of the new challenges to be faced. The event coincides with the start of the 14th Italian Language in the World Week, which involves the MFAIC’s entire cultural and diplomatic network.
Not just a celebration, therefore, but part of the Farnesina’s strategic activity to promote the entire “Country System”.
Various institutions and organisations are involved in the on-going discussion of how best to promote our language and culture abroad. They include schools and universities; teachers, pupils and students; scholars; researchers; bodies running courses for the Italian community abroad; university teaching assistants; embassies, consulates, and Italian Cultural Institutes. A great variety of institutions and organisations, which shows how deeply the subject of the potential of our language resonates in our country and with the community of Italians and Italian-speakers worldwide.
Participants in these two days of discussions include the Mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella, and the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mario Giro. Also taking part will be distinguished representatives of Italy’s artistic and cultural communities who will discuss, including through thematic groups, the strategies for the dissemination of our language abroad.
Press Conference – 21 October 12.30
A press conference will be held at 12.30 on 21 October. Participants will be the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mario Giro; the Councillor for Cooperation and International Relations at Florence City Council, Nicoletta Mantovani; the Editor of “Domenica” – Sole24Ore, Armando Massarenti; and the Turkish actress, Serra Yilmaz.
White paper and voluntary project presentations – 22 October, from 12:30
At the end of the proceedings, at around 12.30 on 22 October, the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mario Giro, and the Councillor for Cooperation and International Relations at Florence City Council, Nicoletta Mantovani will present the “White Paper on Promoting Italian in the World” at the Teatro della Pergola. The Under-Secretary for Labour and Social Policies, Luigi Bobba, will present the “International Voluntary Language Project”.
A draft programme of the event, all of which will be open to the press, is attached.
Online accreditation system. Journalists, photographers and TV crews interested in following the event should apply online by completing the interactive form available at http://forumlinguaitaliana.com/press/.
Journalists, photographers and TV crews should arrive at the following times and venues:
Tuesday 21 October
From 8.30 (Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio – Cortile della Dogana)
Wednesday 22 October
From 8.30 (Teatro della Pergola, Via della Pergola n° 30)
