The integrated programme “Italy, Cultures, the Mediterranean 2018” was presented to the press and to the major partners of the Italian Cultural Institute, on 30 January, before the Lebanese Minister of Culture, Ghattas Khoury.
The Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, Edoardo Crisafulli, took the opportunity to present the programme, which encompasses a wide range of sectors from cinema to dance and theatre, from classical music, jazz, and contemporary art, to gastronomy and the diffusion of the Italian language. Man high-profile events are scheduled, among others: the Gioachino Rossini’s celebrations,; the BIPOD Festival(contemporary dance); the MAXXI exhibit in Beirut’s Villa Audi, organised in conjunction with the Sursock Museum; the photo exhibition on the Arab-Norman and Byzantine Architecture, curated by Francesco Ferla; a concert by Stefano Bollani.
The Programme also features periodic events such as the Italian Design Day, the Italian Cinema Week, the Science Day, the Contemporary Art Day, the Week of the Italian Language in the World, the Italian Cuisine Week.
The Gioachino Rossini Celebrations in Lebanon will run across the whole year and have been organised in cooperation with the University Antonianum, the Lebanese Higher Conservatory of Music and the Beirut Chants Festival. The ‘Petite Messe Solennelle’ concert inaugurated the Giochino Rossini Year. It was held to a full house in the hall of the University Antonianum in Beirut. The concert, which was featured on the Chamber Music Season Programme of the University Antonianum, was a resounding success. The University Choir accompanied the performance of the Italian artists Caterina Di Tonno (soprano), Rosa Bove (contralto), Francesco Vultaggio (baritone-bass) and Fabio Centanni (piano). The second event included in the Programme will be the Teatro San Carlo String Quartet concert, due to take place on 22 March.