A dense programme of cultural, economic and scientific events has been organised for 2019 by the Italian Embassy and Cultural Institute in the Netherlands. The events underpin the close bilateral relationship between the two Countries in the wake of having shared the seat on the UN Security Council for 2017-2018, and within the framework of the new Memorandum of Understanding named after Vanvitelli (the Dutch painter Van Wittel, a naturalised Italian citizen), providing for a closer and more structured dialogue.
The billboard of events lists concerts, film festivals, exhibitions, design events and scientific initiatives and will kick off with an Exhibition for the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci. The highlights of the cultural events include the Monteverdi Festival in Amersfoort on 9 and 10 March, the staging of Madame Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini at the Muziektheater in Amsterdam, the theatre performance “Primo” dedicated to Primo Levi, staged in cooperation with the Embassy of Israel, and the exhibition “50 Years of Italian Painting from 1860 to 1910”, displaying more than 80 works at the prestigious Drents Museum in Assen. An important part will also be reserved for the economy, in the light of trade volumes between the two countries in excess of 33 billion euros. The programme also envisages partnerships with the Bocconi University, Enel and Altagamma and the launch of the first official section of the Italian Federation of Chefs in the Netherlands. A cycle of meetings will focus on sustainable development and on promoting cultural tourism in Italy and will run in parallel with the launch of the first group of Italian business women in the Netherlands, while this Country will be the guest of honour for the first time at the Genoa Science Festival (24 October – 4 November).
