“Despite the terrible conflict, Italy has maintained its cultural outpost in Ukraine, a nation that believes all expressions of art to be essential, not just as a “spiritual form” of recreation and entertainment, but also as a channel to protect its European identity” said Italian Ambassador in Kiev, Pier Francesco Zazo as he talked about the programme of art, culture and music events organised by the Italian Cultural Institute in Kiev in association with the Embassy.
“The Kyiv Baroque Consort” Ensemble, directed by Maestro Nancy Milesis Romano performed Vivaldi’s Gloria at the Orthodox Saint Andrew’s Church in Kiev which features Italian Baroque and was designed by architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Afterwards, in association with the Italian Embassy, the Institute hosted a concert by Italian guitarist Simone Onnis who performed a number of pieces by Carlo Domeniconi, Francisco Tarrega and Mauro Giuliani, some of the most widely appreciated composers of guitar music at the Lviv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre and the National Philharmonic of Ukraine.
The Ambassador said that “music proves to be an extraordinary vehicle for peace and solidarity between our two peoples. I would like to thank the Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, Edoardo Crisafulli and Maestro Onnis for their availability and enthusiasm, the director of the Lviv National Opera Theatre and the Director of the Philharmonic of Kiev for their wonderful hospitality and cooperation”.
Marking XVIII Contemporary Art Day, the Italian Cultural Institute invited writer Gianluigi Ricuperati to Lviv to compare Ukrainian and Italian culture and art. According to Ambassador Zazo, “contemporary art proves to be a strong tool for cultural diplomacy that can build a creative bridge between Italy and Ukraine”. In this light, Zazo announced a project currently being formulated with Gianluigi Ricuperati that will involve important Ukrainian cultural institutions in 2023.
