Washington D.C., October 16, 2017 – The 17th Week of the Italian Language in the World from October 16 – 21, 2017 is a cultural event which promotes Italian not only as a marketing tool of the great cultural heritage of Italy but also as an extraordinary medium of communication in the world of economy and business, science and research. Every year the diplomatic and cultural network of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy chooses a theme for this initiative and organizes a series of events in the third week of October. This year, under the High Patronage of the President of the Republic of Italy, the chosen topic is \u201cL’italiano al cinema, l’italiano nel cinema\u201d (Italian at the cinema, Italian in the cinema). It is a tribute to the role that cinema has played, through the recreation of events linked to Italian history, both in the evolution of the language and in the development of society.<\/p>\n
With over 50 events throughout the week residents in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Washington D. C. will have many opportunities to immerse themselves in exhibits, conferences, shows and linguistic events.<\/p>\n
The first of several events organized by the Embassy of Italy and the Italian Cultural Institute in Washington D.C. will be a conference on Screening the Classics, on Monday October 16 at 6pm at the Embassy of Italy. Edoardo Ripari, professor of Italian at the University of Bologna, will explore the relationship between Italian literature and world cinema showing how great classics, from Dante\u2019s \u201cDivine Comedy\u201d to Boccaccio\u2019s \u201cThe Decameron\u201d, from Collodi\u2019s \u201cPinocchio\u201d to Verga\u2019s \u201cI Malavoglia\u201d, have been reinterpreted by filmmakers such as Woody Allen, Luchino Visconti, Federico Fellini, Steven Spielberg and others.<\/p>\n
In addition to being the language of tradition and memories for many Italian Americans, Italian today is an essential promotional vehicle for Italy, for its lifestyle and for the image of a country which not only represents beauty but also innovation and modernity. Every year students of all ages and backgrounds choose to study Italian. In the 2015\/2016 school year there were over 2 million students of Italian outside of Italy, Switzerland and San Marino.<\/p>\n
Multimedia items made for the 17th Week of the Italian Language in the World<\/p>\n
– A short 6\u201d video \u201cIl cinema parla italiano\u201d (Cinema speaks Italian) https:\/\/farnesina.esteri.it\/media\/download\/28601\/6%20minuti%2010_Mancinelli%20corretto.mp4<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n – A free downloadable e-book “L’Italiano al cinema, l’italiano nel cinema” (Italian at the Movies, Italian in the Movies) presented by the l’Accademia della Crusca by Giuseppe Patota and Fabio Rossi http:\/\/www.goware-apps.it\/free\/free_pub\/italiano_cinema\/italiano_cinema.pdf<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n – A collection of 15 podcasts entitled \u201cSenti chi parla” (Look who\u2019s talking) with excepts of classic Italian films that highlight different renditions of the Italian language. http:\/\/www.radio3.rai.it\/dl\/portaleRadio\/media\/ContentItem-591a3706-b874-461c-ad58-387233c9b8dc<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n To view and RSVP to events in the Washington DC area: https:\/\/goo.gl\/42BNbH<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n To view all the events scheduled in the Italian diplomatic network in the USA:<\/p>\n