Italian Language Week in the World Kicks Off in Vilnius with Cultural Events

Vilnius: The XXV Italian Language Week in the World, themed ‘Italofonia: language beyond borders’, is set to take place from October 20 to 24 in the city of Vilnius. The event is organized by the Department of Italian Linguistics and Literature of the Faculty of Philology at Vilnius University, in conjunction with the Embassy of Italy in Vilnius and the local Italian Institute of Culture.

According to Ansa News Agency, the program boasts a series of events featuring prominent figures in contemporary Italian culture. Participants include Federica Manzon, the winner of the 2024 Campiello Prize, renowned writer and screenwriter Carlo Lucarelli, and notable members of Italy’s academic community, such as Paolo d’Achille, president of the Accademia della Crusca, and Pietro U. Dini, a professor at Pisa University.

The week will not only focus on contemporary Italian linguistics and literature but will also highlight bilateral cultural relations between Italy and Lithuania. Events will commemorate the 30th anniversary of the chair of Baltic Philology at the University of Pisa, the 10th anniversary of the Department of Italian Philology at Vilnius University, and the 25th anniversary of the Italian Cultural Institute in Vilnius.

Music and theater will be integral to the celebrations. On October 21, Lithuanian pianist Amelija Buryte will inaugurate the musical events at Vilnius University’s Faculty of Philology. This will be followed by ‘Guitars of Tuscany: a journey into the world of the modern acoustic guitar’ on October 22 at the Embassy of Italy, and the theatrical presentation ‘Hungry Punchinello’ on October 24 at the Italian Institute of Culture.