From the 25th to 27th September 2009 the SOCIETA’ DANTE ALIGHIERI will hold its LXXIX International Congress in Bolzano and Merano.

This is an event of strategic importance for the Società Dante Alighieri, but also for Italian culture, for the Province and for the towns that will host the Congress, as well as the public and private bodies contributing to the initiative. There are a number of reasons why the Congress is culturally important: it will focus on the development of the Italian language in an international context; experts, linguists and journalists will present their considerations and the results of recent research in this field, while senior members of the Società will present the contribution that the Dante carries out throughout the world.

As a result of the work it has conducted over recent years and the presence of its President, Giulio Clamer, on the Central Board of the Società and following consideration of the cultural characteristics of South Tyrol, The Bolzano Committee of the Dante has been chosen from among the committees based in the 70 or so countries where the Dante Alighieri is present to host the International Congress 2009.

The Società Dante Alighieri is a non-profit organisation that achieves the objectives assigned to it by the Presidency of the Italian Republic, the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Artistic and Cultural Heritage and the Ministry of Education through its schools, its courses in Italian language and culture, the European certification of linguistic ability, libraries, television and multimedia broadcasts, publications and conferences.

The International Congress 2009 in South Tyrol will be attended by about 300 delegates from at least 70 countries and from the 80 committees of the Dante based in Italy, all of whom are important exponents of Italian culture throughout the world, not only Italians living abroad but also people of other nationalities who work to promote our language and culture. As well as the results and suggestions provided bt the Congress, the delegates should receive an idea of the excellent hospitality the Province can offer. South Tyrol was chosen for its particular context: it has become the meeting point for different languages and cultures, a strategic node between Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Germany, a unique workshop for social and economic development as well as an area recognised for its natural and artistic beauty.

Organisation

The Congress will take place over three days, from the 25th to 27th September 2009. The official centre has already been selected: the University of Bolzano situated in the historic centre of Bolzano. It was chosen both for logistical reasons – it is located a short distance from the hotels selected for the delegates (Laurin, Grifone, Città, Regina Angelorum) and is equipped with suitable spaces and services – and for its symbolic and cultural value as a new institution in South Tyrol, a research and development centre that is an example of linguistic and cultural integration at a European level.

In order to satisfy the request made by the Municipality of Merano, and to guarantee a significant presence in the town which has its own Committee, the final morning of the conference will be held at the Teatro Puccini in Merano.

The conference will open on the morning of Friday 25th September in the presence of Authorities of the State (which may include representatives of the government and the President of the Republic), of the Province and other institutions. After the official opening and the lectio magistralis, the experts designated by Central Committee will give their presentations. During the following two mornings the presentations will be interspersed with discussions, debates and multimedia presentations of recent international activities regarding the linguistic/cultural initiatives carried out by the Società Dante Alighieri. There will also be lectures and presentations about the culture of South Tyrol in its various forms given by important local experts. The Goethe Institut, an organization similar to the Dante that promotes German language and culture, will also be invited to participate in the Conference.

The Conference will contribute to the Hofer celebrations held in South Tyrol in 2009 with a number of special events.

During the afternoons of the three days, the work will focus on specific themes such as publishing and linguistic certification. There will also be guided tours (free for delegates) of the museums and of the areas in and around the towns of Bolzano and Merano. The Conference will be open to the public who will be invited to attend (subject to the availability of space in the lecture theatres). 

On the afternoon of Friday 26th September there will be a major cultural event open to the public and, in the evening, the gala dinner at the Kursaal in Merano. On each day the participants will be served lunch at the Congress centre and dinner will be at a typical restaurant. During the following two days a number of excursions will be organized (paid for by the participants) in the Province of Bolzano and in the nearby towns of Trent and Innsbruck.

The cultural programme of the Congess will be developed during the coming months by the Central Board of the Società with the scientific advice of national and international experts.

The work will focus on the intercultural context (in particular Italian-German) of South Tyrol.