Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) hosted a closing ceremony of the 21st Week of the Italian Language in the World. Within the framework of the Week, the TSU Department of Romance Philology and the Tbilisi Committee of the Dante Alighieri Society organized a scientific conference “Dante’s Work as World Cultural Heritage.” Rector of TSU, George Sharvashidze, Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Nunu Mitskevich, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sport and Youth, Kakha Sikharulidze, Italian Ambassador to Georgia, Enrico Valvo, academics and students attended the event.

Rector George Sharvashidze said that Georgia and Italy are closely cooperating in many spheres, among others, TSU is closely collaborating with up to 30 Italian universities. “This collaboration covers a number of scientific fields. Within the framework of the EU-funded Erasmus+ project, TSU is implementing exchange projects with about 10 universities. It is a great honor for us to host the conference organized by the TSU Department of Romance Philology and the Tbilisi Committee of the Dante Alighieri Society. Three years ago, TSU hosted Italian President Sergio Mattarella who delivered a very interesting lecture regarding Georgian-Italian literary and cultural relations. We should care about these relations and it is good that just this conference ended the Week that is held throughout the world,” Rector Sharvashidze stated.

A postage stamp bearing an exquisite graphic portrait of Dante Alighieri, the work of the famous Georgian painter, Sergo Kobuladze, and the Italian-Georgian bilingual commemorative edition of the work ‘Vita Nuova’ (The New Life) were presented on the sideline of the event. Italian Ambassador to Georgia, Enrico Valvo said he was glad to attend the event dedicated to Dante Alighieri and to discuss his works, civic and political activities. He also noted that Alighieri’s ideas remain extremely relevant even today.

Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Nunu Mitskevich focused on close educational cooperation between the two countries, noting that “the Italian language is taught in 13 public schools of Georgia as the second foreign language. Joint scholarship programs are offered at a higher education level, where MA and PhD students have an opportunity to continue their studies at Italian universities.” 

“Dante Alighieri is a shocking genius whose ideas are showing the way to the entire humankind for already seven centuries. Today, we have presented an excellent book with an excellent translation. This is yet another huge step on the path of already excellent cultural and educational relations between Georgia and Italy,” Deputy Minister of Culture, Sport and Youth, Kakha Sikharulidze said.

The Week of the Italian Language in the World is held with the high patronage of the Presidency of the Italian Republic. This annual initiative aimed to promote the Italian language and culture abroad was launched in 2001 based on the agreement between the Italian Foreign Ministry and the Accademia della Crusca. Later, the Swiss Confederation also joined the initiative. The 21st Week of the Italian Language in the World is dedicated to the 700th anniversary of the death of Dante Alighieri.