The Week of the Italian Language in the World (Settimana della lingua italiana nel mondo) will be taking place this year between the 14th and the 20th of October 2024.
The theme of the 2024 edition is “L’italiano e il libro: il mondo fra le righe” (Italian and the book: the world between the lines), and aims to explore the link between language and literature in the contemporary world, enhancing the role of the book as a vehicle of the cultural heritage, the values and the identity that come along with the Italian language.
A few facts:
- Italian is one of Switzerland's four national languages. It was declared a national language together with German and French in the Swiss constitution of 1848. Romansh was added in 1938.
- Italian is spoken by 7.8% of the Swiss population as a first language, making it a minority language. Yet, it has the same legal status as German and French.
- Italian is the main language in Ticino and parts of Graubünden. However, more than 50% of Italian-speakers live in other Swiss cantons.
Great books to celebrate the Italian language
In collaboration with the Associazione Librai ed Editori della Svizzera italiana we have selected four Swiss Italian contemporary authors and their books, which are representative of the Italian-speaking Switzerland literature. In four videos, one for each book, we suggest a glimpse into these titles.
“Senza scarpe”, by M. Casella
“Il ladro di ragazze”, by C. Silini
“La memorio del tiglio”, by B. Migliavacca Nascioli
“Terra bruciata”, by G. Mottis
Swiss Stories
Plinio Martini's novel Rock Bottom tells the life of Gori, a man seeking fortune overseas – like many other Swiss in the 19th century. Read the Story
One language, two cantons, multiple identities! A journey through Italian-speaking Switzerland. Read the Story
Italian-speaking Switzerland has made a mark on world literature. Explore the Canton of Ticino with Hemingway, Borges, Dickens and many others. Read the Story
Events in Australia
13 October: The Bookclub “Il Corallo” presents: Animated reading of excerpts from contemporary Italian novels on the theme “The World of Women Between the Lines.” 3:00 PM at the Italian Cultural Center, 82 Franklin Street. RSVP: bruna.carboni94@gmail.com
17 October: Professor Bruna Carboni, ANU Italian Lecturer, presents: Test your knowledge of Italian literature with a short quiz and win a prize. 2:30-3:30 PM at ANU, Ellery Crescent opposite Baldessin Precinct Building.
19 October: Melbourne: the Italian Cultural Institute of Melbourne and Co.As.It. of Melbourne present: IX National Conference of Italian Teachers in Australia: “Italian and the Book: The World Between the Lines.” 9:00 AM-4:30 PM at the Catholic Leadership Centre, East Melbourne.
Registration required: https://zfrmz.com.au/LNGZE19nYO47rxzjV0XH.
21 October: the Embassy of Italy and the National Library of Australia present: Ceremony for the donation to the NLA of a copy of the Gutenberg Bible made by the Scriptorium Foroiuliense, the Italian School of Copyists based in San Daniele del Friuli (UD). 11:00 AM at the National Library of Australia.
29 October: the Embassy of Italy, the Italian Cultural Institute of Sydney, and Harry Hartog Bookseller present: Meet the Author – Paolo Giordano. 6:00 PM at Harry Hartog ANU Campus.
Link to participate in the event: https://www.anu.edu.au/events/meet-the-author-paolo-giordano
On Saturday, October 19, the Italian Cultural Institute of Melbourne and Co.As.It. of Melbourne present: IX National Conference of Italian Teachers in Australia: “Italian and the Book: The World Between the Lines.” 9:00 AM-4:30 PM at the Catholic Leadership Centre, East Melbourne.
To participate, registration required at the following link: https://zfrmz.com.au/LNGZE19nYO47rxzjV0XH The morning session will also be accessible online.
