Pristina – The Week of the Italian Language in the World returns: the annual event dedicated to promoting Italian as a language of prestige in both classical and contemporary culture. It is organized by the diplomatic and cultural network of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Farnesina), under the High Patronage of the President of the Italian Republic.
Now in its 25th edition, the initiative will take place from 13 to 19 October under the theme “Italophony: A Language Beyond Borders.” The aim is to celebrate the linguistic, cultural, and social space of Italian, envisioning a global community of people united by their passion for our language and, through it, their closeness to our country.
For the occasion, the Embassy of Italy in Pristina and the Italian Cultural Institute in Tirana—also responsible for Kosovo—present a rich programme of events including seminars, educational activities, and film screenings for both adults and young audiences. The initiative celebrates the Italian language as a tool for dialogue and a driver for spreading Italian culture and excellence worldwide.
The Ambassador of Italy to Kosovo, Maurizio Antonini, remarked that “the theme chosen for this year’s edition – ‘Italophony: A Language Beyond Borders’ – invites us to reflect on how Italian does not belong only to Italy, but to a global community of people who love it, study it, teach it, and live it daily as a vehicle of culture, creativity, and dialogue.”
The Ambassador further noted that “in Kosovo, this community is steadily growing: students, teachers, artists, and enthusiasts who see in Italian not just a language, but a bridge to a world of shared values, art, music, and ideas.”
“The programme proposed this year by the Embassy of Italy in Pristina—with film screenings, seminars, a literary café, and student-focused activities—showcases the richness and diversity of our linguistic and cultural space. Through cinema, literature, and exchange, we aim to give voice to all forms of Italian identity that thrive and evolve beyond geographical borders” concluded Ambassador Antonini.
The Week will open on Monday, 13 October, with the event “Italy Erasmus Day”, a day dedicated to promoting study opportunities in Italy for young Kosovars interested in studying abroad. Joining remotely will be Chiara Gilardoni from Uni-Italia, to present initiatives for the internationalization of the Italian academic system.
On Tuesday, 14 October, the Embassy of Italy, in collaboration with the University of Prishtina, will host a seminar entitled “Italian Around the World” in the Senate Hall of the Rectorate, featuring as guest of honour Professor Leonardo Maria Savoia, member of the Accademia della Crusca, who will present the volume: “Italophony: Language beyond Borders”, edited by Accademia della Crusca and the Italian Ministry of Foregin Affairs and International Cooperation. Joining Professor Savoia in discussing the global diffusion of the Italian language will be Professor Rozafa Basha, Vice-Rector for International Relations, and Professor Majlinda Bregasi, Director of the Institute of Italian Language and Culture at the University of Prishtina.
On Wednesday, 15 October, the Kino Armata cinema will host the screening of “Sworn Virgin” by Laura Bispuri (2015), based on the novel of the same name by Elvira Dones, an Albanian writer who has often chosen Italian as the language of her literary expression.
On the morning of Thursday, 16 October, the Embassy of Italy will meet with young Italian learners from the Princeton School of Pristina for a fun “Italian Quiz Game”, where students will test their knowledge of the Italian language through a series of comparisons with Albanian.
The Week will conclude on the afternoon of 16 October with a “Literary Café” dedicated to Stefano Benni, organized in collaboration with the Qendra Dante language school. The event, held at the Embassy, will feature readings in Italian from Benni’s novel “Saltatempo”, which has also been translated into Albanian.
To further celebrate Benni, throughout the week the Embassy will run the social media campaign “Book Pills” (Pillole di Libri), featuring daily posts with short excerpts from his works to promote his writing among the Kosovar public.
The Week of the Italian Language in the World is the main global event promoting the Italian language, organized annually by the network of Italian embassies, consulates, and cultural institutes in collaboration with the traditional partners of linguistic promotion: the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Education and Merit, Ministry of Universities and Research, Centre for Books and Reading (CePeLL), the Government of the Swiss Confederation, the Accademia della Crusca, the General Council of Italians Abroad (CGIE), the Italian-Speaking Community of Radio and Television Broadcasters, the Treccani Italian Encyclopaedia Institute, RAI Italia, and the Società Dante Alighieri.
Follow the events of the 25th Week of the Italian Language in the World – #SLIM2025 on social media.
See attached the full programme of events organized in Kosovo.
