December 23rd, 2015 – The Italian Cultural Institute in Valletta continues to promote Italian excellence in the sciences through the exchange of university professors, as stated in the Italy-Malta XIV Programme of Cultural and Educational Cooperation. In recent days, the Italian Cultural Institute, directed by Salvatore Schirmo, joined forces with three prestigious local realities: “The President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society”, the University of Malta and the communication company Narrative Structures. Together, they organized a conference with Professor Giacomo Rizzolatti on “Mental wellbeing: understanding others.” The event took place in the Hall of Tapestries of the Grand Master’s Palace, the current seat of the Presidency of the Republic of Malta. The central theme of the conference was the discovery, by the same scholar and his research team, of the so-called “mirror neurons” mechanism, which combines the perception and execution of actions. Despite the complexity of the topic, the rapporteur took the opportunity to disseminate in accessible terms a theme of high scientific level to a wide audience, making it understandable to an inexperienced audience thanks to his perfect English. The President of the Republic of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, spoke at the opening on the importance of spiritual and psychological well-being, and later left the stage to the Director General of the “President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society”, Dr. Ruth Farrugia. Also present was Ambassador Giovanni Umberto De Vito, alongside other members of the Diplomatic Corps, academic, scientific, cultural, business and local society authorities and representatives. The evening ended with a concert by Butitta-Rocca duo organized by the Institute of Culture. Maestros Maurizio Rocca and Giorgio Buttitta performed music for violin and guitar by Niccolo Paganini and Maurizio Giuliani. (Red)
