(17 October 2016) “Italian and creativity: brands, customs, fashion and design” is the theme of the 16th Italian Language in the World Week under the direction of the Italian Embassy. It opens with an event dedicated to the dissemination of the Italian language abroad which is a priority commitment in the cultural policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. On October 15, Professor Marco Mezzadri from the University of Parma will hold a seminar on teaching Italian as a Foreign Language at the Italian Cultural Institute of Athens. On 17 October, Professor Massimo Borgia will hold “The Languages of Design: The 3-5 A in Italian design” seminar at the Webster University’s Cultural Center in Athens. Borgia will develop the interesting topic of “languages” of expression linked to Italian design and Italy as the place where “the imagination of beauty becomes a product.” On October 18, architect Matteo Ferroni, creator of the Foroba Yelen lamp, designed to bring light in the rural villages of Mali, will talk about his “ethical design” project at the ICI. In the morning, architect Ferroni and Italian designer Valentino Marengo based in Greece, will hold a lecture to teach students of the Italian School of Athens on “How to become a designer.” The cycle of events will close with a round table discussion among the three experts mentioned above – Borgia, Marengo and Ferroni – at the Italian Cultural Institute, dedicated to “Design between production and society: the social and cultural role of design” (19 October). In addition, on October 20, in collaboration with the Swiss Embassy in Athens, there will be a conference about the life and work of Professor Riccardo Blumer from the University of Mendrisio titled “exercise in design and architecture” and the lives of some of the most iconic pieces of Italian designers. At the same time, visitors to the Italian Cultural Institute will be able to access the information database of the Italian Brand Museum, which explains the history and evolution of the main Italian brands through time through some thematic paths. A note from the Italian diplomatic mission reads “we hope that this series of events represents an opportunity for the public in Athens to learn more about Italian creativity.” (Red)
