(December 9, 2016) “One of my goals is to attract the attention of the Japanese public on the ‘contemporary’ Italy.” So says Paolo Calvetti: the new “eminent” director appointed by Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni at the head of the Italian Institute of culture in Tokyo. Calvetti comes from Ca ‘Foscari: he is Professor of Japanese and director of the Department of Studies on Asia and the Mediterranean Africa. As stated on the website of the university of Venice in a few months, at the end of the bureaucratic path that the appointment must cross to be made official, Calvetti will be appointed to head for two years, with a possible renewal, of the IIC in Tokyo, one of the the most important bulwarks of Italian culture abroad, which is housed in a building designed by Gae Aulenti, with views of the cherry trees of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. From 2003 to 2007 the teacher was Cultural Counsellor at the Embassy of Italy in Tokyo: “This role, in addition to my academic career, has certainly influenced the choice of the Ministry. For leading institutes, such as Tokyo, it is important to have an established network in the cultural, university and economic development of the host country”, explains the professor commenting on his appointment. The challenge that is prepared is important: “The activities of greatest impact of the IIC is definitely teaching Italian – says the prof – there is also, for example, a major film festival, organized in collaboration with one of the most followed media. I intend to continue to enhance the most ‘classic activities’ related to cinema, art and literature, also working on the production of more cultural activities related to the world of production, such as fashion and design. The IIc must act as a magnet for cultural and economic fabric coordinator. It’s important to enhance and promote some of our technological skills, such as those that apply to the restoration and digitization of cultural heritage. I also planned a collaboration with RAI for the dissemination of documentaries on these issues. ” (Red)
