Small Talk

This month, the Istituto Italiano di Cultura Jakarta will launch the 18th Week of the Italian Language in the World, this year dedicated to Italian, the web, and social networks

The Istituto Italiano di Cultura Jakarta launches the 18th Week of the Italian Language in the World

The week of the italian language in the world is an event promoted annually by the Italian cultural and diplomatic network from 15-21 October. This year’s topical subject will delve into the interactions and influences between the Italian language, the Internet, other forms of information technology, and social communication, including social media platforms. The programme will start with an Art Talk with Daniela Comani regarding her contemporary work Planet Earth: 21st Century: Postcards of a Virtual Journey. Michela Linda Magri, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Jakarta, shares the details.

What is the objective of the XVIII Week of the Italian Language in the World?

It focuses on a theme that acts as the leitmotif of a vast cultural programme to promote the diffusion of the Italian language.

How far has the programme achieved its objectives in Indonesia?

In 2013, the theme dealt with the world of business and culture, highlighting the link between language and creativity. In 2015, the theme was music; in 2016, it was design, and last year it was cinema. The interest in Italian culture and language is always growing and this is what really enhances the relationship between Indonesia and Italy.

What were the specific qualities that led Italian pop songs to dominate the global music charts of the 50s and 60s?

The 50s and 60s were the golden era for Italian music—you could listen to the tunes in many different languages and in cover versions even today. The songs became evergreens because they are beautiful and catchy. Nonetheless, non-artistic aspects also influenced the fact that the 60s were a golden period: post-war recovery, an economic boom time, and an era of technological development that created an unavoidable sense of optimism.

It is love, food, and music that have made Italian the world’s fourth-moststudied language. Do you agree with this statement?

It is inevitable to agree, but it is only part of the story—it is necessary to also add several important notes to these stereotypes. Italy is actually the cradle of Western civilisation. A UNESCO report states that more than 60 per cent of the world’s cultural heritage and art treasures are to be found in Italy. Mastering the Italian language is key to studying and researching the fields of art history, literature, archaeology, and philosophy.