Univertsity of Mons has inaugurated the ‘Italian Year’, a programme running until June 2024 that invites everyone to engage with the multifaceted realms of Italian culture and heritage. Scheduled events include exhibitions, film debates, lectures, concerts, congresses, meetings, and diverse culinary experiences.
The Ambassador of Italy in Belgium, Ms Federica Favi, and Prof. Philippe Dubois, Rector of the University of Mons (UMONS – Belgium) have officially launched the ‘Italian Year’. It is the outcome of a collaborative venture involving various Italian partners and cultural stakeholders from the region, creating a comprehensive array of activities aimed at celebrating Italy’s heritage.
“Celebrating Italy was a natural choice for us. We decided to embrace it under the motto, ‘Italia-Belgio: Una storia in comune’, reflecting the solid and genuine ties between our countries, particularly in the Hainaut region,” Rector Dubois articulated in his opening speech. “I am already convinced that this robust collective initiative will serve as a unique opportunity to reinforce our partnerships. This aligns with the goals of our partners, which include the Embassy, the University, the city of Mons, and various cultural stakeholders in our region.”
UMONS has established significant links with Italy, participating in three Horizon 2020 projects and fostering partnerships with 34 Italian universities. The University of Catania is one of the prominent partners, enhancing the collaborative educational landscape. As such, this EUNICE partner will propose a virtual museum tour of one of its museums to the UMONS community and larger public. Interpretation into French will be handled by UMONS students at the Faculty of Translation, making this event a product of intercultural collaboration.
Further information and regular updates on the ‘Italian Year’ programme can be found here.
