Currently active across the major cities of the five continents the ninety Italian Cultural Institutes represent the ideal meeting point for the dialogue among intellectuals, artists and everyone operating in the cultural world but also for the Italian and foreign citizens who wish to establish or maintain a relationship with our country.
The Italian Cultural Institute acts not only as an image of Italy and as useful source of information on the Italian system, but is also the driving force behind the cultural initiatives and cooperation. It represents also the fundamental reference point for the Italian community abroad and is the centre of the growing demand of Italian culture around the world.
By supporting the work carried out by the Italian Embassies and Consulates, the Cultural Institutes efficiently promote the image of Italy as centre of production, conservation and diffusion of culture from the Classical age to nowadays. Besides organizing cultural events in various fields (arts, music, cinema, theatre, dance, fashion, design, photography, literature, publishing), the Italian Cultural Institute of Beirut offers the following services:
- Italian Language and Civilization courses given, in all branches, by qualified teachers;
- Two yearly sessions of CILS, PLIDA and DITALS exams , in the Hamra branch, to obtain the Degree of knowledge of Italian language as a foreign language;
- Consultation, in the Hamra branch, of an Italian library, of videos and newspapers, in a reading room where newspapers and Italian magazines are available;
- Information service on Italy, in the cultural domain;
- Preparation of applications for the registration of Lebanese citizen in Italian Universities and Institutes for Higher Artistic and Musical Education. The institute also manages the scholarships offered by public and private Universities and Language Schools.
- Updating Course for Italian language teachers;
- Collaboration and support to the translators and the editors of Italian books and Lebanese writers that treats arguments concerning the Italian culture;
- Collaboration with researchers and students in their survey activities in Lebanon
Collaborations:
The institute promotes:
- Exhibitions of art, designs, photography and videoart
- Book fairs;
- Concerts of classical, jazz and folkloristic music;
- Movie reviews;
- Conventions, seminars, and round tables;
- Theatrical works and poetry recitals.
Below, a list of public and private institutions which collaborates with the Institute:
In Lebanon:
- Ministry of Culture
- Ministry of Education, Higher Teaching and Research and Pedagogical Development Center
- Lebanese University (Public)
- General Directorate of Antiquities
- Local Municipalities
- International Festivals of Baalbeck, Byblos, Beit El-Din
- National Conservatory of Music
- Lebanese Fine Arts Academy (ALBA)
- Saint Joseph University
- La Sagesse University
- Notre Dame University
- Antonine University of the Maronite Order
- Saint Esprit de Kaslik University
- Liban Jazz
- American University of Beirut
- American University od Science & Technology
- American University of Technology
The Institute participates every year, with its own stand, to the International Book Fairs of Beirut and Tripoli.
In Italy:
- Ministry of the Cultural Heritage.
- Ministry of Education and University
- University for Foreigners of Siena and Rome
- Societa` Dante Alighieri
