On the occasion of the XXI Week of the Italian Language in the World, the Italian Cultural Institute in Washington presents a variety of events and initiatives dedicated to Dante.
From October 18 to 24, the silent film ‘L’Inferno’ by Francesco Bertolini, accompanied by a live soundtrack recorded by jazz musician Marco Castelli, will be available online. Adapted from Inferno, the first part of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, and only available in damaged or censored copies, the film was restored to its full glory by L’Immagine Ritrovata Lab – Cineteca di Bologna. The screening will feature also a special commentary by John P. Welle, Professor Emeritus of Italian Studies at the University of Notre Dame and expert on Italian Silent Cinema.
On October 19, Prof. Guy P. Raffa illustrates Dante’s afterlife and presence in contemporary American culture during the webinar ‘Dante’s American Afterlife’.
On October 23, an in-person event takes place at the Chevy Chase Village Hall. Prof. Virginia Jewiss, will give a lecture on Dante’s extraordinary linguistic creativity and his enduring contributions to the beauty and power of Italian language. The adjacent room will host a themed workshop for children on the importance Dante played in Italian language and culture.
Finally, from October 18 to November 18 the following videos will be available online: ‘Liszt & Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata – A performance by pianist Daniela Roma’, a piece inspired by the composer’s reading of Dante’s Divine Comedy and ‘Ombre’, three short videos where the Italian modern dance company founded and directed by Monica Casadei ‘Artemis Danza’ reinterprets selected passages from The Divine Comedy. The soundtrack alternates original music composed by Luca Vianini and pieces of Giuseppe Verdi’s sacred music, interspersed with Dante’s most famous verses.
More information at iicwashington.esteri.it.
