The Italian Cultural Institute (IIC) of Shanghai is an office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) dedicated to the promotion of Italian culture in Eastern China through the organization of events and the provision of cultural services.
The IIC of Shanghai is a point of reference for local Chinese people who are, for the most diverse reasons, interested in Italy, and for Italians who, in the most varied fields of cultural life, wish to establish relationships of collaboration with China or to promote their work in the country.
The IIC of Shanghai seeks to promote and support all the initiatives aimed at improving the knowledge and appreciation of all aspects of Italian culture in its area of competence. Central importance is placed on relations of inter-university cooperation, with particular focus on attracting Chinese students to Italy, establishing double degree and postgraduate courses, exchanging teachers and researchers and developing joint research programmes.
The Institute works in close collaboration with with the main universities in the area, both those that teach Italian and others. The Institute also works in successful and friendly collaboration with public and private museums, conservatories and academies of fine arts. Given the context, the institute’s relationships with the international relations departments of Shanghai’s municipal authority and the various city districts are also important. The institute also carefully fosters relations with Italian universities, academies and conservatories, with the Confucius Institutes operating in Italy and with Italian private bodies that promote art and culture.
Together with the Consulate, the Institute supports the activities of local Italian associations, from those of a general nature, such as the Association of Italian Researchers in Eastern China, the Association of Italian Women in Shanghai, the Association Young Italians in China, to those to regional associations (Emilia Romagna, Friuli, Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont, Puglia, Sardinia, Sicily, Veneto).
