The week is organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation together with the Accademia della Crusca, with the support of embassies, consulates and Italian cultural institutes.
This year, the 25th edition’s theme is Italofony: Language Beyond Borders, an invitation to reflect on Italian as a living, shared language, one that has taken root in contexts far from Italy and continues to act as a bridge between communities, cultures and generations.
For Australia, and Sydney in particular, where Italian presence runs deep and the language is passed down through generations, the week offers a valuable opportunity to highlight the vitality of Italian as a lived community experience.
The Italian Cultural Institute, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy and the Department of Italian Studies at the University of Sydney, has prepared a program of events weaving together music, scholarship and cultural reflection.
On October 15, audiences will enjoy a special concert, Koinè: A Shared Language, featuring three outstanding performers from Italy’s contemporary jazz scene: pianist Rita Marcotulli, saxophonist Mirko Guerrini and double bassist Michelangelo Scandroglio. Hosted at Barangaroo, the concert promises a sonic journey blending improvisation, Mediterranean sensitivity and international openness.
On October 16, at the University of Sydney (Quad Lecture Theatre S223), a panel discussion will bring together Professors Antonia Rubino and Alice Loda, both experts in linguistics and Italian studies. Introduced by Marco Gioacchini, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, the panel will address the spread of Italian outside Italy, new challenges in teaching, the richness of Italian-speaking communities and the hybrid linguistic practices that emerge within diasporas.
Also on October 16, the institute will host violinist Luca Ciarla with his project Mediterramìa, where a mix of traditional sounds will paint a unique image of the Mediterranean through musical crossovers.
Completing the program is the National Conference of Italian Teachers, scheduled from October 24-26 at the Forum in Leichhardt, which will bring together teachers, researchers and cultural practitioners from across Australia.
This key moment of exchange will address methodologies, new didactic challenges and strategies to strengthen the presence of Italian in school and university curricula.
In Australia, Italian is not only a language of study, but also the thread linking migrant stories, family dialects, community celebrations and shared cultural heritage. The Week of the Italian Language in the World is therefore an opportunity to rediscover this connection and make it visible to new generations.
From music to academic debate, from the voices of teachers to the participation of students, each event demonstrates how Italian is truly a language “beyond borders”. It’s alive, dynamic, adaptable and able to continue telling stories of identity, belonging and dreams.
