In the year of the First International Conference on Italophonia, the 25th edition (13–19 October 2025) of the “Week of the Italian Language in the World” (SLIM) will be dedicated to the theme “Italophonia: Language Beyond Borders”, with the goal of celebrating the linguistic, cultural, and social space of the Italian language, imagining a new community of people around the world united by their passion for our language and, through it, their closeness to our country.
In collaboration with the Embassy of the Swiss Confederation, one of the main partners of the Week, the Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi University, our Institute has once again organized a rich program of events to celebrate this important occasion.
This year’s program includes a wide range of activities: free Italian lessons, exhibitions, games and culinary presentations, talks, presentations and debates, and film screenings: all connected by the common thread of Italophonia in the world through culture.
Program
13 October, 10:00 am | Italian Cultural Institute Abu Dhabi
Free Italian Lesson featuring games and riddles, designed for beginners and led by volunteer teacher Prof. Camilla Panetti, to whom we express our sincere thanks. Seats are limited. For information and bookings, please email: abudhabiic.segre@esteri.it
16 October, 11:00 am | Atrium of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
A day organized by the students of Italian at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, coordinated by Prof. Maria Concetta La Rocca (SUAD).
In the university’s prestigious atrium, games, music, and culinary specialties will create a true celebration of young Italophones—students of our language.
The event is open to the public; no registration is required.
20 October, 11:00 am | Abu Dhabi University
The exhibition on Fortunato Depero (1892–1960)—Futurist artist and graphic designer—returns!
“Depero’s Graphic Design between Italy and New York”, featuring reproductions of some of his iconic advertising posters, previously displayed at our Institute, will move to the prestigious Abu Dhabi University campus. Following the inauguration, artist and communication expert Annunziata Tricarico will lead a workshop for students, exploring Depero’s work as inspiration for today’s advertising graphics.
The event is open to the public; no registration is required.
October 20, 6:30 PM | Atrium, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
In support of the 2025 Year of the Ocean, proclaimed by SUAD and the United Nations, we present the exhibition “Siamo Mare – We are Sea”, a collective of Italian photographers exploring the beauty and diversity of the flora and fauna of our seas.
The event is open to the public; no registration required.
21 October, 6:30 pm | Italian Cultural Institute Abu Dhabi
“La sponda oltre l’inferno” (The Shore Beyond Hell) by Younis Tawfik will be the focus of a talk on Italophonia in the world and the Italian language beyond borders.
Younis’s true story, recounting the sea journeys of several Italian immigrants—and soon to be translated and published in Arabic with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI)—will be accompanied by remarks from Prof. Francesca Calamita (University of Virginia), author of Diversitaly, and Prof. Viola Giylbegaij, who will speak about “Italophonia and Cultural Bridges between Italy and Albania.”
RSVP required: https://laspondaoltrelinferno.splashthat.com/
22 October, 12:00 pm | Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
“Women Visibility and Empowerment” Talk by Prof. Francesca Calamita, University of Virginia
The event is open to the public; no registration is required.
24 October, 4:30 pm | Online
“Caffè Italiano” – a free online Italian conversation class, open to students with at least a B1 language level, launching as part of the Week of the Italian Language and Italophonia in the World. The course will consist of four Friday afternoon sessions.
For information and bookings, please email: abudhabiic.segre@esteri.it