Dante Alighieri Society

The Dante Alighieri Society (Italian: Società Dante Alighieri) is a society that promotes Italian culture and language around the world. Today this society is present in more than 60 countries.

"Dante Society" redirects here. For the American organization, see Dante Society of America.
Società Dante Alighieri
Founded1889 (1889)
TypeCultural institution
Location
Area served
Worldwide
ProductItalian cultural and language education
Key people
Andrea Riccardi (President)
Websitewww.ladante.it

It was formed in Italy in July 1889. The society was named after Dante Alighieri (1265–1321), a pre-Italian Renaissance poet from Florence and the author of the Divine Comedy. Dante is considered the father of the Italian language.

In October 1948 the society was restructured at a meeting in Venice to give total autonomy to all chapters of the Dante Society so that each could conduct its activities independently, under the direction of its own elected officers, in a manner that best suited local needs, preferences, and capacities while adhering to the Society's basic principles.

The cultural role of Dante Alighieri

The sole purpose of the Dante Alighieri Society is to "promote the study of the Italian language and culture throughout the world...a purpose independent of political ideologies, national or ethnic origins or religious beliefs, and that the Society is the free association of people – not just Italians – but all people everywhere who are united by their love for the Italian languages and culture and the spirit of universal humanism that these represent."

The society operates throughout the world, with branches from Australia to the United States.[1] Many societies offer language courses, ranging from tourist and beginner's Italian to advanced literature, in addition to their cultural activities.

In 2005, the Dante Alighieri Society (along with the Alliance française, British Council, Goethe-Institut, Instituto Camões, and Instituto Cervantes) was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for Communications and Humanities.

See also

References
  1. "Dante Alighieri Society plans Columbus Day parade in Jersey City on Sunday". NJ.com. 2011-10-07. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
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