As of January 2019, Italy operated 83 Istituti Italiani di Cultura (Italian Cultural Institutes) worldwide, serving as meeting places for intellectuals, artists, Italians abroad, and others seeking engagement with Italian culture. Active across 61 countries, these institutes function as primary instruments of Italy’s foreign cultural policy under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Functions and Activities
The institutes organise events spanning art, music, cinema, literature, theatre, dance, fashion, design, photography, and architecture. They administer Italian language and culture courses aligned with the European Framework of Reference for Languages, promote Italian scientific research, and maintain an extensive library network. The institutes also facilitate connections between Italian and foreign cultural operators and promote dialogue between cultures based on democratic principles.
Broader Cultural Mission
Italy’s cultural promotion extends beyond the institutes themselves. The Ministry supports Italian schools abroad—some reaching 90 per cent foreign student enrolment—a network of scientific attachés, cultural and scientific agreements, university scholarships for international students, archaeological missions in areas of exceptional importance, UNESCO support, and Italian language certifications. The National Italian Commission for UNESCO oversees candidacies for Italian sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Additional initiatives include translation prizes, Italian lectureships, and the annual Week of the Italian Language in the World.
Frequently asked questions
How many countries host Italian Cultural Institutes?
The 83 institutes operate across 61 countries worldwide as of 2019.
What languages do the institutes teach?
The institutes offer Italian language and culture courses following the European Framework of Reference for Languages standards.
Who oversees Italy’s cultural promotion internationally?
The Directorate General for the Promotion of the Country System within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation manages all cultural promotion initiatives, including the cultural institutes.
