Kingdom to see new avenues for Italian language learning

AMMAN — Efforts are under way to increase the number of students studying the Italian language in the Kingdom, according to the Italian embassy in Amman.

The embassy, along with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Italian Cooperation (MAECI), the Società Dante Alighieri and the Mar Yousef Pastoral Centre, are cooperating to promote Italian language and culture in Jordan, said an Italian embassy statement. 

Studying Italian in Jordan is possible both in universities and in private courses, which are available to children as well as adults, the statement said.

Around a thousand students, of which about 70 per cent are females aged between 18 and 23 years, attend Italian language courses at seven universities in Jordan, according to the statement. 

“Learning the language is an opportunity to work not only in Italy, but also in NGOs, public bodies and Italian companies present in Jordan,” the statement said.

Language is “the most important vehicle” to spread and promote Italian culture, the statement added, noting that the number of Jordanians studying in Italy is also increasing thanks to MAECI’s annual grants. 

The Italian embassy in Amman, together with the Swiss Embassy and the Società Dante Alighieri, recently concluded the 19th edition of the Italian Language Week, which was celebrated around the world, and held several events across Jordan under the theme “Italian on the stage”.

The week kicked off on October 19 with the opera “The Barber of Seville” by Italian composer Gioachino Rossini, which was produced in collaboration with the Bologna Municipal Theater on the occasion of the Amman Opera Festival.

The week of events closed on October 27 with the theatrical show “YouToBe”, promoted by the Swiss Embassy at Shams Theatre in Amman, which centred on the dream of a CEO and founder of an IT company, according to the embassy.

Another event featured the Italian writer Gianrico Carofiglio, who presented his novel “With Closed Eyes”, translated into Arabic. 

This year’s celebration of the Italian Language Week took place in different locations across the Kingdom, including Amman, Madaba, Zarqa, Fuheis as well as Zaatari refugee camp.