Italy in the World - May Agenda

Every month in the world there are dozens of events organized by the Italian Cultural Institutes abroad and ICE. Here is a list of those scheduled for May: 12 places, telling about Italy of culture, arts and business.

Tokyo: Marcello Mastroianni and Dolce Vita in a photo exhibition

'Mastroianni, still a bright star of the cinema' is a photographic exhibition dedicated to the great Italian actor that will be hosted from May 26 to June 17 at the Italian Cultural Institute in Tokyo. The exhibit shows interesting close-ups of the many characters he has played in almost fifty years of career. According to Sergio Toffetti, director of the National Cinema Project, the exhibition pays tribute to the less academic and constructed image of the Italian actor, skeptical and disenchanted, not too much inclined to  rules, theories, and dissertations. An icon of natural behavior as well a testimonial of Italian cinema. In addition to the portraits, there will be on show his performing sketches with several international stars, first of all Sophia Loren, partner in 14 films. With the iconic star Mastroianni won in 1965 the Oscar for the best foreign film with 'Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow'.

Singapore: 15 Italian startup on catwalk at Innovation Unbound

There will be about 15 Italian Startups and Sme participating at the "Technology Innovation in Asia" program, within Univfest Unbound 2017. The Fair, that will take place on May 3 and 4 in Singapore, is one of the leading technology and innovation event in the whole Southeast Asia. There will be around 8,000 people involved, including entrepreneurs and industry representatives, politicians and journalists, who will discuss the latest trends and business opportunities to promote digital development. ICE-Agency for internationalization will organize the Italian participation, offering to companies a chance to set up an exhibition space and to plan a meeting agenda with investors, decision-makers, research centers and local companies.

Paris: Serena Dandini speaks on women and victims of feminicide

A meeting with Serena Dandini at the Italian Cultural Institute in Paris on 15 May. The Italian journalist and writer will present the monologue 'Wounded to death' on the victims of feminicide, telling their lives and their dramas. A general reflection on violence against women in a text translated into French by Lucie Comparini with the students of the Sorbonne of Paris (Blésses à mort, édition bilingual, Presses Universitaires du Midi, 2016). The text was staged in France by Stéphane Miglierina and La Mascareta. Dandini has just published the book 'We will always have Paris' (Rizzoli 2016) and will propose, together with Maura Misiti, Lucie Comparini, Antonella Capra, Stéphane Miglierina and the student actors, a meeting in multiple voices, animated by readings of excerpts and scenic games. The event is organized in collaboration with Sorbonidea Association, the Paris-Sorbonne equipe and  DIRE association (Italian Women's Network).

Middle East: Italian tech companies in Amman and Riad looking for business

Italian electro technical companies are hunting business in the Middle East. Ice - Agency, promotes Technology Days, a rich B2B meeting program in two big centers in the area: Amman in Jordan, and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. The event will take place from 21 to 25 May and is organized in partnership with Anie. Main goal: to help Italian companies to create new and profitable commercial, technological and industrial synergies with local partner in the two countries, to leverage the business opportunities available on the Middle East markets. Saudi Arabia is one of the strongest economies in the area and has a plan for the promotion of infrastructure development in its political agenda with impressive investments in the construction sector. Jordan, with its strategic position, is an equally important market, where the construction industry is one of the driving factors of the national economy.

Bejing: Made in Italy glass as leading actor in China Fair

Made in Italy glass, but above all machines and equipment to work with it, the excellence of Italian industry. The opportunity to show another flagship of Italy is China Glass 2017, which will take place in Beijing from 24 to 29 May. ICE Agency in collaboration with GIMAV, the association of Italian manufacturers and suppliers of machines, accessories, equipment and specialty products for glass processing, has organized the participation of Italian companies. At China International Exhibition Center, they will have their exhibition space and business opportunities. China is an important outlet market for Italian technologies and  Asia is the third destination for the export of the entire sector (flat glass and hollow glass).

Madrid: Italian publishers to the Book Fair ‘Poetas’

On 27 and 28 May, in the context of ‘POETAS’, manifestation to its twelfth edition organized by Arrebato Libros and Matadero Madrid, the Italian Institute of Culture of Madrid will present some emerging publishers. The Italian poet, translator and publisher Marco Giovenale, and Francesca Genti, poetess and founder of the publishing house Sartoria Utopia. Giovenale lives in Rome where he works as independent editor and translator. Among his poetry books: Shelter (Donzelli, 2010), In Rebus (Zone, 2012), Delvaux (Odeipus, 2013), Black Man (Aragno, 2015), Strettoie (Itaca Archipelago, 2017). Genti, Turin, has published poetry collections Bimba Urbana (Mazzoli, Delfini Prize, 2001), True Love Does not Have Hazelnuts (Meridiano Zero, 2004), Love Poems for Kamikaze Girls (Purple Press, 2009) Orange saved me from melancholy (Sartoria Utopia, 2014), the book of stories The Heart of the Stars (Coniglio Editore, 2007) and the novel La Febbre (Castelvecchi, 2011).

Beirut: Expo Constructions, Italy presents its excellence sector

The residential and infrastructure construction sector continues to be the engine of the Lebanese economy, and despite the crisis of recent years, it is the only sector that has shown strong dynamism. In 2016 new building permits increased by 13% and the built surface covered an area of 12.3 million sqm, the same as last year. ‘Project Lebanon’, scheduled to be held in Beirut from 16 to 19 May, will bring the best in the industry and ICE-Agency has organized the participation of several Italian companies. Nearly 500 exhibitors from over 20 countries participated in the 2016 edition that involved more than 20,000 visitors.

Johannesburg: Sicily of the other, conference on Pirandello in South Africa

South Africa celebrates Luigi Pirandello. On  May 18, inside the headquarters of Dante Alighieri Institute in Johannesburg, Professor Giona Tuccini of the University of Cape Town will hold a conference on: ‘The Sicily of the other. The reading ‘far’ of Luigi Pirandello’. The event, organized by the Institute of Italian Culture in Pretoria, is part of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Sicilian writer and promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation with over 100 events on the global calendar of commemoration initiatives to pay homage to the figure and works of the great playwright.

Moscow: the metaphysical paintings of De Chirico in Russia

The first major exhibition of Giorgio de Chirico in Russia lands to Moscow. Until July 23, the works of the Italian artist will be exhibited at the Tretjakov Gallery, thanks to the collaboration of the Giorgio and Isa De Chirico Foundation and other Italian lending museums (GNAM of Rome, MART of Rovereto) with the support of the Italian Cultural Institute Bosco di Ciliegi, as part of the Bosco di Ciliegi Festival. De Chirico (1888-1978) is one of the greatest interpreters of the artistic avant-garde of 900, the precursor of surrealism, the founder of the movement of metaphysical painting. In 1929, four of his works were exhibited in Moscow for the first time, while in 1930 drawings and waterproofs were exhibited. About 100 works of painting, graphics, sculpture and even theatrical costumes, created in 1929 by De Chirico for the dance company of Sergej Djaghilev will be presented at the Muscovite exhibition. Archival materials and photographs will also be displayed.

Jakarta: the best of Italian marbles on show at Worldstone Indonesia

The best of the Italian marble will be on show at WorldStone Indonesia, the first international event in the country dedicated to the entire marble and natural stone chain. The event will take place from 17 to 21 May at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition of Jakarta. The Indonesian Government's action focuses on industrial development and the marble and natural stone chain is one of the priority areas for developing the country. Indonesia is the 16th world economy and, with about 250 million inhabitants, is the fourth country in the world for population. Italian companies participation is organized by ICE Agency.

Seoul: Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci, Italian Opera in Korea

The Italian Opera in Korea. The "Cavalleria Rusticana"  and ‘Pagliacci’ will be on the stage at the Seoul Art Center Opera Theater from 26 to 28 May. ‘Cavalleria Rusticana’ is an opera in one act by Pietro Mascagni to an Italian libretto by Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti and Guido Menasci, adapted from a play and short story written by Giovanni Verga and is considered one of the classic  of verismo operas, ‘Pagliacci’ is a drama in two acts by Ruggero Leoncavallo which gained great success thanks also to the first recording with Enrico Caruso as protagonist. Under the direction of Giandomenico Vaccari and the scenery Salvo Tropea, the operas will be interpreted by the sopranos Fiorenza Cedolins and Valeria Sepe, the high Antonella Colaianni and the baritone Federico Longhi. The event is organized by Sol'Opera in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute of Seoul.

Edinburgh: ItaliaModerna – Reload 2017, visual art conquers Scotland

Italian visual art arrives in Scotland. During the summer until September 1, at Italian Institute of Culture in Edinburgh, modern and contemporary works will be exhibited in ItaliaModerna Reload 2017, exhibition of some of the most significant artists curated by In-Art - Art Where You Are. ItaliaModerna was launched in 2011 as an institutional promotion and marketing program in order to raise the great contribution that Italian artists offer to the world of international visual communication in territories outside Italy. The exhibition was presented at the Italian Consulate in Edinburgh, to a large representation of cultural and political leaders from Scotland and elsewhere. Among the works are those of Astormendez Community (mixed material installations and painting), Pino Caputi (Painting), Pierluca Cetera (Painting), Magda Milano (Painting), Ezia Mitolo (three-dimensional wall installations) Monticelli & Pagone (Photo-painting).