A new lease of life at the Italian Institute of Culture
Placido, Contributor, Jakarta
On Oct. 19, the Istituto Italiano di Cultura (the Italian Institute of Culture) will celebrate its third birthday.
The freshly painted walls of the building and the trimmed garden of its grounds in Menteng, Central Jakarta, are not part of the anniversary celebrations. They are evidence of a much wider plan -- to present Jakarta with the absolute best of Italian culture -- currently being put in place by its director.
Meet Professor Ostelio Remi. He has a difficult task at hand, but he aims high and he is used to delivering.
Culture is what he has devoted his life to. It is his passion, his job and his hobby. His curriculum vitae speaks for itself. After obtaining two degrees in modern foreign languages and philosophy, followed by a doctorate in comparative literature, he started teaching at various Italian high schools.
In 1981 he became involved with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an involvement that led to postings at various cultural institutes around the world, such as Mogadishu in Somalia (1981-1984), Beirut in Lebanon (1988-1994), Melbourne in Australia (1994-1998) and then to Vilnius in Lithuania (1999- 2003).
His posting in Jakarta is possibly his greatest challenge. The institute, which he inherited from Professor Alberto Di Maura on January 12, 2003 is understaffed considering the potential audience of 220 million Indonesians.
To talk briefly about Italian culture with Prof. Remi is near to impossible. His widespread knowledge is evident as his conversation wanders from literature to philosophy to philology and various other subjects he holds dear to his heart.
A common misconception is to view culture as synonymous with art. But, while art is definitely part of a country's cultural make-up, there is more to it than that. Italian culture reaches beyond Michelangelo, the Sistine Chapel, the leaning tower of Pisa or the tourist beaten track of Venice-Florence-Rome.
Culture is defined by the De Agostini dictionary as "the entirety of customs, traditions and scientific and technical accomplishments of a group of people that are passed on through generations". So, along with artists and historical monuments, Italian culture includes big family dinners, the opera, hair gel, the Vespa, the Ferrari, Versace, Volta, Roberto Benigni and so on. The list is, of course, endless.
With this in mind, the events and services offered by the Italian Institute are as varied as possible.
Upcoming events planned by the institute for the remainder of the year include a series of concerts, with a 21-man orchestra playing the "Romanza Italiana" -- in the best of the Napolitan tradition -- (Oct. 19 to Oct. 20); an exhibition of watercolors, drawings, sketches and photographs on the architecture of "Le Ville del Palladio" (Oct. 20 to Oct. 30) in collaboration with the Jakarta national gallery; a European Film Festival in cooperation with various European cultural centers (Dec. 10 to Dec. 17) and a photographic exhibition organized and produced by the famed Alinari brothers, held at the Jakarta National Museum, showing the changes that have taken place in Italy during the last century (Dec. 18 to Jan. 6)
Among the services offered by the institute are Italian language courses for adults and children, master classes held in conjunction with various universities in music, architecture, literature and more; and a cinema club that screens Italian auteur films (every Wednesday at 7 p.m.).
The true taste of Italy may also be sampled and indeed, mastered, soon with culinary and wine-appreciation courses.
Italian culture is particularly important and relevant to Indonesians, as both countries have multi-faceted origins.
Italy as a nation is the result of several small states joined together. Thus, its national identity is the composite of different traits, histories and experiences.
These differences have not hampered the development of Italian culture. Indonesia -- with 300 ethnic groups and 14 distinct main languages -- can view Italy as a model of cultural integration.
At present the Institute provides Indonesian students with 22 scholarships a year -- both bachelor and masters degrees -- at various Italian universities.
Scientific and technological cooperation between the countries is also being implemented with Italian scientists traveling to Indonesia to share their experience with their Indonesian counterparts.
The latest interchange is presently taking place in Manado, North Sulawesi, where representatives of various Italian universities are running a master course in biodiversity and coral reef protection.
Twenty-five of those attending the course will be invited to spend time in Italy.
As Professor Remi says "this sharing and getting to know each other is fundamental. Closer relationships between the two countries may develop and in general, people's acceptance of differences will grow".
The Italian Institute of Culture is located on Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto 117, Central Jakarta. It is open every day between 9am and 8pm. For further information call 062-21-3927531 or e- mail: itacult@link.net.id