Italian center opens at Udayana University

Italian center opens at Udayana University

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): A photographic exhibition and the
screening of Italian films were held in conjunction with the
recent opening of the Center for Italian Studies at state Udayana
University.

Udayana University rector I Ketut Sukardika said the center
would be a place for Balinese scholars to learn and enhance their
understanding of the culture and people of Italy.

The center was founded through the cooperation of Udayana
University, the Italian Embassy in Jakarta, Universita Degli
Studi Di Napoli Federico II and Universita Degli Studi Di Roma Le
Sapienza.

"Italian ambassador Alessandro Merola is a keen arts lover and
his excellency has helped us a lot to make this happen,"
Sukardika said.

Head of the Italian Cultural Center Alberto di Mauro and the
Italian honorary vice consul in Bali, Giuseppe "Pino" Confessa,
attended the opening ceremony on Sept. 25, held at the
university's rectorate in Jimbaran, some 25 kilometers south of
Denpasar.

To familiarize Balinese scholars and students with Italian
landscapes and history, an exhibition of photographs was held at
the university's library from Sept. 25 to Sept. 29. It displayed
the works of Alinari and Anderson, who traveled across Italy
documenting historical churches and monuments in the early 20th
century.

"There were also presentations of several Italian movies, such
as Cinema Paradiso and Ierri Oggi e Domani, that would give us
another glimpse of Italian culture," Sukardika said.

Confessa said the Sartory family, known for generations as
experts in traditional Italian mask-making, would visit Bali next
November.

"There will be exhibitions of their works in Jakarta and
Bali," he said. (zen)