Italy opens cultural institute

JAKARTA (JP): The Italian government has opened a cultural institute here aiming at strengthening cooperation with Indonesian cultural-related institutes.

The director of the newly opened Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Alberto di Mauro, said on Saturday that the institute, located on Jl. Cokroaminoto 117, Central Jakarta, was inaugurated last Thursday in a ceremony attended by, among others, House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung and Governor Sutiyoso.

According to di Mauro, the center has a multifunctional hall and a library with a wide selection of Italian publications, slides and films on Italian lifestyle.

Most of the books can be borrowed, he said.

The center also offers a wide range of cultural and educational activities such as Italian language classes, Italian food cooking classes and film screenings.

The institute, he added, is opened from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on workdays, adding advanced appointments can be made for Saturdays and Sundays.

"The institute will not draw payment for any visits or the use of space because all has been financed by the Italian government and some sponsors," he said. (01)