In conjunction with the “Week of Italian Language in the World,” an art and photographic exhibition was held at the Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, Kuala Lumpur from November 7 to 16, 2008. Jointly organised by the Embassy of Italy and SGM, the event was declared open by Mr Teng Boon Soon, Deputy Minister of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Malaysia on November 16, 2008.

Started in 2001, the “Week of the Italian Language in the World”, under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Italy, has been the main international event promoting the Italian language worldwide through the network of embassies, consulates, Italian cultural institutes, university departments and Italian schools abroad. In the previous edition, 1500 events were organised in 88 countries.

This year, an exhibition of etchings by Bruno Starita and pupils along with Fratelli Alinari’s photographs of the 19th century Italian and information panels introducing the social and cultural relevance of these Piazzas and their significance to the Italian culture and civilisation was held. Starita is one of Italy’s most renowned master etchers and a well-known representative of the Italian artistic and cultural heritage while Alinari had photographed the architecture, artistic heritage, landscapes and towns of Italy for decades.