The Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria is pleased to announce the visit of acclaimed Italian poet and writer Maria Grazia Calandrone to South Africa on the occasion of the 25th Week of the Italian Language in the World (October 2025), held this year under the theme “Italofonia: lingua oltre i confini.”
Maria Grazia Calandrone is one of the most celebrated and original voices in contemporary Italian literature. A poet, novelist, playwright, and journalist, she is the author of several acclaimed collections of poetry and prose. Her autobiographical novel Dove non mi hai portata (Einaudi, 2022) was a finalist for the prestigious Premio Strega 2023 and praised for its powerful storytelling and emotional resonance. In addition to her literary career, she contributes to Rai Radio 3 and writes for Il Fatto Quotidiano, often addressing themes of identity, justice, and memory with clarity and poetic strength.
During her visit to South Africa, Maria Grazia Calandrone will take part in a series of literary meetings and academic engagements in Johannesburg and Cape Town, offering a unique opportunity for audiences to discover her work and explore the unifying power of the Italian language.
Scheduled events:
- Saturday, 11 October: Literary aperitivo at the Società Dante Alighieri in Johannesburg, featuring Dr. Raphael d’Abdon, expert in Italian literature and poetry.
- Monday, 13 October: Literary aperitivo in Cape Town Venue : The Cape Town Club
- Tuesday, 14 October: Seminar at the Italian Department of the University of Cape Town.
For further details and updates, please visit our official channels.