Programme of Events
The Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria is pleased to present a rich programme of events for the Week of Italian Language in the World 2026, organised in collaboration with universities, cultural institutions, associations and local partners.
The programme includes literary meetings, seminars, workshops, concerts, theatre performances and film screenings in various cities across South Africa and the Southern African region.
Meeting with Alessandro Baricco — 1 October
Date: 1 October
Time: 10:30
Venue: University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)
Bookings:
Organised by: Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria
In collaboration with: Department of Italian Studies, WITS
Opera Lecture Recital with Alessandro Baricco and UCT Opera Singers — 2 October
Date: 2 October
Time: 18:30
Venue: University of Johannesburg (UJ)
Bookings: Eventbrite – Opera Lecture Recital with Alessandro Baricco and Singers from Opera UCT
Organised by: Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria
In collaboration with: Department of Italian Studies, WITS
Meeting with Alessandro Baricco — 6 October
Date: 6 October
Time: 10:00
Venue: University of Cape Town (UCT)
Bookings:
Organised by: Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria
In collaboration with: Department of Italian Studies, UCT; Consulate of Italy in Cape Town
Opera Lecture Recital with Alessandro Baricco and UCT Opera Singers — 7 October
Date: 7 October
Time: 19:00
Venue: Baxter Theatre, Cape Town
Bookings: Webtickets – Opera Lecture Recital
Organised by: Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria
In collaboration with: Department of Italian Studies, UCT; Consulate of Italy in Cape Town; Music School of Opera, Cape Town
Poetry Africa — 9–10 October
Date: 9–10 October
Time: TBC
Venue: Durban
Bookings and information: Poetry Africa
In collaboration with: Poetry Africa
Italian participants: Ubah Cristina Ali Farah and Gabriele Ratano, Italian Poetry Slam Champion
Literary Cocktail with Ubah Cristina Ali Farah — 11 October
Date: 11 October
Time: 15:00
Venue: Società Dante Alighieri Johannesburg
Bookings: Eventbrite – Literary Cocktail with Ubah Cristina Ali Farah
Organised by: Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria
In collaboration with: Società Dante Alighieri Johannesburg
Meeting with Ubah Cristina Ali Farah — 12 October
Date: 12 October
Time: 10:30
Venue: University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)
Bookings:
Organised by: Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria
In collaboration with: Department of Italian Studies, WITS
Literary Cocktail with Ubah Cristina Ali Farah — 13 October
Date: 13 October
Time: 17:30
Venue: Cape Town Club
Bookings: Literary Cocktail with Ubah Cristina Ali Farah
Organised by: Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria
In collaboration with: Department of Italian Studies, UCT; Consulate of Italy in Cape Town; Società Dante Alighieri Cape Town
Seminar with Ubah Cristina Ali Farah — 14 October
Date: 14 October
Time: 10:00
Venue: University of Cape Town (UCT)
Bookings:
Organised by: Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria
In collaboration with: Department of Italian Studies, UCT; Consulate of Italy in Cape Town
Opera Buffa — 16 October
Date: 16 October
Time: 11:00
Venue: Crawford School, Pretoria
Bookings: By invitation
Organised by: Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria
In collaboration with: Teatro Verde, Crawford International School
Pocket Circus — 16 October
Date: 16 October
Time: 15:00
Venue: Curro School, Pretoria
Bookings: By invitation
Organised by: Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria
In collaboration with: Teatro Verde, Primm Academy
Screening of the film “Beccaria” — 16 October
Date: 16 October
Time: TBC
Venue: Cinema Labia, Cape Town
Bookings: TBC
Organised by: Embassy of Switzerland
Chandra Candiani: Seminar (SLL Seminar Series) — 16 October
Date: 16 October
Time: 16:00–17:00
Venue: University of Cape Town (UCT)
Presented by: Mara Boccaccio
Pocket Circus — 17 October
Date: 17 October
Time: 14:00
Venue: Italian Club, Johannesburg
Bookings: Eventbrite – Pocket Circus
Organised by: Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria
In collaboration with: Teatro Verde
Chamber Music Concert — 17 October
Date: 17 October
Time: 18:30
Venue: Italian Club, Johannesburg
Bookings: TBC
Organised by: Consulate General of Italy in Johannesburg
In collaboration with: Associazione Giuliani e Friulani
With: Cristina Gianino (piano) and Silvia Di Falco (voice)
Pocket Circus — 19 October
Date: 19 October
Time: 10:00
Venue: American School, Maseru
Bookings: By invitation
Organised by: Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria
In collaboration with: Teatro Verde
Screening of the film “Ti voglio bene” — 19 October
Date: 19 October
Time: TBC
Venue: Società Dante Alighieri Johannesburg
Bookings: TBC
Organised by: Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria
In collaboration with: Società Dante Alighieri Johannesburg
Screening of the film “Tienimi presente” — 20 October
Date: 20 October
Time: TBC
Venue: Società Dante Alighieri Johannesburg
Bookings: TBC
Organised by: Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria
In collaboration with: Società Dante Alighieri Johannesburg
Pocket Circus — 21 October
Date: 21 October
Time: 10:00
Venue: Katutura School, Windhoek
Bookings: TBC
Organised by: Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria
In collaboration with: Teatro Verde
“Dantessa” Seminar — 21 October
Date: 21 October
Time: 08:30–17:00
Venue: Origins Centre, WITS, Johannesburg
Bookings: TBC
Organised by: University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)
“Voci di Donne” — A Tribute to Mina and Ornella Vanoni — 21 October
Date: 21 October
Time: 19:00
Venue: Italian Club, Johannesburg
Bookings: TBC
Organised by: Consulate General of Italy in Johannesburg
In collaboration with: Associazione Giuliani e Friulani
With: Cristina Gianino (piano) and Silvia Di Falco (voice)
Contemporary/Jazz Concert — 21 October
Date: 21 October
Time: 19:00
Venue: Italian Club, Johannesburg
Bookings: TBC
Organised by: Consulate General of Italy in Johannesburg
With: Francesca Biancoli (voice), Nicholas Williams (piano), Carlo Mombelli (bass) and Jonathan Sweetman (drums)
Opera Buffa — 22 October
Date: 22 October
Time: 11:00
Venue: National Theatre of Namibia (NTN), Windhoek
Bookings: TBC
Organised by: Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria
In collaboration with: Teatro Verde
Teatro Verde Masterclass — 22 October
Date: 22 October
Time: 14:00
Venue: National Theatre of Namibia (NTN), Windhoek
Bookings: TBC
Organised by: Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria
In collaboration with: Teatro Verde
Terraross Concert — 23 October
Date: 23 October
Time: 19:00
Venue: Italian Club, Johannesburg
Bookings: TBC
Organised by: Consulate General of Italy in Johannesburg
Christine & Paul Gioia — 23 October
Date: 23 October
Time: 19:00
Venue: Italian Club, Johannesburg
Bookings: TBC
Organised by: Consulate General of Italy in Johannesburg
“Cinderella Tarantella” — 24 October
Date: 24 October
Time: 19:30
Venue: Italian Club, Johannesburg
Bookings: TBC
Organised by: Consulate General of Italy in Johannesburg
With: Joburg Ballet and Terraross
Screenings of the films “Ti voglio bene” and “Tienimi presente” — 28–29 October
Date: 28–29 October
Time: TBC
Venue: Società Dante Alighieri Durban
Bookings: TBC
Organised by: Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria
In collaboration with: Società Dante Alighieri Durban
Screening of the film “Beccaria” — 30 October
Date: 30 October
Time: TBC
Venue: Società Dante Alighieri Johannesburg
Bookings: TBC
Organised by: Embassy of Switzerland
In collaboration with: Società Dante Alighieri Johannesburg
The programme is continuously being updated.
The website will be progressively updated with the latest information regarding times, venues, booking arrangements and further event details, as these are confirmed.