Italy celebrates 750th Dante anniversary

(ANSA) - Rome, April 30 - Oscar-winning actor Roberto Benigni will read from Dante Monday in the Italian Senate, spearheading a constellation of celebrations in Italy to mark the 750th anniversary of the medieval poet's birth.
    Benigni's reading in the Upper House of parliament will be attended by President Sergio Mattarella and broadcast live to the nation by state-run RAI radio at 11 a. m., together with a new musical hommage to the poet by renowned composer Nicola Piovani.
    At least 187 events are being staged throughout the peninsula to mark the anniversary, including exhibits, concerts, publications, new translations, performances, conferences and readings, especially in Florence, Ravenna, Verona and Rome - the cities most linked to Dante.
    More than 173 events have been scheduled outside Italy by Italian Cultural Institutes in foreign cities.