Italian language and culture are promoted in Erbil

(ANSA) - ROMA, 26 LUG - In Erbil, capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, a ceremony was held to award certificates of attendance for the first Italian language course held in the Kurdish-Iraqi region.
    The course, promoted by the Consulate General of Italy at the Catholic University of Erbil (Cue), was held remotely by a professional teacher from the Dante Alighieri Society and involved 17 students for a duration of 48 hours.
    During the event, an 'Italian Corner' was also inaugurated in the University's modern Vision Library, enriched with over 150 volumes sent by Farnesina, mainly on Italian art, design and culture.
    Consul Michele Camerota expressed his satisfaction with the enthusiasm of the young students, emphasising the local community's interest in Italy.
    Mr. Camerota also confirmed the consulate's intention to promote other similar courses and mentioned the progress of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Catholic University and the Dante Alighieri to make the educational offer structural and autonomous.
    For his part, the rector of the CUE, Professor Nazar Shabila, praised the Italian investment in the dynamic and inclusive academic reality of Erbil, nominating it to become the centre for the diffusion of the Italian language in Iraqi Kurdistan.
    In remote connection from Rome, the deputy secretary general of the Dante Alighieri, Andrea Vincenzoni, stressed the importance of this first step in bringing Italian culture and language to a new area of the world.
    Vincenzoni highlighted the consolidated cooperation between the Farnesina and the Dante Alighieri Society, opening up new perspectives, challenges and opportunities for the dissemination of Italian culture.