Past Events
Rescuing Florence. Stories of a Renaissance City Under Siege
– A Talk
Thursday, 27 February 2025
6.30 am-8.00 pm (PST)​
SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, 580 West Hastings St., Vancouver
About the Event
In 1529, Florence was besieged by imperial
troops, backed by Medici Pope Clement VII.
When Florentines finally surrendered in August
1530, the exiled Medici returned to power and
went on to rule as dukes for two unbroken
centuries. In her talk, Dr. O’Brien explored this
pivotal event, highlighting Michelangelo’s
efforts to defend Florence and its treasures, the
sacrifices of its citizens, and the enduring
memory of the siege in art, literature, and
history.
This event was organised by The Dante Alighieri Society of BC in Vancouver and SFU’s Graduate Liberal Studies under the patronage of the Consulate General of Italy in Vancouver.
Incontri straordinari. Da Al Pacino a Susan Sontag, la New York di Antonio Monda
– A Talk
Sunday, 26 January 2024
11.00 am-12.00 pm (PST)​
On Zoom - In Italian
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About the Event
Nel salotto newyorkese di Antonio Monda sono passate alcune delle più grandi icone della cultura americana: da Meryl Streep a Muhammad Ali, da Ingrid Bergman a Stephen King, passando per Cate
Blanchett, Philip Roth e Toni Morrison. Nel suo
libro Incontri ravvicinati (La nave di Teseo), Monda rivela retroscena inediti e momenti intimi con queste straordinarie personalitaÌ€. Un’occasione imperdibile per ascoltare l’autore raccontare dal vivo alcune di queste storie affascinanti.​
O Mio Puccini Caro
– A Concert
Friday, 8 November 2024
7.00 pm-8.30 pm (PST)​
Vancouver Academy of Music
1270 Chestnut St, Vancouver
About the Event
A special tribute to Giacomo Puccini—one of the greatest Italian opera composers, renowned for his masterful blend of music and drama.
In honour of the 100th anniversary of Puccini’s death, pianist Emilio de Mercato (Director of the Alberta Symphony Orchestra), soprano Cara Lianne McLeod, and tenor Andrea Pinna will perform some of his most beloved arias, duets, and piano solos, while also sharing insights into his remarkable music.
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This event is offered with the generous support of Dignity Memorial (www.dignitymemorial.com) and of the Federazione Pugliese of British Columbia (www.associazionepugliese.bc.ca)
Italians Writing Beyond Borders
– A Roundtable
Wednesday, 16 October 2024
6.30 pm-8.00 pm (PDT)
History Room, Museum of Vancouver
1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver
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This event was generously supported by the Headquarters of the Dante Society in Rome.
About the Event
A bilingual cultural event celebrating Italian writers abroad who continue to enrich the Italian literary tradition through transcultural creativity. This hybrid roundtable (in-person and via Zoom) brings together Italian authors and scholars from the North American literary scene discussing their transcultural experiences in life and in writing. Featured participants:
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Michela Valmori (E c’erano gerani rossi dappertutto)
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Antonio D’Alfonso (The Italian Canadian Writer)
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Arianna Dagnino (Il quintetto d’Istanbul) - with her thanks to the Writers' Union of Canada & the Canada Council for the Arts for their support through the National Public Readings Program)
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Carlo Testa (Panel moderator, The University of British Columbia)
Travelling with Mediterranean Lutes
– A Masterclass
Saturday, 28 September 2024
12:00 pm
On Zoom
In English (and some Italian!)
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About the Event
Maestro Sergio Pugnalin took us an enchanting journey across the musical languages, styles, cultures, and histories of the Eastern Mediterranean. Through a variety of traditional lutes, he narrated and sang captivating stories that transcend time and borders.
Musicultural themes explored during the event:
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Wandering songs: melodies and tales that freely cross languages and cultures
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Balkan popular culture and the Ottoman ecumene
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Sephardic Jewish culture, from Spain to the East
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Songs of Xenitiá: experiencing distance from one’s homeland, from Greece to Southern Italy
If you’d like to explore all the events we’ve hosted so far, click here to view the full list in PDF format.
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If you would like to propose an event, please contact our Cultural Events Coordinator, Dr. Arianna Dagnino at aridag@me.com