Italian Cultural Season - Passione Donna

Italian Embassy launches ‘Passione Donna’ celebrating women

An extensive series of cultural events, including book presentations, discussions, photography and painting exhibitions and films, is underway in Hanoi. Sponsored by the Italian Embassy, the common theme is women. Here are excerpts from the Viet Nam News article:

Following Italian Ambassador Alfredo Matacotta Cordella’s photo exhibition, entitled Faces of Vietnamese Women, which opened in January, the Italian Embassy is now working with the French Embassy and L’Espace to present stories of women and cultural difference through the promotion of books, films, and exhibitions.

On March 3, Italian writer Sandra Petrignani, author of La Scrittrice Abita Qui (A Female Writer Lives Here), which achieved critical success upon its 2003 publication in Italy, will hold a dialogue with audiences at L’Espace in Ha Noi.

The book, which was short-listed for the Italian literary prize Il Premio Strega, tells the stories of a number of 19th century women writers - their passions, dreams, loves and families - as Petrignani journeys across the world visiting the places where they lived and wrote. Sandra Petrignani will deliver a talk recounting her experiences in travelling, researching, and writing the book, as well as discuss the various meanings of her stories.

Viet Nam’s famous female diplomat, Ton Nu Thi Ninh, will talk about her work experiences and private life at a public workshop entilted Women between Public and Private Life on March 7 at 11am, also at L’Espace. On the same day, Vietnamese painter Bui Quang Khiem, will debut an exhibition sponsored by the Italian Embassy of works depicting women’s lifestyles at Module 7.

Included in the Italian Cultural Season is the film series Women in Cinema, featuring seven films about women by Italian directors. The films will be screened through June at the Cinematheque, 22A Hai Ba Trung Street, Ha Noi. Entry to the screenings is free and all films will be in Italian with English subtitles and Vietnamese simultaneous audio. — VNS

For more information, please contact :
AMBASSADE D’ITALIE - M. Cesare Bieller
(cesare.bieller@esteri.it or 04 8256256 – int 02)