Projects carried out in cooperation with the University of Florence, the University of Naples, the Archaeological Museum in Naples, the PAS Library in Gdańsk and Tricity cultural institutions were the subject of a meeting between italianists from the University of Gdańsk and an Italian scientific delegation. Current and future forms of cooperation in the fields of science, teaching and culture were discussed.
On Thursday 25 July, an Italian scientific delegation arrived at the University of Gdańsk, composed of prof. Guido Vannini, founder of the Department of Medieval Archaeology at the University of Florence, chairman of many scientific committees, who has headed numerous institutes and the Doctoral School at the University ‘La Sapienza’ in Rome during his academic career, awarded in 2018 by the Standing Committee of Polish Medievalists with the Lux et Laus medal for outstanding research achievements, the Etruscanologist Paolo Giulierini, author of groundbreaking publications in the fields of history and archaeology, representing MiBACT (Ministero per i beni e le attività culturali e per il turismo), in charge of the Parco Archeologico dei Campi Flegrei for many years, MAEC (Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca e della Città di Cortona) and MANN (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli), which during his tenure underwent revolutionary innovations and was recognised as the best museum in Italy, dr Cristiana Barandoni, conservator and archaeologist from the University of Florence, and Anna Marx Vannini, researcher, Italianist, translator of fiction and scientific literature. The delegation met at the UG Institute of Romance Philology with dr hab. Dorota Karwacka-Pastor, prof. UG, who directs the Postgraduate Italian Studies, which is the centre for coordinating Polish-Italian initiatives in Pomerania and closely cooperates with the Italian Institute in Warsaw.
Current projects with the University of Florence, the University of Naples, the Archaeological Museum of Naples, the PAS Library in Gdańsk and Tricity cultural institutions were discussed. The projects cover a wide range of areas, including research into the historical links between Gdańsk and Italy, the preparation of joint publications, cooperation in organising a scientific session and exhibition, and translations. The Italian partners have proposed new and interesting forms of cooperation in the fields of science, culture and didactics to the Gdańsk Italianists.
‘The unflagging interest on the part of Italian cultural institutions and prestigious research centres, which seek cooperation with us on their own initiative, is a great distinction for Gdańsk Italian studies and a confirmation that our work to develop Polish-Italian contacts is recognised at home and abroad,' says the founder of Postgraduate Italian Studies at the UG Institute of Romance Philology, dr hab. Dorota Karwacka-Pastor, prof. UG.
‘Postgraduate Italian Studies is the only study programme of its kind in Poland and Europe, a kind of novelty. We have blazed a trail. We have created a good brand for UG. We have a very large number of candidates for studies every year. We are appreciated by the international Italian Studies community, which looks at our activities with sympathy and friendship. We are happy to cooperate with eminent Italianists from other centres, people of culture and art, writers, translators, but also with the business world, which is increasingly open to cultural matters,' explains the head of Postgraduate Italian Studies, the first professor at the University of Gdańsk with a scientific output and a habilitation in strictly Italian studies.
Since its inception, the UG's Postgraduate Italian Studies have been very popular due to the rich didactic programme, the high level of teaching and the wide range of workshops offered. The core of the Polish-Italian Studies staff consists of experts conducting unique research in the broad field of Italian Studies, translators of fiction and experienced sworn translators, as well as native speakers representing the world of tourism, business, and the media.
‘We only work with the best. This is why Italian cultural institutions, the business community and research centres know that in us they will find a competent, reliable partner. And we, in turn, know that through our activity we represent the University of Gdańsk worthily in many areas of cooperation with Italy.’
During the inspiring meeting, the Italian guests spoke highly of the activity of Danzig's Italians. They emphasised the fundamental importance of culture in relations between Italy and Poland. They expressed the hope of continuing to work together on large, demanding projects in important areas of culture and science.
‘We rejoice in the full readiness to develop cooperation on the part of Italian scientists, and are pleased by the trust they place in us. For it is trust, competence, transparency and honesty in mutual relations that are the foundations of good cooperation,’ adds dr hab. Dorota Karwacka-Pastor, prof. UG. ‘We know that our footsteps are now being followed by other UG Institutes, which, inspired by the success of Italianists, are slowly beginning to introduce more Italian language classes into their offer. Thus, the language and culture of Dante's homeland have received the attention in Gdańsk that we have long fought for,' concludes the Italianist professor.