The Italian Cultural Institute of Sydney is pleased to support two important initiatives dedicated to Italian culture, literature and poetry, taking place in New Zealand in collaboration with prestigious international academic and cultural institutions.
The first event is the Anderson Lecture in Literary Translation 2026, taking place on Monday 28 September at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington. The lecture, entitled “Dolce color d’oriental zaffiro”: On the Translation and Dissemination of The Divine Comedy in China, will be delivered by Dr Cheng Mo (Silvano) of Peking University and introduced by Dr Claudia Bernardi. The lecture will explore the translation and dissemination of The Divine Comedy in China, followed by a Q&A session and a reception. The lecture will also be streamed live on Zoom and subsequently made available as a recording.
The second event, taking place on Thursday 15 October at the Embassy of Italy in New Zealand, will commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi (1226–2026). The Staying Power of Faith and Poetry will accompany the launch of a multilingual commemorative publication celebrating the figure of St Francis and his enduring influence on faith and poetry. The initiative is organised by the New Zealand Centre for Literary Translation and Wai-te-ata Press, in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy, the Apostolic Nunciature, the Embassy of Peru and numerous international cultural and academic institutions, including the Italian Cultural Institute of Sydney.
Professor Cheng Mo (Silvano Cheng) is an Assistant Professor at Peking University and Director of the Undergraduate Programme in Italian Language and Literature. He holds a PhD in Textual Studies and Romance Philology from Sapienza University of Rome. His research focuses on Dante, medieval Italian literature, and the reception of Italian literature in China. He is also a translator of Italian literature, including works by Andrea Camilleri, Claudio Magris and Alessandro Baricco.
Live-streamed on Zoom: https://vuw.zoom.us/launch/jc/97646375571
(3:15–4:15 pm Sydney time)
