Almaty, inauguration of the first Italian Cultural Institute of Central Asia

Almaty, inauguration of the first Italian Cultural Institute of Central Asia

Three months after Minister Tajani's visit to Kazakhstan, on the occasion of which the new headquarters of the Italian Embassy was inaugurated, the first Italian Cultural Institute of Central Asia will open in Almaty on 30 November.

It will be inaugurated on November 30th in Almaty (Kazakhstan) il first Italian Cultural Institute of Central Asia. The inauguration falls just under three months after the visit to Kazakhstan of the Vice President of the Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani, during which the new headquarters of the Italian Embassy in Astana was inaugurated.

“The cultural diplomacy action I have promoted since my first day at the Farnesina is central to the foreign policy strategy of the Government. There is nothing more international than culture and Italy, which has one of its points of cultural heritage greater strength, operates in the global context also benefiting from work of our almost ninety Institutes: a long list, to which yes the one inaugurated in Kazakhstan is added", commented Tajani.

The inaugural act will be presided over by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Edmondo Cirielli, and by Ambassador Marco Alberti.

The opening of the Institute represents a new and important piece of the Italian presence in Kazakhstan, after the launch, in December 2022, of the section Confindustria Kazakhstan.

Italy is one of the largest foreign investors in the country, the first European buyer of Kazakh goods and second globally, with trade tripled compared to 2021 values. There is a growing demand for Italy, also on a cultural level, confirmed by the excellent public feedback received on the occasion of the main initiatives carried out. The Institute, which will be directed by Edoardo Crisafulli, will play an important role in terms of soft power, helping to strengthen Italy's positioning in a region of growing strategic importance, and in a particularly delicate historical moment from a geopolitical point of view.

In addition to teaching the Italian language and promoting cultural events and initiatives, the Institute will, in synergy with the Embassy and the Agency for the promotion abroad and the internationalization of Italian companies, carry out related activities to the integrated promotion of Italy in Kazakhstan, enhancing the strength of the culture-business connection.