EXHIBITION OF RARE EDITIONS OF DANTE’S WORKS IN MALTA

On the occasion of the 750th anniversary of Dante Alighieri’s birth, the Italian Cultural Institute organised, together with the National Library of Malta and under the patronage of the Embassy of Italy, an exhibition of rare editions of the works of the most famous Italian poet.

The exhibition was inaugurated on 24th September in the presence of the Minister of Education and Employment, Evarist Bartolo, and the Ambassador of Italy, Giovanni Umberto De Vito.

In his speech, Ambassador De Vito praised the extraordinary intensity and the richness of the cultural ties between Italy and Malta and highlighted the role played by the Italian language and culture in the formation of the Maltese identity. In fact the Divina Commedia was one of the first major literary works to be translated in the Maltese language.

The event was attended by Prof. Tullio De Mauro, a prominent linguist and well-renowned expert on Dante.    

The pieces on display include two rare editions of Dante’s Divina Commedia dating back to 1502 and 1506 and some splendid 19th century editions of the Divina Commedia decorated with engravings by French artist and engraver, Gustave Doré.

The exhibition, being held at the National Library of Malta, is open for viewing until 2nd October 2015.  

Ambassador’s inaugural speech