Muscat – Under the theme: Lingua gentile, lingua geniale: ideare, progettare, creare con l’italiano – “A Gracious Language, a Brilliant Language: Conceiving, Designing, and Creating with Italian”, the Embassy of Italy in Muscat is pleased to announce the programme of activities organised in the Sultanate of Oman on the occasion of the Italian Language Week in the World 2026, the annual initiative promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through Italian Embassies and Consulates around the world.

Now in its 26th edition, the Italian Language Week in the World has, over the past twenty-five years, provided people across the globe with opportunities to discover Italy, its language and its culture. Through the involvement of local cultural and academic institutions, the initiative has developed into a wide-ranging international programme featuring conferences, lectures, language courses, cultural events and educational activities.

H.E. Pierluigi D’Elia, Ambassador of Italy accredited to the Sultanate of Oman, said: The Italian language is a bridge between people, cultures and ideas. Through this year’s Italian Language Week in the World, we wish to celebrate the creativity, knowledge and excellence that Italian expresses, while strengthening the cultural and educational ties between Italy and Oman”.

The 2026 programme in Oman will include initiatives addressed to both academic audiences and younger generations, reflecting the Embassy’s commitment to promoting Italian language and culture through education, cultural diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges.

As part of this year’s programme, the Embassy of Italy in Muscat, in cooperation with Bait Al Zubair Institute of Culture & Knowledge and Società Dante Alighieri, will hold a special event at Cinepolis Cinema, offering students an engaging opportunity to explore the creativity and expressive possibilities of the Italian language in the framework of the 3^rd edition of the EU Film Festival. The combination of cinema and discussion will highlight how Italian language and culture can be experienced not only through formal study, but also through stories, imagination and contemporary creative expression.

Another cooperation will be with Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), where a presentation dedicated to the Italian Language Lectureship will take place. The event will provide an opportunity to highlight the Italian Language Lectureship as an important linguistic and cultural bridge between Italy and the Sultanate of Oman, and as a platform for strengthening academic, cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries.

The first part of the programme will feature a presentation by Prof. Silvia Belicchi, Italian Language Lecturer at Sultan Qaboos University, introducing the Lectureship, its activities and its contribution to promoting the study of Italian language and culture among SQU students. This will be followed by a presentation by the Embassy of Italy in Muscat, delivered by Mrs. Francesca Gimigliano, Commercial Attaché, focusing on language diplomacy as an important component of cultural diplomacy.

The Embassy will also bring the Italian Language Week in the World closer to younger audiences, through its collaboration with Dar Al Atta’a Let’s read Programme. The special children’s event entitled: “Pimpa Goes on a Journey Through Italy!” at Let’s Read Library Bus, will allow the children, aged 5 to 9 years, to discover Italy and the Italian language in a fun and engaging environment through the beloved Italian cartoon character Pimpa. The programme will include a puppet show and fun activities. This initiative reflects the Embassy’s commitment to introducing Italian language and culture to younger generations through creative and accessible educational experiences.

The 2026 theme highlights the richness and versatility of the Italian language, presenting it not only as the heir to a long history and cultural tradition, but also as a vehicle for Italian know-how and creativity.

For more information on the program and event details, please visit the Embassy’s website at www.ambmascate.esteri.it.