Newsletter – March 2026
Nelson Italian Festival
On 1 March, we were delighted to be invited back to the Nelson Italian Festival. Maria and her sister Sandra from Dante Auckland were there promoting the Dante Society network, and we received wonderful feedback from many people who stopped by to chat and learn more about our activities.
We hope to repeat the magic at the Cultural Galore event later this month - keep reading below to find out more!
Annual General Meeting Outcomes
Thank you to everyone who attended our AGM. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on a successful year, and we look forward to bringing you even more Italian cultural activities in the year ahead.
At the meeting, Carlo Guglietta stepped down as President and has taken on the role of Vice-President. We thank Carlo for his leadership and dedication over the years, and warmly welcome Jeremy Chang as the new President.
We also extend our sincere thanks to long-serving committee members Rosie Hill and Philippa McLaughlin for their many years of contribution. At the same time, we warmly welcome Liz Murdoch to the committee, alongside Jane Pow and Chiara Valeri who joined in the middle of last year between the AGMs. Together, we look forward to continuing the Society’s tradition of promoting Italian language and culture in Christchurch.
Cultural Galore
Saturday 21 March, 12-4pm – Multicultural Recreation & Community Centre, 455 Hagley Ave
This year we join the other communities in Christchurch to celebrate the diversity of this city. Come and say hi to us on the first floor of the Multicultural Recreation and Community Centre. Take a quiz and win some prizes.
There will be performance and food from all different groups. Many stalls are cash only, so please remember to bring cash.
Italian Intensive Weekend
Friday-Sunday, 24-26 April – St Albans Community Centre
We are pleased to offer an Intensive Italian Course in April 2026. For $215, the weekend begins with a Friday evening aperitivo and conversation session, followed by three-hour lessons on both Saturday and Sunday. Lunch is provided on both days, along with interactive activities, games, and much more.
The course is open to students of all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced learners. Participants will be placed in level-appropriate groups and supported throughout the programme by our experienced teachers.
Book Club returns for 2026
Your favourite book club returns in late May, but you can sign up now and start finding a book to talk about!
Come along for a friendly chat about the books we’ve been enjoying, or share your recommendations for Italian films, TV series, articles, and travel adventures. Whether it’s a gripping novel or a must-see movie, we’d love to hear your thoughts. The book club will be moderated by Roberto.
The fee for the book club is $50 for the full programme, three meetings, or $20 per individual meeting.
Caffè e Chiacchiere
First Sunday of every month, 11am – Westend Stories, 93C Cambridge Tce
Looking for opportunities to practise your Italian? Come to our monthly morning coffee meetup where you can engage in casual language exchange over coffee and pastries.
Whether you're just starting to learn Italian or you're already fluent, you're welcome to join us! One of our teachers or someone from the Advanced Classes will be there to facilitate conversation. No costs, but please purchase your coffee or pastries directly from the cafe counter.
Our next meetup will be on 5 April, our table is in front of the Britten Museum.
Amici della Dante
We appreciate the support from the following local businesses. For all membership benefits, please visit our webpage.