About the Società Dante Alighieri di Christchurch
The Italian cultural society is named after Dante Alighieri, the famous poet from Florence, who lived from 1265-1321. His epic La Divina Commedia (The Divine Comedy) is regarded as a landmark of world literature. Dante is recognized as the greatest poet of early Renaissance (il "Sommo Poeta" that means "the Supreme Poet") and was influential in the development and acceptance of Italian as literary language.
There are currently more than 500 Dante branches around the world with the number continuing to grow. Some 400 of them are outside Italy: in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. In New Zealand there are two Comitati: one in Auckland and one in Christchurch. Wellington has a Circolo Italiano affiliated to the Dante Society.
The Comitato di Christchurch of Società Dante Alighieri was started in 1960 by Bruno Ballara, helped by his sister Mrs Marusa Byatt and with the encouragement of Professor Douglas Kidd, head of the Classics Department of the University of Canterbury.
Our members are of all ages, many of whom have had the Italian experience or are Italians now living in Christchurch. We meet each month from March to November. Presentations are conducted in the English language whilst films shown at CineDante are in Italian with English subtitles.
There are currently more than 500 Dante branches around the world with the number continuing to grow. Some 400 of them are outside Italy: in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. In New Zealand there are two Comitati: one in Auckland and one in Christchurch. Wellington has a Circolo Italiano affiliated to the Dante Society.
The Comitato di Christchurch of Società Dante Alighieri was started in 1960 by Bruno Ballara, helped by his sister Mrs Marusa Byatt and with the encouragement of Professor Douglas Kidd, head of the Classics Department of the University of Canterbury.
Our members are of all ages, many of whom have had the Italian experience or are Italians now living in Christchurch. We meet each month from March to November. Presentations are conducted in the English language whilst films shown at CineDante are in Italian with English subtitles.
From February 2014 we have been offering Italian Classes as explained in Learning Italian.
Who doesn’t enjoy Italian food? See the list of Italian recipes.
Since February 2016, we have started the Italian Book Club, a monthly meeting dedicated to passionate lovers of the italian culture, literature and life style.
Throughout the year we organise and participate in various cultural events and activities in the City of Christchurch such as Culture Galore in which people from many nations share their ethnic food and dance.
Our monthly Newsletter provides information about monthly meetings, radio programmes, performances and events
Who doesn’t enjoy Italian food? See the list of Italian recipes.
Since February 2016, we have started the Italian Book Club, a monthly meeting dedicated to passionate lovers of the italian culture, literature and life style.
Throughout the year we organise and participate in various cultural events and activities in the City of Christchurch such as Culture Galore in which people from many nations share their ethnic food and dance.
Our monthly Newsletter provides information about monthly meetings, radio programmes, performances and events
Who We Are |
Il Comitato di Christchurch is run by a group of volunteers. Committee elections are held at the Society's Annual General Meeting and any society member is welcome to stand.
President - Denis Walker Treasurer - Lindsay Serra Secretary - Jan Tedesco Website and Newsletter Editor - Rosa Cirrottola (outside Committee) Committee Members - Viv Browne, Vera Domigan, Louise Easter, Lisa Fazi, Maria Fresia, Anna Hall, Roland Harrison, Philippa McLaughlin, Silvia Maggioni, Brunella Olivieri, John Walsh |
Become a member |
Become part of the Dante Alighieri Society.
Annual fee 2019:
We would like to thank all the members for their support over the years, and we hope that you will continue doing so. |