GTU Celebrated Dante International Day and the 20th Anniversary of the Tbilisi Committee of the Dante Alighieri Society

“At Georgian Technical University, we place great importance on international cultural and educational initiatives that promote knowledge, humanistic values, and intercultural dialogue. The celebration of Dante International Day and the 20th anniversary of the Tbilisi Committee of the Dante Alighieri Society reflects these values and our commitment to strengthening international academic and cultural cooperation”, This was stated by Academician David Gurgenidze, Rector of the GTU, during an event dedicated to International Dante Day and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Tbilisi Committee of the Dante Alighieri Society.

International Dante Day and the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Tbilisi Committee of the Dante Alighieri Society were commemorated at the Georgian Technical University in cooperation with the Embassy of the Italian Republic in Georgia and in partnership with the Tbilisi Committee of the Dante Alighieri Society.

The event brought together representatives of Georgia’s and Italy’s academic, cultural, and diplomatic communities, including His Excellency Massimiliano D’Antuono, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Italian Republic to Georgia; Professor Alessandro Mazi, Secretary General of the Dante Alighieri Society, renowned Italian art historian, writer, journalist, and Honorary Doctor of Georgian Technical University; Professor Alessandro Salacone, the Society’s Coordinator for the Caucasus Region; Andrea Charlariello, Head of the Department of Culture and Public Relations; Professor Nino Tsertsvadze, President of the Tbilisi Committee of the Dante Alighieri Society; well-known Georgian poet Dato Maghradze; internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Nino Surguladze; members of the Dante Tbilisi Committee; university faculty; and students.

The anniversary event, dedicated to celebrating two decades of promoting the Italian language and culture in Georgia and strengthening Georgian–Italian cultural relations, was opened by GTU Rector, Academician David Gurgenidze.

In his welcoming remarks, the Rector emphasized the growing importance of cultural and educational cooperation in today’s interconnected world, noting that one of the university’s key missions is to serve as a center for intercultural dialogue, international partnership, and the advancement of shared human values.

Academician David Gurgenidze highlighted the significance of Georgian-Italian academic and scientific cooperation, spoke about the international projects implemented through the partnership between GTU and the Tbilisi Committee of the Dante Alighieri Society, and noted that this collaboration provides students, young researchers, and academic staff with valuable opportunities for professional and cultural development. According to him, the long-standing partnership with the Dante Alighieri Society is an outstanding example of successful international cooperation serving common educational and cultural goals.

“The commemoration of International Dante Day and the twentieth anniversary of the Tbilisi Committee of the Dante Alighieri Society at the Georgian Technical University once again attests to the fact that culture, education, and science constitute the most enduring foundation for sustainable cooperation and mutual understanding among nations and leading institutions of higher education.”

Dante Alighieri remains one of the greatest figures of world civilization. His legacy continues to inspire generations through its enduring ideals of human dignity, knowledge, freedom, and moral responsibility. Georgian Technical University places special emphasis on developing international partnerships. Our cooperation with the Embassy of Italy, the headquarters of the Dante Alighieri Society in Rome, and the Tbilisi Committee enables us to create a vibrant academic and cultural environment where engineering and technological education are enriched by the humanities.

We are proud to implement joint international projects that promote the Italian language and culture, strengthen academic and scientific cooperation, and create new opportunities for the youth. In particular, the “Dante Didactic Center” has become a successful model of cultural diplomacy, education, and international partnership”.

– Academician David Gurgenidze

The participants were also welcomed by Ambassador Massimiliano D’Antuono, Professor Alessandro Mazi, Professor Alessandro Salacone, and Professor Nino Tsertsvadze. They emphasized the importance of intercultural dialogue, academic cooperation, and humanistic values in today’s world, as well as the vital role of the Dante Alighieri Society in promoting the Italian language and culture and strengthening Georgian-Italian relations.

The anniversary celebration featured cultural performances by poet Dato Maghradze, renowned mezzo-soprano Nino Surguladze, tenor Avtandil Chikava, Giorgi Pataraia, and David Gigauri, a student of GTU’s Faculty of Mining Geology and Sustainable Mountain Development. Accompanied by pianist Ekaterine Gogolidze, they performed famous opera arias and masterpieces of Georgian musical heritage, while an Italian dance ensemble presented a choreographic performance inspired by Italian culture.

During the ceremony, Professor Alessandro Mazi, Secretary General of the Dante Alighieri Society, presented Diplomas of Merit to Ambassador Massimiliano D’Antuono, Dato Maghradze, and Nino Surguladze in recognition of their outstanding contributions to strengthening cultural and educational relations between Georgia and Italy.

The event concluded with the closing ceremony of the third phase of the international project, “Expansion of the Dante Didactic Center and the Development of Interdisciplinary Italian Language Teaching at Georgian Technical University”. Students, young researchers, and professors participating in the project were awarded ADA Italian language certificates, PLIDA international Italian language certificates, and other honorary awards in recognition of their achievements.