World Week of the Italian Language begins: Italian as a language for creating
The 26th edition runs from 19 to 25 October under the theme “Lingua geniale”, with events at consulates, embassies and cultural institutes worldwide.
The 26th World Week of the Italian Language takes place from 19 to 25 October 2026, organised by Italy’s Foreign Ministry with its network of embassies, consulates and Italian Cultural Institutes. This year’s theme, “Lingua geniale: ideare, progettare, creare con l’italiano”, presents Italian as the language of know-how: design, food, science, fashion, engineering and art.
The edition was launched on 8 October at the Farnesina by Deputy Minister Edmondo Cirielli, joined by astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti and Olympic champion Arianna Fontana, under the High Patronage of the President of the Republic.
According to the ministry, more than 1.5 million students learn Italian in 112 countries. In 2025 it awarded more than 300 grants, worth about €2 million, to Italian-language chairs at schools and universities in some 70 countries. The initiative began in 2001 with the Accademia della Crusca and is held every year in the third week of October.
To find events in your city, check the website of the nearest consulate or Italian Cultural Institute in our directory.
Source: Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale