RUSSIA AND ITALY IN THE 20TH CENTURY: THE RECEPTION, THE IDEA AND THE REPRESENTATION IN RECIPROCAL SPECULARITY

ÐÎÑÑÈß È ÈÒÀËÈß Â XX ÂÅÊÅ. ÂÇÀÈÌÍÎÅ ÎÒÐÀÆÅÍÈÅ: ÂÎÑÏÐÈßÒÈÅ, ÈÄÅß, ÏÐÅÄÑÒÀÂËÅÍÈÅ
(ÌÎÑÊÂÀ, 15-17 ÄÅÊÀÁÐß 2005 Ã.)

The aim of the conference held in Moscow between December 15 and 17 2005, organised by the Italian Cultural Institute, the Italian Association of Slavists and the Russian Science Academy, the Ministry of Culture of Russia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy was to trace entirely and in its full range, the different representations of the two cultures, Russian and Italian, in the reciprocal historical-cultural, literary and ideological meaning during the 20th Century.

Russia's image in Italian literature, the Italy of two Russian literary traditions (in the motherland and after emigration), the idea of Russia and Italy in the historical, philosophical and religious conceptions of the two cultures, constitute unavoidable moments of European cultural awareness and the conference intention was to create the occasion for a fruitful confrontation of opinions and knowledge in a more articulated, original and updated frame.

The conference dealt with themes relating to the reception and conception of Russia in Italy, of its religious and philosophical tradition, of its literature, of the "Russian idea", through the various languages and forms of communication. At the same time the Russian scholars involved approached the theme of Italy in the Russian culture of the 20-th century in its various aspects, from its tradition to that of a nation that intensely lived the contradictions, successes and the great momentum of the century past.

The conference had more of a historical-literary tendency and in this prospective particular attention was given to literary personalities who contributed towards a cultural dialogue of the two countries. In the same way there was a focus on the interpretation of spiritual and religious traditions of the two countries that historically and culturally characterize their profiles.

The conference concluded a series of cultural events held on the occasion of the Year of Italian Culture in Russia, inaugurated in February 2005 with the opening at the Puškin Museum in Moscow of the exhibition From Giotto to Malevič: The Reciprocal Wonder that, following a vast scientific course, confronted the two artistic paths of the two countries.

In the present number of "Toronto Slavic Quarterly" there is a preview of the articles for publication in the Acts of the Conference still being prepared.

© P. Cioni

© S. Garzonio

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