In celebration of Dante Alighieri’s 75Oth birth anniversary and as a catalyst in bringing the Italian excellence closer to the Filipino people, the Societa Dante Alighieri Comitato di Manila (SDA Manila) with the Italian Embassy Manila and other partners will hold a series of cultural events, collectively billed as Dante Alighieri, Today.
The event will revolve around the author’s magnum opus The Divine Comedy and its influences on classical and contemporary arts and popular culture. It will also serve as a vehicle to promote the Italian language, culture, and excellence that have penetrated the Philippine society in terms of food, fashion, technology, literature, music, and arts. An evidence of this beautiful Italian invasion is found under the roof of Granstar Motors Industrial Corporation, one of the major sponsors of the event and the official distributor of the Italian motorcycle brand, Vespa.
The chairman of SDA Manila committee Alessandro Iellamo considered Vespa as an icon of the Italian culture, an embodiment of true Italian craftsmanship and excellence. “Vespa is more than just a piece of machinery. It is beyond a motorcycle. It is a global treasure on its own right,” he added.
Dante Alighieri, Today has become a channel to show that Vespa, as it evolved through the years, has remained to be an icon of excellence at par with the world’s greatest artists. Other event highlights include painting exhibitions, musical and opera performances, film showing, workshops, food festivals, academic discussions and lectures, all of which is carefully crafted to attract people from all walks of life. SDA Manila has also collaborated with local artists who will be performing during the thematic dinners being organized in restaurants like Bellini, Caruso and l’Opera. The art exhibit will showcase a collection of paintings spanning seven centuries from world-renowned painters like Botticelli and other contemporary artists who have captured the beauty and mystery of Dante’s Divine Comedy. Capping off the celebration with a bang, Granstar Motors Industrial Corporation will be giving away a brand new Vespa as the grand prize for the event’s raffle draw.
With the help of the Italian Embassy, the Italian Chamber of Commerce, the Philippine Italian Association, a number of reputable universities, major companies and more, SDA Manila wishes to further enrich the culture of both nations and forge a stronger bond between the Italians and Filipinos.
Vespa models are available at Granstar Motors Industrial Corporation’s showroom at #9 Brixton Street, Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City. For more information, you can visit http://www.granstargroup.com/ or call any one of our branches’ contact numbers: Manila (02) 234-9177, (02) 570-6137, (02) 570-6100; Cebu (032) 344-5994, 0932-877-1755; Cagayan de Oro 0998-888-2354; and Davao 0923-659-7161. Dante Alighieri, Today will run from October to November 2015. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/884732914908416/ or http://www.dantemanila.com for more details.