In the cultural area, bilateral relations between Italy and the Philippines are characterized by mutual cooperation, regulated by the Cultural Cooperation Agreement signed on June 17, 1988.
The Filipino public is particularly receptive and interested in Italian culture in its various aspects such as music – classical music in particular, opera, cinema, theater and dance, art, restoration, design and cuisine.
In the absence of an Italian Cultural Institute, the Embassy is directly involved in the promotion of Italian culture in the country, taking advantage of a strong and extensive network of collaborations it has built over time with key local cultural stakeholders. These include the Philippine-Italian Association (PIA), an Italian-Philippine association that has been operating in the Philippines since 1962, and the Dante Alighieri Society – Manila Committee, founded in 2005, which play a key role in promoting Italian culture in the country. This network also includes universities, local cultural institutions and businesses from both countries, creating a synergy that fosters cultural exchange and strengthens ties between Italy and the Philippines.
CULTURAL AND INTEGRATED PROMOTION.
The Embassy of Italy in Manila is actively involved in promoting Italian culture and language in the Philippines. Despite the geographical distance, the Filipino public shows a strong interest in various aspects of Italian culture, such as music, cinema, theater, visual arts, gastronomy, design and fashion. The initiatives are many and diverse both in terms of type of event and mode of organization. Among these we distinguish:
- Initiatives directly promoted by the Embassy, such as classical music and opera concerts, the launch of the commemorative book for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations;
- Thematic reviews by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), such as Italian Cuisine Week, Italian Language Week, Italian Design Day, and Contemporary Art Day;
- Activities promoted by the EU Delegation in the Philippines together with member state embassies, such as CineEuropa, TeatroEuropa, Eurovillage and the European Higher Education Fair (EHEF);
- Activities organized on an ad hoc basis in cooperation with other Italian and Philippine entities, such as the Italian Film Festival Manila, the Ateneo Art Award – Embassy of Italy Purchase Prize, the Sommelier Course in cooperation with the AIS (Italian Sommelier Association), and the friendly match with the Philippine Football Federation (“Philippines-Italy Friendship Cup 2024”).
MAIN INITIATIVES.
Among the activities promoted by the Embassy are concerts, meetings, and events related to thematic reviews promoted by MAECI, such as Italian Cuisine Week, Italian Language Week, Italian Design Day, and Contemporary Art Day. Collaborations with other institutions, such as CineEuropa, the Italian Film Festival Manila, the friendly soccer match, the Tondo Festival, and the Sommelier Course enrich the cultural offerings and promotion of Made in Italy.
CINEMA.
The Embassy is dedicated to promoting the Italian film industry, both past and contemporary, through financial sponsorships for events such as the International Silent Film Festival, CineEuropa, and the Italian Film Festival. These events celebrate Italian cinema and its cultural exchange with Filipino audiences.
PERFORMING ARTS.
Enhancing Italian opera is another focus, with concerts of orchestral music and performances of operas (“Turandot,” “Gianni Schicchi,” “Suor Angelica) in collaboration with local institutions, foundations and cultural centers, making opera accessible to less privileged audiences.
VISUAL ARTS.
Since 2018, the Embassy has collaborated with the Ateneo Art Gallery to promote young Filipino artists through the creation of the Italian Embassy Prize for Contemporary Art. In 2024 on the occasion of the Day of the Contemporary, an exhibition of contemporary art was organized in collaboration with Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) with a section dedicated to works by Italian artists, highlighting the dialogue between the two cultures.
CUSINE AND ENOGASTRONOMY.
The “Italian Cuisine Week” is a consistently successful event in the Philippines. It celebrates Italian culinary traditions and food and wine culture as a hallmark of Italian identity and culture. In keeping with the themes of the different editions, the initiatives aim to engage different audiences and are shaped in a variety of formats, ranging from gala dinners to popular cooking initiatives.
LANGUAGE AND STUDY.
The Embassy actively supports Philippine universities in teaching the Italian language, helping to create opportunities for students through initiatives promoted by MAECI (scholarships to study in Italy) and organizing joint cultural events and conferences, as well as participating in fairs dedicated to disseminating information about the Italian educational system and facilitating cultural exchanges. Annually, the Embassy promotes events on the occasion of Italian Language and Culture Week.
DESIGN.
In 2023, the Embassy organized the first “Italian Design Day,” consisting of two main moments: an educational one involving design students and professors, and a convivial one with an awards evening for design professionals.
COMMEMORATIONS AND COLLABORATIONS.
Special initiatives were organized ad hoc in celebration of significant events, such as the passage of the ship Vespucci at the port of Manila and the 75th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Italy and the Philippines. On the occasion of the ship Amerigo Vespucci’s transit, a commemorative meeting was held on board dedicated to Italian explorer Antonio Pigafetta, the first to document customs and traditions of the Philippines in his travel diary in the first circumnavigation of the globe to celebrate the anniversary of diplomatic relations, a commemorative book entitled “Philippines-Italy Rising Together 1947-2022” was published.
SOCIAL CHANNELS.
The Embassy’s cultural promotion activities can also be followed on social channels:
Facebook: Embassy of Italy in the Philippines
Instagram: @italyinph
X (former Twitter): @ItalyinPH