To mark Italian Language Week 2026, the embassies of Italy and Switzerland in Bangladesh, in partnership with the Bengal Foundation, hosted a special screening of the award-winning film Ariaferma at Bengal Shilpalay in Dhanmondi yesterday.
Directed by Leonardo Di Costanzo, Ariaferma is an Italian-Swiss co-production presented in its original Italian with English subtitles. Set in a decommissioned prison, the film explores themes of humanity and resilience.
Luva Nahid Choudhury, director general of Bengal Foundation, delivered the opening remarks.
The event brought together diplomats, cultural figures, and film enthusiasts.
Antonio Alessandro, Italian ambassador to Bangladesh, and Reto Renggli, Swiss ambassador to Bangladesh, attended the screening.
Among the other attendees were Gabriel Sistiaga Ochoa de Chinchetru, Spanish ambassador to Bangladesh; Philip Ong, chargé d’affaires of the Singapore High Commission in Dhaka; Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, Norwegian ambassador to Bangladesh; and Nicolas Weeks, Swedish ambassador to Bangladesh.
Abul Khair, chair of Bengal Foundation, was also present.
Italian Language Week (Settimana della Lingua Italiana nel Mondo) is an annual global initiative organised by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to promote the Italian language and culture worldwide.