The Italian National Week took place from 19 to 24 February 2018. On Monday morning, students decided to give it a start in a very sweet way with our special Italian breakfast at ‘Casa dolce casa’, offering Nutella chocolates to their College mates in each residence. On the same day, in Garenmarkt, they put up an Italian flag of 250 square metres: the ‘tricolore’ became the canteen ceiling for a couple of days!
On Tuesday, the students organised the conference "The EU in an increasingly complex world: Internal and external challenges". In the framework of this event they were honoured to host a panel of distinguished speakers such as H.E. Ambassador Luca FRANCHETTI PARDO, Italian Permanent Representative to the Political and Security Committee of the European Union; Prof. Giovanni GREVI, Senior Fellow at the European Policy Centre and Visiting Professor at the College of Europe; Doctor Gian Paolo ACCARDO, Executive Editor of VoxEurop and Italian correspondent for Internazionale in France; and Doctor Giulia PASTORELLA, Government Relations Manager at HP-EU. The conference was followed by a reception where both students and guests had the opportunity to taste Italian wines and enjoy ‘aperitivi’ offered by Azienda Vitivinicola Medolago Albani.
Cultural Events
Wednesday night was movie night! For their national CineClub they screened Una giornata particolare by E. SCOLA in the Oliebaan Residence.
On Thursday, once again the students transformed the College canteen in an Italian ‘Trattoria’, personally serving the Italian delicacies they had been cooking for two days! Both the delicious menu and the magical atmosphere created by the Italian students acting as waiters, made lunch one of the most memorable events of the entire week. In the evening, the College bar was the place to experience ‘La Dolce Vita’, enjoying Spritz and Negroni and dancing to Italy's best-known songs in smart chic outfits!
On Friday, the Phoenix Café changed its name to ‘Caffè La Fenice’ just for one day! The idea was to give a taste of a true Italian ‘merenda’ with homemade cakes and Espresso.
Last but not least, on Saturday evening the week ended in a very imperial and glorious way with our ‘In vino veritas’ Toga-Party! If it’s true that all roads lead to Rome, for one night they also led to the Biskajer Residence, making of Bruges the Caput Mundi of the College of Europe!
There are only two words to describe the entire week and the memories cherished by everyone who decided to be part of the experience: #chebello!
Conference
The students warmly thank all their sponsors who helped realizing the events organized in the framework of the national week. Namely: Ferrero, Ferrarelle, Bonelli Erede, Cleary Gottlieb, Istituto italiano di cultura – Bruxelles, Azienda vitivinicola Medolago Albani, La Padella italian food – Bruges, Trium Trattoria, Confcommercio giovani imprenditori.
Grazie a tutti! The Italian Society of the College of Europe.