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Who we are

Founded in 1962, he Italian Cultural Institute (IIC) in Haifa is an office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian government, dedicated to the promotion of Italian culture in Northern Israel through the organization of cultural services and events.

Under the guidance of its trustees at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, its advisory board, and its staff, the IIC conforms to this commitment by fostering the cultural exchange between Italy and Israrel in a variety of areas, from the arts to the humanities to science.

Central to the Italian Cultural Institute’s mission is a constant effort to encourage the understanding and enjoyment of Italian culture by organizing and promoting cultural events in collaboration with the most prominent academic and cultural institutions of Israel’s Northern region.

The IIC focuses on the development of initiatives aimed at showcasing Italian excellence in various fields, such as science, technology, the arts and design. The development of academic exchanges, the organization and support of visual arts exhibitions, the grants for translation and publication of Italian books, the promotion of Italian studies, and the cooperation with local institutions in planning various events that focus on Italian music, dance, cinema, theater, architecture, literature, philosophy etc., are just a few examples of the Institute’s initiatives.

IIC Haifa | Salone1

Insights
  • The IIC in Haifa: over 60 years of history...

    The Italian Cultural Institute in Haifa is housed in a two storey property located in the heart of Haifa's German Colony. The structure, owned by the Custody of the Holy Land and previously used as a hospital, is a typical 1920s stone building, which still retains its original floorings.

    Founded in 1962 by the Italian Embassy, as a branch of the Italian Cultural Institute in Tel Aviv, the IIC in Haifa found its first Regent in Prof. Angelo Maddaloni, formerly a lecturer in Italian at the University of Haifa. Up till 1972 it shared its premises with the Italian Consulate in Haifa and the “Dante Alighieri” Society.

    Israeli citizens of Italian origin and Israeli friends in love with Italian culture have always participated in the activities promoted by the Institute, along with Italian citizens temporarily residing in Israel for work or study reasons.

    Over the last three decades, the Institute has also become the place to be for young Israeli planning to pursue their university studies in Italy. The Institute offers intensive Italian language courses and specific preparation courses ahead of the entry exam to the Faculty of Medicine.

    The directors who took torns at the IIC in Haifa are:

    Angelo Maddaloni (1962 - 1964) | Director
    Elsa Germini (1964 - 1971) | Acting director
    Marco Miele (1971 - 1974) | Acting director
    Annamaria Caredda Betenzoli (1974 - 1980) | Director
    Theodorakis Kiseridis (1982 - 1985) | Acting director
    Alberto Di Mauro (1985 - 1986) | Acting director
    Remo Rapetti (1987 - 1991) | Acting director
    Donatella Amina Bassani (1991 - 1992) | Acting director
    Nirenstein Flame (1992 - 1994) | Acting director
    Franco Massaia (1994 - 1997) | Acting director
    Adelia Rispoli (1997 - 2001) | Acting director
    Fortunato Ceraso (2001 - 2003) | Acting director
    Edoardo Crisafulli (2003 - 2008) | Director
    Giovanni Pillonca (2008 - 2012) | Director
    Carmela Callea (2012 - 2013) | Acting director
    Maurizio Dessalvi (2013 - 2018) | Director
    Claudia Romano (2018 - 2020) | Director
    Fabio Ruggirello (2020 - 2021) | Acting director
    Davide Denina (2021 - 2022) | Director
    Maria Sica (2022 - 2023) | Acting director
    Andrea Pascali (2023 - 2024) | Acting director
    Cristina Travanini (2024 -    ) | Acting director