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Ismail Hossain Shapon, Italy: Venice Mayor Giovanni Pellizzato, who also heads the city’s historic publishing house Tolettra, visited RIC Academy, a school offering Italian language and civic education courses, in Mestre on Thursday.
The visit took place at the RIC Education Centre in Mestre at around 10:30am on September 17. A group of guests accompanied the mayor, including journalist and writer Palash Rahman, RIC Academy Director Ritu Mia, Mestre-based social organiser and researcher Nicola Anulare, artist and music director Serena Nono, and RIC Solutions Director Nuruzzaman.
An A1-level Italian language course was underway when the guests arrived. The students welcomed them by singing the national anthems of Bangladesh and Italy and later described the beauty of Venice in Italian.
Singer Nasrin also performed a song about rain, adding a festive touch to the gathering.
Pellizzato said he had been associated with education throughout his life and had also been involved with Venice’s oldest and most traditional publishing activities. He said he had recently entered politics and was elected president of the Venice municipality.
He said the educational activities of RIC Academy would become part of Venice’s history by contributing to the creation of genuine peaceful coexistence in the city.
Pellizzato also expressed interest in publishing a book by RIC Academy Director and architect Ritu Mia, saying they hoped to organise its publication event soon.
Artist and music director Serena Nono expressed interest in working jointly with RIC Academy on music and cultural exchanges between Bangladesh and Italy.
Ritu Mia said Venice was her city, where she had grown up and studied.
“Many people from Bangladesh live here. We are trying to help them become responsible citizens,” she said.
“Our encouragement grows when we see people who genuinely support peaceful coexistence standing beside us,” she added.