The Italian language is gaining increasing popularity in Kosovo, reflecting a deepening of cultural and educational ties between the two countries.
Italian Ambassador to Kosovo, Maurizio Antonini, stated that the interest among Kosovar students in learning Italian is growing rapidly, a sign of the strong and lasting relationship between Kosovo and Italy.
Growing Academic Collaboration
At the Rectorate of the University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, an academic lecture was held today by Professor Leonardo M. Savoia, in the presence of Ambassador Antonini and members of the university’s leadership.
During his remarks, Ambassador Antonini emphasized that the Italian language is spreading across Kosovo, with student enthusiasm at an all-time high.
“The Institute of Italian Language and Culture at the University of Prishtina has begun its activities, and it is now finally possible to obtain official Italian language certification at the Faculty of Philology, where an Italian assistant is now based,” Antonini explained.
“In recent years, two new private schools have introduced Italian into their non-academic programs, showing promising signs for the future. Perhaps soon there will be similar initiatives in Peja, a city with a strong Italian military presence through KFOR, which also acts as a cultural bridge. Each year, we see increasing interest from Kosovar students to study Italian, as well as new academic and cultural collaborations between our countries,” he added.
Antonini also mentioned that Italy had just inaugurated a new ERASMUS+ program in a full auditorium at Europe House, demonstrating students’ enthusiasm for exchange opportunities.
The Event and Its Cultural Significance
The lecture, organized by the University of Prishtina’s Rectorate in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Languages, aimed to strengthen academic collaboration between Kosovo and Italian educational institutions and to encourage the exchange of linguistic and cultural expertise.
The event took place within the framework of the Italian Weekend in Kosovo, under the theme “The Italian Language Beyond Borders.”
Professor Leonardo Savoia, who delivered the lecture, spoke in Albanian, thanking attendees before discussing the connection between the Italian language as a Neo-Latin language and the Balkan Peninsula.
Strengthening Kosovo–Italy Ties
Prorector Rozafa Basha emphasized the growing interest in the Italian language in Kosovo and highlighted the ongoing projects and initiatives supporting this trend.
“A few years ago, we established the Institute of Italian Language and Culture within the Faculty of Philology — a valuable center for study and cultural cooperation. Italian is now part of our regular programs and is offered at the university’s Language Center, becoming a stable bridge between our cultures,” Basha said.
She added that each year, the International Summer University of Prishtina welcomes Italian professors who share their pedagogical and research experience, as well as Italian students attending summer courses.
This year, professors from the University of Naples and the University of Milan contributed to courses and workshops at the Faculty of Economics, bringing new academic and cultural energy.
A Shared Commitment to Cultural Exchange
The event was attended by Ambassador Antonini, Prorector Rozafa Basha, Majlinda Prekazi, Director of the Institute of Italian Language and Culture, as well as students and representatives from other higher education institutions.
Their participation underscored the mutual commitment to deepening academic and cultural ties between Kosovo and Italy — through language, education, and shared European values.
