1st Italophony Summit in ROMA
In just a few weeks, on November 19, 2025, a truly historic milestone will be reached for Italy and for the millions of people around the globe who cherish our language. The very first Italophony Summit will take place in Rome to discuss why Italian Culture Matters to us !
While the word “Italophony” might sound academic, its meaning is simple yet profound, in fact it represents the global community of those who speak, study, and love the Italian language. For us at Podere Cerbaia, rooted deeply in the Tuscan tradition and committed to sharing our culture, this summit is a much-anticipated celebration of everything we stand for.
The Language of the Land, the Language of the World
The Italian language is unique. It is the language of Dante, but it is also the language of slow food, of artisanal craftsmanship, and of the family dinner table. It’s the language of Leonardo da Vinci and of a spontaneous “Ciao” exchanged in a piazza.
Historically, Italian culture has spread through art, migration, and, more recently, through food and lifestyle. We are eager to see how the Summit, held in Rome, will acknowledge this legacy. We expect it to focus on how to support and promote Italian not just as a cultural artifact, but as a living, breathing tool. Our language can be used for diplomacy, economic exchange, and social cohesion worldwide.
The core themes expected to dominate the summit deeply resonate with the spirit of the Italian word ‘Podere’, our very name:
- Identity and Territory: We anticipate discussions on how protecting the language will mean protecting the regional identities and local traditions. These characteristics give our Territories their special flavour.
- Culture and Creativity: Italian is fundamental to fashion, design, cinema, and, naturally, cooking, and the world is ready to embrace more of it.
- Education: The Summit aims to encourage the study of Italian language in schools and universities abroad, building a robust future for the language. Italian Culture Matters to us!
Think Global but live Local
What does a high-level summit in Rome have to do with your stay here in the peaceful hills of Cerbaia? Everything.
The experience you can live at our home — the meticulously kept olive groves, the wine produced from our own grapes, the traditional recipes passed down through generations — is all connected by the Italian language.
When you learn the difference between selvatico (wild, spontaneous) and incolto (uncultivated, neglected) you aren’t just memorizing vocabulary. You are understanding the relationship with the land. At Podere Cerbaia we know that some things must be carefully cultivated (colto), while others must be appreciated in their spontaneous, wild state (selvatico).
This Summit reinforces the idea that this rich, complex linguistic landscape is a global heritage. Every time you order a dish in Italian, ask about your favourite extra virgin olive oil, or try to pronounce the name of a local wine, you are an active participant in this global community that the Italophony Summit seeks to support.
Some statistics on Italian language and Italophony
The Global Footprint of Italian is growing. The enthusiasm for Italian isn’t just anecdotal; it’s backed by impressive global figures. According to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI), Italian is consistently ranked as one of the top five most studied languages in the world, with an estimated 2.2 million students annually and a total community of over 85 million speakers worldwide. Wow! Italian is consistently ranked as one of the top five most studied languages in the world! This Summit is a crucial step to not only recognize this immense community but to strategically support its continued growth. Promozione della lingua italiana – Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale
Further confirming this upward trend is the recent, unprecedented push by Italian universities to establish academic and scientific collaborations in regions not traditionally associated with Italian language study. While Italy maintains strong ties with established centers in Europe and the Americas, new agreements—often supported by the MAECI’s strategic cultural diplomacy—are emerging rapidly in Asia and Africa. For instance, Italian institutions are forging key partnerships for language programs, dual degrees, and research hubs with universities in countries like Vietnam, South Korea, Kenya, and Ghana. This shift demonstrates a strategic awareness: Italian is now recognized as a critical tool for global research and economic exchange, not just a historical or cultural discipline. These academic bridges ensure that the growth of Italophony is sustainable, feeding the demand for Italian speakers in emerging global markets.
Looking Ahead
We look forward to celebrating the outcomes of this first summit and the new initiatives it will bring to elevate Italian’s status on the world stage. It reminds us that our small, local traditions are part of a much larger, vibrant global story.
We invite all our future guests to join this movement. Come to Podere Cerbaia not just to relax, but also to immerse yourselves in the language that defines the beauty and the culture of Italy and the region of Tuscany.
Venite a trovarci! (Come visit us!) Learn Italian in Chianti, Tuscany, Italy | Podere Cerbaia
Italian Language is also Espresso in the Sun, admiring Olive trees
