Established in 1996, the Manchester branch is one of the Society’s many branches around the world.
The Society’s headquarters are in Rome, and its mission is to promote the Italian language and Italian culture abroad.
The Manchester branch does not have its own premises. Membership is open to both Italians and non-Italians, and members and supporters enjoy a wide programme of events throughout the year.
Members and non-members alike are welcome to attend.
Scopri i Parchi Letterari® Italiani!
Accade a volte di sognare tra le pagine di un libro; ma che ne direste se ad avvolgersi attorno a voi fosse un intero Parco Letterario? Scopri i nostri percorsi ed itinerari attraverso i luoghi di vita e di ispirazione dei grandi scrittori di tutti i tempi.
Vai al sito http://www.parchiletterari.com
FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
(Members and non-members alike are welcome to attend, unless specified otherwise).
Petronius of Bologna: Making a Saint in Medieval and Renaissance Italy
SATURDAY 14 November 2026 – 4.20pm for 4.30pm start
Cross Street Chapel, Cross Street, Manchester M2 1NL
ENGLISH
On 4 October, Bologna celebrates two saints: St Petronius, the city’s patron saint, and St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Italy. This coincidence takes on particular significance in 2026, when the feast of St Francis returns as a national public holiday. But who was St Petronius, and how did he become a symbol of Bologna? A bishop of the city in the fifth century, Petronius was rediscovered in 1141, when his relics were found in the Basilica of Santo Stefano, known as the ‘Jerusalem of Bologna’. From that moment, his cult became increasingly intertwined with the city’s history and identity. Petronius became the protector of the Bolognese during wars against the German emperors, in territorial disputes, and even in traditions surrounding the foundation of the world’s oldest university. His importance is also reflected in the magnificent basilica dedicated to him in Piazza Maggiore and in the works of Renaissance artists such as Francesco Francia and Lorenzo Costa. Through stories, historical documents and works of art, this talk will explore the history of St Petronius and his cult, revealing how a fifth-century bishop became, over the centuries, one of the most important symbols of Bologna’s identity.
ITALIAN
Il 4 ottobre Bologna celebra due santi: San Petronio, patrono della città, e San Francesco d’Assisi, patrono d’Italia. Questa coincidenza assume un significato particolare nel 2026, con il ritorno della festa di San Francesco come festività nazionale. Ma chi era San Petronio e come è diventato il simbolo di Bologna? Vescovo della città nel V secolo, Petronio fu riscoperto nel 1141, quando le sue reliquie vennero ritrovate nella Basilica di Santo Stefano, conosciuta come la ‘Gerusalemme bolognese’. Da quel momento, il suo culto si intrecciò sempre più con la storia e l’identità della città. Petronio divenne il protettore dei Bolognesi nelle guerre contro gli imperatori tedeschi, nelle rivendicazioni territoriali e persino nelle tradizioni legate alla fondazione dell’università più antica del mondo. La sua importanza è testimoniata anche dalla maestosa basilica a lui dedicata in Piazza Maggiore e dalle opere di artisti rinascimentali come Francesco Francia e Lorenzo Costa. Attraverso racconti, documenti e opere d’arte, l’incontro ripercorrerà la storia di San Petronio e del suo culto, mostrando come un vescovo del V secolo sia diventato, nel corso dei secoli, uno dei simboli più importanti dell’identità bolognese.
Speaker: Talk by Dr Tom Quigley (medieval historian specialising in medieval Italian history, with particular expertise in the religious, architectural, and urban history of Bologna)
Venue: Cross Street Chapel – Cross Street, Manchester M2 1NL
Admission: members and our students of Italian FREE / non-members £ 3.00
The talk (in English) will be followed by a social gathering with a glass of wine and nibbles.
To better arrange seating and refreshments, it would be helpful if you could book in advance by emailing us at dante@newfuture.org
Club di Poesia / Poetry Club
The next meeting of our FREE Club di Poesia / Poetry Club will be on Monday 16 November 2026 at 6.35pm and details will be sent to the group in advance.
Future meetings will be on:
- 7th December 18:15
The Club is under the coordination of Jim Howell (Executive Committee).
If you are not part of the group and you like to enrol, please contact dante@newfuture.org
