The University of Bath community experienced a special cultural moment, on Wednesday 26th November, as we welcomed the Italian Ambassador Inigo Lambertini to campus. His visit - part of an ongoing tour of British universities aimed at strengthening academic, cultural, and diplomatic ties - marked Bath as the 24th institution on his itinerary, and generated great excitement among staff and students of Italian.
Our Italian teacher, Carmela Esposito Faraone, together with her Stage 2.1 Italian students, had the privilege of attending the Ambassador’s talk. He delivered a thoughtful and engaging speech that highlighted Italy’s cultural presence in the UK, relations between Italy and the UK post Brexit and his role as an Ambassador. Students were then invited to ask questions, sparking lively discussion on diplomacy, cultural identity, and job opportunities in Italy.
A particularly warm moment came when Carmela—herself originally from Naples—shared a brief conversation with the Ambassador. In an unexpected turn, they discovered that they not only shared a hometown but also mutual friends and familiar memories. Their exchange added a personal and nostalgic dimension to the day.
Reflections from the day
“It was a unique and insightful experience to be part of the audience for the ambassador. He offered thoughtful and genuine reflections on the relationship and collaboration between the UK and Italy. I feel that such insights were especially appreciated by an audience of passionate students of the Italian language and culture.”
— Chris Barnes, student
The visit was not only an honour but also a moment of true inspiration for students and staff alike. Experiences like this deepen the sense of community within our Italian programmes of study and open doors to new conversations about culture, identity, and international collaboration. We look forward to building on this memorable day with future initiatives that continue to celebrate the rich ties between Italy and the University of Bath.
“It was a privilege to share with my students this culturally enriching experience on relations between Italy and the UK. My personal highlight was to enjoy a brief, warm moment with the Ambassador, talking about our mutual family and friends from Naples, our hometown.”
— Carmela Esposito Faraone, Italian teacher
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