Persian literature seats to increase in Italy

TEHRAN, Mar. 14 (MNA) – Culture Minister has announced that Italian universities would host more academic seats for Persian language. Iranian Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Ali Jannati who is heading a delegation in Italy met with his Italian Education Minister Stefania Giannini in Rome on first day of his visit on Friday. The two sides stressed necessity of strengthening and expansion of scientific ties on archaeology, human sciences and Persian and Italian literatures between universities of the two countries. “Italy has welcomed development of mutual cooperation with Iran, especially on improvement of Persian language education in italian universities,” said Ali Jannati and added that “currently five Persian language seats are active in Italian academia and the country’s authorities expressed interest in increasing this number and receiving Iranian professors to improve the program.” Jannati has also met with Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, the Roman Curia as President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, in Vatican on Friday. During the meeting the two sides discussed joint cooperation on exchange of professors and cultural delegations, review of manuscripts and exchange of movies with religious themes as well as strengthening of interreligious dialogue between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Vatican. Iranian culture minister is scheduled to meet with Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni, Dario Franceschini, Minister of Heritage, Cultural Activity and Tourism, and Parliament Speaker Laura Boldrini during his stay in the European country.