Author: martina

Impossible (Artificial and Linguistic) Intelligences

Detail of the presentation slides from the meeting

The second Digital Spritz of 2026, titled “Impossible (Artificial and Linguistic) Intelligences,” took place on Wednesday, March 4, featuring Professor Andrea Moro (Scuola Normale Superiore, IUSS School for Advanced Studies Pavia).

Andrea Moro, an Italian neuroscientist and linguist, highlighted the integration of humanities and scientific disciplines—fields destined to increasingly confront the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. “The universe explained through the alphabet,” the phrase with which Moro concluded his presentation, underscores the value of these gatherings as opportunities to reflect on and analyze a reality progressively shaped by emerging technologies and our ability to leverage them effectively.

And as with any proper Digital Spritz, the discussions continued in a more informal setting over a refreshing aperitif.

Participants at the concluding aperitif of the meeting

Great success for the finale of the theater workshop

Manuel Boschiero introduces the actors and actresses of the reading

Have you ever cooked a monster? On Wednesday, March 4, the Sala Botte at the ESU Corte Maddalene Residence was transformed into a vibrant stage with a culinary twist for the final event of the introductory theater workshop. A packed and energetic Sala Botte provided the ideal setting to celebrate the talent and dedication of all participants.

The final reading, titled “How to Cook a Monster,” featured students from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures sharing a glimpse of their work on voice, body, and movement with the audience. Blending humorous recipes for serving Hydras, Chimaeras, and mythological mushrooms—complete with recommendations for the best wine pairings—the performance captivated and delighted everyone present.

Led with passion by Nicoletta Vicentini, with the participation of Jana Karšaiová, the project marked the culmination of an experiential journey that began in October, focusing on self-challenge, physical expression, and stage presence. Far more than a simple performance, the event represented the milestone of a deeply enriching personal and educational experience, where every story came to life through the strength of the group. A big round of applause goes to all the students who made this event truly magical!

15th Francophonie Day

The 15th Francophonie Day will take place on Thursday, March 19, starting at 10:00 AM in Lecture Hall SMT.2 (Polo Santa Marta, Via Cantarane 24, Verona). This annual event dedicated to Francophone literatures is directed by Rosanna Gorris Camos and organized by Valeria Averoldi and Vera Gajiu. This year’s edition explores the particularly complex concept of Queeritude and how “queer philosophies” intersect and transform French-language literatures and cultures.

Queer, a term closely tied to the Stonewall riots (1969) as well as to a series of movements involving authors from France and the Francophone world, denotes a concept that is intentionally hard to define, precisely because it arises from the need to reject dominant models and subvert social norms.

Throughout the day, participants will explore the themes and language of a rich body of literature that has developed around a term with countless facets: from questioning the concept of identity to the phenomenon of decolonial Queeritude—a concept forged at the intersection of postcolonial theories and queer struggles; from the vocabulary emerging from this corpus, which encompasses new linguistic and discursive practices, to the plurality of forms of queer militancy and activism in the French language, across their literary, artistic, and performative expressions.

Final reading of the introductory theater workshop

The introductory theater workshop organized by our department in collaboration with Teatro a Rotelle is coming to an end, but the finale promises to be full of energy: join us on Wednesday, March 4, at 11:30 AM in the Sala Botte (ESU residence, Piazzetta Corte Maddalene 5) for a very special “monstrous… lunch.”

Taking the stage will be the theatrical reading “How to Cook a Monster,” a performance featuring the participants of the workshop alongside members of the Teatro a Rotelle company, directed by Nicoletta Vicentini and Jana Karšaiová.

The event is held with the support of the University of Verona.

The 23rd episode of Inclusioni is now available online

On the occasion of International Mother Language Day established by UNESCO, celebrated annually on February 21, a new episode of Inclusioni is now available online, entirely dedicated to Catalan—one of the minority languages highlighted in this context.

Spoken by over nine million people, Catalan is more than just a means of communication: it is a bridge between past and future, a unique cultural ecosystem that defies the logic of globalization. From the streets of Barcelona to the valleys of Andorra, all the way to the shores of Alghero in Italy, we will explore why Catalan is a language offered every year within our Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.

We discuss this with Lídia Carol Geronès, adjunct professor since 2009 at the University of Verona, where she teaches Catalan language and culture. The interview is conducted by Federica Zoppi, professor of Spanish literature in our department.

Enjoy the episode!

Digital Spritz on Impossible Intelligences

The 2026 Digital Spritz series continues: on Wednesday, March 4, starting at 5:00 PM in Lecture Hall T.07 (Department of Foreign Languages, ground floor), Prof. Andrea Moro (Scuola Normale Superiore – Pisa; IUSS School for Advanced Studies – Pavia) will present “Impossible (Artificial and Human) Intelligences.” As usual, the meeting will conclude with a informal networking reception.