HISTORY OF
THE DANTE ALIGHIERI SOCIETY
The Dante Alighieri Society of
Washington traces its roots back
to Italy in July 1889, with the
publication of a manifesto
expressing the hope of creating a
society that would transcend
political, national, and social
barriers; a society cultural in
intent and purpose; a society
that would reach out to Italian
nationals throughout the world
wherever the political and
economic constraints of their
homeland had forced them to
emigrate and provide a thread of
unity among these widely
dispersed groups of people by
keeping alive the knowledge of
the language and love for the
culture of their native Italy.
The manifesto was signed by
laymen and catholics, monarchists
and republicans, conservatives
and progressives; it was one of
those few occasions where
Italians were able to silence
their divisions and their
fractiousness. The society was
named for Dante Alighieri
(1265-1321), a pre-Renaissance
poet from Florence and author of
"The Divine Comedy" who
is considered the father of the
Italian language.
In October 1948 the Society
was restructured at a meeting in
Venice to give total autonomy to
all chapters of the Dante Society
so each could conduct its
activities independently, under
the direction of its own elected
officers, in a manner that best
suited local needs, preferences,
and capacities while adhering to
the Society's basic principles.
Another revision, also very
important, was to restate,
clearly and simply, the
philosophy of the Society: the
sole purpose of the Dante
Alighieri Society is to promote
the study of the Italian language
and culture throughout the
world...a purpose independent of
political ideologies, national or
ethnic origins or religious
beliefs, and that the Society is
the free association of people -
not just Italians - but all
people everywhere who are united
by their love for the Italian
languages and culture and the
spirit of universal humanism that
these represent.
The Dante Alighieri Society of
Washington was reorganized in the
early 1970s to promote Italian
language and culture in the state
of Washington. The Society holds
regular meetings on the
second and fourth Wednesdays of
each month, September through
May, at Headquarters House in
Seattle. The first meeting each
month is in English and is
preceded by an Italian pasta meal
organized and prepared in a group
effort at a nominal charge.
In addition to the regular
meetings, the Society sponsors
and promotes other social and
cultural events involving Italian
language and culture. Festa di
Natale per i bambini celebrates
the Christmas traditions of
Italy, Carnevale invokes
memories of Venetian pre-lenten
festivities, and Festa
Primavera provides an
opportunity for us to recognize
those who have contributed to
Italian culture and award
scholarships for further Italian
study. The Society supports and
participates in Seattle's Festa
Italiana each Fall season and
has been part of the All-Italian
picnic held each summer in
conjunction with other Italian
clubs in western Washington. The
Society also promotes and
organizes various small group
events throughout the year,
such as cooking classes, Italian
conversation meetings, outings to
opera, other festivals,
restaurants, art exhibits,
Italian film showings, and other
activities of interest to
members. The Society also
maintains a library of
Italian books and a photographic
history of Italian activities
in the greater Seattle area for
display at various events.
ITALIAN LANGUAGE PROGRAM
The society has operated an
Italian Language Program since
1984. Four levels are offered
every quarter: introductory
conversation, elementary,
intermediate and advanced.
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