Network

Research institutes, universities, political institutions, academies, media outlets and publishing houses: Villa Vigoni serves a network encompassing Italy, Germany and Europe.

It is at the very heart of a system that fosters the consolidation of international relations, thanks to numerous partnerships and meeting opportunities for researchers.

"I wish to express my full support for Villa Vigoni, an institution that does not merely play a diplomatic role. The aim is to bring Italian and German society closer and closer together."

Giorgio Napolitano, President of the Italian Republic (2006-15)

"This is the specific strength of Villa Vigoni: the ability to combine reflection on the past with questions about the political, scientific and cultural strategies of the future and to bring people together outside national and disciplinary borders, so that these issues can be discussed collectively."

Annette Schavan, German Minister for Education and Scientific Research (2005-2013)

"Villa Vigoni is a natural meeting point between Germany and Italy, a crossroads where pro-European cultures, on which Europe will be able to count on more in the future, can come together and integrate. I hope Villa Vigoni will keep up the good work over the coming months and years."

Giuliano Amato, Judge of the Constitutional Court; Italian Prime Minister (1992-93, 2000-01)

"Villa Vigoni is an important meeting place that helps us to remember the roots and historical and cultural relationships that bond Italy and Germany. We are lucky to be able to exchange ideas, compare mindsets and further our dialogue in this blissful and peaceful environment. It represents an invaluable opportunity for relations between our countries, which must be looked after."

Cecilie Hollberg, Director of the Accademia Gallery in Florence

"[...] ensures that the natural intellectual, heartfelt and emotional understanding between the two countries and the two peoples is developed in support of the European idea"

Enrico Letta, Italian Prime Minister (2013-14)

"Culture and scientific research represent the perfect way to strengthen the dialogue between Italy and Germany, stimulating a European perspective. "

Alessia Mosca, Member of the European Parliament

"VigoniForEurope represents an important moment of reflection on the essential role of culture in international relations, an element promoting a shared pan-European identity and a privileged instrument of intercultural dialogue for a citizenship based on the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law."

Stefano Dominioni, Director at European Institute of Cultural Routes

International partnerships

Together with Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and Fondation Maison des sciences de l’homme (FMSH), Villa Vigoni promotes international scientific collaboration and the creation of new networks of researchers, experts and young people in the field of humanities and social science. It has therefore developed and implemented two conference programme formats with different characteristics – one bilateral (Italy-Germany) and one trilateral (Italy-Germany-France). The initiatives that take place within the framework of these two formats are held at Villa Vigoni following an application process regulated by an annual competition.

Open calls

Promoters, sponsors, partners

MINISTRIES

SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS

OTHER FOUNDATIONS, INSTITUTES AND ASSOCIATIONS

Ciao-Tschau

The online platform www.ciao-tschau.eu was founded in 2010 on the initiative of the two Italian and German Ministers of Foreign Affairs – Franco Frattini and Frank-Walter Steinmeier – with the common goal of strengthening exchanges between young people from Italy and Germany. Thanks to Ciao-Tschau, young Germans and Italians have the opportunity to get in touch with each other and find out more about stays in their respective countries. In order to guarantee the joint bi-national management of the project, Ciao-Tschau has benefitted from an institutional connection with Villa Vigoni since its foundation.

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Friends of Villa Vigoni

The Supporters’ Circle of Friends of the Villa Vigoni, inspired by the historical Italian-German friendship between the Mylius and Vigoni families, aims to promote cultural exchange between Italy and Germany by supporting the activities of Villa Vigoni.

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