Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Coyoacán: Interview with Director Marco Marica

The Italian Cultural Institute in Mexico City, located in the bohemian Coyoacán district since 1976, occupies an early 19th-century colonial house with a courtyard and garden. Director Marco Marica explains its role: it hosts over 100 cultural events annually across Mexico, has about 1,200 Italian language students, and a library of over 23,000 Italian volumes—unique in the country. The Institute collaborates with Mexican institutions on Italian art exhibitions, increasingly multimedia shows attracting youth. Its own exhibition space, active for four years, features contemporary Italian and Mexican artists. Weekend events draw visitors from other districts. The Italian community in Mexico City, though small and recent, gathers at the Institute for national celebrations. The Institute also houses the newly founded ARIM (Association of Italian Researchers in Mexico). Italians abroad can propose cultural activities, subject to budget and thematic alignment with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.