The cultural horizon of Rome is varied like its history, and, thankfully, it remains true to its past by including the various cultural institutions of other nations. In the historical centre the Swiss Institute reigns supreme. The private foundation has been operating in Rome since 1947 to promote cultural, scientific and artistic exchange between Switzerland and Italy.
Their effort to create this exchange is also a condition for their permanence in the fabulous Villa Maraini, just off Via Veneto. The Villa with its spacious garden was donated to the foundation by the Countess Carolina Maraini-Sommaruga, with the intent of creating a space that be “perpetually at the service of culture, as a sign of the collaboration between Switzerland and Italy”.
True to its founding the institution has become one of the main players on the cultural field of Rome. The many different events offer something for all ages and tastes, from electronic parties in the lush garden to historical seminars or trips with experts to uncover some grand forgotten palace.
In recent years, the institution has promoted Studio Roma, a residency for young artists and scientists at the institute. The project has grown into an interactive continuous event which regularly hosts seminars, discussion panels and various other events in order to present and create a symbiosis between the work of the residents, as well as the general public who naturally is always invited to participate.
The cultural institutions of other countries in Rome are by some considered as though they are in competition with the purely local institutions, however, the very opposite is the case. The Swiss Institute is the perfect example of how an outside reality tends to harbour different views and opinions, and thus gains a different view of what we consider our “home”, elaborating it in ways we might not have been able to.