Salvatore Bancheri of the Department of Italian Studies has been made an honorary officer of the “Ordine della Stella d’Italia” (Order of the Star of Italy) — one of Italy’s highest civic honours.
Bancheri, who received the honour at a ceremony at Casa Loma yesterday, was recognized for his teaching and research in the fields of Italian language, literature and civilization, and for his outstanding contributions – both within the University as chair of the Department of Italian Studies – as well as for his promotion of Italian language and culture worldwide, and his commitment to the Italian Community at large.
I consider this honour mainly as an homage to the various academic roles I have held to promote the Italian language and culture here in Canada, the country that adopted me and gave me the opportunity to grow professionally. — Salvatore Bancheri
Bancheri’s research has primarily focused on textual criticism, religious theatre, Eighteenth-Century literature, Sicilian literature and second-language teaching and learning. He is a frequent contributor to academic journals and the author of many articles on second-language acquisition and media technology dedicated to the teaching of Italian. He is the co-founder of the theatrical company Maschere Duemondi as well as the former co-director of the Italian plays performed annually at the University of Toronto at Mississauga.
The Order of the Star of Italy was created in 2011 as a reform of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity, established in 1947. The order is conferred by the President of the Italian Republic on the recommendation of the Italian minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation.
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Professor Bancheri, is a leading figure in promotion and diffusion of the Italian language in Canada. Since 2011 he is the Chair of the Department of Italian Studies at the University of Toronto, the biggest in North America.
From 2015 to 2018, he was also the president of the American Association of Teachers of Italian.
Well known in the academic and educational field, has received important awards both in Italy and Canada. He is also one of the best specialists in North American in using digital technology in teaching of the Italian language.
Moreover, noteworthy is his commitment to the Italian community, for which he has dedicated more than 40 years, both for a progress for new generations and for the development of the popular traditions of his native region, Sicily.
Professor Bancheri is a valuable reference point for the Italian universities that collaborate with Canada; he is an irreplaceable interlocutor for the Italian institutions within this country, for everything that concerns the valorization and promotion of the Italian language and culture.
It is with great honour that I present you this official diploma of Officer of the Order of the Star of Italy!