About Us

Behind
The Scenes

We are amazed and grateful for the dedication and generosity of the DAS Board of Directors and Committee Members who volunteer for this great organization.
Cultural and Educational programs are possible because of the fantastic work and commitment of those volunteers that give their time to help us.

Our Mission

The Dante Alighieri Society – Michigan Chapter promotes the Italian language and culture through Italian Language Courses for Adults and Children and Cultural Events, Il Mosaico newsletter, and other cultural resources. In addition, Dante Michigan maintains La Biblioteca Italiana, a substantial Italian-language collection held at Oakland Community College in Royal Oak for members and the community at large, and a DVD lending library for members.

Our History

The inaugural meeting of the Società Dante Alighieri in Michigan was held on December 21, 1924, at the Detroit Public Library Main Branch. The guiding purpose was “to promote Italian cultural programs.” The Dante Alighieri Society was established in Rome, Italy, by Royal Decree in 1893 by King Umberto I di Savoia. La Società is named in honor of II Sommo Poeta Fiorentino, Dante Alighieri (1265-1321), who created the pillars of Italian literature and language and profoundly affected Western civilization with the universality of his wisdom. Our membership reflects all nationalities, vocations, and ages of persons interested in Italian culture.

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Dante Alighieri Society

Italy was finally united in 1861 from a collection of independent states and regions controlled by foreign powers. Forging a nation out of the various loyalties was going to be daunting.

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PLIDA Certificate

With a PLIDA Certificate, you can… -Obtain a certificate of Italian level B1 (“Citizenship through Marriage or Same-Sex Union”)

-Clearly indicate your knowledge level of Italian on your curriculum vitae;

-Enroll in an Italian university without taking the Italian exam (Level B2 or C1)

-Obtain a long-term residence permit.

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Italian Classes

Let our Native-Fluent Instructors. teach you Italian online and in person.

Do you have a full-time job, which limits your opportunities to attend in-person classes scheduled? Do you have difficulties reaching our physical locations? Live Online Classes are your right choice!

Classes
Cultural Events

To bring Italian culture to the broader community, the Dante Alighieri Society hosts cultural and networking events, often in partnership with the Consulate of Italy in Detroit and other Michigan Italian cultural or educational institutions.

Events