The Italian Ministry for Economic Development has issued a commemorative stamp to mark the 100 years since the founding of The British Institute of Florence.
On July 22, 2017, the stamp was presented at Rome’s Villa Wolkonsky, the residence of the British Ambassador to Italy, in the presence of Ambassador Jill Morris CMG and representatives of the Ministry for Economic Development, the Italian postal service and energy company Eni, which sponsored the event.
From left to right: Giovanni Accusani, Poste Italiane; Julia Race, British Institute of Florence; British Ambassador to Italy Jill Morris
Director of The British Institute of Florence Julia Race commented, “We are honoured by the ministry for economic development’s decision to commemorate the foundation of the British Institute of Florence with this wonderful stamp made for our centenary.”
British Ambassador to Italy Jill Morris stated, “It was an honour to celebrate the centenary of The British Institute of Florence in March with Prince Charles and today it has been a pleasure for me to welcome our colleagues from The British Institute of Florence for this very special occasion. We join them in thanking the Italian Ministry for Economic Development for this prestigious acknowledgement.”
The postage stamp is to the value of 95 cents and depicts Palazzo Lanfredini, home to the British Institute’s Harold Acton Library. The stamp can be purchased from central Florence post office in via Pellicceria as well as in post offices all over Italy. Alternatively, it can be purchased online here.
The British Institute of Florence, honoured by the 1923 Royal Charter, was the first British cultural institute to operate outside the United Kingdom and acted as a model for the foundation of the British Council in 1934.
