Recently relocated one block from Miracle Mile in the heart of Coral Gables is the South Florida branch of Italy’s oldest and most prestigious cultural center: the Societa Dante Alighieri.

Since coming to Coral Gables in 1997, the Societa Dante Alighieri has been dedicated to three main goals: promoting Italian culture and language throughout South Florida; helping members of the community build bridges to each other and their Italian roots; and maintaining Italy’s leading role in the international community.

The goals are achieved through language programs, cooking and wine classes, art exhibits, academic lectures, concerts and new art courses coinciding with “2013 — The Year of Italian Culture,” a project coming to 70 U.S. locations under the auspices by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.

Italian language classes, which begin Jan. 7, are held for all ages and skill levels; students have ranged in age from 4 to 87. Class sizes are small, generally five to seven students, despite there being more than 1,000 society members in Miami. People come from their workplaces around South Florida to expand their language skills and pursue career goals.

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