Italy celebrates Dante Alighieri, the mediaeval poet and philosopher known as the Father of the Italian language, with the second edition of Dantedì on 25 March. The annual national celebration takes place as Italy marks the 700th anniversary of the death of Dante, with more than 100 events in his honour planned across the country.

Oscar-winning actor and director Roberto Benigni will read Canto XXV from Paradiso in Dante's epic masterpiece The Divine Comedy at the Quirinal Palace in Rome, in the presence of the president of Italy, Sergio Mattarella. The reading will be televised by the national broadcaster RAI 1 at 19.00 this evening, 25 March.