Santa Maria – At the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), located in Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, the first-ever university-level course dedicated to the Venetian language has officially begun. The course is part of a broader outreach program titled “Historical, Linguistic and Cultural Rescue of Talián in the Fourth Italian Immigration Colony of Rio Grande do Sul”, which has been promoted since 2017 by the university’s Technical Center for Higher Education (CTISM).

The initiative aims to preserve and promote the language and cultural heritage of the Veneto-descended communities that have long been rooted in the region. Titled “Introduction to the Venetian Language,” the course spans 60 hours and is offered free of charge. It is open to university students, teachers, members of local communities, and anyone interested in learning about the Venetian language.

“Talián,” a variant of Venetian historically spoken by Italian immigrants in southern Brazil, has been officially recognized as part of the country’s intangible cultural heritage. The course is delivered in a hybrid format, combining weekly online sessions with in-person activities on the UFSM campus.

According to the organizers, this educational program marks a major step forward in preserving and passing down the linguistic memory of Brazil’s Italo-descendant communities. UFSM reports that the course received over 500 applications from across Brazil, underscoring the growing interest in reconnecting with this unique cultural legacy.