Introduction

The year 2021 witnessed a steady stream of commemorative events enacted at a global level in honour of the 700th anniversary of the death of Dante Alighieri who died in Ravenna in 1321. In spite of the devastating health situation and restrictions to everyday social connections brought on by the local and global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, enthusiasm for the organisation of celebrations and publications in the name of the Florentine poet did not diminish, although a number of events pivoted to online versions.
The determination of many individuals and entities to continue the celebrations of the poet’s life and works resulted in a rich array of initiatives. The events and encounters were varied and collaborative, taking place in-person, online and through live and recorded performance. There were staged readings, concerts, mini-festivals, exhibitions, international symposia, competitions and numerous publications. The formalising of a national day in Italy to celebrate the poet, aptly named Dantedì, to be held annually on 25 March (marking the date of commencement of the journey to the Inferno), further consolidated the wide-ranging impact and influence of the Florentine poet on Italian identity, scholarship, creative practice and national consciousness.