Cultures & Languages | Rare Books and Special Collections 102 Hesburgh Library
The Center for Italian Studies is pleased to host a lecture by Dr. Martín Villagarcía titled: The Ghost Behind Manuel Puig: Discovering the Mario Fenelli Archive Mario Fenelli remains an enigmatic, ghostly figure who often retreated into the background, yet he was a constant, vital presence in the life of his great friend, Manuel Puig. While Fenelli is immortalized in Italian film credits and unpublished screenplays co-authored with Puig, his true significance lies in his own scattered archive. Escaping homophobic oppression in Argentina through a "sexual exile" to Europe, Fenelli became the primary catalyst for Puig's mythical transition from cinema to literature. It was Fenelli’s own unpublished childhood stories that inspired Puig to write La traición de Rita Hayworth. This presentation exhumes Fenelli's forgotten papers—including the vital correspondence housed right here at the University of Notre Dame—to shed light on a silenced generation and rescue this pivotal, shadowy figure from oblivion. Martín Villagarcía  is among the 2026 recipients of the Italian Studies Library Research Award and is currently in residence at the University of Notre Dame. He holds a Ph.D. in Literature from the National University of La Plata (UNLP). His doctoral research focused on the Manuel Puig Archive, and he is currently investigating the creative partnership between Manuel Puig and Mario Fenelli. He serves as a professor and researcher at the National University of San Martín (UNSAM), the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), and the National University of La Plata (UNLP). The event is co-sponsored by the Center for Italian Studies and Hesburgh Libraries. Originally published at italianstudies.nd.edu.

Cultures & Languages | DeBartolo 117
Join us for Meet Me in My Country: VIP Celebrities (Ukraine x Brazil), an exclusive event where Alina (Ukraine) and Mariany (Brazil) share inspiring stories about famous personalities who have left a lasting impact on their home countries. Discover fascinating insights and memorable moments as they highlight the achievements of renowned celebrities from Ukraine and Brazil, celebrating the power of fame and influence in shaping national identities.  Don't miss this engaging opportunity to learn more about the cultural icons who have made their mark both in history and in the modern digital world!

Cultures & Languages | Chapel of Christ the Teacher
Please join us as we celebrate Christ with a Mass and liturgy in Kiwahili. Guidance in both English and Kiswahili will be provided. Join us for a social gathering after Mass. Officiant: Fr. David Kashangaki, CSC from Kenya. For more information or if you would like to volunteer to help, please contact Eva Hoeckner (ehoeckn2@nd.edu). Co-sponsored by Campus Ministry.

Cultures & Languages | Browning Cinema
This course will be the nineteenth iteration of Learning Beyond the Classics, beginning on Thursday, January 22 at 6:30pm, and prorated signups are allowed for the weeks after that. More information follows and please do feel free to forward this email to friends, listservs, French-language speakers, folks who took French in high school whose eyes will not be straying from the subtitles, and anyone else interested in some art, education, and fellowship.Landing PageLink to Enroll In collaboration with Aïssa Maïga’s visit to the University of Notre Dame in March, this course focuses on classic French-language cinema as well as French-language films that transcend national boundaries, depicting movements and individuals who go beyond borders and allow us to understand how current cinematic creations are not limited to “Franco-French” actors and productions, but extend around the globe. The focus for that will be performances by some of the most famous and award-winning French actresses of the last generations, while incorporating performances from French-language actresses who have recently appeared on the scene, bringing new voices and freshness to the pantheon of great female performances.   Scheduled Films, All at 6:30pmJan 22 - 8 Women (2002) Jan 29 - Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959) Feb 5 - Band of Outsiders (1964) Feb 12 - Possession (1981) Feb 19 - Jane B. for Agnes V. (1988) Feb 26 -The Piano Teacher (2001) Mar 5 - Black Girl (1966) Mar 19 - Saint Omer (2022) Apr 9 - Code Unknown (2000) Apr 16 - Dheepan (2015) Apr 23 - Atlantics (2019) Apr 30 - The Artist (2011)Sponsors David A. Heskin and Marilou Brill Endowment for Excellence Department of Romance Languages and Literatures . The course (including a ticket to all 12 screenings) is $48 total and free for HC, IUSB, ND, SMC, and local HS students. That includes a ticket to each of the films, course readings, and discussions after the films. You can sign up at the above-linked enrollment page (linked again here for convenience), in person at the box office (e.g., when arriving for the first film), or phone the box office at 574.631.2800. We hope that the price point opens the class to many people, but also recognize that it's a lot of money for some folks. If cost will be a barrier to enrolling, then please let me know.Some quick answers to FAQ's: 1. Yes, you can join the class if you miss up until the third screening. 2. No, attendance is not required. 3. Yes, you can attend films individually without signing up for the class.   If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email Ricky Herbst directly at rherbst@nd.edu.