The Italian university reversed the course with a decision to postpone the course of 19th century Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last week.
Paoli Nori, a writer who was voluntarily asked to teach a four-session course by the University of Bicocca, Milan, accessed Instagram with a moving video after being told by email that the lesson was postponed.
According to an Instagram video of an Italian writer, “Dear professor, Vice-President of Lessons, has informed me of the decision with the President to postpone Dostoevsky’s course,” an email from a university official read. .. Newsweek..
The university said it chose to postpone the course to Nori on March 2, citing Russia’s total invasion of Ukraine by President Vladimir Putin, which began in February. twenty four.
According to Nori, the class will start on March 9th.
“They invited me. Each lesson was 90 minutes long. They were open to everyone for free,” he said.
He branded the decision as “ridiculous” and “incredible.”
“I think what’s happening in Ukraine is horrifying. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry,” continued Nori.
“Russians living in Italy today are not only wrong, but also dead Russians sentenced to death in 1849 for reading forbidden things. Italian universities like Dostoevsky. It is unbelievable to ban a writer’s course, “he said.
The college decision quickly sparked a backlash. This includes what former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi called the move “insane.” Twitter post..
He suggested that it was the “incompetent bureaucrats” who called for the postponement of Nori’s lessons.
Universities in Milan quickly reverted to this decision, and university officials issued a statement next week that they would meet Nori at the “moment of remorse.”
“University of Bicocca, Milan is a university where we can talk and listen even in this very difficult time when we are disappointed by the intensifying conflict,” he said.
“The writer Paolo Nori’s course is part of a writing course for students and citizens who seek to develop cross-cutting skills through the form of writing. The university runs in a group where this course is established. We have confirmed that we will handle the content that has already been agreed with the writer. “
The Epoch Times contacted the University of Milan-Bicocca for comment.
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Isabel van Brugen is an award-winning journalist and currently a news reporter for The Epoch Times. She holds a Master’s degree in Newspaper Journalism from City University of London.