Istituto Niels Stensen

The Istituto Niels Stensen — formally the Fondazione Culturale Niels Stensen — is a cultural foundation based in Florence, Italy. It was recognised by decree of the President of the Italian Republic no. 231 on 3 March 1959 and is run by the Jesuits (Padri Gesuiti). Its premises were inaugurated on 1 November 1964. The foundation takes its name and inspiration from Niccolò Stenone (Niels Stensen), the 17th-century Danish scientist and bishop, and seeks to promote scientific research and cultural and political mediation between different cultures. The foundation's activities span cinema, conferences, lectures, music, theatre and art. It runs the Cinema Stensen in viale Don Minzoni in Florence, which became a full cinema following the digitalisation of its theatre in 2012, and it also programmes films at the Cinema Astra in Florence and at the Teatro di Fiesole. Alongside film screenings, it organises cineforum, training courses, workshops and conferences, with a particular emphasis on intercultural and interreligious dialogue and the ethics of debate. Since 2001 the foundation has undergone a thorough renewal, with a new president, new staff and new projects, and it has established several research groups with varied interests. Its current statute was approved on 24 February 2009 by the Prefettura di Firenze. The foundation remains an active participant in Florence's cultural life, presenting a regular programme of arthouse and documentary cinema, often with directors and guests in attendance.

The Fondazione Culturale Niels Stensen was recognised by decree of the President of the Italian Republic no. 231 on 3 March 1959, and its premises were inaugurated on 1 November 1964. It is managed by the Jesuits and has from its beginnings played a recognised role in the cultural debate of Florence. Inspired by the method of Niccolò Stenone — combining scientific research with political and cultural mediation — the foundation aims to foster research and exchange between cultures, promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue and an ethics of debate through research groups, training programmes, conferences, cinema and other cultural activities. From 2001 the Fondazione Stensen underwent a complete renewal: a new president, new staff and, above all, new projects. Several groups with varied interests were formed, acting as promoters of a renewed 'research and cultural policy'. In 2012 the foundation's cinema section confronted the major change brought by the digitalisation of its theatre, creating a new offering for the Florentine public and becoming a full cinema in its own right — the Cinema Stensen in viale Don Minzoni. The current statute was approved on 24 February 2009 by the Prefettura di Firenze. Today the foundation continues to programme arthouse and documentary films at the Cinema Stensen, the Cinema Astra and the Teatro di Fiesole, alongside conferences, courses and other cultural events.

• 2012

  Cinema section digitalised its theatre, becoming the Cinema Stensen in viale Don Minzoni.

• 2009

  Current statute approved on 24 February 2009 by the Prefettura di Firenze.

• 2001

  Complete renewal of the foundation with a new president, new staff and new projects.

• 1964

  Premises inaugurated on 1 November 1964.

• 1959

  Recognised by decree of the President of the Italian Republic no. 231 on 3 March 1959.

A Jesuit-inspired cultural foundation offering arthouse cinema and interdisciplinary cultural programming in Florence, focused on research, intercultural and interreligious dialogue and the ethics of debate.

• Cinema Stensen

  The foundation's own cinema in viale Don Minzoni, Florence, established as a full cinema after the 2012 digitalisation.

• Cinema Astra programming

  Regular weekly film programming at the Cinema Astra in Florence, including arthouse and documentary titles.

• Cinema at Teatro di Fiesole

  Film programming at the Teatro di Fiesole, with seasonal schedules.

1. 1Cultura, cinema e arte - Fondazione Stensenstensen.org
2. 2Chi siamostensen.org
3. 3Istituto Niels Stensen - Wikidatawikidata.org