The Latinitas Foundation was
established in 1976 by Pope Paul VI with the Pontifical Chirograph
Romani
sermonis and it has the following objectives:
1) to promote the study of the
Latin language, classical literature and Medieval Latin;
2) to promote the increased use of
the Latin language by publishing texts in Latin and other suitable means.
Among its principal activities are:
- the journal Latinitas, founded
in 1953. Latinitas is written completely in Latin and is published four
times a year. It deals with cultural topics in the areas of literature,
philology, history, the sciences and other disciplines. Particular
attention is given to the
Diarium Latinum which deals with current issues
in a journalistic style;
- the
Certamen Vaticanum, an
international Latin poetry and prose competition, also established in
1953. Prizes are awarded to the winners towards the end of the year;
- the organization of intensive
Latin language courses according to the so-called natural method, i.e. the
teaching of Latin by speaking Latin;
- the organization of congresses,
conferences and debates on Latin culture;
- the promotion of the
Lexicon
recentis Latinitatis, an important dictionary of neologisms: it contains over 15,000 words. Experts from all over the
world have contributed to this work;
- the
Feriae Latinae.
Those who wish to subscribe to the
journal Latinitas may do so by sending their name and address to
"LATINITAS FOUNDATION,
00120 VATICAN CITY"
Subscriptions may be paid by ordinary bank cheque
or to postal current account No. 51875003 - Roma - Italia.
