The People's University of Trieste confirms its role as a cultural bridge between Italy and the Adriatic-Balkan region, with particular reference to the city of Kotor, with which it has maintained ongoing relations since 2004. This commitment is part of a broader program of initiatives aimed at supporting and enhancing Italian identity and culture in the 54 communities present in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro.

During the institutional visit to Kotor of the President of the People's University of Trieste, Edvino Jerian, and of the Secretary General Fabrizio Somma, together with the regional councillor for local authorities, civil service, security and immigration of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Pierpaolo Roberti, meetings were held with the mayor Vladimir Jokic, with the president of the Association of Italian Communities in Montenegro (UZICG), Alexander Dender, and with students from the Kotor Lyceum, a school particularly active in promoting the Italian language and culture. The visit took place during the 21st Annual Assembly of the Union of Italian Communities in Montenegro, in the presence of the Italian Ambassador to Podgorica, Andrea Marcella, which saw Dender reappointed as head of the organization for the next four years.

In his speech, Councilor Roberti reiterated the importance of institutional commitment to protecting the historical and cultural roots that unite Italy and Friuli Venezia Giulia with these lands, emphasizing how support for Italian communities in the Balkans has a dual political and cultural significance, especially in light of Montenegro's path to European integration.
«The People's University of Trieste continues to play a fundamental role in keeping alive the bond between Italy and the Italian communities of the Eastern Adriatic – declared the councilor Pierpaolo Robert –. The relationship with Kotor represents a concrete example of lasting cultural cooperation, capable of involving institutions, associations, and young generations."

«Our objective – underlined the President of the People's University of Trieste, Edvino Jerian – is to further strengthen these relations, enhancing a shared heritage that looks confidently to the area's European prospects. Upcoming initiatives include a traveling multimedia exhibition, conceived by the Istrian Union and the Union of Italian Communities of Montenegro, coordinated by the UPT, in collaboration with the State Archives of Montenegro, scheduled to open in early 2027. The project will chronicle the evolution of relations between Italy and the Bay of Kotor area from the Venetian Republic to the twentieth century.

This will be accompanied by further cultural initiatives, including the photographic-editorial exhibition "Italia Amore Mio" by Gianfranco Jannuzzo and an exhibition dedicated to the engravings of Emiliano Edera, testifying to the vitality and continuity of the work promoted by the Università Popolare di Trieste in support of Italian culture on the international scene.

After Cattaro the delegation of the People's University of Trieste moved to Split, in Croatia, to participate at the inauguration of the new headquarters of the Italian Community, in the presence of the Honorary Consul of Italy in Split Maja Medić, of the President of the Dante Alighieri Society of Split Ivana Franceschi, of the President of the CI Lesina Alessandra Tudor and representatives of the Faculty of Italian Studies in Split.
"Today, a new chapter begins for our community," declared the president of the Split association. "In just over a month, we managed to organize the move of over 4 volumes and various pieces of furniture and put everything away." The president thanked the Trieste People's University and the Italian Union, who have always supported the organization in this new chapter, providing a fundamental contribution.
"Here in Split, there's a vibrant community that wants to move forward and maintain its roots. It's gratifying for us at the UPT to see results like this; it means that our work, which isn't just financial but also requires personal commitment, is yielding positive results," said the President. Edvino Jerian.