DANTE-IKiS
CLAUDIO VISENTIN
I was born and raised in Romagna (Italy) and I got a master's degree in Geological Sciences at the University Alma Mater Studiorum of Bologna. The oil business led me to live and work in Milan (Italy), Tripoli (Libya), Tunis (Tunisia) and finally in Stavanger since 2011. I love geography, history, languages, and cultures, and I'm fortunate to live in one of Norway's most international cities.
Among the co-founders of the Dante Alighieri Stavanger Committee in 2015, I was a member of the board of directors from 2018 and president from 2020, until the merger with IKiS in 2025.
Member of IKiS since 2015, I was elected president in May 2025, on the occasion of the merger between IKiS and Dante Alighieri and then confirmed in June 2025 as president of Dante-IKiS.
I have always appreciated the cultural exchange between Norway and Italy, and these activities have allowed me to develop it while keeping my Italian roots alive and sharing a glimpse of Italy with people interested in Italian culture.
President
Gianluca Monachese
I was born in Foggia (Puglia), and after a five-year experience in England, I moved to Stavanger in January 1999. I am educated in Geology and completed a Master's in Informatics applied to earth science, at the British Geological Survey.
In 2002, I formed the company Kadme with my Norwegian wife, where I work as a board member and I am responsible for business development.
I have been an IKIS board member since 2009, and was president for seven years, until 2020: during this period I contributed to association development from 20 to more than 100 members, and association budget consolidation at the current level.
From 2023 I hold the posision as treasurer of the board.
Vice President
Runar Østebø
I have many years of experience from the oil, gas and energy industry. I have worked in a research institution and an international consultancy firm, and for the last 30 years across Equinor's (before Statoil) national and international operations within technology and operations. Has, among other things, global responsibility in the energy industry's ISO standardization.
Like many Norwegians, I have a warm relationship with Italy, strengthened after I learned a new language (Italian) 15 years ago. Italy is regularly visited in the winter on slalom (also with my daughters), and in the summer with mountain trips, cycling or sailing trips in fantastic nature, and where culture and local food and wine are enjoyed. Italian and Norwegian coasts and mountains have their common features. In my free time in the Stavanger region, I find relaxation with hiking, roller skiing, rowing and "green sports" in the garden. I also appreciate Italian music, art, design and architecture, even in my own house.
I have been a member of the board since 2023.
Board Member
Eugenio Facchini
I was born in Bologna and of clear rossoblu football faith, I have lived in Stavanger since the summer of 2017 with my wife Lara and our two children (the last born here). After a degree in economics and finance, and a master's degree in sales and marketing, I had the opportunity to develop the Norwegian market for Rothoblaas, a leading company in the South Tyrolean wood construction sector and specialized in particular in technical solutions for solid wood.
I love mushrooms, skiing, learning to windsurf, and of course traveling.
Ikis allows me to share moments with friends and people who care about Italian culture, trying to convey and enhance the wonderful things our cultural heritage has to offer.
Board Member
VERONICA ARRIGONI
I am an Italian who left her country after University and started travelling, following the oil business until I landed in Stavanger in 2008.
I have, since then, been in Norway, growing my family, working in the industry and trying to make the most of the multi-cultural environment that surrounds us.
I am fond of people, of good books and movies, of great outdoors hikes and, genetically, of good food. I believe that diversity is what makes our life beautiful and that cultural exchange is what brings us all closer.
Board Member
LUCA PIERRI
I was born in Bari — the glorious capital of Puglia region in South-Eastern Italy — also known as the land of orecchiette, crystal-clear seas, and grandmas who will chase you with a plate of food until you surrender.
After earning a Master's degree in Computer Engineering at Politecnico di Bari (yes, I survived all the exams and caffeine overdoses), I dove into the world of IT consultancy for the banking and finance sector. Numbers, servers, and a lot of "have you tried turning it off and on again?" — that kind of thing.
In December 2019, I swapped focaccia for ribbe and pinnekjøtt, and landed in Stavanger. Since then, I’ve been working in the oil industry with NOV.
Do I miss the Southern Italian sun, food, family and friends? Of course! But life here has given me new joys — like learning to appreciate the art of dressing in several layers just to take out the trash, or discovering that Rogaland has landscapes that make you want to stop, stare, and forget you left dinner burning at home.
Most importantly, I’m happy to be building bridges between cultures: bringing a slice of Italy (sometimes literally — pizza parties included) to Norway while soaking up local traditions. Because in the end, culture is all about sharing, laughing, and eating well — preferably at the same time.
