Italian cultural extravaganza to unfold in Kuwait

• ‘Casa Italia’ initiative, which is based on the embassy opening its doors in the incoming months to cultural activities by providing a space to display artworks, hold exhibitions and workshops.

• Italian language would also be taught to people keen to learn Italian.

The Times Kuwait Report

A spectacular display of Italian cultural dominance in art, design, fashion, food and music is being staged in Kuwait over a nine-day period from 28 October to 5 November. Announcing this during a media briefing at the embassy last week, the Italian Ambassador H.E. Lorenzo Morini said that the series of cultural events being organized are in celebration of his country’s National Unity and Armed Forces Day, which falls on 4 November every year.

He clarified that the cultural events come within the framework of the ‘A Journey into Italian Creativity’ festival, which aims to showcase aspects of Italian cultural excellences in various fields. He added that the festival will feature events that focus on Italian fashion designers, jewelry, artists, food and chocolate makers, in addition to other related elements to clearly present the Italian lifestyle to the Kuwaiti public.

Ambassador Morini further indicated that the festival comes within the framework of strengthening bilateral relations, and supporting and deepening the strong bonds of friendship between the Italian and Kuwaiti people.

Explaining the significance of National Unity and Armed Forces Day, the Italian ambassador said the day celebrates the end of World War I and the liberation of Italy. In addition, the day pays tribute to the Italian Armed Forces in recognition of the Italian soldiers who fought to liberate Italy, and who continue to work for peace and stability in the international community.

Revealing highlights of the nine-day program, the ambassador said that the festival will begin on 28 October with a classical music concert presented by the ‘Filarmonici di Roma’, a well-known Italian string quintet, which will present a selection of masterpieces by the most important Italian composers such as Vivaldi, Rossini, Tartini, Pergolesi and Respighi.

He added that the concert, which will be held at the American University of Kuwait (AUK)  is open to the public, and free of charge to everyone. He also highlighted that as part of cooperation with AUK, the Italian artists will provide music lessons for interested students.

On the festival’s culinary side, the ambassador said that to underscore the premium status of Italian cuisine, several Italian chefs would be demonstrating the cooking of Italian culinary masterpieces and provide lessons on Italian cooking at select Italian restaurants in Kuwait.

The ambassador went on to reveal an art exhibition titled, ‘A Dawn of Peace’, would be held within the framework of the festival, reflecting Italian-Kuwait cooperation between the artist and calligrapher, Fareed Abdal and Aurora Company, one of the leading Italian companies for producing pens and inks, He added that the exhibition will be held on 4 November at his Residence and will be open to the public.

He also referred to a ‘Casa Italia’ initiative, which is based on the embassy opening its doors in the incoming months to cultural activities by providing a beautiful space to display artworks, hold exhibitions and workshops. He added that during the event,  the Italian language would also be taught to people keen to learn Italian.

Pointing to the cultural commonalities between the two countries, Ambassador Morini said, “When I arrived in Kuwait, I felt like I was in my country because the way Kuwaitis speak, the way they communicate with people, and the way they receive them is very similar to the Italian way of life.”

He added, “We are similar, we live in a very similar way and we all share the same value for the same basic elements of life. This is also the reason why many Kuwaitis travel to Italy every year because when you arrive in Italy, you may not understand the language, but Italians will understand you and you will understand them immediately”.

Elaborating on other cultural interactions between Italy and Kuwait, the Italian envoy pointed out that there are two Italian archaeological missions working in Kuwait, one from the University of Perugia that works on Failaka Island and the other from the University of La Sapienza that is starting a new project this year in the coastal area north of Kuwait City.

He also noted that around 160 Kuwaiti students have gone to study in Italian universities during the last five years. Adding that this number is not enough, the ambassador indicated that many Kuwaiti students do not realize that there are several prominent Italian universities that offer full courses in English language.

In response to a question about Italy’s vision of the situation in the region, he said that dialogue is the only way out and an effective solution, and added,, “We are fully convinced that the basis for resolving the current situation is to de-escalate the conflict, and after that, we can find a long-term solution within the framework of the UN Charter and resolutions.”

He went on to note, “We have more than 1,000 soldiers serving in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, and we will not leave until the UN resolutions are implemented. We have repeatedly called for de-escalation in the region with our European partners and also the G7 partners.”

The ambassador also highlighted the presence of approximately 400 Italian soldiers in Kuwait within the framework of the anti-Daesh coalition, and said that they are monitoring the situation in the region. He called on all parties to refrain from any action or activity that could be harmful to the stability and unity of the region, and added, “We are ready to do everything we can, but always within the framework of international law, the United Nations and UN resolutions.”

He pointed out that there is coordination with the Kuwaiti side in terms of monitoring the area, as the Italian forces have a surveillance system that they use to monitor the coalition’s area of jurisdiction. He added, “We work in full coordination with the Kuwaiti army, especially the air force, as we are working with them on training Eurofighter pilots, and supplying Kuwait with Eurofighter jets.”