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HAVING won the World Cup, seen mighty AC Milan secure victory in the European Cup against Liverpool, the Italians next goal is to win over the hearts and minds of the people of Bahrain.
And they are going to start with targeting the stomach … by taking a leaf out of mamma’s book.
The Italian community in Bahrain this week joined together to celebrate Italian National Day and are busy flying the flag for their beloved country in the kingdom.
“It’s a very important event,” said Filippo Fantechi, secretary-general of the Italian Bahraini Friendship Association, “There are more than 100 Italians in Bahrain and all were invited by the Italian Embassy to a reception to celebrate the day that Italy became a republic.”
Monday’s festivities marked the birth of the Italian Republic on June 2, 1946.
The Italian Bahraini Friendship Association also used the occasion to highlight their goals and projects.
Launched two months ago the association aims to promote co-operation between the two countries, reinforce the general image of Italy in Bahrain and to develop economic, scientific, cultural, tourism, leisure and sports activities in co-operation with the government and other bodies.
Italian and Bahraini government officials are already discussing a host of projects that will add a touch of Italian culture to Bahrain.
During a recent visit to Bahrain Italian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Ugo Intini, revealed that Italy is considering setting up a number of projects that will promote Italian food, music and art.
An exhibition of 60 Italian Renaissance paintings – including a Botticelli – featuring pearls is being planned for start of next year, he said.
He also revealed that a cookery school may be set up in Bahrain. “Italy is famous for its gastronomy worldwide, and we’re thinking about organising a school for gastronomy for the region,” he explained.
He added: “We also have a famous school for cinema and we could establish a branch of it here.”
Mr Intini also said that musical events in Bahrain could be organised in conjunction with Milan’s famous La Scala opera house. He described the need to establish a special partnership between the two countries.
“We see Bahrain as the most tolerant and modern country in the region. We understand that it is a little country but it is an important hub and there are many similarities between our two countries that we should promote.”
● The Birth of Venus is a painting by Sandro Botticelli. It depicts the Goddess Venus, having emerged from the sea as a full grown woman, arriving at the sea-shore (Venus Anadyomene motif). The painting is currently in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
● For those who enjoy eating at home Papa John’s pizza takeaway is staging a Taste of Italy Festival until June 30.
