By Fariha Eshrat
A center of culture, history, breathtaking nature and exquisite food, Italy is a one-stop wonder for all your next holiday’s needs. Fall in love with one of the most popular destinations across the globe, as you experience how Italy is a delight for all your senses.
Italy is an irresistible wonder for any traveller. The vineyards of Tuscany, the Italian Renaissance Re-enactments of Florence, the historical architecture and culture in Rome, the scenic villages of South Italy, and the famous canals of Venice create a dreamy destination that can only be made better by Sicilian nature, Umbria Jazz and authentic Italian dining. Italy provides a vast variety of history, culture, fashion, art, cuisine and nature for travellers to dive into, an experience that always leaves you wanting more.
The fifth most visited country in the world now, Italy has also been a central location for the travel and living of a myriad of people and cultures since historic times. This has created a rich history and culture such that Italy hosts the most UNESCO world heritage sites in the world. With numerous beaches, valleys, mountains and archaeological ruins, a trip to Italy can easily go from a short family holiday to an extensive exploration of some of the most exciting locations in the world.
Italy and Saudi Arabia: a thriving partnership
For more than 85 years, since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations, Italy and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have enjoyed a close friendship which has continued to grow from strength to strength, till today. The bilateral cooperation thrives on many common interests: from addressing regional crises to advancing intercultural dialogue, from promoting security cooperation to enhancing bilateral trade and investment opportunities. Over 1 million Saudis visit Italy every year for tourism and business. They are able to enjoy the beauty of Italy, its hospitality, fashion, art and food. But Italy offers more than that. It is one of the seven biggest manufacturing countries in the world and has played an important contribution to Saudi Arabiaís economic development since the beginning.
Trade relations between Italy and Saudi Arabia registered a positive trend in 2018, by growing at +11% compared to 2017 and reaching 8.2 billion Euros. Saudi Arabia is the first trade partner for Italy in the MENA area, after Algeria, and Italy is one of the top EU trade partners of the Kingdom.
Over 70 Italian companies are present in the Kingdom and contribute to the development of Saudi Arabia in a wide range of sectors, from energy and petrochemicals to fashion and luxury goods. Italian companies are also key partners in iconic infrastructure projects, such as the new Riyadh Metro. In the coming years, a direct presence and local content will be key elements to operate successfully in the Saudi market. Italian companies have a strong track record in supporting local economies worldwide and are increasingly eager to operate in Saudi Arabia and contribute to the objectives of the Saudi Government: support economic diversification, develop a vibrant private sector and foster the growth of Saudi SMEs.
As Saudi Arabia has embarked on an unprecedented program of economic and social reforms with the Vision 2030, Italy stands ready to continue to be a strategic partner of the Kingdom and it is strongly committed, in a spirit of true friendship, to giving its own specific contribution to the success of the Vision.
In this context, it is worth mentioning that at the end of this year, Saudi Arabia will take over from Japan the Presidency of the G20 and the following year it will pass it on to Italy. The Summit of G20 Heads of States and Government will be hosted in Riyadh in the second half of 2020 and over the course of next year, dozens of meetings at Ministerial and technical level will be held in the Kingdom. For all those meetings, Italy and Saudi Arabia will work very closely together as part of the G20 Troika, sharing priorities and objectives. Such close and intense relationships between Italy and Saudi Arabia are not surprising. Both at the center of the Mediterranean and Gulf region, they enjoy centuries of common cultural, political and economic exchanges. From the Arabian Peninsula, Islam reached Europe and the signs of its presence are still visible today in Italy, notably in Sicily. Italians have always reached out to the Arab and Muslim communities in the Southern Mediterranean with the firm belief that they share a common destiny.
Italy in Saudi Arabia: current and future projects
The Italian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah have been working restlessly to strengthen the cultural dialogue between Italy and Saudi Arabia and to promote a rich and varied cultural program. In 2018, within the framework of the initiative “Italy, Culture and the Mediterranean” sponsored by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs across the countries of the wider Mediterranean region, North Africa and the Gulf, dialogue, to overcome cultural barriers and stereotypes and to learn and cherish our common heritage. 2018 also marked the first participation of Saudi Arabia to La Biennale di Venezia with a national pavilion: a true landmark in the cultural relations between the two countries.
The Saudi-Italian archaeological mission, with the support of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, is a further example of the thriving cultural partnership between Italy and Saudi Arabia. Italian archaeologists from the University LíOrientale in Naples, led by Prof. Romolo Loreto, have been working for a decade in Dumat Al Jandal, in the Al Jouf province, to uncover and preserve an important piece of Saudi pre-Islamic and Islamic cultural heritage.
Most recently, from March 14 to April 14, with the support of the Embassy of Italy in Riyadh, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture ñ Ithra in Dahran, in collaboration with Biblioteca Ambrosiana of Milan and NSPRD, hosted the exhibition ìLeonardo da Vinci Codex Atlanticus: Through Time and Spaceî to the celebrate the 500th anniversary of the death of the Italian artist and scientist who influenced the history of world thought and art. For the first time, six original drawings of the Italian genius have been exhibited and could be admired in Saudi Arabia and the entire Gulf region: a truly historic exhibition!
Looking ahead, there are many upcoming events and opportunities to engage and experience Italy in KSA. For example, the Embassy will host next autumn a tournÈe of Maestro Paolo Damiani, internationally acclaimed composer and Director of the Jazz Department at the Conservatorio di Musica Santa Cecilia since 2002. The Conservatorio is one of the oldest and most distinguished musical schools in Italy and in the world. Maestro Damiani will lead a group of young Italian musicians who graduated with honors from the Conservatorio, in series of concerts featuring original compositions by Maestro Damiani. This is the very best of Italian contemporary jazz music, combining the melodic and ethnic musical traditions of Southern Italy and classical Italian opera. Stay tuned!
Where To Go
- Matera is the European Capital of Culture 2019. An ancient village located in the region of Basilicata and carved in rocks, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most fascinating World Culture Capitals.
- Rome, the “eternal” city, is a must-go destination. With a rich museum scene, numerous exhibitions, from archeological artifacts to classical and contemporary art, theatres and the Opera House, Rome offers a rich cultural program all year round.
- Civita di Bagnoregio, also known as “the city that dies” because of the erosion phenomenon that threatens its existence, is a medieval village in the province of Viterbo, near Rome, built on the top of a cliff and reachable only by foot. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
- Turin, former capital of the Kingdom of Italy, hosts the second most important Museo Egizio in the world, boasting a collection of artefacts from Ancient Egypt which is second only to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
- Palermo is the gateway to Sicily, an island of beautiful nature, extraordinary history, incredible food and welcoming people. Monreale, Cefal˘, Scopello and San Vito Lo Capo are great places to visit, especially in the summer to enjoy a traditional Sicilian delicatessen: the ice-cream sandwich.
What To Do
- Last year Saudi Arabia participated for the first time with a national pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia the most important venue in the world to showcase all forms of artistic expressions, including cinema, music, theatre and dance. See the 58th edition of La Biennale Art in Venice that will open its doors on May 11 until November 2019, under the theme “May You Live In Interesting Times”.
- Watch the Calcio Storico, the re-enactment in traditional costumes of a historical football game played in 1530 by the Florentine population besieged by the imperial troops of Charles V. The game is a combination of soccer, rugby and world wrestling.
- In the beautiful setting of Milan, the capital of fashion and industrial design, you can now visit the XXII International Exhibition of la Triennale di Milano, entitled ìBroken Nature: Design Takes on Human Survivalî. La Triennale comprises a thematic exhibition and 22 international pavilions.
- Attend the Umbria Jazz. With Etruscan walls and a delightful medieval historic centre, Perugia is a city of gourmands and artists, capital of the beautiful Umbria region. Highlights of the annual cultural program include the Eurochocolate festival in autumn and Umbria Jazz a ten-day musical festival with shows and concerts from noon until late at night.
- Get to know Leonardo da Vinci more as Italy celebrates his life 500 years after his death. A rich cultural program with exhibitions, events, panel discussions etc. are being organized throughout Italy and in the world.
About the Ambassador
Luca Ferrari
Embassy of Italy
By Alex Woodman
A diplomat by vocation, in 2016 His Excellency – Ambassador Luca Ferrari – was appointed to be the Italian Ambassador in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He started his career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1986. His first post abroad was at the Italian Embassy in Moscow. He earned his MA degree in Political Science from the University La Sapienza in Rome and is currently a contributor to “Aspenia,” the geopolitical magazine issued by Aspen Institute in Italy.
How did you begin to prepare to become a diplomat?
My father, a career diplomat too, and his postings abroad, truly inspired me since my childhood. I had the chance to travel with him all over the world. When I was just 5 years old we left Italy and I did not return until I was then 18 years old. Thus, at an early age, I made up my mind to follow his steps and become myself a diplomat. Times were quite different when I joined the Foreign Service and traveling was not a mass phenomenon. Early on, I realized that a career in diplomacy would allow me to keep on travelling and, hence, discovering the beauty of the world.
I started my career as a young diplomat in 1986 when I was 24, right after I graduated from the University La Sapienza in Rome. I was admitted into the diplomat ranks and eventually assigned to key posts, such as the Italian Embassies in Moscow and later in Washington, D.C. In 1999 I was back in Rome and had few rewarding positions, first in the Cabinet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs till, later on, promoted to be the Director for Middle Eastern Affairs. In 2009 I returned to Washington D.C. in charge of Public and Legislative Affairs. Four years later I was appointed Deputy Head of Mission at the Italian Embassy in Madrid. In October 2013 I was again in Rome and promoted Deputy General Director of Economic Affairs and Central Director of Financial Multilateral Cooperation. Coming to my current position, I was appointed Italian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2016.
When was your position set up in Saudi Arabia and how many years have you been in Riyadh?
My very first day in Riyadh was on March 7, 2016. Since then, I have had the chance to experience enormous economic and social changes under the leadership of the House of Saud, His Majesty King Salman and his son, the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It is a very exciting time to be here and Vision 2030 has become a source of inspiration for the young Saudi generations. 70% of Saudi population is aged under 35 years and represents a tremendous push for change. There is a youthful spirit in this Country that you could not experience in mature and ageing Western economies. On top of this, the empowerment of women and their gradual but steady inclusion into the community and the labour market will lead to a more inclusive Saudi Arabia.
What was your reaction to being given the assignment to become the Ambassador to Saudi Arabia? Can you share some of your initial feelings about being selected for this honored position?
I was extremely excited when I found out that my next assignment was to be the Head of Mission in Riyadh. The Kingdom is the main Country and economy in the GCC and is changing and evolving quickly. Just to mention something not conceivable till long time ago, it is becoming a travel destination, not only for the traditional Haj and Um-rah pilgrims but also for its archaeological sites, its heritage sites and its pristine coastline. Saudi Arabia’s General Tourism and Heritage Authority has registered more dozens of archaeological sites across the Kingdom, has established the national electronic register for the documentation of archaeological and historical sites in the Kingdom and is working closely with UNESCO to promote to increase the number of domestic World Heritage Sites. I am proud of the existing deep connection between Saudi Arabia and Italy, which have become one of friendship and cooperation, extended to all volets, among which culture & education, trade and industrial cooperation.
Can you discuss some of the experiences you faced as the Ambassador in Saudi Arabia? What does your work entail?
Firstly, let me mention that the staff of the Italian Embassy is continuously pushing forward projects and initiatives which will in time benefit both countries. To come to the strong bilateral partnership between Italy and Saudi Arabia, I want to highlight my eagerness to boost and intensify political and economic affairs between our two Countries. Besides, I have been stretching the visa potential of the Italian Embassy to its maximum to increase the number of Saudi tourists who visit Italy. Similarly, more and more Italians are interested to visit the Kingdom and the recent ease of Saudi visa procedures will allow more tourist inflow in the future.
Now, in my position as Head of Mission, I am working tirelessly to attract Saudi investors in Italy and, vice versa, inform Italian investors on the potential of Saudi market and Government incentives to diversify economy and to develop local content. We need to build closer business partnerships, connect Italian companies with Saudi counterparts and fully reap benefits and incentives allocated by Government agencies to support economic diversification, development of private sector and growth of SMEs.
What are the most significant challenges you have faced as the Ambassador to Saudi Arabia? What do you consider the most rewarding?
From my very first day as Ambassador in Riyadh, I have been working on how to change the outside worldís perception, Italy included, about Saudi Arabia. Italy and Saudi Arabia are both G20 countries and are already working together in the Troika. Saudi Arabia will host the 15th annual G20 Leaders’ Summit on November 21 and 22, 2020, in its capital Riyadh and Italy will take over the G20 Presidency from the Kingdom in 2021. Shared priorities are growth, in a more inclusive and sustainable way compared to past interpretation.
In the future, we will further develop our bilateral strategic partnership under the framework of Vision 2030. Besides our fruitful cooperation in the economic and trade fields, the Embassy never stops to promote Italian language, culture and lifestyle, by combining tradition and modernity. Saudi Arabia is doing the same, by promoting a vibrant society and a thriving economy, which are both at the basis of Vision 2030. Eventually, this will lead our societies ñ which have many commonalities – to prosperity.
Can you share some details as to what a typical day is like as the Ambassador to Saudi Arabia?
As Ambassador, I have meetings every day, with Government officers and Ministries and with Saudi businesspeople. I do assist and help Italian delegations when they do come to strengthen political ties or to explore the potential of its market or to promote cultural exchanges. Just to mention an example, we had here a delegation headed by former Italian Minister of Justice, Prof. Paola Severino. She is now the Vice President of LUISS ìGuido Carliî University in Rome. Her delegation visited the Kingdom to set the basis for developing joint academic programs.
I would like to mention that I belong to two groups of Ambassadors, the European group and the Latin-American one. Italy and Spain have both a special connection not only with Europe (being European countries) but also with Latin America, due to our historical ties and immigration waves to this continent.
What do you like most about living in Riyadh and can you name a few of your favorite places that you would recommend to anyone planning a visit to Riyadh?
In Riyadh I would recommend to stroll in Thalia Street and stop by at one of its many restaurants, cafes, and shops. This area does remind me of Europe and the lively city centers where pedestrians could truly enjoy life. I do also like the new Riyadh Park, which has a diverse and unique design and is crowded with young Saudis, who come to enjoy its entertainment areas and its wide choice of local and international restaurants and eating spots. On the other side, I do not especially like the compounds, which tend to separate and not mix life of expats with the one of Saudi citizens.
What do you like most about the DQ?
First of all I like how the developers have designed the Diplomatic Quarter. With time, additional entertainment places, beautiful venues, and charming restaurants have been built and open for visitors to spend their leisure time in a peaceful environment, dotted with green parks. I do visit Oud Square quite often and love its lovely atmosphere. I find the DQ is very appealing and has excellent sources of entertainment for everybody.
What kind of food would you recommend to the DQ residents for this month?
There are many great Italian restaurants in the Kingdom. In Riyadh you can find for example mouthwatering pizza, even compared to Italy. There are many skilled pizza makers in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam and they are doing a terrific job; nothing to envy to Italy.
I would also recommend a variety of pasta dishes for this month. Typical Italian ingredients, like pork, are here replaced by duck or meat, and they turn out to be delicious additions to Italian recipes. For example, the Italian sauce “carbonara”, which is spaghetti pasta with eggs and thick cut diced bacon, could be equally be served with duck meat and the is as much delicious as the original “carbonara”.
Embassy of Italy
Safarat,Riyadh 11693
Tel: +966 11 488 1212
Email: segreteria.riad@esteri.it
Website: http://ambriad.esteri.it/ambasciata_riad/
Twitter: @ItalyinKSA
