Italy Honors Bahrain’s Culture Chief

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The Embassy of Italy in Manama is proud to announce the conferment of the decoration of Commander of the Order of the Star of Italy upon H.E. Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities.

The distinguished honor was presented by H.E. Andrea Catalano, Ambassador of the Italian Republic to the Kingdom of Bahrain, during a special reception held on Tuesday, February 3rd, at his residence.

The ceremony brought together esteemed guests and underscored the deep cultural ties and enduring friendship between Italy and the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Bestowed by the President of the Italian Republic, this high distinction recognizes H.E. Shaikh Khalifa’s exceptional dedication to fostering intercultural dialogue and his pivotal role in advancing cooperation between the two nations in the fields of art, history, and heritage preservation.

The event took place amid a period of remarkable diplomatic momentum between Rome and Manama.

Milestones

Recent milestones — including the visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the Gulf Cooperation Council, the historic official visit of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to Rome, and the private meeting between His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the Italian Premier — have significantly strengthened bilateral relations.

This decoration stands as a shining symbol of that growing partnership.

Ambassador Andrea Catalano remarked: “It is a privilege to present this decoration during such a vibrant period for our bilateral relations. Following the path traced by our leaders, H.E. Shaikh Khalifa has been a true bridge-builder on the ground. His vision for the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities resonates with Italy’s commitment to preserving history, proving that culture is a powerful engine for diplomatic growth.

“This award celebrates a shared passion for beauty, knowledge, and the universal language of culture. Culture is the most compelling instrument at our disposal to foster mutual understanding and meaningful dialogue, and tonight the Republic of Italy formally acknowledges His Excellency Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa’s visionary leadership in strengthening cultural cooperation between Bahrain and Italy.”

Honor

Upon receiving the honor, H.E. Shaikh Khalifa expressed his gratitude to the Italian Republic and its people, stating: “It is a great pleasure to receive this recognition from the Republic of Italy, a key partner for Bahrain in the field of cultural diplomacy. Both countries are blessed with rich cultural heritage, spanning from antiquities to contemporary art. We have been fortunate to showcase many of these treasures in Bahrain, while also being present in Italy through various forums.

“One such occasion was our participation in the Venice Biennale last year, where Bahrain was awarded the Golden Lion for Best National Pavilion.

“This distinction reflects the importance of our work and underscores the value of cultural exchange.”