An exhibition dedicated to Italian archaeological missions in the Kurdistan Region organized by the Consulate of Italy in Erbil was inaugurated on April 29 at Gallery Media Hall in Erbil.
Italian Teams' Archaeological Works Photography Gallery
— Ministry of Municipality & Tourism/ KRG (@momt_krg) April 29, 2024
Erbil-29\04\2024
HE #KRG Minister of Municipalities & Tourism @SasanAwni and Italian Consul @MicheleCamerota of @ItalyinKRI opened in #Erbil a photography gallery exhibitting the Italian archaeological team's works in #KRI. pic.twitter.com/g2ihPNakUY
The ribbon was cut by Italian Consul General Michele Camerota together with the directors of the missions, representatives of the Directorate General of Antiquities and Heritage in Kurdistan, and Kurdistan Regional Government Minister of Municipalities and Tourism Sasan Awni, who supported the event together with Governor of Erbil Omed Khoshnaw.
“The Italian archaeological missions represent the best example of cultural and scientific collaboration with the Kurdish Region and with the whole of Iraq, of which Italy holds the record. Our contribution to the enhancement and conservation of historical and archaeological heritage is constantly growing: to date, there are 11 Italian missions in Kurdistan alone,” Italian Consul General Camerota told Kurdistan Chronicle.
#Italian Consulate opens the exhibition on #ItalianArcheooogical Missions in #KRI at Media Hall Gallery in #Erbil. For more info see:https://t.co/LWXiLSIG61 pic.twitter.com/lxIXaiWg7F
— Italy in KRI (@ItalyinKRI) April 29, 2024
“We wanted to celebrate this commitment through a photographic exhibition, a catalogue, a seminar, and a dedicated website. We have involved our counterparts in the General Directorate of Antiquities and Heritage in Kurdistan, with the aim to increase the involvement of the population and local institutions in the promotion of this priceless universal heritage.”
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The exhibition, which will be open to the public from May 2 to 21 and subsequently exhibited in other locations in the Kurdistan Region, consists of 31 photographic panels.
“The Sistema Italia, with a long tradition in the field of scientific research, under the purview of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy and the Directorate General for Public and Cultural Diplomacy, participates in the success of Italian archeology around the world with its various components,” Italian Consul General Camerota added.
“For example, thanks to funding from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, we recall the recent inauguration here in Kurdistan of the Faida Archaeological Park. Following in the footsteps of King Sennacherib, this site has brought to light some Assyrian rock reliefs of immense value, rediscovered by the team from the University of Udine.”
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He also noted that, in the last two decades, the Kurdistan Region has fully positioned itself as a new frontier for scholarly research.
“This initiative intends to demonstrate our appreciation for the activities in the field of Italian archaeologists. They contribute to preserving and enhancing the legacies of the different eras and civilizations that have characterized the Kurdistan Region and bring prestige to Italy, strengthening the solid bonds of friendship with Kurdistan and with the population involved in various ways, affirming the value of culture as a driver of tourist attraction,” the Italian Consulate said in a statement.
