Sharjah DGR Engages With Italian Delegation To Enhance Cultural Cooperation And Exchange

The Department of Government Relations (DGR) in Sharjah recently hosted a significant Italian diplomatic and cultural delegation. The visit aimed to explore potential collaborations, including the establishment of a Sharjah branch for the ‘Dante Alighieri Society’. This institution is dedicated to promoting Italian language and culture globally, enhancing Sharjah’s role as a bridge for East-West cultural exchange.

Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of DGR, welcomed the delegation at Sharjah's House of Wisdom. The meeting included Sheikh Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of DGR, and key members from the Italian side. Among them were Andrea Vincenzoni, Deputy Secretary General and General Director of the Dante Alighieri Society; Alessandro Masi, Secretary General; and Alessandro Salacone, Regional Coordinator for Russia, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the GCC.

The discussions highlighted Sharjah’s vision to foster cultural dialogue and creativity through innovative models like the House of Wisdom. This futuristic library serves as a hub reflecting Sharjah's commitment to building entities that encourage knowledge sharing. The meeting also explored collaboration opportunities between the Dante Alighieri Society and Sharjah’s cultural institutions.

Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi commented on the visit: "This visit reflects the strength of the long-standing cultural ties between Italy’s historic cities and the Emirate of Sharjah, and the shared commitment to advancing human knowledge. We are also eager to strengthen Sharjah’s presence at cultural events in Italy to promote dialogue and realise the emirate’s vision of building cooperative bridges with the world’s leading cultural institutions."

Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi emphasised that collaborating with the Dante Alighieri Society holds symbolic significance. Dante’s literary legacy resonates with Arab cultural heritage through shared human values. Establishing a branch in Sharjah would open new avenues for cultural and linguistic exchange while reinforcing Sharjah's position as a centre for international cooperation.

Both parties agreed on continuing efforts to formalise this partnership. They aim to translate their shared vision into tangible initiatives that will enrich both UAE's and Italy's cultural landscapes. These initiatives are expected to support sustainable development by fostering international partnerships in language, culture, and knowledge exchange.

With inputs from WAM