Both nations are cradles of civilization, their ancient history is just one of the many aspects that bind them. In the modern era, economic trade, commercial partnerships and cultural ties have created a strong partnership between Bahrain and Italy. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa’s recent visit to Italy underscored the robust bilateral relations between the two nations. In an exclusive interview to Life N Style Magazine, the Italian Ambassador to Bahrain HE Paola Amadei took us through some of the significant milestones in Bahrain–Italy relations over the last couple of years.
Ambassador to Bahrain HE Paola Amadei: Over the last four years, I have had the great privilege of contributing to the deepening and strengthening of bilateral relations between Italy and Bahrain. This was possible thanks to the extraordinary collaboration I have consistently received from Bahraini institutions, starting from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from all my counterparts, and from the private sector. I have always found the utmost willingness on the part of everyone I have met during these years, and I am deeply grateful to each of them for their contributions.
I have had the honour to partake in several visits. Firstly, of course, was the recent visit of His Majesty Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa in Rome in October 2023 where he met with the President of the Italian Republic, HE Sergio Mattarella, and the President of the Italian Council of Ministers, HE Giorgia Meloni.
Previously, I took part in the visit of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Salman Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa to Rome in 2020, followed by Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Marina Sereni’s visit to Bahrain in 2021, and the visit of the Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani to Rome.
I am glad to have contributed to the establishment of an Italian-Bahraini Joint Commission for our bilateral relations. The Joint Commission, launched in Bahrain in 2021 and recently convened for the first time in Rome, in June 2023, holds great promise for our future collaborations.
In terms of trade, of particular importance was the opening of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) Desk in 2020. It has fostered mutually beneficial business partnerships organised business delegations from Bahrain to Italy and assisted Italian companies seeking to enter the Bahraini market.
From a cultural point of view, Bahrain and Italy enjoy close cultural relations, evident through their excellent collaboration with organisations like the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) and the Sheikh Ebrahim Center. Working closely with them has been a truly delightful experience. Italy’s cultural offerings are vast, and this collaboration with Bahrain further enhances the depth of cultural understanding and appreciation between the two nations.
The Embassy has also played an active role in promoting the Italian language and fostering academic relationships. We have worked to facilitate dialogue between Italian and Bahraini universities, promoting academic and cultural collaboration between the two countries. We regularly organize lectures in collaboration with the Royal University for Women(RUW), where the ‘Grazia Deledda’ Italian Language and Cultural Center was established and where Italian language classes are available to the whole community.
What are the areas in which you would want more cooperation between the two nations?
I believe that the trade dimension holds exceptional importance, and it has been greatly facilitated by Bahrain’s genuine enthusiasm for everything, which is ‘Made in Italy’.
The passion for Italy, its high technology expertise, innovation, remarkable craftsmanship, and the sheer beauty and quality of Italian products are extremely valued in Bahrain.
Therefore, economic and commercial relations between the two countries have been strong and growing steadily over the years. In 2020 amounted to approximately 585 million, in 2021 to 622 million, and in 2022 to 881 million euros.
The value of Bahraini exports to Italy has grown as well; in 2020 was $127 million increased up to $468 million in 2022. Bahrain is lively, welcoming, and open to trade, with a focus on the future and a past, rich in history, culture and traditions. We are committed to facilitating and enhancing opportunities for further development with the aim of developing a sustainable and fruitful strategic partnership for both parties.
However, I strongly believe that there is an area where we can expand our cooperation, and that is education. The number of Bahraini students who choose to study in Italy has increased and we collaborate closely with Bahraini academic institutions, not only by promoting the teaching of the Italian language but also by organising study exchange programs and facilitating cooperation between universities.
You have had an illustrious political career spanning well over two decades and have spent time in the region earlier as the Ambassador to Oman and now Bahrain. How different is being a diplomat in the Middle East from your work in the various ministries in Italy, Singapore or the European Union?
It has been a great honour for me to serve my country in many roles. With a Master’s degree in Advanced European Studies from the College of Europe in Belgium, I have been involved in foreign relations with different countries and regions, both in my service in Rome and Brussels.
I have been particularly involved in trade policy and promotion, especially during my mandate as Deputy Head of Mission and Head of the Commercial Office at the beginning of my career at the Italian Embassy in Singapore.
Before serving in Bahrain, I was in Oman, so I have developed a certain familiarity with the region. The Gulf region is of strategic importance on multiple fronts: politically, in terms of security, and economically. Meanwhile, it is a vibrant and dynamic area, open to economic and cultural exchanges, and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to serve here.
4. In the past couple of months, your Excellency, you have organised two beautiful events promoting perhaps the two fields that Italians excel in Fashion and Music. Can you tell us more about how these collaborations came about and shed some light on the plans for the future?
Italy has so much to offer that it can be at times arduous to limit its excellence to only an event; however, thanks to the incredible artists that we bring from Italy and the amazing professionals of the local entities we collaborate with, this can be possible. This was in the case of the two most recent events.
The fashion exhibition “Racconti di Moda Italiana – Tales of Italian Fashion” was curated by Stefano Dominella, Honorary President of the renowned Italian fashion house Gattinoni, displayed creations from historical archives from the 1950s to today and included pieces worn by the most iconic Hollywood divas and a collection made entirely with eco-sustainable materials. I believe you have carried an interview with Mr Dominella who explains about this event in great detail.
The event celebrated the excellence of Italian fashion demonstrating how it is not only one of the main production sectors – which counts for 24.2 % of the Italian exports to Bahrain – but constitutes a true form of fine and delicate art, recognised and admired throughout the world for its elegance, refinement, creativity and innovation.
In early October we organised, with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Research, the concert “A Tribute to Ennio Morricone: Oscar Film Scores” by Il Quintetto Anedda, held at the Cultural Hall, Manama, on the occasion of the 32nd Bahrain International Music Festival. Il Quintetto Anedda took the audience on a journey of enchanting music from the soundtracks of the legendary Italian film music composer Ennio Morricone, performing twelve musical compositions created by Maestro Morricone for a number of famous films, including Cinema Paradiso (1988), The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966), among others.
From December 2021 until now, the Italian Embassy presented eight music concerts, with amazing artists performing opera, classical and popular Italian music. All the events registered a full house to prove the continued appreciation and interest expressed by the Bahraini community towards our country’s cultural heritage.
Your work at the embassy is quite strenuous, what do you like to do relax and destress?
I have always tried to engage in physical exercise. Staying physically active is very important for our health, and I’ve always made it a part of my life. Among the various physical activities I enjoy, swimming and yoga hold a special place in my heart.
These two practices offer a harmonious blend of physical fitness and mental tranquillity. These activities provide me with the opportunity to spend some time outside and it is also a way for me to relax while getting some exercise.
We believe you are a polyglot and proficient in several languages. What attracted you to learning these languages?
I have always had a deep love for studying languages, as they serve as extraordinary vehicles for understanding culture and traditions. The Arabic language, in particular, is not only beautiful but also incredibly complex as is deeply intertwined with diverse cultural traditions across the Arab-speaking world.
I encourage young people to embark on the journey of language learning, no matter which language fascinates them. A journey offers both linguistic growth and a deeper connection to the world’s diversity. In addition, of course, I encourage them to study the Italian language, a beautiful language known for its melodic sound, rich poetry, and cultural significance.
