Embassy holds design day to boost Omani-italian cooperation
National Museum of Oman, in cooperation with the Embassy of Italy in Oman, hosted a panel discussion to mark the eighth edition of Italian Design Day on Tuesday.
The session - on the future of design under the theme ‘Manufacturing Value: Inclusiveness, Innovation and Sustainability’ - aimed to strengthen Omani-italian cooperation and promote design and internationalisation of a strategic industrial sector for Italian exports.
Prof Alba Cappellieri, Ambassador of Design to Oman and Department Head of Design at Polytechnic University of Milan, participated in the discussion with Dr Mona Ismail, Dean of Scientific College of Design, Ahmed bin Mohammed al Amri, Head of Sales at Onsor Technology, and Hazar al Zadjali, Founder and CEO of Muscat Boutique. More than 100 guests, including fashion and design entrepreneurs and enthusiasts and members of the Omani and Italian communities, attended the panel discussion.
It addressed the strategic role of design as a connector between the past and the future, artisanal traditions and innovations, and lessons of the masters of Italian design, besides how Oman and Italy embrace an international identity yet remain steadfast in their roots and traditions.
Shedding light on the significance of Italian Design Day, H E Pierluigi D’elia, Ambassador of Italy to Oman, said, “It is a celebration of the quality of Italian design and, at the same time, an opportunity to strengthen Italian-omani cooperation in the design sector and boost exchanges, promote synergies and business opportunities for the mutual benefit of our creative industries and economies.”
On her part, Prof Alba said, “Italian Design Day is an event of great international importance as it allows us to spread and enhance the strategic role of Italian design as a driving force for innovation and as an interpreter of ideas of contemporaneity that start from traditions. There can be no future without considering the past, not only in terms of materials and manufacturing but also of shapes and inspirations.”
She added, “I am very happy to be in Muscat because in Oman there are valuable historical manufacturing practices and a deeprooted artisanal culture. Italian design can be a bearer of value and encourage the meeting between our cultures and manufacturing sectors.”
Italian Design Day is a celebration of the quality of Italian design and, at the same time, an opportunity to strengthen Italian-omani cooperation H E PIERLUIGI D’ELIA