KARACHI: Not very far from the Arabian Sea, scene was set at the majestic Avari Towers, where karachiites converged to observe Festa della Repubblica (National Day) with Danilo Giurdanella, one of the longest-serving Italian Consuls General posted at this Metropolis.
The amiable Consul General welcomed members of the diplomatic corps, educationists, artists, journalists, entrepreneurs, politicians, civil and military bureaucrats.
Conspicuous among others there were Governor Kamran Khan Tessori, CM Syed Murad Ali Shah, Faryal Talpur, Agha Siraj Durrani, Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Sohail Anwar Sial, Qasim Soomro Rear Admiral Sohail Arshad, Commodore Muhammad Azeem Abbasi, Rear Admiral Salman Ilyas.
To create an exclusive Italian soirée – the venue was curated to display high end Italian excellence with product displays from Natuzzi Italia, Nova color Pakistan, S. Abdullah Homes, Versace by Eleganz Luxury, the display space had been beautifully curated by M/S Axis Design.
Speaking on the occasion Consul General Danilo Giurdanella talked about important aspects of strong and friendly cooperation between Italy and Pakistan Economic, Cultural and Social fronts: “Italy is the second biggest export market for Pakistan in EU and in terms of remittances.”
Informing the ladies and gentleman in the audience that trade with Italy had risen significantly, Dinelo Giurdanella further said: “Italy plays an important role being the host of largest Pakistani community in Europe after UK.”
It is pertinent to mention here that the Italian diplomatic mission in Karachi had also been endeavoring to promote interfaith harmony in the fight against Islamophobia and to promote inter-religious dialogue: “It is encouraging to see that Federal Minister Moshin Naqvi recently visited Rome and had a meeting with the Pope.”
During his discourse Consul General also congratulated the GoP on Pakistan’s election as a non-permanent member of UNSC. The Italian diplomat, informing that hundreds of students from Sindh and Baluchistan had gone to Italy to pursue higher studies, held that would help Pakistan overcome the lacking that it faces in technical expertise.
“The Consulate is also working closely with Public sector universities in Sindh to establish cooperation with similar counterpart institutions in Italy.” In particular, the Consul General in Karachi has established successful partnerships with University of Karachi, NED University and IBA (in Karachi as well as and in Sukkur) that had augmented the number of Pakistani students to Italy.
Talking to Newspakistan.tv Consul General Danilo Giurdanella stated: “I am very happy to be here at the Italian National Day in Karachi with so many friends and authorities from Pakistan. But specially to celebrate the long-standing friendship between Italy and Pakistan and our many ties that link together our people and our governments.
“For me Karachi is my second home and it is normal! After so many years and living so close to so many Pakistanis and having so many friends, it becomes your second home. Many people think they know about Pakistan. But they actually don’t! They don’t have the correct perspective of Pakistan.
“I think education is the most important thing. I think culture is the most important thing. And it is people in touch with each other: Italian and Pakistanis! I am very proud that last year, just from Sindh, we reached a number of 700 students pursuing graduate and post graduate studies in Italy. This is a very important target. I would like to promote it. That is the most important thing in the world. To avoid war, avoid conflicts and to increase prosperity and wellbeing: Education!
“The archaeological project in Bhambore is a very important mission that is shared by Italy and Pakistan. In particular between the University of Milan and Government of Sindh, Ministry of Culture. A very successful project that has been running for many years. And last year we made very important groundbreaking discoveries. I have visited this site many times and I invite everybody to visit the archaeological site in Bhambore that according to the experts may contain the oldest mosque in South Asia.
“In Italy we have three universities that teach Urdu language and Pakistani Culture. So Italy is the first country in Europe where Urdu was taught. Specially the Oriental University of Naples. I am very proud of this tradition and I want Pakistan to be better known in Italian universities.
“The Italian Chef, Vincenzo de Liso, has never been to Pakistan before. He was absolutely surprised by what he found in Karachi: a very hospitable city. He found Pakistanis to be very hardworking people and very interested in learning his skills and techniques. The chef is from Naples which shares many similarities with Karachi”, Consul General Danilo Giurdanella Concluded.
Italian Consulate General in Karachi joined hands with Avari Towers to host Chef Vincenzo de Liso from Naples, to supervise Bella Italia – week-long Italian Food Festival and to showcase his culinary innovation and creativity during the Master Class.
Talking to Newspakistan.tv Chef Vincenzo de Liso said: “I left home when I was 17-years-old and started to travel gaining experience about my métier around the world. So I have spent 23 years of my life away from my parents.
“Naples is a city situated on a seaside and thus we have a lot of seafood specialties. But, since pizza came from Napoli, this is the first thing that ticks the mind. When you think about Napoli, you think about pizza.
“Master Class is a way to express what I am able to do and try to teach people. They can make the same recipes at home or may be at another kitchen.
“Basmati rice has become quite popular in Italy because of the recent influence of Asian Cuisine. A decade ago we inflexibly adhered to the tradition. But now we are a little bit open to new kitchen. Among other things we have also discovered Basmati rice… Chicken with curry and all those exotic spices that come from Asia”, Vincenzo de Liso informed.
Newspakistan.tv
