Italy’s civil commitment in Afghanistan is a long and successful story. To recall these successes, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is promoting an event entitled “Hidden Treasures: 10 years of Italy in Afghanistan”, which will take place on 10 February 2012 in the MAXXI Gallery in Rome. The event, which will be introduced by Under-Secretary of State for Foreign affairs Stefan De Mistura, will focus on the protection of the cultural heritage, and see the participation of eminent experts and scholars.
The proceedings will include photo displays and film screenings, including “No Game”, a documentary produced by Giacomo Martelli as part of a humanitarian de-mining initiative funded by the Directorate General for Development Cooperation. The documentary was shot entirely in Kabul Province in June 2011, to teach Afghan children about the dangers of mines, which are a scourge for the country and pose a heavy burden for its future.
The aim of this initiative is to give greater visibility to Italy’s activities in the civil field in Afghanistan, activities that are complementary to our military presence. The event will therefore touch on our cooperation projects in a number of sectors, albeit with the focus on cultural cooperation – an area that has seen our country play a leading role in initiatives of the utmost importance.
The event at the MAXXI will be coordinated by RAI journalist Duilio Giammaria and the programme will be as follows.
The opening address will be given by Under-Secretary of State for Foreign affairs Stefan De Mistura, who will illustrate in broad lines the history of Italian-Afghan relations. He will touch on Development Cooperation’s initiatives in sectors ranging from social development to nation-building, from industry and agriculture to infrastructure and transport, from education to health.
Next on the programme will be presentations by eminent academics such as Andrea Bruno, Claudio Margottini, Philippe Marquis and Francesco D’Arelli. Their presentations will describe Italian initiatives to protect Afghanistan’s cultural heritage (the Minaret of Jam, the Giant Buddhas of Bamiyan, and others).
The programme also includes talks by Minister Plenipotentiary Francesco Talo’, Minister Terzi’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan; Marco Rotelli, Secretary General of INTERSOS; and the director Giacomo Martelli. The event will also include films and photography displays illustrating the initiatives being presented. The closing address will be given by the Afghan Ambassador to Rome, Mohammad Musa Maroofi.
No Game
“No Game” is a short film conceived and produced by Giacomo Martelli in Afghanistan. Dedicated to children, its aim is to warn them of the terrible dangers of anti-personnel mines: the most harmful “gift” left by war.
Giacomo is a successful young Italian director born in Milan in 1976. Squadra Antimafia, which he directed, attracted peak TV audiences for many weeks in 2011. But Giacomo freely decided to put his expertise and his holidays to the service of Italian Development Cooperation. He visited Afghanistan twice, and agreed readily and enthusiastically with the idea that young Italian directors should begin to illustrate a hidden and often intangible element of the “Made in Italy” brand. The aim is to build up a library that combines cinematic talent with the skills and expertise of the men and women working for Italy’s cooperation effort. Giacomo returned from his second trip to Afghanistan will some beautiful images showing the poetry of far-off lands, a timeless world where laughter and play can defeat even death.
