The Embassy of Italy in Qatar and the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) celebrated the 2023 Italian Design Day on 9 March at the university Atrium, led by the Italian Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs HE Maria Tripodi and VCUarts Qatar Dean Amir Berbić.

Italian Design Day is the annual celebration of Italian design abroad, promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the Italian Trade Agency and the Italian Association of Industrial Design.

Design Stories Between Italy and Qatar

The 2023 edition of Italian Design Day in Qatar was co-organised by the Embassy of Italy in Doha and VCUarts Qatar supported by the Italian Trade Agency Office in Doha, whose contribution was also directed at promoting the upcoming Salone del Mobile di Milano – Milan Design Week, which will be held from 18 to 23 April.

This year’s edition has been entirely dedicated to the influences that link Italy and Qatar through the experiences of professional designers from both countries, hence the title Design Stories Between Italy and Qatar. Marco Bruno, Simone Muscolino, Giovanni Innella, Simone Carena, Stella Colaleo and Maryam Al Suwaidi in collaboration with FROMM, presented a selection of projects that are inspired by a mutual understanding of Italian and Qatari culture.

Undersecretary Tripodi stated she is glad to take part in Italian Design Day in Doha, which she said is one important recipient of Italy’s best products. She said that as Minister of Foreign Affairs, they are well aware of the importance of design as a means to promote Italian lifestyle and industries.

The values of beauty, sustainability and a human-centred approach that are at the basis of our design are also at the core of our campaign for EXPO Rome 2030, which is now entering (its) final and most intensive stage.

HE Ambassador Paolo Toschi affirmed that every year, Italian Design Day reminds of the beauty and elegance of objects that respond to needs, offer solutions and provide inspiration.

He said that this year’s event is even more special because it is opened by high-level political guests like Undersecretary Tripodi and shows how different cultures can influence each other to create new aesthetics and ideas.

VCUarts Qatar Dean Amir Berbić, meanwhile, said that Italian design has transcended borders, culture and time. He said that Italian design has captivated the world and that VCUarts Qatar is fortunate to have a collective of Italian artists and designers on their faculty to bring this fusion of Italian and Qatar design to life through their research, stories and their work.

To learn more about Italian Design Day, visit italiandesignday.it. 

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