KUWAIT CITY, Nov 16: The Italian Ambassador to Kuwait, Carlo Balducci, awarded to Professor of Anthropology and Archeology at the Kuwait University, Dr Hassan Ashkanani, the Order of the Star of Italy, with the rank of Knight, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen intellectual, cultural and academic ties between the two friendly countries, reports Al-Rai daily. Ambassador Balducci, during the awarding ceremony held by the embassy in the presence of academics, intellectuals and culture men, praised Dr Ashkanani’s efforts in organizing the first activity in the Arabian Gulf by establishing the first winter school for archeology at the Faculty of Social Sciences inviting professors from the oldest university in Italy (University of Rome La Sapienza). He explained that this activity included lectures and field visits with anthropology students and visits to Kuwait museums, indicating that this activity would result in a high-level cultural agreement.

He noted the role of Dr Ashkanani in collecting rare Italian books and artifacts that talk about Kuwait since the 19th century, stressing the depth of the historical relations and friendship between the two countries. For his part, Dr Ashkanani said in a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on the sidelines of the ceremony that this medal is “from the grace of God Almighty and the efforts of my colleagues in the college and department, anthropology students, my loyal friends and my beloved family.”

He expressed his pride and happiness with this honor, which he received from a European country with a long history, saying, “I am a soldier for my homeland, Kuwait, for its history, culture and heritage, and for its good people.” This medal is considered the highest honor granted by Italy to people of merit in the fields of literature, arts, economy, public service, social, charitable and humanitarian activities, and for long and outstanding service in the fields of civil and military work. Dr Ashkanani is one of the most important collectors of ancient books for Italian travelers who witnessed the regions of the Arabian Gulf, specifically Kuwait. He owns the rarest book by the oldest Italian traveler who visited Kuwait in 1862, Doctor Marco Mosizzano, surgeon in the royal house and a member of the mission of the King of Italy Emmanuel II. The book is a copy of the two copies found so far