25/05/2026
The Italian Ambassador, H.E. Carlo Baldocci, launched a new series of events, “Sala Roma Talks”, bringing together the voices and aspirations of Italians and Saudis. Among those whose voices were celebrated in the series was Dr. Mona Khazindar on the occasion of her being awarded the “Ordine della Stella d'Italia” (Order of the Star of Italy).
Over the past 30 years, Dr. Mona Khazindar has curated numerous successful international exhibitions and made a significant contribution to the development of Saudi-Italian cultural diplomacy through projects ranging from biennials and book writing to design museums, to name just a few. Following the awards ceremony, Dr. Mona shared her thoughts on art, culture, the role of museums, and society's vision for the arts. One of the highlights was her reflection on the role of art and culture in Saudi Vision 2030 and Italy.
“Culture and art are crucial, especially given that our economy is striving to be less dependent on oil. Our leadership is very conscious about the importance of art and culture, so it invests in this area and collaborates with the right partners. By the right partners, I mean Italy, because Italy is a country of heritage, culture, art, fashion, and so on. And Saudi Arabia is collaborating with Italy to elevate all aspects of culture, not just museums but also, for example, archaeology.”
And, thus, another evening at “Sala Roma Talks”, filled with the wisdom and reflections of Dr. Mona Khazindar, turned into a celebration of art and culture as a driving force in the past, present, and future of the history of both countries, and a source of inspiration for Saudis, Italians and international attendees.
Written by Alexander Woodman
