Italian Design Day highlights importance of re-generation for sustainable future

The 2022 Italian Design Day, co-organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry for Culture and the Directorate-General for Contemporary Creativity of the Ministry of Culture, was held recently under the beIT and Vivere all’Italiana initiatives, promoting Italian creativity and lifestyle worldwide. 

The theme-based celebration launched in 2017 is annually celebrated through Farnesina’s network of Embassies, Consulates, Italian Cultural Institutes and ICE Offices worldwide. The theme of this year’s edition was “Re-Generation. Design and new technologies for a sustainable future,” focusing on a transition in lifestyles that combines functionality, well-being and sustainability with environmental impact. 

The Embassy of Italy collaborated with the University of Florence (Faculty of Architecture), the University of Moratuwa (Department of Architecture), the City School of Architecture (CSA) and the Academy of Design (AOD) in presenting an evening of design talks. 

The event moderated by Architect Philip Weeraratne had Professor Architect Juan Camilo Olano Salinas, Professor Architect Laura Andreini and Professor Architect Antonella Trombadore from the University of Florence, Architect Varuna de Silva, Professor Samitha Manawadu and Dr Nilan Cooray sharing their views. 

The big corporate names in Sri Lanka were out in force at the Italian Design Day held at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute on 23 March. Omega Line Group and AluK by Access Group took centre stage from a title sponsorship point of view.  The Embassy of Italy in Colombo holds events that are culturally and diplomatically significant, which strengthens the economic and strategic ties between Italy and Sri Lanka. As a result, Sri Lanka has become one of Italy’s top trading partners, which gives Sri Lanka a special place on the global map. Ambassador of Italy to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Rita Giuliana Mannella, has taken an active role in strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries through various initiatives, making Italy a key exporter of Sri Lankan-made products. 

Expo Freight and Transmec Group were among the presenting sponsors of the event. 

Artra Magazine and Daily Artra joined forces as the art partner to establish a creative connection between the event and its attendees. Arimac as the digital solutions partner of the event, set up an interactive digital platform to allow a more intimate audience experience with the panellists.  Daily FT, Daily Mirror, HI!! Magazine and HI!! Online partnered with the Embassy of Italy as the event’s media sponsor.