Italian historical landscapes photo exhibition - May 27 to June 2, 2013, at the Hilton Hotel

The opening ceremony of a photo exhibition tagged Italian Historical Landscapes took place on 27th May 2013 at the lobby of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. The exhibition was conceived as part of the 150th anniversary of the Unity of Italy ( proclaimed on 17th March 1861) and the celebrations marking the 67th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Italy (established on 2nd June 1946).

In his speech during the occasion, the Ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, His Excellency Roberto Colamine, said the exhibition “represents high resolution photographs of typical Italian countryside landscapes and has been organised in Abuja with the sponsorship of the TEAM Group and the assistance of Transcorp Hilton Abuja.”

In addition, Ambassador Colamine said:

“The project is a result of a researched financed by the Italian Ministy of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Polices, with the patronage of the Italian Ministy of Culture, of the UNESCO World Heritage Center, and of the Council of Europe.

“It aims to highlight the harmonious relationship between the contemporary rural economic activities, the traditional countryside culture and architecture and the natural environment. 

“It offers an occasion for a reflection on the subject of the human interaction with nature, between the necessities of the rural economy and the need to protect the environment. It highlights the possibility to conduct human activities in the countryside, while at the same time, taking care of the environment.

“In different words, this exhibition stresses the need for sustainable rural economic activities, not only from the moral point of view – often stressed in the “conservationist” narrative of the protection of the environment – but also from a purely economic perspective, because only an approach respectful of the environment can assure that it remains a perpetual source of livelihood.

“With the occasion and with regards to the centrality of rural economy, I wish to recall that the Universal Expo 2015 will take place in Milan on the theme “Feeding the Planet Energy for Life.” Nigeria, whose agricultural sector is the focus of a renewed attention, has recently appointed its commissioner for the Expo, who has recently joined preparatory event in Milan.

“I therefore sincerely hope that you will appreciate this exhibition, for its intent to highlight the human activities in our rural landscape and for the astonishing beauty that has been maintained in our countryside and environment.”

Mr. Filippo Macchioni, Executive Director of
TEAM Nigeria and H.E. Roberto Colamine
Ambassador of 

To conclude, H.E. Colamine extended to the Italian and Nigerian citizens and to the members of the international community in Abuja the greetings from the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Emma Bonino. He also called attention to the foreword to the exhibition by the President of the Republic of Italy, His Excellency Giorgio Napolito. The event was attended by the Executive Director of TEAM Group, Mr. Filippo Macchioni.