Manama: The largest Italian library in the Gulf was inaugurated on Thursday in Bahrain amid hopes it will reinforce cultural relations between the peninsular Mediterranean country and the Gulf states.
In its first stage, the library will house more than 200 books on Italian culture, history and civilization, said Enrico Padula, the Italian ambassador, at the ceremony at the Eisa Cultural Centre in Manama.
Bahraini officials welcomed the initiative, saying that it would bolster ties between Bahrain and the Gulf and Italy.
"We are keen on the Bahrainis and other Gulf nationals learning about the Italian culture and history," Padula said. "The library will give them great insights into the impressively rich Italian civilization," he said.
The library will be gradually receiving more books on Italy, said the envoy, a towering diplomatic figure who organised earlier this year a cultural display of Italy's culture.
The opening of the library was part of the 11th annual Italian language week, organised by the Italian embassy in co-operation with the Italian Bahraini Friendship Association and the Bahrain Cinema Club where several Italian films are screened.
The Eisa cultural centre has received books from the embassies of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Japan and USA.
