“For us Italians, it’s very important to be recognized as a nation based on, first and foremost, culture, because it constitutes the better part of our identity,” said Giuseppe Perrone, Italian ambassador to Tehran. “That’s why I think of culture as a key asset for us, even in terms of foreign policy,” he added, explaining that, “My role as a diplomat is to make connections between peoples and governments easier, and culture is a very effective tool in that regard.”
The 55-year-old man received his degree in political sciences from the University of Turin in northern Italy and then went straight for a career in foreign service. After serving for many years in various parts of the world, including as ambassador in Libya and – previously – a series of postings in the US, he was appointed as Italian envoy to Iran.
“Iran and Italy are cultural superpowers, whose cultural exchanges go back a long time in history. My aim here is to build upon that history,” Perrone told me. In fact, many cultural events he has helped organize during his time in Iran, most recently inviting Italian jazz musician Giovanni Guidi to Iran to perform at the Fajr Music Festival 2022, in addition to his refined taste in art, make for a commanding resume should he decide to moonlight as an art entrepreneur.
He, however, is attached to his job as a diplomat. “Personally, it’s very uplifting and enriching in terms of experiences that I wouldn’t have otherwise. It allows you to get familiar with different cultures, nations, and peoples. It also makes you a better person because you understand better what your weaknesses and strengths are,” he told me.
At the end of our meeting in his residence, I asked him what he would like to be if he were not a diplomat. “A reporter,” he said without losing a heartbeat. As sincere as his quick answer sounded to me, it also demonstrated his shrewdness as a diplomat.
You are a political science graduate with relatively extensive experience in diplomacy. Where do you think international relations are heading? Will we see an emerging order in the world based on “multilateralism”? What are the important axis or poles of the new order?
The attempt to artificially divide the world into opposing poles or spheres of influence is reductive and anachronistic. The current configuration of international relations outlines a “variable geometry” scenario, in which different actors can find themselves in opposition or fully aligned depending on the individual international quadrants. In this context, multilateralism is not an emerging perspective, but on the contrary it already represents the real playing field within which international actors move. In a deeply interconnected world, in which every single action causes a large domino effect, the idea of acting outside the framework of multilateralism is pure illusion. The intertwining ties binding every single international actor with each other are a crucial factor in pushing States towards committing to consensually settling any disputes they may have. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action represents one of the most shining examples of this effective multilateralism, determining a win-win scenario. For this reason, Italy has always put in place every possible effort to support its preservation.
Are you optimistic that in the next decade or two, we will see a world of fewer wars, more prosperity and economic growth, and better protection of the environment? If so, on what evidence do you have this optimism?
There is no written destiny. The world in 10 years will be the world we, as governments but also as citizens, will be shaping. For sure, the dimensions you have outlined are more and more interconnected. Our ability to protect the environment will increasingly determine the growth trajectory of our economies and at the same time, our ability to provide an effective response to the needs of our populations. We have no choice but to shape our growth model in such a way that it becomes circular, low-emission and resilient to climate impact. We must prioritize our fight against biodiversity loss, alteration of the fundamental biogeochemical cycles and land-use change. It is a global challenge we must address together. The alternative is lower prosperity, less economic growth and increasing tension on the world stage. It is a priority for the Italian government to play a major role in international efforts to fight climate change, as shown in 2021 on the occasion of the Italian presidency of the G20 and the Italian co-presidency of the CoP-26.
What policy does the Italian government pursue in international relations, especially in the Middle East?
Italian diplomacy has historically played a constructive and critical role in the international arena, aimed at promoting every possible opportunity for dialogue and mutual understanding. Italy is a founding member of the European Union and is committed to further strengthening Europe’s role in world affairs. At the same time, for historical and geographical reasons, Italy is culturally, economically and politically projected towards the Mediterranean and the Middle East. In this area, by leveraging the capital of credibility and trust it enjoys across the board with everybody, Italy aims at building a shared positive agenda which can contribute to strengthen peace, stability and prosperity for all. In a region marked by deep fault lines, a continuous, tireless dialogue is needed to highlight our common interests and stave off possible sources of confrontation or conflict. This is also the main purpose of the Rome Mediterranean Dialogues (MED), a yearly conference taking place in Rome, the preparation of its 8th edition being already underway, which brings together leaders and analysts from all over the world and particularly from the enlarged Mediterranean region, including from Iran, to address the main global and regional challenges and opportunities through an open and comprehensive dialogue exercise.
It is said that half of the world’s cultural heritage is located in Italy. What advantage has this provided for your country? Was it more economic or cultural?
Italy is indeed home to an enormous, unparalleled cultural heritage, since it has historically been at the crossroads, just like Iran has, of empires and civilizations, which have turned it into a fertile ground for the development of the arts, as well as for scientific and technological progress. Still today Italy holds the highest number of UNESCO heritage sites in the world (58, out of which 53 cultural and 5 natural), and 14 distinctive traditions registered in the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list. An unbeaten worldwide record of all times.
Because of such wealth, my country for centuries has been a source of inspiration across the world. The creativity and ingenuity of many Italians, our centuries’ old craftsmanship tradition, are widely recognized and admired. Old masters and modern creators alike have contributed to make of Italy a respected cultural power and to create a distinct Italian brand. Design, for example, represents the most immediate application of creativity to the industrial process. Today Italian design is seen as a champion for taste, style and comfort. And people around the world invariably associate Italian products and creations with quality, attractiveness, and style.
To celebrate the special itinerary of cooperation between Italy and Iran in the area of industrial and home design, I am hosting these days in my residence, in partnership with Domus magazine, a preview of an exhibit called “Domus Design – Tehran 2022”, showcasing a selection of objects designed by Italian and Iranian architects and designers, which captured Domus’ attention over the past seventy years.
“Cultural diplomacy is important in developing relations between countries,” you told IRNA almost a year ago. What do you think historical and cultural commonalities of Iran and Italy are? How can two countries use these to develop better relations?
Italy and Iran both have an extraordinary cultural and civilizational background deep-rooted in a glorious and ancient history. Still today they both can be considered as world cultural powers, because of the amount of art, culture and sophisticated intellectual thinking their people have been producing throughout history. Italy and Iran can use this special position and heritage to foster mutual understanding throughout the globe, to promote people-to-people contacts, to raise awareness on the critical value of inter-cultural dialogue and cooperation. The Italian Embassy in Tehran is trying to make a contribution in this direction by promoting cultural initiatives in many fields, from design and architecture to fine arts, music, cinema, literature, etc. in the awareness that showcasing the cultural and civilizational roots that bring us closer together is the best avenue leading us to new and more effective forms of cooperation and mutual exchange.
Among the many initiatives the Italian Embassy in Tehran has launched, I should mention a number of exclusive video series in the fields of theatre (“8 ½ Theatre Clips: How COVID-19 Pandemic Has Changed Our Lives”), architecture (“Domus Eyes on Iran”) and fine arts (“From Tehran to Rome. A Journey through Art”), each of them shedding light on the impressive interaction taking place over the years and even in present times between Italian and Iranian artists and authors in different fields. All of them have been extremely successful and have resonated well beyond the borders of our own countries. We have also recently hosted and promoted several musical concerts, as well as supported the participation in the Fajr Music Festival, currently underway, by a contemporary jazz group from Italy.
Some believe that due to the good relations between the two countries in recent years, Italy is Iran’s gateway to Europe, as the volume of trade between the two countries before the withdrawal of the United States from the JCPOA was about 7.5 billion euros. How do you see the prospects for relations between the two countries? Can previous level of relationships be revived?
All the reasons for reviving and even exceeding past levels of economic cooperation are still there. The complementarity existing between our two economies is very evident, and continues to lead Italian and Iranian companies to work together, establish joint ventures and partnerships, explore business opportunities. Surely the international context has affected our economic relationship, but the deeper forces drawing our nations closer together, our cultural similarities, long-standing people-to-people relations and mutual respect, have not disappeared at all. In fact, I am sure that they will pave the way to restoring the previous trade volumes. The Italian Embassy for its part is fully committed to strengthening trade and investment ties, and is already doing so through a series of dedicated events, including a seminar coming up on February 22 focusing on opportunities for cooperation in the pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors.
Mr. ambassador, you have recently met with the mayor of Tehran. How can such point to point cooperation help two countries develop a more strategic relationship?
My meeting with the mayor of Tehran was extremely positive and forthcoming. It has ushered in ongoing discussions at technical level to strengthen our cooperation in different fields, such as restoration of historical buildings, sustainable growth and tourism, among others. And these are topics we discussed on the occasion of a roundtable on January 25 in cooperation with Domus magazine and with the participation of important Italian companies’ associations such as Assorestauro (the Italian Association for Architectural, Artistic and Urban Restoration) and Alleanza delle Cooperative (Alliance of the Italian Cooperatives).
I would also like to take this opportunity to stress the importance of the candidacy submitted by the City of Rome to host the Universal Exposition 2030, based on the concept “People and territories: Urban regeneration, inclusion and innovation”. By 2050, it is predicted that metropolitan cities will be home to around two thirds of the world’s population. It is therefore essential that we focus today on the world we wish to live in in the future, and Expo 2030 offers a unique opportunity to do so.
Often dubbed the “Eternal City”, when looking towards its future, Rome is in my opinion unique in being able to draw on 28 centuries of continuous re-invention and growth. It has always been recognized as a global capital for art, culture, creativity and dialogue between civilizations, in a constant process of regeneration, conveying the image of a never static city always evolving and adapting to successfully meet change. Given its location in the heart of the Mediterranean, connecting Europe and the Middle East, Rome is also perfectly placed to ensure a successful Expo 2030 in terms of participation, visitors and visibility.
You are also interested in Persian and it seems that you can also speak Persian. During your stay in Tehran, what is your assessment of Iran and the culture of the people? What do like the most about Iran?
I love Persian language and I enjoy speaking it, as it is a language of distinguished and noble poets and writers, which connects me to an impressive civilization, famous for its remarkable cultural achievements, and to the amazing people of Iran, known not only for their endless creativity, but for their extraordinary generosity, warmth and friendliness. Pretty much like Italian, Persian language is a vehicle for access into a culture and as such has a special value to me, because it is indicative of an amazing array of research, traditions, productions and accomplishments, which I am every day enjoying discovering.
** The interview originally appeared in Iran Daily in Wednesday.
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