Tunis: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, Nabil Ammar, met on Wednesday with Alfonso Campisi, an Italian-Tunisian writer and professor at the University of Manouba, who presented him with his latest publication on migration from Sicily to Tunisia between the 19th and 20th centuries.
The meeting comes within the framework of supporting cultural communication and recognising the importance of the role of cultural diplomacy as a tributary of Tunisian diplomacy, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting, the Minister highlighted the depth and tradition of Tunisian-Italian cultural relations, noting that the intertwining of the two cultures is an interesting model that will serve to support and strengthen relations between the peoples of the two countries.
He explained that Tunisia, as an Arab country with its cultural, linguistic and religious reserves, is not complex and is open to all European peoples and cultures, especially Italy, which
it considers one of its closest partners because of their common cultural affinities.
For his part, the Italian-Tunisian writer and academic expressed his pleasure at this meeting. He said that Tunisia had a very special place in his heart. He recalled his family’s migration from Sicily to Tunisia since 1830 and the peaceful coexistence of Sicilians and Tunisians, which led to the establishment of strong cultural and social ties. He said that a member of his family had been forced to leave Tunisia in 1943 for supporting the Tunisians’ struggle against the colonialists.
Campisi said he would continue his research and writing to promote Tunisia and the value of its people, who accept and respect all other cultures and religions, and who are steeped in an open and tolerant Islamic religion. He also said that he was looking for ways to establish the guarantee of equality between Tunisian and Italian students in the framework of scientific exchange programmes.
He also expressed his willingness to participate in
the event to be organised by the Ministry in the framework of Tunisia’s presidency of the International Organisation of the Francophonie.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse