MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR DIPLOMACY
MIGUEL ANGEL MORATINOS
Minister of Foreign Affairs, SPAIN

His politics in favour of the Euro-Mediterranean dialogue laid the basis to re-launch the peace process for a shared development in the area. At the beginning as general director of the Spanish foreign policy for Africa and Middle East, then as special envoy of the European Union in the Middle East, Moratinos always carried out a diplomatic and political work of dialogue and mediation that avoided the worsening of the conflicts. Now, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, he is carrying out a concrete diplomatic action against prejudices and the global fear of terrorism, increasing social justice and multiculturalism, against the idea of Islam equal terrorism.

Awarding Ceremony
Cairo, 5 December 2004

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD SPECIAL EDITION
HASNA EL BECHARIA
Singer and musician, ALGERIA

A free and upright woman, Hasna comes from the South of the Algerian Sahara. Daughter of a family of gnawi musicians, she performs pop music mixed with her own compositions, accompanied by electric or classic guitar or by guembri. Her music expresses different artistic and spiritual forms and, at the same time, in a play of background and mutual protagonism, it allows different individual expressions and the synergy of an expert choral quality, producing different rhythms and tunes, where the aim of a common concert is only possible thanks to the motivation of a production where the ensemble is not given by a succession of reciprocally tolerant pieces.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 6 January 2005

INTERNATIONAL AWARD LABORATORIO MEDITERRANEO
DVER'
Best short filmby Russian director Vladimir Kott
 

The jury of the “short film competition” composed by Jana Cisar, Mauro Santini, Joseph Togneri has granted the International Award Laboratorio Mediterraneo to DVER´ for the poetic simplicity by which the director has been able to show life on the screen. The film tells a number of small stories in a surprising and humoristic way.

Awarding Ceremony
Trieste, 27 January 2005

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR CULTURE
MATEJA MATEVSKI
Writer, MACEDONIA

Born in 1929, he was educated in the war period in that spirit of freedom and political and national renaissance which brought to the revolt of the peoples who constituted Yugoslavia. Starting from the second part of the 20th century, his poetic works have marked with an original and indelible voice the development of the new Macedonian literature within Balkan culture like a lyric reflection of universal value expressed in a clear and perfect shape. A further testimony that small nations are not minor nations and, thanks to their scholars, they are able to give a significant contribution to the richness of human culture.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 25 February 2005

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR CINEMA
YASMINE KASSARI
Film Director, MOROCCO

Her film work “L’Enfant endormi” shows the lives of women left alone by their partners and their daily work in the cornfields to nourish their children and the old people of the village. These women are freed and emancipated from the authoritative male figures, they can choose and evaluate their lives affairs in a context that often represents them as the victims of millenary traditions, but that has started a process of cultural renewal.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 16 June 2005

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR ISTITUTIONS
RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN
Prime Minister of Republic of TURKEY

A personality unanimously respected for his integrity and commitment to democracy and pluralism with a vision of politics matured through a long journey and reflection. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as Mayor of Istanbul, was able to introduce modern criteria in the administration of the town. Then, as Prime Minister, he has consistently promoted the political and cultural dialogue between Turkey and Europe. This award, meant to recognize the great progress of a Country whose culture is deeply rooted in the East with a long and profound relationship with the West, wishes that Europe be willing to testify, by a new enlargement, the end of a century-old confrontation between States of Christian tradition and States of Muslim tradition.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 2 September 2005

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR MEDIA
LE MONDE DIPLOMATHIQUE
National monthly magazine, FRANCE

Monthly magazine motivated by human and social emotions, yet with an open mind, “Le Monde Diplomatique” has for half a century, by news and comments not subject to partisan interests, sought to report the causes and forces that direct and drive political events. Its action has provoked an independent reflection, making it a leader in mutual understanding, justice and peace.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 24 October 2005

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR MEDIA
ANSAMED
Press Agency, ITALY

It is playing an essential role – with timeliness, completeness and reliability – in the field of Euro-Mediterranean information with the aim of re-launching and spreading a positive image of the Mediterranean, an area of opportunities and development with roots in a millenary history of relationships and exchanges, as well as with the aim of combating the stereotype of a region characterized by political and social tensions and constantly threatened by terrorism. Moreover, it has undertaken an initiative which, starting from the heritage of experiences and relations of the most important Italian Press Agency, wishes to be the point of encounter and reference for all those who work, at the political, economic, social and cultural level, believing in the possibility to develop a dialogue and a mutual knowledge among the Countries of the region in view of an increasingly close and profitable Integration.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 24 October 2005

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR ARCHITECTURE
FABRIZIO CAROLA
Architect, ITALY

An architect who, with his talent, was able to create structures based on the wisdom of ancient traditions in building constructions. He created living spaces being at once primitive and complex, bridging archaic memory and future, spaces in which the simplicity of the techniques becomes versatility of execution, simplicity and rigour in the use of materials. Architectures of life and for life, which respect the natural context and satisfy the primary needs of serenity and harmony, without resorting either to an excess of technology or to obsolete technologies. With Fabrizio Caròla, Tèchne search for liberty leads to discover the knowledge embodied in building techniques of pre-modern tradition and opens a rich path of discovery to the contemporary Mediterranean creativity.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 24 October 2005

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD "MEDAL OF HONOUR"
ARCHITECTS OF NAPLES ASSOCIATION
President Paolo Pisciotta, ITALY

For spreading the culture of Mediterranean architecture and for contributing to the exchanges among the Associations of Architects in the Mediterranean Countries

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 24 October 2005

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR CULTURE
MOHAMED KABBAJ
President of the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music, MOROCCO

He carried out a great work of spiritual dialogue which reminds us, both through the performances of Fez Festival and through his speeches, a message of Mediterranean humanism, that contributes to the spread of the highest values of culture and civilization.

Awarding Ceremony
Casablanca, 22 November 2005

EUROMED AWARD
BARCELONA PROCESS
SPAIN

The Fondazione Mediterraneo has granted the ’Mediterranean Award for Dialogue between Cultures 2005’ to Barcelona Process on the occasion of the 10 th anniversary of partnership agreements. Just to emphasize its symbolic meaning, the acknowledgement has been attributed to the heads of the 35 national networks of Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation as auspicious for the commitment to be undertaken by these actors on behalf of the European Union and of the 35 Euro-Mediterranean Countries in a difficult and indispensable action for peace.

Awarding Ceremony
Barcelona, 27 November 2005

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR ART AND CREATIVITY
GIUSEPPE FERRIGNO
Craftsman, ITALY

This award underlines the importance of Ferrigno’s works in preserving and diffusing the traditional Neapolitan craft of hand-made nativity scenes.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 19 December 2005

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR ART AND CREATIVITY
SAN CARLO THEATRE
Superintendent Gioacchino Lanza Tomasi, ITALY

For its exemplary contribution to the history of grand opera and to the art of entertainment since 1737, the year in which it was founded by Carlo di Borbone. The San Carlo Theatre has added a Mediterranean dimension to its prestigious history when its chorus performed the “Hymn of the Mediterranean”.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 14 September 2003

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD "SILVER DOLPHIN"
to the memory of MANUEL VAZQUEZ MONTALBAN
Writer, SPAIN

A great Spanish writer, Manuel Vázquez Montalbán told the story of today’s society with irony and acumen through his main character: Pepe Carvalho. He was among the first to join the Fondazione Mediterraneo and this acknowledgment is not meant to be an institutional award, but rather a great warm remembrance from his “Mediterranean family”. For this reason the Fondazione Mediterraneo attributed to the memory of Manuel Vázquez Montalbán the Mediterranean Award “Delfino d’Argento” 2004‑2005.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 4 January 2004

INTERNATIONAL AWARD LABORATORIO MEDITERRANEO
AM SEE
Best short‑filmby German director Ulrike von Ribbeck
 

Little Jacob is travelling with his parents and sister. The four stop on the banks of a lake, in which father and son decide to go for a swim. At a certain point, the man leaves the water and Jacob remains alone in the middle of the lake. One can survive infancy even in an absent‑minded family.

Awarding Ceremony
Trieste, 22 January 2004

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR PEACE
ASSOCIATION "MARSEILLE ESPERANCE"
President Jean Claude Gaudin, FRANCE

The originality and the exemplariness of activities promoting interfaith dialogue without boundaries and bringing together representatives of different cultures and beliefs practiced by people of Marseille, constitute the merit action of this Association.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 28 May 2004

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
MARCELLO PIAZZA
Professor of Infectious Deseases at Federico II University, ITALY

For the work carried out in favour of the Euro-Mediterranean populations. His studies contributed to the reduction of B hepatitis in the world, one of the plague of humanity. He made possible to vaccinate against B hepatitis all the new borns: starting with Italy, the vaccinations are now executed in 151 Nations - including the Euro-Mediterranean area - thus reducing deaths caused by this decease.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 28 May 2004

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD "MEDAL OF HONOUR"
EUGENIO BENNATO
Singer and musician, ITALY

For having spread the value of dialogue among society and cultures with his music and, especially, with his album “Che il Mediterraneo sia”, which is an indispensable tool for peace and shared development.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 28 May 2004

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR MEDIA
AL-BAYANE
National Newspaper, MAROCCO

Journalism is a constant, difficult and quite often risky commitment but it is an essential instrument for the development of a democratic society. The Award to “Al Bayane” is meant to emphasize the activity of this great journal in a moment of transition involving all Islamic societies, among which Moroccan society represents one of the most delicate points of passage. In the alternation of Governments – wanted by H.M. Hassan II as an essential mark of the democratisation process – “Al Bayane”, with its political director Ismail Alaoui, has contributed and still contributes to spread the values of dialogue and peace.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 25 October 2004

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR ISTITUTIONS
GIANNI LETTA
Undersecretary of State at the Italian Prime Ministry, ITALY

His “good policy” founded on respect of Constitution and consideration of the adversary allows to include Gianni Letta in the list of Statesmen. His commitment in favour of solidarity, youth and valorisation of cultural, artistic, architectural, environmental, archaeological heritage of the Mediterranean is unanimously recognized and is an example for those who want to be involved in partnership actions.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 5 November 2004

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR CULTURE
KAMEL ZOHERI
President of the Council of the Great Cairo Library, EGYPT

He gave a great contribution to the promotion of dialogue and intercultural communication among the Countries of the Islamic-Arab World and the West. He is one of the protagonists on the cultural scene of Egypt and one of the great persons of culture of this century.

Awarding Ceremony
Cairo, 4 December 2004

Miguel Angel Moratinos - 2004
Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, SPAIN

His politics in favour of the Euro-Mediterranean dialogue laid the basis to re-launch the peace process for a shared development in the area. At the beginning as general director of the Spanish foreign policy for Africa and Middle East, then as special envoy of the European Union in the Middle East, Moratinos always carried out a diplomatic and political work of dialogue and mediation that avoided the worsening of the conflicts. Now, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, he is carrying out a concrete diplomatic action against prejudices and the global fear of terrorism, increasing social justice and multiculturalism, against the idea of Islam equal terrorism.

Awarding Ceremony
Cairo, 5 December 2004

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR DIPLOMACY
PAOLO PUCCI DI BENISICHI
Italian Ambassador to Spain, ITALY

For having demonstrated the common features and views of Italy and Spain. He retraced accurately the history connecting the two people and cultures and gave incentives to the two create a common strategy to re-launch the Barcelona Process for a stronger Euro- Mediterranean Partnership. For this reason the Fondazione Mediterraneo attributed to Paolo Pucci di Benisichi the Mediterranean Award for Diplomacy 2003.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 4 January 2002

INTERNATIONAL AWARD LABORATORIO MEDITERRANEO
MY ZIVJOM NA KRAJU
Best short film by the Bielorussian director Viktor Asliuk
 

Because, directed in a superb way, this film shows the rude life of Bielorussian farmers on the background of magnificent landscapes. A sober comment offscreen about pictures of women and men showing their hard living conditions. Wonderful shots, beautiful lights and sequences like a tragic classic painting.

Awarding Ceremony
Trieste, 23 January 2003

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR PEACE
padre ELIAS CHACOUR
Melkite Archbishop of Galilee and writer

Priest at Ibillin, a small village in Palestine, Elias Chacour, Christian, Arab and Israeli citizen, is one of the few living witnesses of a coexistence, nowadays impossible, in the Middle East. He’s a man who, despite the bitterness that the story of his People might cause to him, courageously fights for the reconciliation of the two “blood brothers”: Israeli and Palestinian peoples. One of his challenges is to construct peace never giving up to those who constantly destroy it. His work starts from a school he founded at Ibillin, where 4500 Palestinian, either Muslim or Christian, and Israeli-Jewish children and students learn together. It is in this school that Elias Chacour’s mission takes shape: to construct a land of peace where the sons of God – brothers who today are tearing each other to pieces – can live peacefully together. It is a message of love and an impassioned address In favour of peace that Chacour sends to his Palestinian and Israeli brothers, not to convert them to his religion, but to show them a concrete and tangible possibility to share peace and life. Chacour is “another man of Galilee” who speaks from the depths of his suffering and of his wise experience.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 14 March 2003

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR ART AND CREATIVITY
CARLA GUIDO
Actress, ITALY

She has been able, through her exceptional and cathartic interpretation, to make absolute the drama of the feminine universe, subordinate and victim of violence in a story written with blood. For this reason the Fondazione Mediterraneo attributed to Carla Guido the Mediterranean Award for Art and Creativity 2003.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 14 March 2003

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR MEDIA
MEDITERRANEO
Weekly TV Programme TG3-RAI, ITALY

Manifold instruments are needed to support the dialogue among Mediterranean peoples, among which communication is undoubtedly one of the most important. The prize awarded to the weekly TV programme Mediteranneo produced by the RAI editorial office of Palermo, is a symbol of the acknowledgment for a press group that has been trying to meet this need for more than ten years, acting in favour of dialogue and Euro-Mediterranean communication and answering to the appeal for peace in former Yugoslavia launched by the Fondazione Laboratorio Mediterraneo since 1994. Today it is the only weekly TV programme, not just Italian, allowing to watch simultaneously, in a cost-effective and creative way, the RAI, France 3 and, since last February, the Spanish TV RTve. It is broadcast in 11 countries of the Mediterranean Basin and Latin America. Its editorial staff started to produce news services and reports almost two years ago for Rai Med, the only satellite channel, both in Italian and Arabic, watched in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Giancarlo Licata is responsible for both initiatives originated and developed within the Testata Giornalistica Regionale, which has been capable of seizing the importance of dialogue among peoples and the different press teams better than any other national media.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 14 March 2003

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD "SILVER DOLPHIN"
RAFFAELE LA CAPRIA
Writer, ITALY

His work represents a long meditation on the missed occasion of the single being and of the entire history, also an emblem of the Mediterranean, which from the missed occasioons is still tragically constructing its present.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 28 May 2003

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD "SILVER DOLPHIN"
to the memory of FEDERICO BUGNO
Journalist and writer, ITALIA

Federico Bugno produced some of the greatest journalistic pieces with his strong reportages, showing that in order not to succumb to globalisation, journalism had to be “democratised”. He belongs to one of the last “big ones” who flies high; from Tiananmen Square to the Berlin Wall and to Sarajevo.”

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 4 June 2003

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD "SILVER DOLPHIN"
to the memory of IZET SARAJLIC'
Poet, BOSNIA

A man who showed us that literature in itself would not be enough. His teachings and his works encourage us to promote, peace and reciprocal respect through concrete actions.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 4 June 2003

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR CULTURE
SUZANNE MUBARAK
President of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, EGYPT

She played a leading role in the realisation of the project of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina: its rebirth is an act of faith to the memory of a people and, at the same time, of a cultural which belongs to humanity.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 9 September 2003

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD "MEDAL OF HONOUR"
City of HERCULANEUM
Mayor Luisa Bossa, ITALY

Ercolano deserves much more than the bad reputation that a small number of its inhabitants has inflicted on it. The stretch of land linking Vesuvius to the sea initially strikes for the beauty of its natural landscape that foreign visitors, like the great French writer Colette, have celebrated with admiration and emotion. A sort of archaeological vertigo, making this inspired place rival the famous nearby Pompeii, pulses below the strolling tourists. The splendour of the wonderful villas that from the 18th century onwards have multiplied so as to form the enchanted so-called square of Elbeuf behind the Porticoes protecting this almost unique architectural complex, go by before the visitor’s eyes. Therefore the arguments supporting a Renaissance for this emblematic City are quite numerous. We have no doubts that the different events, such as the one that gathers us here to make the Mediterranean Hymn resound inside the walls of this ancient and modern City, will help, thanks to your initiatives, Mrs Mayor, give back the right place to Ercolano, among the cities built on the shores of our Common Sea, like the grains of a rosary for a common prayer Inspired by a Mediterranean faithful to its past, but definitely open to its future.

Awarding Ceremony
Ercolano, 14 September 2003

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD "SPECIAL EDITION"
NAGUIB MAHFOUZ
Nobel Prize for Literature, EGYPT

For the intensity of his inspiration and the quality of his style. Because through his art he has portrayed, with true emotion and integrity, the lives of humble inhabitants of the poorest neighbourhoods of his city. For his literary creativity which went beyond and has created for over fifty years a true “Arab human comedy”. For his capacity to go beyond the simple description of behaviours and habits and to transform it into an epopee of the human soul. For his courageous refusal of any fanaticism and exclusion. For the great contribution given to the international spreading of contemporary Arab literature. For his significant participation in the construction of a 21st Century humanism in the wake of Mediterranean historical knowledge.

Awarding Ceremony
Cairo, 18 October 2003

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR CINEMA
PINO TORDIGLIONE
Film director, ITALY

The film work of the Venice Screenings “The Stolen Christmas”, by Pino Tordiglione expresses in the originality, ingenuousness and simplicity of the cinematographic language, the Mediterranean culture and art emphasising, in its contents, the human values. For this reason the Fondazione Mediterraneo attributed to Pino Tordiglione the Mediterranean Award for Cinema 2003.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 12 December 2003

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR ISTITUTIONS
PAT COX e ABDELWAHED RADI
Co-Presidents of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly

The President of the European Parliament Pat Cox and the President of the Moroccan Parliament Abdelwahed Radi were the authors of the patient work that led to the creation in Naples, on 2nd December 2003, of the Euro‑Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, transforming the Forum instituted after the Barcelona Process. In acknowledgement of their essential action for democratic development in the Euro-Mediterranean area, the ad hoc Commission of Fondazione Mediterraneo granted the Mediterranean Award for Institutions 2003 to Presidents Cox and Radi.

Awarding Ceremony
Atene, 23 March 2004

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR PEACE
to the memory of MARIAGRAZIA CUTULI and JULIO FUENTES. Journalists killed in Afghanistan - War correspondents, ITALY-SPAIN

War. Tangle of wrongs and passions, of infamy and greatness. Like a tear in the fabric that – millennium after millennium since the first ancestors at the beginning of the reflection and consciousness which established rules and laws to curb instinct, repress egoism, find a conception of good, link people in mutual aid with general and shared values and made us less transient in the large sea of being, thanks to the persisting trace – hardly renews in the present, perpetuates in the future and marks an identity higher than the biological one. A tear in which, in the struggle of a force against another, the tragically constructed civilization becomes somehow uncertain and sometimes wavering. And there they were, without hatred or partisanship, to witness courage and cowardice, examples of compassion or abuses, of generosity and baseness, without prejudice in search of the truth that each fighter distorts. There, to found on that truth a better understanding of both parts, of the suffering of both, to challenge the opposing beliefs and lay the foundations of a new agreement so as to put an end to hostilities and establish a new, possibly fairer, peace. For this understanding, for this better and more human future, they were there: determined, sparing no pains, without escaping risk. Without any support, except for the distant support from their newspapers which had entrusted them with a mission more difficult than fighting, almost always more obscure. There, unarmed among armed people, serene among passions, courageous without boldness, more determined than fighters. There, always ahead where the battle is raging, convinced and determined. Until the sacrifice, just like Maria Grazia Cutuli and Julio Fuentes whose mutilated bodies and broken mobile phone were brought back to us. But their voice we gather here and their message we repeat in their name are not broken.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 4 January 2002

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR DIPLOMACY
NEHAD ABDEL LATIF
Egyptian Ambassador to Italy, EGYPT

In a long and patient process he has built the bases for a strong Egyptian-Italian dialogue by solidifying the knowledge of the societies living on the two shores of the Mediterranean. He was one of the protagonists of the 2 nd Euromed Civil Forum of Naples In 1997, giving a constructive contribution for the cultural, economic and social cooperation. For this reason the Fondazione Mediterraneo attributed to Nehad Abdel Latif the Mediterranean Award for Diplomacy 2002.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 4 January 2002

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR ISTITUTIONS
ANTONIO BASSOLINO
President of Regione Campania, ITALY

As Governor of the Region, he instituted a Department for the Relations with the Mediterranean Countries. Symbol and warning of a policy that, being aware of the turn of the millennium, has realized that Naples, Campania and Italy itself have no future outside the tissue where along centuries has been constructed, among clashes and encounters, exchanges and unions, a great and specific Euro- Mediterranean unity, to which the whole Europe should turn again so as to reinforce and develop the values on which it has constructed its own identity and resulting from the syntheses occurred in the Mediterranean.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 4 January 2002

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR ART AND CREATIVITY
MONI OVADIA
Singer, actor, ISRAEL

The search for novelty in life, custom and thought, which has been the dynamic force of the West since its first establishment, has frantically accelerated towards “modernity”. With regard to the societies which have rigorously maintained their traditions as concepts and custom as well as social order and even the forms of art, literature and language, “modernity” has an impact giving rise to a turbulence which – unlike invasions and wars that are suddenly upsetting but rapidly subsiding – can hardly calm down since “modernity” is violently confronted to convictions and habits, so it upsets well‑established economies, imposes to break the fabric in which everyone is contained but sure, blocked but steady, it liberates the individual and pushes him towards perspectives launched over nothingness. A deep, unprepared and unexpected break, giving rise to hopes that are not realized, bearing an illegible message. In the entire non-Western World, particularly in the Islamic World which in this situation cannot even find the promises of Greek philosophy that had nourished the West and that Islam itself had in part given back to it by Its falsafa, the consequences of that impact are overwhelming, they provoke oppositions which rigidly cling to the past. Facing such a great preclusion and violence, it is very difficult to try to promote mutual understanding and start a dialogue. It is with this aim that Moni Ovadia has dedicated, with passion and endurance, his constant work of research and invention to the revival and re-interpretation of ancient Sephardic and Arabic songs from the XIII and XIV century, recalling the common roots of those cultures that are today taken as ground for confrontation by peoples who, instead, cannot attain their renaissance without new cooperation and harmony.

Awarding Ceremony
Naplesi, 4 January 2002

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR MEDIA
VITTORIO NISTICO'
Journalist, ITALY

Journalism follows and tells everyday and historical events. It is rare for a newspaper to enter history becoming an Integral part of It. This is the case of “L’Ora”, prestigious newspaper of Palermo and Italy, during the long season when it was directed by Vittorio Nisticò. It is an example in the history of Italian and Mediterranean journalism. By his recent book “It happened in Sicily: the roaring years of Palermo newspaper ‘L’Ora’“, published by Sellerio, Nisticò reports on crucial events in Sicily as well as on the story of the newspaper and of its extraordinary community of journalists trained with Integrity and courage and with a hunger for the truth.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 4 January 2002

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR MEDIA
EL MUNDO
National Neewspaper, SPAIN

Journalism has become an essential need to us. It involves, among other things, effort and sacrifice. Sometimes sacrifice goes to the extreme and deserves our deepest appreciation. This Award to “El Mundo” is the expression of our acknowledgment to a newspaper which, through the recent sacrifice of Julio Fuentes, has demonstrated how difficult it is to satisfy a priority need of our world: to be informed, which means above all awareness in transparency.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 4 January 2002

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR MEDIA
CORRIERE DELLA SERA
National Newspaper, ITALY

Following the tradition of journalists like Albertini, the Corriere della Sera has been able to maintain a balanced stance among opposing passions and ideologies so as to represent the events in a more objective light which not only helps to better understand such events but also to make a constructive reflection on them. To achieve this aim, correspondents have travelled across the world, sometimes without coming back, and a great contribution has also been given by the editorial staff with its constant, patient, unanimous and anonymous work.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 4 January 2002

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD "SILVER DOLPHIN"
to the memory of MARCELLO GIGANTE
Professor, expert in papyrus, ITALY

In the transformation period started after the second world war, Marcello Gigante, Iike Carducci in his time, gave voice to the relation between ancient culture and modern conscience, reconsidering the text of Herodotus and interpreting the historical lines of the classic world in the mark of the Nomos Basileus, the sovereignty of the law. Translator of Diogenes Laertius and Director of the collections “La Scuola di Platone” and “La scuola di Epicuro”, he deepened the study of ancient philosophy, in particular of Epicurus and Philodemus of Gadara, through the study of Herculaneum papyri. His essays on Leopardi, Settembrini, Quasimodo and on the classical culture of the period between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries are focused on the relation between ancient and modern time. He was editor of “Parola del Passato”, director of the “Studi di Filologia Classica”, National President of the Italian Association of Classical Culture. His publications, more than 700, have always contained highly significant descriptions and views. Among his works, it is worth remembering: “Le Elleniche di Ossirinco”, “Nomos Basileus”, “Civiltà delle forme letterarie nell’antica Pompei”, “Classico e mediazione”. For this reason the Fondazione Mediterraneo attributed To the memory of Marcello Gigante the Mediterranean Award “Delfino d’Argento” 2002.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 4 January 2002

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD "SILVER DOLPHIN"
to the memory of PAOLO BUFALINI
Senator of the Italian Republic, ITALY

History has known more than one personalities who, though without media renown, have played an extraordinary role in the political events that mark the life of a State. Paolo Bufalini belongs to this gallery: for the contribution given during the 30’s to the creation of one of the most important and active anti-fascist groups, the Roman one, also because he gathered young intellectuals who later on played an important role on the political and intellectual scene of the post-war period, for the contribution given to the Italian resistance in Yugoslavia; as animator, after the liberation, of the Autonomist Southern Movement, in Sicily and in the South, struggling for Agrarian Reform and modernization of the Country; as a strong and wise mind In the action for the renewal of P.C.I., the unity of the left party, the convergences among all democratic forces. He dealt with all these issues with a high vision of politics, always overcoming the class and party borders, like a Cavour-style statesman. This is the framework in which falls the exceptional work made by Bufalini in drafting a foreign policy of détente, of understanding of the other’s reasons, of friendship among the peoples of the Mediterranean; the activities aiming at guaranteeing religious peace and Improving relations between the Italian State and the Vatican, through the renewal of the Concordat. And he did so as a laic, persuaded that only a lay State and the respect of the religious conscience of the Individual and of the communities can defeat the fundamentalism that has blooded the word for centuries, until today. Bufalini was also a serious specialist in Greek and Latin and a careful and acute translator of Horace, thus telling us that the mingling of culture and politics is vital and necessary to make noble and effective public commitment, to improve one’s country and the mutual knowledge of peoples.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 4 January 2002

INTERANATIONAL AWARD LABORATORIO MEDITERRANEO
INT. HOTEL NUIT
Best short‑filmby Swiss director Elena Hazanov
 

A film offering several interpretations in its short running time. From the reversal of man‑woman role to the confrontation between two cultures, to the conflict between language and body. The narration has a light touch and a deep irony. For this reason the Fondazione Mediterraneo attributed to Elena Hazanov the International Award Laboratorio Mediterraneo 2002.

Awarding Ceremony
Trieste, 24 January 2002