From the glories of ancient culture to darker shades of contemporary conflict, works by Iraq’s most influential artists are to go on display at a major European event expected to draw at least 500,000 visitors. The National Pavilion of Iraq’s exhibition will be staged at the 57th Venice Biennale in May and feature artefacts spanning six millennia from the Neolithic Age to the Neo-Babylonian period alongside the works of eight modern Iraqi artists.

Two rare busts rescued from the Isis group's destruction of the ancient city of Palmyra will soon be heading back to Syria, after a painstaking restoration in Italy [...] "This is an example of an issue we hold dear: that of cultural diplomacy, the fact that culture can be an instrument for dialogue between people, even when circumstances are difficult," Italian culture minister Dario Franceschini said. 

Sit down to a Shabbat dinner with an Israeli family, play a game of matkot or join the merry-making at a traditional Hasidic wedding at Open A Door To Israel, a multi-sensory exhibition that transports visitors to the Middle Eastern country through interactive doors. Opening today at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, the free exhibition is literally as its name suggests.

Good food is the way to winning people’s heart. And Italians are masters at winning hearts with their globally popular cuisine so much so that the authorities in Italy believe food can also be a powerful tool for diplomacy. Organising an Italian Cuisine Week in around 120 countries including Doha simultaneously, the Italian authorities aim to lighten up people’s mood with good food.

Italian architect and interior designer Francesco Librizzi and Taiwanese interior designer Timmy Chou were guest speakers in the "Design Excellence: Country Branding Through Design" discussion on efforts at building and managing a country's reputation through valuable products. Both discussed ways local values and national pride affect the design industry in their respective countries.

In his speech, Hilmar said that this carnival was held as part of activities of the WCF 2016 and served as a place to express the cultural diversity of each country. He said that the world would need more such forums to express the culture and cultural ideas. "The key message is that diversity is part of human life, and culture is our strength to be united and making friendship in the world," he said.

The leaders of Italy, France and Germany have been meeting on board the Italian aircraft carrier ‘Garibaldi.’ The trio planned to discuss several topics such as the migrant crisis as well as securing Europe’s internal and external borders following a string of Islamist militant attacks.