"It is a cross-section of Italianness, of suggestive human experiences in many fields, of examples of authentic exchange and mutual enrichment between our compatriots and Kenyan friends". Thus the Italian Ambassador to Kenya Alberto Pieri presented the new book by Freddie del Curatolo entitled "Portraits of Italians in Kenya", published by the Italian Embassy with the Italian Cultural Institute.
The initiative was promoted a year ago by Pieri's predecessor, Mauro Massoni, who, in his preface, underlined how this book highlights "the ability Italians abroad have always shown to actively integrate themselves in the social, cultural, scientific and economic fabric of their host country has certainly been a key element of their success in this rich and generous African land. An attitude that has been well combined with the typically Kenyan curiosity for everything that, extraneous to the culture of the country, constitutes a tool for human development and improvement of living conditions.
The result is a profound interpenetration of two cultures and a fruitful transmission of specific knowledge that has enabled our compatriots not only to assert themselves on a professional level, taking advantage of the many opportunities offered by Kenya, but also to contribute to the economic and social development of the country".
The book is made up of a brief history of emigration and the Italian presence in Kenya, some portraits of compatriots from the past and forty interviews (these are the "portraits" from which the title is taken) with current protagonists of the Italian spirit in this country, who tell and relive their stories through the pen of a journalist and writer who in turn has a Kenyan past and present. 
"The interviews and stories included in this publication, while referring to a necessarily limited sample of our fellow countrymen - continues Freemasons - offer an overview of the contribution made to the development of Kenya by the Italian community, often with surprising results".
An interesting publication that has been distributed free of charge, but in a limited number of copies already sold out.

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