On 22 April 2008, during a press conference held in the Italian Embassy premises in Sarajevo, Mr. Enver Hadžiomerspahić, Director-General of the Ars Aevi Project, was awarded by Ambassador Alessandro Fallavollita, the medal of the “Great Officer of the Italian Solidarity Stars Order”, in accordance with a decree issued by the President of the Republic of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano.  Generally, this award is designed for political authorities, institutions, artists and representatives of culture, commited to the promotion of friendship and solidarity between their own country and Italy. In the specific, Mr. Hadžiomerspahić received this award for his commitment to the promotion - in BiH, in Italy and around the world - of the Ars Aevi project, aimed at establishing a Museum of Contemporary Art in Sarajevo. This Museum was designed by the world famous Italian architect, Renzo Piano.

During the official cerimony, Ambassador Fallavollita explained the reasons for this award as follows:

Mr. Enver Hadžiomerspahić has been giving a high-value contribution to the cultural exchange between Italy and BiH, while promoting the Ars Aevi project with great passion and commitment, not only in Italy but also around the world.He was able to involve in this project political authorities, representatives of culture and world-famous artists. Through its collection and exhibitions, the Ars Aevi Museum in Sarajevo has largely contributed to increase the visibility of Italy and BiH, as well as to further develop good relations between

the two countries.Furthermore, the Ars Aevi project also represents one of the most important cultural initiatives which have been realized in this country since the end of the war.The establishment of a Museum of Contemporary Art, designed by the architect Renzo Piano and including the permanent Ars Aevi Collection, is also the successful fulfillment of a project idea conceived by Enver Hadžiomerspahić in 1992. Finally, this

project would serve to strengthen the already solid recognition of Italy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

While receiving the award, Enver Hadžiomerspahić, expressed his gratitude to Italy and to the Italian Embassy in Sarajevo, which has been colaborating in the realization of the Ars Aevi project for more than a

year. In 2008, Ars Aevi is finally reaping the benefits and obtaining iternational recognition of  its 15-year work and activities. In January, Ars Aevi  was given  the Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development (Netherlands) award; in March, Mr Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, visited the Ars Aevi Museum; in April, the City of Sarajevo awarded honorary citizenship to Renzo Piano, architect of the Ars Aevi Museum. By awarding the Director-General of Ars Aevi, Italy wanted to show its deep respect and appreciation towards the successful achievements of the initiative as well as its commitment to further develop cooperation with BiH in the realization of the Ars Aevi project, which is considered an element of great importance in the relations between the two countries, Ambassador Fallavollita said.