Arab News Japan 

TOKYO: The Kuwaiti Embassy in Tokyo hosted a jewelry exhibition featuring precious masterpieces from the renowned Italian designer Alfonso Vitiello, President of the D’Elia company.

Manal Al Sharif, wife of Kuwaiti ambassador Hasan Zaman, said the exhibition is held as jewelry is celebrated in every culture, particularly Kuwait. 

“It is a fragment of history that tells stories of the past and connects us with our future and with each other,” Al Sharif told Arab News Japan at the event’s opening. “Today, we are happy to celebrate this very connection at the Embassy of Kuwait. Our country rich in its cherished pearl-diving history and cultural heritage, whose doors are always open to building trust, friendship and peace among people across cultures. Jewelry helps to keep our memories alive.”

The exhibition attracted a large crowd, including many Japanese women.

Vitiello’s rich legacy dates back to the 18th century when the D’Elia family took a historical initiative to build trade relations with Japanese merchants and jewelers, appreciating Japan’s unique pearls and high-quality gems. His company buys fine pure pearls from Kuwait and use that to design in the domestic market. 

This relationship endured until the present and Vitiello told Arab News Japan he plans to boost relations with Arab countries that have a great appreciation of fine jewelry.

The event was seen as a bridge between three cultures – Kuwait, Italy and Japan – that appreciate beauty and art and business.