Oscar of the Mediterranean' Unites Cultures: Rome Hosts Third International Excellence Award

 ROME -- ​The third edition of the International Mediterranean Excellence Award, widely celebrated as the true "Oscars of the Mediterranean," recently took place in Rome, establishing itself as a vital platform for dialogue, cooperation, and promoting talent across the social, cultural, and sporting fields of the entire Mediterranean region. 

 Conceived and promoted by journalist Dündar Kesaplı, President of the Association of Mediterranean Journalists, the initiative aims to strengthen synergy among nations and promote a culture of peace and solidarity through universal languages like sport and art. The 2025 edition received significant institutional recognition, including the Patronage of the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Sports and Youth, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Farnesina), alongside the support of CONI, USSI, and AIPS Europe. 

 The ceremony, held in the evocative Sala Spadolini of the Ministry of Culture, was an event of international scope, drawing prominent figures from over twelve Mediterranean countries, including diplomats, ambassadors, consuls, and the Vice President of the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation; notably, Enas Mekkawy, Ambassador of the League of Arab States to Italy and the Vatican, was among the distinguished guests, lending strong symbolic value to the intercultural dialogue. 

 A particularly emotional moment was the presentation of the Special “Luciano Pavarotti” Award In Memoriam, honoring the legendary tenor as a universal symbol of art and humanity, which was accepted by his widow, Nicoletta Mantovani Pavarotti. 

 The expansive list of 2025 honorees included UEFA Executive Committee Member Servet Yardımcı, football legends Luis Figo, José Mourinho & Kenan Yıldız, Olympic and Paralympic champions, cultural leaders such as Nicoletta Mantovani and the Director of the Cervantes Institute, prominent justice figures like Milan's Chief Prosecutor Marcello Viola, and various entrepreneurs and specialists dedicated to social commitment and solidarity. 

 Ultimately, the International Mediterranean Excellence Award confirmed its status as a laboratory of ideas, capable of connecting different worlds through a shared commitment to the future, with founder Kesaplı stating that the award's goal is to "build bridges among peoples and nations through culture, sport, and dialogue."

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