Paolo Sabbatini

Paolo Sabbatini (October 28, 1955 -) is (as of February 1, 2006) the current Director of the Italian Culture Institute (IIC) in Shanghai, as an envoy of the Italian Government in China, and is also an accomplished artist and painter. He joined the United Nations in 1981 as Program Officer of the UNDP in Rabat, Morocco. He has since served in progressively important functions for both the United Nations and the Italian Government in such locations as: Beijing (1985 - 88), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome (1988 - 93), the UNICEF branch in Islamabad (1993 - 97), various countries in Latin America as an envoy of the Italian Development Cooperation (1997 - 2001). In 2001 he joined World Vision International as Government Relations Coordinator for the European Office, only to resume service for the Italian Government two years later in 2003.

Artistic Career

Sabbatini has participated in and organized several group and solo exhibitions in Italy and around the world. His artistic style evolved from Figurative art to Symbolism (arts) with an interest in Esoterism. He is well known for his Calligraphy, for his interpretation of the I-Ching and also of ancient Mediterranean spells and incantations.

References

Paolo Sabbatini's Online Blog 1 http://blog.sina.com.cn/sabbatini

Official Website 2 http://www.sabbatinirancidoro.com/

Italian Culture Institute Website (Italian/Chinese) 3 http://www.iicshanghai.esteri.it/IIC_Shanghai