Moldovan filmmaker Valeriu Jereghi received the Premio Italia 2011 award for his significant picture making work in Moldova, in particular for the movie “Arrivederci”. The award ceremony took place at the National Philharmonic within a performance of Italian and Moldovan music staged by the Moldovan-Italian Chamber of Trade and Industry in connection with the celebration of Francesco de Assisi, Italy’s patron saint. Valeriu Jereghi was congratulated by Prime Minister Vlad Filat, who told him that he was the ambassador of Moldova’s culture abroad. Contacted by Info-Prim Neo, the filmmaker said he was honored to receive this award and to be congratulated by the Premier. The ceremony was attended by Italian Ambassador to Moldova Stefano De Leo, chairman of the Moldovan-Italian Chamber of Trade and Industry Roberto Pace, and head of the Italian Cultural Center in Moldova Giancarlo Nicoli. The Premio Italia award is conferred on personalities from Moldova and Italy who contribute to strengthening the Moldova-Italian relations.