Italy: Sardinians reminiscence as founder of Costa Smeralda, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan turns 80

Twice decorated with Italy’s highest state honours, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan has been recognized by the Italian government for his immense contribution to the economic transformation of Sardinia through the development of Costa Smeralda. The Italian government recognized his contributions by awarding Prince Karim Aga Khan two state decorations: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 1977 and Knight of Labour, Cavaliere del Lavoro in 1988.

This article captures the continuing appreciation of the people of Sardinia for His Highness and the permanent bond they share with him, one of people, place and history.

 

Translated from Italian

By Guildo Piga December 13, 2016

Monti di Mola became the Costa Smeralda, 54 years ago. The one who created it, who gave her a soul, who loved her and presented to the world with pride, turns 80 today. His name is Aga Khan, Karim Aga Khan. Everyone calls him Prince. The Costa Smeralda, is still his life, full of ideas and projects, will always be his beloved.

Wherever the Aga Khan did business, weather in the Indian subcontinent or America, Costa Smeralda remained inside him; It was his business. That Costa Smeralda passed hand, from American to American, as to Arab Americans, but all along it has always been his. For all, in the old Monti di Mola and in Gallura, it is his. It will always be like this.

In Gallura, the people know one thing for sure: they know how much he has given them. Something money, that had such a great role, will never buy. A future.

Discover, Explore & Learn more via reading the complete story at: La Nuova – Olbia | Gli 80 anni dell’Aga Khan, il “gallurese”: fondò la Costa Smeralda =>  80 years of the Aga Khan, the “Gallura”: founded the Costa Smeralda

---

Editor’s note: While every effort is made in trying to remain true to the original author of all articles we bring to our audiences at Ismailimail, much gets lost in translating the original piece from one language to another. The choice of words, the expression of feelings, the historical and cultural norms, semantics, the author, all these and many other factors get diluted and/or lost, even with the aid and convenience of the all powerful tool like Google translate.

This piece, originally in Italian was highly poetic and exuded profound love in the expression of sentiments that the people of Sardinia feel for His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan. Reading it to learn, internalizing it to understand, and translating it to share was an eclectic dance of the heart with the mind.

It is our hope that you were inspired by the impact that His Highness continues to have in Sardinia, Italy and around the world.

---

About Costa Smeralda

The 35 mile-long Emerald Coast – or Costa Smeralda in Italian – was an undeveloped stretch of rocky coves when it caught the eye of the Aga Khan, in the late 1950s while sailing his yacht. Since then, the Emerald Coast famous for its landscape heritage, unique white sand beaches, deep coves and pink granite rocks was developed into a premier tourist destination. The impact of its development has become a text book example for economic and social development for many countries and the Italian government lost no time in awarding His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan with two of its highest state honours.

 

---

Translation, Research, Insight & Perspective by A. Maherali

---

Earlier & Related