Hoda Al Khamis-Kanoo, founder and artistic director of the Abu Dhabi Festival 2010, has received the prestigious Puccini International Award.

Massimiliano Simoni, president of the Puccini Festival Foundation, presented the award at the opening night of the Puccini Festival Opera's production of La Bohème, at the Emirates Palace.

The Puccini International Award was founded in 1971 and is awarded to those who have made a significant contribution to promoting the life and work of Puccini. Previous honourees include luminaries of the opera world such as Maria Chiara and José Carreras.

A recent receipient of the Commander of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity, one of Italy's highest honours, Kanoo collaborates extensively with the Italian Embassy in advancing cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between the UAE and Italy.-TradeArabia News Service