Professor Lino Bianco, full-time member of the academic staff at the Faculty for the Built Environment, is the author of 'The Ring Metaphor and the Spirit of Sofia and other essays', a book published by Kite in early April this year. The foreword of this publication has been written by His Majesty King Simeon II.
In the words of the Chancellor of the University of Malta Prof. David Attard, “this collection of thought-provoking essays … demonstrates the inquisitive and outstanding intellect of the author, and reflects his unique experience in architecture, diplomacy and academia.”
This publication is endorsed by Juhani Pallasmaa (Professor Emeritus of Architecture, Aalto University, Helsinki), Ashraf M. Salama (Professor of Architecture and Director of Research, University of Strathclyde), Augustin Ioan (Professor of History and Theory of Architecture and former Vice-Rector, Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urbanism, Bucharest) and Richard England (Professor Emeritus of Architecture, University of Malta).
Professor Bianco recently presented a copy to HM King Simeon II at Vrana Palace, Sofia in Bulgaria. His Majesty signed a copy to the author’s daughter Alessandra, an undergraduate student reading mechanical engineering at the Faculty of Engineering.
Besides being the Ambassador Emeritus of Malta to the Republic of Bulgaria, Professor Bianco is the recipient of one of the highest state awards bestowed by the Republic of Bulgaria for his significant contribution to the strengthening and development of bilateral relations.