The gardens of the Italian Permanent Mission in Geneva today provided a prestigious setting for the 79th anniversary celebrations of Italian Republic Day.
In front of a large and qualified audience of members of the Geneva diplomatic community and Italian officials from international organisations, and in the presence of numerous important personalities, including the Director General of CERN, Fabiola Gianotti, the Director General of IOM Amy Pope, the Secretary-General of WMO Celeste Saulo, the President of Ficross, Kate Forbes, the Executive Secretary of UNECE, Tatiana Molcean, and the CEO of Gavi, Sania Nishtar, the Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations and other International Organizations, Amb. Vincenzo Grassi, the Permanent Representative to the Disarmament Conference, Amb. Leonardo Bencini, and the Permanent Representative to the World Meteorological Organization, Gen. Luca Baione.
Among the guest artists at the event was soprano Alida Barbasini, who sang the Inno di Mameli.
In his address of greeting, Ambassador Grassi emphasised the full identity of values between the Republican Constitution and the United Nations Charter – which will celebrate its 80th anniversary next 26 June – both of which are inspired by principles of universal scope such as the promotion of solidarity and peace among nations, as well as respect for human rights and the rule of law. In this regard, the Permanent Representative invited those present to view a video tribute created for 25 April by the Headquarters staff.
Ambassador Grassi’s speech then focused on the increasing polarisation and conflict in the current international political landscape, which exposes precisely those groups that are most vulnerable and therefore in need of even more effective humanitarian assistance to concrete risks. Quoting Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV, Ambassador Grassi concluded his speech with message of responsibility and a call to individual commitment, recalling that ‘it is we who must plant today the seeds of the plants that will sprout for future generations’, just as our constituent fathers did in their time.
The ceremony was crowned by a highly appreciated tasting of Italian food and wine excellence: an authentic journey through flavours, made possible thanks to the generosity of numerous sponsors. The “Festa della Repubblica” in Geneva thus offered an exceptional showcase for the Italian culinary tradition, celebrated in its various and precious regional dimensions.
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Watch the video.
