On June 2, in the evocative setting of the Castle of Coppet, the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations in Geneva, the Permanent Mission to the Conference on Disarmament, and the Consulate General of Italy celebrated Italy’s Republic Day in the presence of numerous authorities, representatives of the diplomatic corps, international organizations, and members of the Italian community.
The evening was enriched by a performance from the Flag-Wavers (“Sbandieratori”) of Arezzo, who brought to Switzerland one of Italy’s most cherished historical and cultural traditions.
During the ceremony, speeches were delivered by Ambassador Vignali, Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Geneva; Ambassador Bencini, Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament; and Nicoletta Piccirillo, Consul General in Geneva.
In his remarks, Ambassador Leonardo Bencini recalled the significance of the 80th anniversary of the birth of the Italian Republic, emphasizing how the principles of the Constitution continue to guide Italy’s actions on the international stage. The Ambassador reaffirmed Italy’s role as “a committed supporter of the multilateral system and the international disarmament architecture,” highlighting that, despite the challenges of recent years, these instruments have demonstrated remarkable resilience.
Concluding his speech, he expressed a message of confidence for the future: “Sometimes we simply have to wait for the sun to return and trust that it will,” a hopeful message addressed to the international community at a particularly complex moment for global peace and security.
