Dear Friends,
It is my pleasure to celebrate with you today the 79th anniversary of the Italian Republic. June second marks an important day in the calendar as we remember the choice made by our forefathers in 1946 when, as they were beginning to rebuild our nation, they voted for change in the name of republican ideals.
It was neither an easy nor a straightforward choice. The modern Italian nation was, in fact, relatively young at the time and was born and molded through the impulse of the monarchy. After going through the horrors of war, a drastic change was needed to break with the past and start over with a blank slate. The new Italy that emerged from the ruins of World War II did so with a strong attachment to democracy and a desire to be an active contributor to international peace with the ultimate goal of preventing a repeat of the atrocities seen in the previous years.
On this day we celebrate this choice and the positive contributions made by Italy to the international community. We do so however in the acknowledgement that a lot of work still needs to be done as geopolitical turmoil, violence and human tragedies continue to plague our world to this day.
Thus, every second of June we remember our forefathers and the monumental choice that they made as well as the accomplishments of the Italians at home and abroad. Throughout the last 79 years in fact, Italians have continued to actively contribute to the democratic life of our nation, following the example given in 1946. In doing so, because of choice or need, some of our compatriots have had to move abroad, becoming ambassadors of their own country and bringing along with them wherever they go Italian values and the Italian way of life.
Throughout the decades, many have settled in Thailand, a faraway country that is in many ways similar to the one they had left behind because of its culture, its nature and the good-natured and welcoming spirit of its people. I would like to express my gratitude to our friends in Thailand for the friendship they have shown us throughout our long common history. This year, in fact, we also celebrate the 157th anniversary of the signing in London of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation and the establishment of formal diplomatic ties between our two countries.
The second of June is a celebration for Italy and for its friends and I am delighted to be able to celebrate it here in Thailand where, like many of my fellow countrywomen and countrymen, I have felt welcome from the first day.
Buona Festa della Repubblica
HE Mr Paolo Dionisi
Ambassador of Italy to Thailand
