Masa’ alkhayr
Good evening<\/p>\n
His Excellency Fadi Alame, Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee, representing the Speaker of the Parliament
His Excellency Bassam Mawlawi, Minister of Interior representing the Prime Minister
Distinguished political and religious Authorities,
Dear Guests,
Care italiane e cari italiani,<\/p>\n
Welcome to the 77th anniversary of the Italian Republic.
The day when Italy became a Republic, after a landmark referendum in 1946. From the ruins of World War Two, the Italian people expressed their will in a vote to which, for the first time, women were allowed to participate.<\/p>\n
Since then, the newly born Republic started a long and complex process of building state institutions, founded on democratic rules; developing an economy based on productive investments and infrastructures; adopting an international posture grounded on multilateralism and on alliances based on commonality of values.<\/p>\n
Italy became a founding member of NATO and EU, member of G7, the second largest manufacturing country in Europe. Without loosing its Mediterranean vocation.<\/p>\n
Today, challenges are different from the past ones, more pressing, and above all shared. Security, environment and climate change, migration flows, energy and food supply chain. There cannot be a safe heaven from this. Just think of the consequences of the illegitimate war waged by Russia on Ukraine.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Lebanon\u2019s past and present have been faced by challenges. This site, Deir El Kalaa, like others in Lebanon, is the emblem of the ups and downs of history. A Phoenician and a Roman temple, a byzantine church and then earthquake in the Sixth Century AD with massive destruction. Life came slowly back, until the arrival of the Antonine monks in the 18th century. But again destruction during the civil war, and again reconstruction in the late 90s.<\/p>\n
If we look at this place, today, we are inspired by the sense of beauty and harmony, despite traumatic events in the past. We are reminded that what has been destroyed can be rebuild.<\/p>\n
What most Lebanese, in this current difficult time, wish to see is their institutions rebuild, functioning and accountable; a productive socio economic model; a clean environment and access to public services; independent justice, including justice on the Beirut port explosion.<\/p>\n
Lebanon faces a critical turning point. The election of the President of the Republic and the formation of a government are necessary steps towards the so long awaited reforms.<\/p>\n
Lebanon does not lack means and skills to recover. What is needed, is the political will from the leadership, and unity on the interests of the country and the good of its people.<\/p>\n
Italy\u2019s support to Lebanon never faltered even in the most difficult moments. And will not falter.
Our commitment to UNIFIL, our support to the security forces, our humanitarian and development assistance, our cultural cooperation and preservation of heritage remain steady commitments.<\/p>\n
Ai cittadini italiani che sono presenti questa sera, vorrei dire, nella nostra lingua, che e\u2019 anche grazie alla vostra presenza e al vostro lavoro che l\u2019immagine dell\u2019Italia e\u2019 cosi\u2019 apprezzata in Libano.<\/p>\n
Dalla storia piu\u2019 antica a quella piu\u2019 recente.
Dal periodo prospero di scambi e di conoscenza, segnato dalla presenza dell\u2019Emiro Fakreddine in Toscana, nel 17mo secolo,<\/p>\n
ai ricordi vivi delle missioni militari italiane a Beirut durante i tormentati anni 1982 e 1983, con la gratitudine ancora attuale verso i nostri caschi blu che operano in UNIFIL. Insieme alla presenza radicata e diffusa delle ONG italiane, impegnate in progetti di sviluppo in tutto in Libano, a sostegno delle istituzioni e delle comunita\u2019.<\/p>\n
A tutti buona Festa della Repubblica.<\/p>\n
And now, it is time to thank to all those who have made this event possible: the team of the Embassy, the Convent of Deir El Kalaa, last but not least the Lebanese Authorities and security forces.
Finally a special thank to the following sponsors:<\/p>\n
AD HOME and ETRO
ANB BOUKHATER (PIAGGIO)
ASTORIA
CARPIGIANI
DELITALY
EBA (PROSECCO BOTTEGA)
FRESCA
GRIZZLY DISTRIBUTION (LUXARDO)
INTESA SANPAOLO
LA MIE DOREE
MARIO E MARIO
NESTLE WATERS (ACQUA PANNA E SANPELLEGRINO)
PIKASSO
SPINNEYS
TAVOLINA
VINCENTI AND SONS (BARILLA, LAVAZZA, GIN PORTOFINO)
VRESSO<\/p>\n
Enjoy the evening and the music performed by Les Cordes Resonnantes.<\/p>\n
Viva l\u2019Italia,
viva il Libano,
viva l\u2019amicizia italo-libanese!<\/p>\n