On the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic, the prefect of Catania, Dr. Maria Carmela Librizzi, has promoted a series of celebratory initiatives which will be held on 1 and 2 June. On Saturday 1 June, at 6 pm, in Piazza Bellini, the honors “to the merit of the Italian Republic” will be awarded to those who have distinguished themselves for their merits towards the nation in the fields of literature, the arts, the economy, and in the provision of public positions and in activities carried out for social, philanthropic and humanitarian purposes, as well as for long and notable services in civil and military careers. The honors will be presented by the young people of the “Musicainsieme a Librino” association, who will perform with some musical pieces. Subsequently, in collaboration with the metropolitan mayor Enrico Trantino and with the superintendent of the Teatro Massimo “V. Bellini”, Giovanni Cultrera, the “Concerto per la Repubblica” will be held, performed by the theatre’s orchestra and choir, directed by the maestros Francesco Di Mauro and Luigi Petrozziello. The evening will be presented by the journalist Salvo La Rosa.
On June 2, Republic Day, at 9 am, honors will be paid to those fallen for the country with the laying of the laurel wreath in the vestibule of the military shrine, located in the church of San Nicolò l’Arena in Catania. Subsequently, at 10 am, in Piazza Università, in the presence of the civil, military and religious authorities of the province, the representatives of the fighting and weapons associations and the students of various schools in Catania and the province, the flag raising ceremony will take place , the performance of the Mameli anthem and the reading of the traditional message of the President of the Republic. Finally, students and representatives of civil society will share some reflections on the Republic with those present. The kids from the “Vincenzo Bellini” conservatory will accompany the ceremony with the performance of some musical pieces. For the occasion, the government palace, the elephant palace, the university and the Teatro Massimo “V. Bellini” will be illuminated with the tricolour.
Below is the list of those awarded the title of Knight of Merit of the Republic:
Antimo Arpaia, Lieutenant of the Carabinieri
Carmelo Bonanno, First Lieutenant of the Port Authority
Prof. Pierluigi Catalfo, Full Professor of the University of Catania
Dr. Agata Cosentino, Conservator
Salvatore Impieri, First Lieutenant of the Port Authority
Dr. Giuseppe Longo, Lieutenant of the Carabinieri
Giuseppe Musumarra, Lieutenant of the Financial Police
Stefano Platania, Senior Inspector of the State Police
Dr. Francesco Puglisi, Director of the Ministry of the Interior
Orazio Rapisarda, Expert Fire Inspector of the Fire Brigade
Concetto Gaetano Tati, Brigadier of the Financial Police
Dr. Gennaro Tramontano, Lieutenant Colonel of the Financial Police
