Rome, 2 June 2024 – It was one Republic Day under the rain. President Sergio Mattarellaarrived this morning around 9.15 am atAltar of the Fatherlandwelcomed by the highest authorities sheltered under umbrellas, for the first part of the celebrations of the birth of the Italian Republic 78 years ago. The authorities then moved to via di San Gregorio the traditional parade which has taken place along via dei since 1948 Imperial Forums and involves all components of the State: military and civilian personnel, armed and non-armed bodies, flags and standards, military bands and fanfares. And then the Mameli Hymn which, for the occasion, was sung by Claudio Baglioni.
Republic Day 2024, Mattarella at the Altare della Patria (Ansa)
It’s time for the national anthem and the tribute to The Unknown Soldier. The president in front of the joint defense band Mattarella and the Minister of Defense, Guido Crosettothe Prime Minister, Giorgia Melonithe president of the Senate, Ignazio La Russathe mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri. A respite from the rain after the arrival of the first authorities allows the climb towards the chapel of the The Unknown Soldier to give evidence the laurel wreath and it’s time forhonor the fallen. Then the flyover arrives on time Frecce Tricolori.
The President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, after placing a laurel wreath at the altar of the Fatherland, arrived in Via dei Fori Imperiali to watch the Armed Forces parade in the traditional Republic Day parade. With him, on the historic Lancia Flaminia, the Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto. Upon arrival he was greeted with applause. To open the ceremony the Mameli Hymn sung for the occasion by Claudio Baglioni.
“Celebrating the seventy-eight years of the birth of the Italian Republic recalls the values of our identity and a far-sighted and wise Constitutionfruit of the extraordinary rebirth that started from the Liberation struggle. Independence and freedom are achievements that must be defended every dayin communion of intent and with the ability to cooperate for the common good”, wrote Mattarella in a message to the Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone on the occasion of 2 June.
The passage of the Frecce Tricolore during the military parade of 2 June (Ansa)
”We are in a campaign for the European elections, after all this celebration reminds us of the first idea of Europe, who imagined that its strength, the strength of its union, was also the specificity of national states. perhaps we should return to that embryonic idea of Europe and the European dream”, said the prime minister Giorgia Meloni arriving at the Imperial Forums for the June 2nd parade.
Giorgia Meloni at the Altare della Patria (Ansa)
“Army, Navy, Air Force and Carabinieri are guarantors of freedom and security with their profound militarism, but also by promoting solidarity! This means knowing how to help those in difficulty, without any distinction of race, ethnicity, political or religious belief. I want here remember that Italy, thanks to the Armed Forces, it was the first nation to send humanitarian aid and a hospital ship to Gaza, to transport many Palestinian children in need of care to our best pediatric hospitals”. Thus Defense Minister Guido Crosetto in his message on the occasion of Republic Day. “The international community – added Crosetto – must do more and better: everyone together we must collaborate to bring peace, promote well-being, promote stability where these conditions are not present. This is why it’s time in Europe too a decisive change of pace in defense and security policieswith a view to better integration between the Armed Forces, which is increasingly necessary today to face current and future geopolitical challenges”.
