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On June 2 Italians celebrate National Day, the 61st anniversary of the foundation of the present Italian Republic.
Exactly 61 years ago, the Italian women and men, through a popular referendum, decided that Italy would become a republic, concluding the experience of the monarchy of the Savoy Dynasty ruling the country since its unity in 1861.
June 2, 1946, was a key event in Italian contemporary history also because, on the same day, a ‘Constituent Assembly’ was elected to prepare a new, modern constitution that entered into force on January 1, 1948 - and that is still working with slight amendments.
After years of war, devastations and suffering of every kind, the Italian people became again masters of its own fate, by democratically and freely choosing its form of government.
World War II gave Italy a troubled legacy. The referendum and the new constitution allowed the moral and material rebirth of the country, great institutional and social transformation and the possibility to ensure peace and democracy for the people.
It was a choice not to be forgotten. On June 2 we celebrate that choice of freedom over tyranny and oppression. Since then, we are free to choose and change. We celebrate also the sacrifice of those who have died for that freedom.
Allow me now to say a few words to my fellow country ladies and countrymen:
Cari italiani
Ringrazio tutti Voi della collaborazione che mi avete prestato in questi miei primi quattordici mesi di servizio in Bahrein, e Vi invito, anche per il futuro, a “fare squadra”, a sentirsi parte di un tutto, per continuare ad essere protagonisti attivi del fruttuoso dialogo instaurato con l’amico popolo bahrenita.
A voi tutti, assieme a sentimenti di gratitudine per quanto state facendo per diffondere la migliore immagine del nostro Paese, rivolgo il mio più fervido augurio di pieno successo nelle attivita’ professionali e di serenita’ e prosperia’ nella vita privata e familiare.
On this special day I am happy to welcome all the Bahraini friends celebrating with us the Italian national day and I would like to take the opportunity to wish to them all the best in their professional activities and in the private and family life as well, in a spirit of collaboration with the Italian community in Bahrain.
