An evening of the Ossetian-Italian friendship was held in the Italian city of Gradara, organized by the representative office of the South Ossetian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Italy and the Italy-South Ossetia-Alania friendship Association, the press service of the Republic's Foreign Ministry reports.
Due to the unfavorable epidemiological situation associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held in a remote-in-person format.
At the beginning of the event, the national anthems of South Ossetia and Italy were performed.
Then the Chairman of the Italy-South Ossetia-Alania friendship Association Marisella Miatella gave the floor to the mayor of Gradar, Filippo Gasperi.
In his welcoming speech, Filippo Gasperi noted that he was always glad to have guests from Ossetia and was happy to support the initiative to hold the evening of friendship in Gradara. The mayor has reminded that during the visit of the delegation of South Ossetia in 2018, an Agreement on Cooperation between Tskhinval and Gradara was signed and expressed hope for the further development of the economic, educational and cultural potential of the two cities.
The representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Ossetia in Italy, Mauro Murgia, thanked all those present and noted that the representative office, despite all the obstacles, was actively working to develop bilateral ties between South Ossetia and Italy. Mauro Murgia has emphasized that it is through culture that one can achieve impressive results in establishing relations between countries and proposed making the evening of friendship a traditional annual holiday, including a place of communication for summing up the results and generating new beginnings.
Acting Minister of foreign Affairs of South Ossetia Dmitry Medoev addressed the audience via video link from Tskhinval. on behalf of the leadership of South Ossetia and on his own behalf, he welcomed all the guests and stressed that South Ossetia has many friends in Italy, who are highly valued and always welcome on the Ossetian land.
Dmitry Medoev also thanked the participants and organizers of the Evening and noted the importance of holding such meetings, which undoubtedly contribute to strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between countries and peoples.
Professor of anthropology, journalist, expert on the Caucasus Eliseo Bertolazi, in his report, which was received with great interest, spoke about the history of Ossetia from antiquity to the present day, about the traditions and culture of the Ossetians.
State Secretary of industry of the Republic of San Marino Fabio Rigi, deputy of the Italian parliament Vito Comencini (Lega party) from Verona, founder of the Help Us Save the Children foundation Ennio Bordato, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Ossetia in Tuscany, journalist, expert on the Caucasus Luca Pingitore, director of the Pesaro Conservatory Francesca Matachena, film critic Federico Chicheroni and others also made reports. Everyone shared their impressions of their stay in South Ossetia and expressed their solidarity with the South Ossetian people.
The participants also observed a minute of silence in memory of the untimely deceased journalist, public figure and great friend of Ossetia, Julietto Chiesa.
