Italy’s National Day was celebrated with a reception hosted by Ambassador Giorgio Marrapodi. The event, attended by more than 2,000 guests, featured live music, a DJ performance, and Italian delicacies, offering participants a vibrant night.
Haşim KILIÇ
THE reception at the Italian Embassy was hosted by Ambassador Giorgio Marrapodi, his wife Loriana Marrapodi, Embassy Counsellor Gianmarco Macchia, and his wife Ayşe Macchia. The event was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister and Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay, who is also the President of the European Union (EU), as well as numerous ambassadors, representatives of diplomatic missions, and more than 2,000 guests. In his opening speech, where the national anthems of Turkey and Italy were performed by Turkish and Italian opera singers, Ambassador Marrapodi expressed his pleasure in celebrating Italy’s National Day for the third time in Ankara, stating, “What a beautiful journey it has been. I cherish every memory made along the way, and I am sure tonight will be one of them. We continue to work with this spirit to develop the full potential of our bilateral relations. History has taught us that our countries have succeeded under challenging conditions and have risen again even when things went wrong.”
170 YEARS OF RELATIONS
Deputy Minister Bozay also highlighted that the friendship between Italy and Turkey dates back 170 years, adding, “Our shared heritage, stemming from the rich Mediterranean history, civilization, and culture, adds depth to our relations and facilitates our interactions and cooperation in all fields.”
Italian cuisine and beverages were served to the guests during the evening. Eda Toprak and Meriç Çalışan entertained the audience with their songs, while DJ Tuba Lüleci Alaçam provided a musical feast during the night’s finale.
