In Rio de Janeiro, Christ the Redeemer was tinged with the colours of the Italian flag to celebrate Republic Day. The illumination of the monument was remotely activated from the Copacabana Palace, the historic carioca hotel where the official reception organised by the Consulate General of Italy took place. The lighting button was symbolically pressed by Consul General Massimiliano Iacchini, together with Father Omar, Rector of the Sanctuary of Christ.
In his speech, Iacchini emphasised the profound significance of 2 June 1946, the date on which Italians were called to the polls to choose the Republic. This anniversary, he added, "represents a celebration of civic responsibility, a reminder of the power and duty of every citizen in the construction of our Republic".
The diplomat went on to emphasise the central role of the Casa d'Italia in Rio as a symbolic place for Italians and Brazilians to gather and meet. "It is our jewel and goes far beyond a space for consular services. It is a true meeting point and social, cultural and economic dialogue between Italians and Brazilians in Rio'.
The ceremony was attended by around 400 guests, including local authorities, representatives of the consular corps, members of the Italian and Italo-Brazilian community, businesspeople, and representatives of civil society.
The musical part of the evening was entrusted to Camerata Jovem, a youth orchestra of excellence born from the project Ação Social pela Música do Brasil, which promotes inclusion through music. To conclude the institutional moment, opera singers from the Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro performed the Italian and Brazilian national anthems with solemnity and intensity, sealing the event with emotion and prestige.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
