This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Italian Republic.
On June 2, the Embassy of Italy in Georgia organized a ceremonial reception at the Zurab Tsereteli Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) to celebrate Italy’s National Day.
The event was attended by representatives of Georgian institutions and the diplomatic corps, Italians living in Georgia, entrepreneurs, and members of civil society, culture, and academia. It was opened by the Italian Ambassador, Massimiliano D’Antuono. Addressing the guests, the ambassador spoke about the close relations between Italy and Georgia:
“Today Italy celebrates the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Republic, a republic founded on the core principles of our Constitution: freedom, democracy, peace, work, and equality,” Ambassador D’Antuono noted. “These fundamental values inspire the ties between Italy and Georgia, which are distinguished by strong cultural, diplomatic, and economic exchanges.”
Italy’s National Day is an opportunity to celebrate the importance of these values, as well as the progress in relations with Georgia. At the same time, the holiday also serves as a showcase for the Italian way of life and creativity.
The many guests attending the celebration enjoyed numerous highlights, including:
- Performances of the Italian and Georgian national anthems by renowned Georgian mezzo-soprano Nino Surguladze, who has been awarded the rank of Cavaliere of the Order of the Star of Italy;
- The exhibition “Svaneti: A Relativity of Time and Space,” dedicated to the Italian mountaineer and photographer Vittorio Sella, born in the city of Biella, who left behind an invaluable photographic legacy depicting Georgia’s mountainous regions in the nineteenth century. The exhibition was created by Georgian mountaineer and photographer Nika Lebanidze, who retraced Vittorio Sella’s route more than 130 years later and produced photographs showing how time has transformed the mountains and landscapes. The exhibition will remain open until July 20, 2026;
- An exhibition of iconic Italian automobiles, including Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo;
- Famous Italian food and wine products, including Prosecco, Aperol, and fine Italian wines, as well as Italian delicacies and dishes inspired by the flavors of Puglia, prepared by Italian chef Angelo Manigrasso. Following the successful projects in previous years dedicated to the regions of Campania and Emilia-Romagna, this year several events will focus on another Italian region, Puglia.
On the night of the celebration, the Tbilisi TV Tower was illuminated in the green, white, and red colors of the Italian flag.
The event, organized by the Embassy of Italy, was made possible thanks to the support of numerous sponsors and partners.