Italy’s Ambassador to Australia Paolo Crudele had the pleasure of attending the Italian Republic Day celebrations in Brisbane, which were organised and hosted by Luna Angelini Marinucci, the Italian Consul for Queensland and Northern Territory, in the city’s largest theatre, the Queensland Performing Art Centre.
The event was attended by a number of distinguished guests, including the Governor of Queensland, Jeannette Young. The Minister of Infrastructure and State Development with Sicilian origins, Grace Grace, who is responsible for organising the 2032 Olympics, was also in attendance. Jean-Paul Langbroek, representing the Australian Liberal Party, was present, together with the Honourable Nicola Care’, elected in the overseas constituency for Oceania.
In his welcome address to the 400 or so people present, Ambassador Crudele took the opportunity to recall the strength of bilateral relations between Italy and Australia on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two states. “Italy looks at the Indo-Pacific with keen attention,” he said. “It is no coincidence that I am here in beautiful Brisbane, Queensland, to celebrate our National Day in the consular district that in July will host the aircraft carrier of the Italian Navy Cavour and a substantial deployment of Air Force aircraft in the Northern Territory,” said the Ambassador. “Furthermore, again in Darwin, from 4 to 7 October 2024, the school ship Vespucci, our Ambassador of the Seas, will be moored.”
The celebrations also offered a chance to pay tribute to Giacomo Puccini, on the occasion of the centenary of his passing, to the melodies of unforgettable arias from “Gianni Schicchi”, “Bohème” and “Turandot”. The participation of the Italian community in Queensland, which includes many young people, was noteworthy, with a large contingent present at the event and a substantial representation of political and economic leaders from the state.
