Anniversary of Armenia's independence celebrated with ceremony in Rome

To mark the 35th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia, the Armenian Embassy in Rome organised a special evening dedicated to music, culture and Armenian-Italian dialogue.

The Armenian Embassy in Italy said in a statement.

“In the heart of Rome, near the Holy See, a magnificent concert dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia was held at the Auditorium Conciliazione, one of Italy’s leading cultural venues. The evening featured works by Aram Khachaturian, Arno Babajanyan, Komitas and Aznavour, as well as Nino Rota, Ennio Morricone, Stelvio Cipriani, Armando Trovajoli and Riz Ortolani.

“The event was attended by representatives of Italy’s executive and legislative authorities, ambassadors and numerous members of the diplomatic corps, numerous representatives of the Armenian community living in Italy, Italian public and cultural figures and academics, as well as many Italian guests who are friends of Armenia,” the statement said.

The hall, which accommodates around 1,500 spectators, was filled to capacity. The ceremonial evening was opened by Armenia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Italy Vladimir Karapetyan, who delivered welcoming remarks.

In his speech, the Ambassador stressed that the authorities of the Republic of Armenia, vested with a new popular mandate and led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, are consistently advancing the policy of establishing lasting peace in the country and the region. He also said that democratic institutions and the rule of law are the pillars of Armenia’s steady progress.

The Ambassador also addressed the country’s economic strategy, noting that Armenia is now open to new markets and partners. Turning to Armenian-Italian bilateral relations, he highlighted the importance of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to Armenia as part of the European Political Community summit. The Ambassador also referred to the productive meetings held in Yerevan in recent days by a delegation headed by Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli.

“Giulio Centemero, a member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, head of the Armenian-Italian Friendship Group and President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, then delivered congratulatory remarks. He also spoke about the peace established in the region, noting the determination and consistency demonstrated by Prime Minister Pashinyan. He also expressed Italy’s support for all initiatives aimed at consolidating peace.

“The concert was followed by a reception during which guests were served traditional dishes of Armenian national cuisine, showcasing Armenia’s rich culinary heritage,” the statement said.