The President of the Republic of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, and the Head of the Italian Government Giorgia Meloni, both sent a message on the occasion of the 50th-anniversary celebration of the National Italian American Foundation acknowledging the important contributions of Italian Americans to the United States.
Mattarella reflected on how United States citizens of Italian origin helped build a great nation by bringing creativity, strong humanity, solidarity and industriousness. He noted that the Foundation itself, over its fifty years, has championed the pride of being part of a people committed to integration around the values of freedom, equality and democracy.
He extended his warm greetings to all participants and to the entire Italian-American community in the U.S. He emphasised that the Foundation has enriched social, cultural and economic relations between the U.S. and Italy, forge strong friendships between the two peoples and served as a dynamic and steadfast bridge between past origins and a future of dialogue and shared understanding.
He affirmed that the trans-Atlantic relationship has nourished the values of peace, democracy and security. He also praised the Foundation’s commitment to consolidating and passing on the identity of Italians in America, in a mindful way of traditions yet open to the impulses of the present.
He offered his best congratulations for the milestone of fifty years, and expressed hope that the Foundation will continue to be a vehicle of encounter, friendship and collaboration between the two nations.
In parallel, the message from Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, addressed the same anniversary of the National Italian American Foundation with a video greeting in which she reaffirmed the close bonds between Italy and the United States.
She highlighted the role of the Italian American community as living evidence of the enduring relationship between the two countries and underscored that this heritage plays a key role in bridging tradition and modernity.
She recognised how the Foundation acts as a conduit for cultural diplomacy, economic partnership and civic engagement across the Atlantic. She pointed out that the achievements of earlier generations of Italian-Americans laid strong foundations for both nations and that their ongoing contributions continue to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between Italy and the U.S.
She urged that this partnership must not be taken for granted but must be actively nurtured through respect for history, support for community identity and engagement with global challenges. She stated that the Italian American community embodies a trans-Atlantic alliance rooted in shared values and that Italy and the United States stand together not only as friendly nations, but as fellow guarantors of freedom, democracy and security.
She concluded by inviting Italian Americans to see themselves as vital actors in this shared mission and to carry forward a legacy of solidarity, innovation and cross-border exchange.
Together these messages from Italy’s highest office and the government emphasise an enduring commitment to cross-Atlantic friendship, cultural connection and collaborative future building through the Italian American and Italian Italian dimensions of the relationship.
