by Redazione
In a video address to Washington, the Italian prime minister hails the Italian-American legacy, defends Columbus Day, and thanks Trump: “Our strength is born from freedom, faith, and family.”
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sent a heartfelt video message to the Italian-American community gathered in Washington, celebrating half a century of friendship and shared values between Italy and the United States.“It is a true honor for me to pay tribute to the NIAF on its 50th anniversary,” Meloni began. “For half a century, the NIAF has been the unwavering voice, the beating heart, and the solid backbone of the Italian-American community—a bridge between our two great nations.”
The prime minister praised the legacy of Italian immigrants who “did not just come to America but helped build it,” describing the spirit of the Italian-American community as “the DNA of opportunity,” forged through hard work, faith, family, and a belief in the future.Meloni paid tribute to the honorees of the evening, calling them “a remarkable group of individuals representing Italian and Italian-American excellence,” and quipped that “a significant share of Italy’s GDP may well be gathered here tonight at the Washington Hilton.”
A special mention went to Andrea Bocelli, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Entertainment: “I remember when you sang at the conclusion of the G7 Summit in Puglia,” Meloni said. “Your powerful voice reminded world leaders what true harmony sounds like. That same harmony is the foundation of the alliance between Italy and the United States.” Meloni then turned to broader themes, emphasizing the shared strength of Western civilization: “Our strength, the strength of the West, is born from unmatched individual excellence, but it reaches perfection only when the entire orchestra plays in harmony.”The prime minister issued a strong defense of Western cultural roots and traditions, warning against the “woke culture” that, she said, seeks to erase shared history: “There are forces that want to divide us, to rewrite our history and destroy our common traditions. They are wrong.”In one of the speech’s most emphatic moments, Meloni defended the Columbus Day holiday: “Trying to erase Columbus Day is not just an attack on a statue or a date—it is an attempt to erase the hard-earned place of Italian-Americans in this nation’s story. We will not allow it.”She also cited the recent statement by President Donald Trump, who had praised the contributions of Italian-Americans: “Well said, President Trump. Thank you!”Concluding her address, Meloni reaffirmed the enduring alliance between the two nations: “Together, Italy and the United States are not just allies—we are the two pillars of the free world, standing side by side from the fields of industry to the frontlines of liberty.” The prime minister ended her message with a blessing and a salute:“May God bless the Italian-American community, may God bless Italy, and may God bless the United States of America. Viva l’Italia and Viva l’America!”
(Associated Medias) – Tutti i diritti sono riservati
L’articolo Meloni marks NIAF’s 50th anniversary, “Italy and the U.S., pillars of the free world” proviene da Associated Medias.
