ISLAMABAD: The Italian embassy on Sunday night celebrated the National Day of the Italian Republic with a deep sense of national pride and honour in the country’s history and culture.

Ambassador Marilina Armellin welcomed Minister for Housing and Works Riaz Hussain Pirzada who was the chief guest and Senator Sherry Rehman who represented the president of Pakistan.

The ambassador greeted members of the diplomatic community and local dignitaries who congratulated her on her country’s national day.

The day commemorates the referendum in 1946 when Italians chose the republic over monarchy. The constitution of Italy was one of the first democratic documents written after the tragedy of World War II, seen as a model for many other countries going through similar democratisation process.

Ambassador Marilina Armellin highlighted key points reflecting the significance of this historic event and its relevance in today’s global context. She said the charter entrusted the government of the beautiful country that many knew and had visited, with the task of removing all economic and social obstacles, which limited the freedom and equality of citizens. It was the Italian definition of happiness.

“June 2, reminds of the right to happiness. When an individual’s right is denied it is the whole community that suffers. This is particularly true for women, who were first granted the right to vote on June 2, 1946. Italy is an inclusive society. We remain proud of it,” Ms Armellin said.

The Italian envoy said one of the first acts of the new born republic in international relations was to establish diplomatic ties with Pakistan, which came into being in August 1947 - one of the first European countries to do so.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2024