Mattarella at the Altare della Patria, the celebrations of June 2nd are underway

The President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella paid tribute to the Altare della Patria with the deposition of a laurel wreath with tricolor ribbon on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the Republic .

Present, among others, the Prime Minister Mario Draghi, the Minister of Defense Lorenzo Guerini, the presidents of the Senate and Chamber Elisabetta Casellati and Roberto Fico.

The celebrations continue with the presentation of the departments lined up for the magazine and the traditional Military Parade after two years of pandemic . The event was opened by a representation of mayors followed by civilian health personnel , with the passage of a 118 helicopter, to symbolize those who have been on the front line against Covid.

The Frecce Tricolori have drawn a huge flag in the skies of Rome.

THE MESSAGE - "On 2 June seventy-six years ago, with the choice of the Republic, the Italian people set out on the road to peace , archiving the bellicose adventures of an authoritarian regime like the fascist one", wrote the president in a message sent to the Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone.

"An option that was then solemnly ratified in the Constitution. Our contribution - and in it of the Armed Forces - to the cause of peace and international cooperation was characterized by the adhesion to the North Atlantic Treaty signed between freedom-loving countries , with the gradual and growing construction of European unity, with participation in the UN and its initiatives. It was possible to create a climate of growing trust which, by decreasing tensions, made it possible to reduce the reasons and climate of a confrontation sometimes to the limits of contrast, without however ever going beyond those that lead to conflict ".

Then the inevitable reference to the war in progress in Ukraine : "Italy and the whole international community have a central role in fostering dialogue. We must do it united, together. Our experience has shown us how we can build a stable and stable coexistence. lasting, even in the aftermath of bloody conflicts ". "The Republic - he concluded - is committed to building conditions of peace and its Armed Forces, on the basis of the mandates entrusted by the Government and Parliament, contribute to this task".