Last year-end speech for the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, who in 2022 will see his seven-year term at the Quirinale end.

And it was from the Quirinale, as usual, that the Head of State addressed the Italians.

"The wish I feel to address to you becomes more intense because, to the need to look together with trust and hope at the new year, is added the need to express my thanks to each of you for having shown your face on several occasions. authentic of Italy: the hard-working, creative, supportive one ", Mattarella began, after underlining his emotion.

THE SEVEN YEAR - "These have been seven challenging, complex, emotional years: the happiest moments come to mind but also the dramatic days, those in which difficulties and suffering seemed to prevail", he added.

THE PANDEMIC - Mattarella first touched on the theme of the pandemic: "In these days I have retraced in my thoughts what we have lived together in the last two years: the time of the pandemic that has upset the world and our lives. around the families of the many victims: their mourning was, and is, the mourning of all of Italy ".

"In these hours when infections are once again worrying and alert levels rise due to the variants of the virus - unpredictable in changing configurations - we sometimes feel a sense of frustration. We must not be discouraged. Much has been done", continued the president.

"We must remember, as an inestimable heritage of humanity, the self-denial of doctors, health workers, volunteers. Of those who worked hard to fight the virus. Of those who continued to carry out their tasks despite the danger".

THE PRO VAX APPEAL - "We must remember - highlighted the Head of State - the merits of those who, trusting science and institutions, have adopted the recommended precautions and have chosen to get vaccinated: almost all Italians, who I want, still once, to give thanks for the maturity and the sense of responsibility shown ".

Then an appeal for vaccinations: "Research and science have given us this opportunity, much sooner than we could have hoped for. Wasting it is also an offense to those who have not had it and to those who are unable to have it today. vaccines have saved many thousands of lives, they have greatly reduced - I repeat - the danger of the disease ".

"Vaccines have been, and are, a precious tool, not because they guarantee invulnerability but because they represent the defense that allows us to decisively reduce damage and risks, for oneself and for others. I remember the feeling of helplessness and despair. that we breathed in the first months of the pandemic in front of the dramatic scenes of the victims of the virus. At the coffins transported by military vehicles. At the long, necessary confinement of everyone in the house. At schools, offices, closed shops. At collapsing hospitals. would we have given, in those days, to have the vaccine? ", the president asked the Italians.

THANKS TO THE ITALIANS - "The pandemic has inflicted deep wounds" and "the crisis on a global scale has caused poverty, exclusion and job losses", recalled Mattarella. "And yet - he added - we got up. Thanks to the responsible behavior of the Italians - even if amid persistent difficulties that require maintaining adequate levels of safety - we set out on the road to restart; with policies to support those who had been hit by the braking economy and society and thanks to the framework of trust created by the new European instruments ".

DARK MOMENTS - Again, said the president, “during these years our Italy has experienced and suffered other serious sufferings. The threat of international Islamist terrorism, which has painfully claimed many victims among our compatriots abroad. The serious disasters for human responsibility, earthquakes, floods. The fallen, military and civilian, for duty. The many deaths at work. Women victims of violence. Even in the darkest moments - he continued - I never felt alone ".

THE SUCCESSOR - Then Mattarella spoke of the role of the president and, therefore, of his successor: "In recent years I have tried to convey a feeling of trust and gratitude to those on the front line. To the mayors and their communities. To the presidents of the Region, to those who have worked incessantly in the territories, alongside the people. The real face of a united and supportive Republic. It is patriotism concretely expressed in the life of the Republic ".

"The Constitution entrusts the Head of State with the task of representing national unity," he continued. “This task - which I have tried to carry out with commitment - was facilitated by the awareness of the link, essential in democracy, that exists between institutions and society; and that our Constitution draws so precisely. This bond must be continuously strengthened by responsible action, by the loyalty of those who find themselves carrying out a public office pro-tempore, at all levels. But it could not resist without the support of citizens ".

THE HOMAGE TO CARMINA - "I would like to recall the moving letter of Professor Pietro Carmina, victim of the recent, dramatic collapse of Ravanusa", underlined Mattarella. "Professor of philosophy and history, retiring two years ago, he wrote to his students: 'Use the words I taught you to defend yourself and to defend those who don't have those words. Don't be spectators but protagonists of the story you live today . Get inside, get your hands dirty, bite your life, don't adapt, commit yourself, never give up on pursuing your goals, even the most ambitious ones, put those who can't make it on your shoulders. You are not the future, you are the present. Please: never be indifferent, don't be afraid to take risks so as not to make mistakes ... '".

"I make mine - with respect - these words of exhortation so effective, which also show the dedication of our teachers to their educational task", added Mattarella.

MESSAGE TO YOUNG PEOPLE - Finally, a message to the new generations: "Young people are bearers of their originality, of their freedom. They are different from those who preceded them. And they ask that the witness not be denied to their hands. The new generations feel I must say: do not stop, do not be discouraged, take your future because only in this way will you give it to society ".

HOPE - "We are ready to welcome the new year, and it is a moment of hope. We look forward, knowing that the fate of Italy also depends on each of us. Many times we have talked about a new season of duties. We have stressed many times that difficulties can only be overcome if everyone agrees to do their part to the full ", concluded the President of the Republic.

(Unioneonline / lf)

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