Commemoration of 4 November at the Italian Consulate in Basel

(ANSA) - GINEVRA, 04 NOV - A ceremony commemorating the fallen of all wars took place today in the garden of the Italian Consulate in Basel, Switzerland.
    The celebration on the occasion of National Unity and Armed Forces Day began with the solemn flag-raising ceremony and the singing of the National Anthem, accompanied by the young cellist Giulio Sanna, and was held in the presence of the Italian Consul in Basel, Benedetta Romagnoli, who welcomed the Ambassador of Italy in Berne, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, and the President of the Grand Council of Basle City, Claudio Miozzari, who were thanked for their presence as a strong and important signal to the Italian community residing in the consular district.
    In his speech, Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado emphasised the solemnity of the day, which was particularly heartfelt in light of the presence at the Consulate of a monument in memory of the fallen soldiers of all wars.
    Representatives of the National Alpine Association then laid a laurel wreath at the War Memorial, blessed by the parish priest of St. Pius X, Father Michele De Salvia, before a prayer for the victims of all wars.
    The authorities present then thanked their compatriots for their participation in the commemoration and, in particular, the elected representatives of the community: the President of the Basel COMITES, Alessandro Luciani, and the CGIE Councillors Roger Nesti and Barbara Sorce.
    At the end of the ceremony - the communiqué specifies - Consul Romagnoli was keen to recall the words contained in the message of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella on the occasion of the Day: 'On this day, the most grateful and moved thought goes to those who fell, sacrificing their lives for Italy. Their memory sounds an exhortation to the civil conscience of the country, especially to the younger generations, so that they know how to follow the path of commitment to the defence of the values of the Constitution'.