Sixty years after the flood in Florence we want to think that that lesson is still alive today. And that the witnesses of that time speak to us today not to remind us of a past that can arouse nostalgia, but to keep us alert, to remember our common responsibility for the future. The thank you that we want to repeat out loud to Florence and to those who helped her in those terrible moments is an invitation to continue walking towards a better world than the moment we are going through.
The Head of State, Sergio Mattarella, said this, speaking in Florence on the 60th anniversary of the flood.
"Italy changed after the flood and that extraordinary movement of solidarity. The entire society received a new boost. We became aware of our vulnerability, of the necessary protection of the territories and of the fragile balance of the environment. In Florence the alarm was manifested in all its urgency. A society founded on the primacy of the person cannot fail to consider the protection of the environment and the safety of communities in the face of disasters as a common commitment. A challenge, but also a duty for the institutions". "We could say that the universality of Florence was restored precisely by the coming together of many young people even before its beauty, its monuments, its bridges, its daily life were restored. This was accompanied by the desire for a world where human collaboration was the prerequisite for a more advanced civilization. A world aware of its common destiny".
"The rescue and restart of Florence left a profound mark in the history of our Republic. A sign of unity and brotherhood, in a season in which the world was changing. Unity of the country in facing the emergency. Unity between generations, while the youngest and largest entered social life and wanted to express values, hopes, ideals". The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, said this, speaking in Florence at the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the flood.
Mattarella: 'We need renewal against conflicts, disinformation and cyber-attacks'
"In the year in which the eightieth anniversary of the free choice of the Italian people for the Republic occurs, the celebration of the Day of National Unity and the Armed Forces takes on a particular meaning. The oath of loyalty of the Armed Forces to the Republic is nourished by the values of its Constitution, a heritage of principles preserved so that the relationship with the generations that follow one another in the life of the country can combine the memory of the past with the hope for the future of the community, and the atrocities experienced in the world wars are not repeated". This is the message that the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, sent to the Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, on November 4th.
"First of all, let us celebrate the fulfillment of the Risorgimento dream of the unity of our homeland, independent and free, and the path which, with the liberation struggle, was able to conquer freedom and democracy for our people and an authoritative role for Italy, with the policy of peace and international cooperation pursued by the Republic".
"The commitment" of the armed forces, Mattarella continued, "their daily work is precious to counter any external intent directed against the community to which we belong and to affirm respect for international law. Added to traditional conflicts, which continue to bloodied large areas of the world, including Europe, are widespread disinformation, competition in space, the cybernetic dimension, the pervasive use of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, domains in which acts of aggression are today worrying and progressive expansion. It is a scenario that requires profound capacity for renewal, in rapidly integrating new technologies and in guaranteeing concrete capabilities for future challenges".
In the morning Mattarella placed a laurel wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Altare della Patria on the occasion of National Unity and Armed Forces Day. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, the Presidents of the Chamber and Senate Lorenzo Fontana and Ignazio La Russa and the President of the Constitutional Court Giovanni Amoroso.
Mattarella then went to Florence for the celebrations. Also present at the ceremony, in Piazzale Michelangelo, were the Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto, the Chief of Staff of the Defense General Luciano Portolano, the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces and the civil, military and religious authorities.
The departments lined up in the square, while the citizens attended the demonstration opened by the Mameli anthem. There was also a flyover of the national aerobatic team 'Frecce Tricolori' over the sky of Florence. The formation passed in nine-man formation with two flyovers, one perpendicular to the grandstand and a second parallel to Piazzale Michelangelo, leaving the usual green, white and red trail of the Italian flag.
