People's Concert Marks 50 years of Vietnam - Italy Relations

The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) in collaboration with the Italian Embassy in Vietnam organized a concert program to celebrate 50th anniversary of the Vietnam - Italy diplomatic relations (1973 - 2023) and 10 years of strategic partnership in Hanoi.

Attending the December 3 event were Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Macro della Seta; Dr. Phan Anh Son, VUFO President; Associate Professor Dr. Bui Nhat Quang, Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, President of the Vietnam - Italy Friendship Association; along with representatives of Vietnamese departments, ministries, branches, agencies and organizations; officials, diplomatic staff, individuals, the Italian business community, ambassadors, diplomatic corps representatives in Hanoi.

The concert consists of three parts with 17 performances of talented artists from the two countries including pianist Maurizio Mastrini, violinist Trinh Minh Hien, artist Thanh Lam, artist Le Giang, and opera singer Trinh Thanh Binh, among others.

Trinh Minh Hien's performance is arranged as a story about the phoenix, a symbol of Asian culture, taking off on a journey from East to West and then reaching out to the ocean. Meanwhile, Maurizio Mastrini brought the romantic, free spirit of European music with Baci; Children's Love and Passion.

Vietnamese and Italian artists with two different musical personalities but still in harmony, creating a special feature for the music night. The national anthems of Vietnam and Italy also were played as a work of art through the performances of two countries' artists.

A performance at the concert. Photo: Dinh Hoa

Culture plays a central role in Italy - Vietnam relations

Speaking at the program, Ambassador Macro della Seta said that throughout 2023, there has been a rich program of cultural events and initiatives as well as high-level visits organized to celebrate the Italy-Vietnam ties.

“The highlight of this year's celebration is the official visit to Italy in July 2023 of Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong. The central role of culture in President Vo Van Thuong's visit to Rome and Florence has proven that culture is the core of bilateral relations between Italy and Vietnam," Ambassador Macro della Seta said.

Ambassador Macro della Seta said he came to Vietnam for less than 4 months, voicing his belif that the concert with the participation of talented artists and performing music from both countries is the best way for him to start his mission.

People-to-people exchanges bring the two countries closer together

Speaking at the program, VUFO President Phan Anh Son said that Vietnam and Italy officially established diplomatic relations on March 23, 1973. The Vietnamese people will always remember the precious support of the Italian people for the resistance war for independence, freedom, and national unification as well as the future construction and development of the country.

One of the symbols of that support is the friendship ship, he recalled, Australe, which transported necessities from the Italian people to help the Vietnamese people at the end of 1973, commanded by Captain Luciano Sossai, departing from the port city of Genoa.

Italian non-governmental organizations also support Vietnam with development projects worth millions of US dollars each year, focusing on areas such as community development, health, education and vocational training, capacity building, environmental protection, technology transfer, and emergency aid.

According to Phan Anh Son, people-to-people exchange is a bright spot in the two countries' relationship, a bridge contributing to strengthening mutual understanding and bringing the two countries closer together. The cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Italy, including people-to-people exchanges, has been constantly expanding, towards common values and concerns of the international community.

The two countries have many strengths and potential for cooperation to continue to be promoted and further promoted in the coming time, he stressed.

The VUFO President believes that cultivating and developing the friendship and relationship between the two peoples will become increasingly deeper. Open up new, effective cooperation opportunities and meet the interests of the people of each side. At the same time, contribute to promoting humanistic values, for the goal of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

In the coming time, VUFO and the Vietnam - Italy Friendship Association will continue to proactively and actively cooperate closely with Italian partners and organizations; and continue implementing diverse people-to-people diplomacy activities, promoting cooperation between the two countries in different fields.

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