Lights on Republic Day in Nairobi

Successful evening event for 2 June

04-06-2023 by Freddie del Curatolo

More than eight hundred people, including Italians resident in Kenya, Kenyan citizens and representatives of other nationalities present in Nairobi, celebrated together at the residence of Ambassador Roberto Natali, the anniversary of the Italian Republic and the increasingly close and consolidated ties with the African country that hosts, in addition to our diplomacy and institutional representatives, thousands of compatriots, as well as companies, activities and non-governmental organisations.
All the components of our ten-year presence in Kenya were recalled by Natali in his introductory speech, in the presence of high Kenyan authorities, for the first time in the splendid atmosphere of the evening events.
The Ambassador recalled the desire expressed in a recent meeting of Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani with the ambassadors of African nations in our country, to "look at Africa with African eyes, and not with the European gaze" which, according to Natali, means not only entering the present of this land that represents the future of the world, but getting to know its people, culture, and traditions, in order to better interact in every neuralgic sector, from trade to cooperation, from tourism to environmental sustainability.
The applause for the diplomat and for the senior official of the Kenyan Foreign Ministry, George Orina, who did the 'honours of the house', while two deputy ministers and some senior government officials followed from the audience, was followed by the party that highlighted, as always, the food and wine excellence that Italy produces and imports into Kenya. Many compatriots on the ground participated in the event, providing products and preparing special dishes, with several stands of specialties and excellent wines. The works of artist Gianpaolo Tomasi framed the space set up in the residence and Italian songs performed by Mauro Cuccurullo entertained those present.
A constant, as can be seen and heard in the video below, was the presence, in addition to many Kenyans, of an entire representation of the diverse and integrated Italian community in Kenya, from historical residents to second and third generation residents, from Catholic and lay missionaries to entrepreneurs, from representatives of our most important companies to professionals working in international organisations or multinationals, and every other kind of small and medium-sized private entrepreneur, in various sectors.