On 2 June, at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, over 600 guests attended the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic, including representatives of Lithuanian institutions, members of the diplomatic corps and the Italian community.
The evening opened with the national anthems performed by Viktorija Miškūnaitė, Eugenijus Chrebtovas and Maestro Artūras Anusauskas, followed by a video message from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani.
Ambassador Emanuele de Maigret highlighted the excellent cooperation with Lithuania, the Year of Lithuanian Culture in Italy, the Italy–Lithuania Cultural Programme 2025–2026 and Italy’s contribution to NATO’s Baltic Air Policing missions. The Lithuanian Minister of Culture, Vaida Aleknavičienė, in a video message, emphasised the strong bilateral cooperation and the “new phase” of cultural relations.
During the event, the ANSA exhibition “Women of the Republic – Eighty Years of Achievements” recalled the evolution of women’s roles since 1946, while the excellence of the Piedmont region was presented by the relevant Regional Councillor and Councillor Laura Pompeo, featuring dishes by Michelin-starred chef Francesco Marchese, wines from the Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe and Dogliani Consortium and artisan gelato by chef Gian Luca Demarco.
Guests also had the opportunity to preview Caravaggio’s work Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy, on display in Vilnius until 2 August.
