Last night the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Maria Tripodi, participated in the opening of the exhibition “Naïve Art of Kovačica Slovaks in Serbia”. The Voice is heard from afar”, organised by the Slovak Embassy in Rome. The event was attended by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia, Juraj Blanár, and Serbia, Marko Đurić.
While thanking the Ambassador of Slovakia, the Undersecretary expressed the Italian Government’s warmest congratulations to Serbia for the inscription of ‘The Naïve Art of the Slovaks of Kovačica” on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Undersecretary Tripodi said: ‘We are inaugurating not only an art exhibition, but we are celebrating a true symbol of friendship between peoples within the common European home. A dialogue of integration, peace and stability that continues after the event held in Villa Madama, where Minister Tajani chaired the Ministerial Meeting with the Western Balkan countries. The Italian Government is determined to step up the process of reunification of the Balkans in Europe, You can count on us”. The Undersecretary also recalled the importance of preserving and promoting intercultural traditions, which enrich the dialogue between peoples.
She concluded: “Culture is always a source of peace and integration, as the example of the inclusion of the Slovak community of Kovačica, southern Serbia, capable of promoting diversity and social inclusion, teaches us. It is precisely the defence of these principles that characterises Italy’s multilateral action in this sector and will be at the heart of the second Italy – UNESCO Conference that the Italian Government will host in Naples next June.” The Undersecretary also called for the participation of all UNESCO members to promote a broad reflection on the modern challenges to cultural heritage, in its various expressions.