Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Southern Liberation Day in Italy

Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung delivered the opening speech at the ceremony.

Attending the event were General Secretary of the Italian Communist Party Mauro Alboresi, Ambassadors and Defense Attachés from countries including China, Cuba, Russia, the United States, ASEAN countries, representatives of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs , the Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), representatives of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the International Center for Research on the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and many international organizations, representatives of ministries, branches, central and local agencies of Italy, and many Italian and international friends.

In his opening speech, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung emphasized that the Spring Victory of 1975 was the glorious peak in Vietnam's long and heroic history of national construction and defense.

This victory fulfilled the sacred mission of liberating the South, unifying the country, opening a new chapter in Vietnamese history – the chapter of Independence, Freedom, Peace and Unification. The victory of April 30 will forever be remembered in history, affirming the great significance of the resistance war against the US, demonstrating the spirit of independence, self-reliance, resilience and deep desire for peace of the Vietnamese people.

According to Ambassador Duong Hai Hung, Vietnam today is recognized as a country of peace. When mentioning Vietnam, international friends immediately think of the image of a brave, resilient, compassionate nation, devoted to peace and wishing to contribute to a better, more cooperative world . The Vietnam-US relationship today is a typical example of post-war reconciliation and the victory of peace. From former enemies, the two countries have become comprehensive strategic partners.

In the next part of the program, via video, journalist Massimo Loche, a former war correspondent in Vietnam in the 1970s, who worked for newspapers such as l'Unità, Rinascita, l'Espresso and is former Deputy Director of the news channel Rainews24 , shared his memories of the historic moment in Vietnam. He still remembers clearly that at around 10 am on April 30, 1975, the sound of firecrackers exploding in the streets signaled the liberation of Saigon. According to him, it was a wonderful day, a day full of joy throughout the city.

For his part, as the son of Captain Luciano Sossai, who commanded the ship Australe departing from the port of Genoa in 1973 to transport medicine, necessities and farming tools donated by the Italian people to the Vietnamese people, Mr. Dimitri Sossai recalled unforgettable memories of his father's trip to Vietnam.

He said that when his father left, Vietnam was still at war. The family was very worried, but at the same time happy to help a nation facing the most powerful force in the world. From that trip, a very strong bond with Vietnam began, which bound his family until the last day of his father's life, who spent almost his entire life completing a journey of solidarity and friendship with the Vietnamese people.

The victory of April 30 also symbolizes the victory of justice and human conscience. It is not only the victory of the Vietnamese people but also of all oppressed nations struggling for independence and of progressive forces around the world.

Mr. Mauro Alboresi, General Secretary of the Italian Communist Party, emphasized the honor of being present at today's important anniversary, an opportunity to review the moment 50 years ago when Vietnam was completely liberated and unified. An event of great significance to the country and people of Vietnam, as well as to all nations that have made efforts for the liberation struggle against imperialism.

Delegates and guests attending the celebration.

Mr. Alboresi said: “I still remember clearly the emotion felt by the entire Italian people when they heard the news of Vietnam’s victory. That emotion still leaves its mark today, through the events, speeches, and sharing that were recounted during the ceremony. I remember the strong emotion of support for the Vietnamese people, gathered from many parts of public opinion. I clearly remember when I was a young man, witnessing many demonstrations showing solidarity and support for that heroic struggle.

Today, we are always interested in and pay close attention to Vietnam's achievements on the path of national development and socialist-oriented market economy. We are witnessing with our own eyes the progress made, especially the experiences from Vietnam's Doi Moi process. For us, that is a convincing lesson about the ability to realize the goals of fighting for the aspiration for peace, national independence and promoting social justice.

At the photo exhibition “Solidarity and support of the Italian people for Vietnam”, attendees were able to see images of anti-war protests taking place in many Italian cities such as Genoa, Reggio Emilia and Rome. Tens of thousands of Italians took to the streets to support the struggle of the Vietnamese people.

Among the humanitarian aid that the Australe ship carried were precious drops of blood that thousands of Italians donated to the Vietnamese people. These noble acts will forever be engraved in the hearts of the Vietnamese people as beautiful and lasting symbols of the friendship and deep solidarity between the Italian and Vietnamese people.

The attendees were deeply moved when Ambassador Duong Hai Hung introduced Colonel Van Viet Cuong, Vietnam's military attaché in Spain, concurrently serving in Italy, grandson of General Van Tien Dung, who commanded the 1975 Southern Liberation campaign, as a continuation of the tradition of "The previous generation, the next generation, have become comrades in arms".

Colonel Van Viet Cuong highlighted his honor to attend the meaningful celebration of the historic Ho Chi Minh campaign to unify the North and South under the command of General Van Tien Dung.

Expressing pride in his family's tradition and contributions, Colonel Van Viet Cuong emphasized: "Our ancestors have made enormous contributions to building and protecting the country, fighting against foreign invaders, and now we, the next generation of our family, will try even harder to build and protect a strong and everlasting socialist Vietnam."

In addition to the photo exhibition and heroic images and songs about the victory 50 years ago, the program also featured martial arts performances demonstrating the martial spirit of the Vietnamese people, with a performance of Vovinam, a typical traditional martial art, imbued with the cultural identity of the Vietnamese people, by experienced Italian martial artists and students from the Italian Vovinam Federation - an official member of the World Traditional Martial Arts Federation.

Next were traditional art performances, imbued with the spirit of the Vietnamese countryside, including Quan Ho singing and professional conical hat dancing by the brothers and sisters of the Association "Italy - Vietnam Cultural Bridge", demonstrating the cultural features of the Vietnamese people.

Ms. Le Thi Bich Huong, President of the Association “Italy – Vietnam Cultural Bridge”, Vietnamese language lecturer at Ca' Foscari University in Venice, expressed her emotion and pride at performing in a warm atmosphere in front of many international guests and friends.

She said: “Every year on the 30/4 anniversary, all of us, the Vietnamese people and especially those living abroad, always turn our hearts towards our homeland. Therefore, we are very moved to perform to show our pride in Vietnam, a small country but has defeated many powerful enemies in the world.”

The emotions of the participants seemed to burst out at the end of the program, all the performers sang together loudly the song "As if Uncle Ho were here on the day of great victory". 50 years after the end of the war and the reunification of the country, promoting the achievements of innovation and international integration, steadfastly following the path of socialism, Vietnam - under the leadership of the Communist Party - is determined to carry out strategic breakthroughs and major national policies, opening a new era of development.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ky-niem-50-nam-ngay-giai-phong-mien-nam-tai-italy-311673.html