President Sergio Mattarella said
Thursday - which is Flag Day in Italy - that the national flag
also represents the country's newly naturalized citizens.
Our flag "is now also the flag of the new Italian citizens,
who have been living and working with us for years and who share
our love for a common homeland," Mattarella said.
"The symbol of unity is therefore also a symbol of openness
- a resource that can help us better face future challenges," he
said.
"This identity is our unrenounceable heritage of values,
meanings, and common roots. Our flag...represents the emblem of
the values of democracy, social justice, respect for human
rights, and solidarity affirmed in our Constitution".
Mattarella went on to say that unity is a primary objective
of the republic - unity between Italy's different regions, of
its social body, between generations, and in the exercise and
recognition of rights and duties.
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