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State visit to the Italian Republic

Topic: Report

19 September 2019

Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender paid a state visit to the Italian Republic from 19 to 20 September. In Rome, Steinmeier held talks with President Mattarella and Prime Minister Conte. He discussed the current situation in Italy with Italian authors. On the second day of his visit, Steinmeier traveled to Naples, where he met former guest workers. He also paid a visit to the social project Sanitansamble in the district of Sanità and talked to social workers and police officers about their work in this deprived area.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on his way to the wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on the occasion of his state visit to the Italian Republic

Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender paid a state visit to the Italian Republic from 19 to 20 September.

In Rome, the Federal President held talks with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. He discussed the current situation in Italy with Italian authors. In the evening, President Mattarella hosted a state banquet in honour of the Federal President and his wife.

The Federal President traveled to southern Italy on the second day of his visit. In Naples, he met former guest workers at the Goethe Institut, as well as young Italians looking to emigrate to Germany. He then went on a guided tour of the old town of Naples and visited the social project Sanitansamble in the district of Sanità. The project, which started in 2008, is run by a non governmental organisation and the parish of Santa Maria della Sanità. It supports children and young people from socially disadvantaged families with music and instruments. The Federal President met young people and attended one of their orchestral rehearsals. He also talked to social workers and police officers about their work in the deprived area of Sanità.

Overview of the programme:

Thursday, 19 September

  • Flight to Rome
  • Quirinal Palace
    Welcome with military honours by President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella
    Followed by talks with President Mattarella
  • Joint press conference
  • Wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
  • Palazzo Chigi
    Welcome by the Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, followed by luncheon
  • Bibliotheca Hertziana
    Discussion with Italian culture professionals
  • Senate of the Republic
    Welcome by the President of the Senate of the Republic Maria Elisabetta Casellati, followed by talks
  • Chamber of Deputies
    Welcome by the President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Republic Roberto Fico, followed by talks
  • Quirinal Palace
    Dinner hosted by the Italian President in honour of the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender

Friday, 20 September

  • Transfer by train to Naples
  • Goethe Institut
    Talks with former guest works and current labour migrants
  • Residence of the President
    Lunch hosted by the Italian President
  • Farewell with military honours
  • Complesso Monumentale di Santa Chiara
    Tour of the old town
    Meeting with culture professionals
  • Basilica di Santa Maria della Sanità
    Attendance of a rehearsal of the Sanitansamble orchestra
  • Encounter with young members of the Sanitansamble orchestra
  • Flight to Berlin

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