Over 130 guests attended the National Day of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta on Tuesday, 25th June, held at the Yacht Club of Monaco. Ambassador Alberto di Luca, accompanied by Mrs. Emanuela, welcomed the guests at his first official engagement since taking office on April 11.
Presenter of the evening Maurizio di Maggio of Radio Monte Carlo (Media Partner of the evening) – credit photo©️: Andrea Cabiale
The close relationship between the Principality of Monaco and the Order of Malta was evident from the quality of the guests present. Among those in attendance were Secretary of State, representing H.S.H. Prince Albert II, Yvette Lambin-Berti; Government Counselor and Minister of External Relations and Cooperation, representing the Minister of State, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï; Vicar General of the Archdiocese, representing the Archbishop, Monsignor Guillaume Paris; Hon. Fabrice Notari representing the President of the National Council; H.S.H. Chamberlain Vincent Floreani; Government Counselor and Minister of the Interior Patrice Cellario; Government Counselor and Minister of Social Affairs and Health Christophe Robino; Director of External Relations and Cooperation Isabelle Rosabrunetto; Interministerial Delegate for Attractiveness and Digital Transition Frédéric Genta; French Ambassador H.E. Jean D’Haussonville; Italian Ambassador H.E. Giulio Alajmo; President of the Association of Honorary Consuls Marc Lecourt, with numerous Honorary Consuls; and naturally, the President of the Monaco Association of the Order of Malta Jean Kerwat, along with several members of the Association.
In the centre of the photo, Secretary of State, representing H.S.H. Prince Albert II, Yvette Lambin-Berti; to the right of the photo, First Councillor, Cecilia Casiraghi and Mauro Torre; and to the left of the photo, Mrs Emanuela and her husband Ambassador Alberto di Luca – credit photo©️: Andrea Cabiale
After listening to the two National Anthems, Ambassador di Luca took the floor to underline the authenticity of the relations between Monaco and the Order of Malta: “There are facts that testify to the quality of these relations. I think of the support that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation has given to the Order of Malta in Lebanon and Senegal, with almost 2 million euros in contributions over the last 10 years.
On the left of the photo, Mr Bernard Amadeï, Mrs Emanuela di Luca, the Minister of External Relations, Mrs Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Ambassador Alberto di Luca, the Minister of the Interior, Monsieur Patrice Celario, the First Secretary of Embassy Cecilia Casiraghi with Councillor Mauro Torre – credit photo©️: Andrea Cabiale
Ambassador di Luca also recalled the role of the Order of Malta: “Our sovereignty is a guarantee of authority and autonomy, necessary to best fulfill our mission. On the international scene, our role is to be a humanitarian institution that exists and works to give a voice to the poorest and the marginalized: without pursuing economic or political interests. Our centuries-old impartiality gives credit to our intentions and, thanks also to the trust it inspires, our initiatives are universally esteemed.
From left to right in the photo : Mrs Emanuela with her husband Ambassador Alberto di Luca; Monegasque entrepreneur Luca Marzocco and his wife Sarah, and on the right in the photo First Counsellor Cecilia Casiraghi – credit photo©️: Andrea Cabiale
”He also wanted to preview the focus of upcoming commitments: “In Bethlehem, amid the unrest, the Holy Family Hospital continues to be a beacon of hope for the health of mothers—Muslim, Christian, Jewish, or Catholic—and their children. We are close to the population of Gaza, where the lack of food and essential goods is causing an unprecedented crisis. In Lebanon, the local Association takes care of thousands of people affected by the ongoing social and economic crisis, thanks to the project of our Embassy ‘Make a WISH to the Order of Malta,’ and thanks to the support of the Government of the Principality.”Finally, recalling the primary mission of the Sovereign Order of Malta, well summarized by the motto tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum, Ambassador di Luca announced that “The Order of Malta, and in a small part our Embassy in Monaco, is ready to launch a project to respond to the tragic humanitarian consequences of the current situation in the Holy Land, especially for children and orphans, as soon as conditions on the ground allow”.
The Order of Malta in the Principality of Monaco, here represented, on the left of the photo, by Ambassador Albert di Luca and Mrs Emanuela, in the center, the President of the Monegasque Association of the Order of Malta Jean Kerwat and his wife Mrs Marina, and on the right the First Counsellor Cecilia Casiraghi and the Counsellor Mauro Torre. – credit photo©️: Andrea Cabiale
Maurizio DI Maggio of Radio Montecarlo, the evening’s Media Partner, then presented the Canadian Soprano Claire Coolen, who amazed the guests with her extraordinary voice, accompanied on the piano “four hands” by pianists Yevgeni Galanov and Slaviana Hunko with a carefully selected repertoire.At the end, the cocktail dinner provided an opportunity to start interesting conversations that will soon be further developed. Ambassador di Luca, along with his colleagues, First Counselor Cecilia Casiraghi and Counselor Mauro Torre, mingled with the guests. Among the words of appreciation were those from the Secretary of State, who greatly appreciated the quality level of the concert, and from the Minister of External Relations: “A performance like this is a bit like spoiling the guests.”
credit photo©️: Andrea Cabiale
