President Pirc Musar received the highest Italian state award from Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Vipolže
Vipolže, February 8, 2025 – Before the official opening of the European Capital of Culture Nova Gorica – Gorica, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, received the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, and a delegation, in Villa Vipolže.
On this occasion, the Italian president awarded her the highest Italian state decoration, the Knight Grand Cross with a large ribbon for services to the Italian Republic. By awarding this decoration, President Mattarella wanted to emphasize the efforts of President Pirc Musar to strengthen the friendship between the two countries and promote EU values.
President Pirc Musar responded to the act of respect and honor shown by saying that she gratefully accepts this highest honor, with firm determination and a commitment that she will continue to work in the future to strengthen good-neighborly cooperation, defend human rights and the values of mutual respect between nations.
On this occasion, President Pirc Musar thanked him for accepting the invitation to the ceremonial opening of the European Capital of Culture Nova Gorica – Gorica. She also highlighted the importance of the values of the culture of dialogue and cooperation, which President Mattarella consistently defended during his long presidency. His presence therefore additionally strengthens the common path of the two border towns in the direction of building a better future, which will draw strength from the wealth of diverse experiences and communities.
She also thanked him for the honorary patronage, which he granted again this year to the two umbrella organizations of Slovenes in Italy; Slovenian Cultural and Economic Association and Confederation of Slovene Organisations during the celebration of Culture Day, which will be held in Gorica on February 16th. This shows his care, respectful attitude and the attention he gives to the Slovenian national community in Italy. In this context, the President expressed satisfaction with the recent decision of the Italian Ministry of Education to exempt Slovenian schools from the all-Italian reform, which envisages the reduction of principal positions.
In their talks, the two presidents also touched on some current international topics and preparations for his two-day official visit to Slovenia, expected to be in the fall of this year.
Source: Press office of the President of Slovenia