Belgrade, June 20 th, 2017
A few days before the Festivity (June 24th) of the Patron Saint of the Sovereign Order of Malta, this year as well, we have celebrated our National Day in the spirit of the humanitarian diplomacy and culture.
Before the opening speech of Ambassador Alberto di Luca, with the Serbian translation by the Project Manager of the “Make a WISH”, prof. Nenad Prokic – performing of two anthems
The musical values united with the ideals of the humanitarian mission of the Order of Malta, have found their expression in the unforgettable performance of the famous opera “La Traviata” by Giuseppe Verdi at the National Theater in the Serbian capital, with protagonists: the Canadian soprano Claire Coolen and the Italian baritone Alberto Gazale, who made his return on great demand of the audience.
During the performing of two anthems
The enchanting notes of the Verdi’s masterpiece have been accompanied by 600 persons enjoying this event, which represents, and always did, the traditional starting point of a new year full of work and activities inspired by the millennium old Maltese “Polar Star”: Tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum (Protection of faith and service to the poor).
Archbishop of Belgrade, H.E. Mons. Stanislav Hocevar upon his arrival at the National Theatre
With Apostolic Nuncio H.E. Mons. Luciano Suriani, Mons. Filippo Colnago together with three nuns from the Nunciature in Belgrade
Among the illustrious guests, in the presence of the state, religious, diplomatic and cultural authorities, Ambassador Alberto di Luca has conveyed the greetings of the Lieutenant of the Grand Master Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto remembering the excellent relations between the Order of Malta and Serbia.
H.R.H Prince Aleksandar Karadjordjevic and Princess Katarina welcomed by Ambassador Alberto di Luca with his wife Emanuela and Minister Counsellor Carlo Buora with his wife Daniela
With H.R.H. Princess Jelisaveta Karađorđević, we were honored with her presence also this year
Certainly, a commitment to the realization of the project “Make a WISH 2016” was emphasized, which was successfully completed to the great satisfaction of the orphaned children accommodated at the Centre in Sremcica and disabled women accommodated at the Orthodox monastery St. Petka in Izvor near Paracin.
Bishop of Niš Arsenije delegated by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej. In the photo, with Counsellor Valter Catoni, Minister Counsellor Carlo Buora (on the left) and Ambassador Alberto di Luca and his wife Emanuela (on the right)
Ambassador di Luca has mentioned a new project being in progress, encouraged by the highest authorities of the governments of the Sovereign Order of Malta and the Republic of Serbia -“Make a WISH 2017” aimed to provide the medical assistance to children with rare and difficult diagnosis that can’t be resolved in the country in a timely manner due to the long waiting lists in the public hospitals. The ultimate goal of the Project 2017 will be, therefore, giving assistance to these children in private hospitals with the financial support of the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta.
Ambassador Francis Martin O’Donnell, former Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Slovakia, with his wife Vera
The other cases will be taken care of by a team of foreign doctors who will be sent to Belgrade for that purpose or, for cases of more complexity, medical care will be given to the patients in foreign countries. The baritone Alberto Gazale and the soprano Claire Coolen have delighted a qualified audience who showed the affection with the long and warm standing ovations.
Welcome addresses to H.E. Isabel Cristina de Azevedo Heyvaert, Ambassador of Brazil to Serbia
This splendid interpretation of “La Traviata” was performed, this year as well under the charismatic conducting baton of the Maestro Dejan Savic. The evening with the performance of the opera at the National Theater has already become a traditional event – since 2015 – with its “off billboard” opera on the request of the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta on the occasion of the National Day, highly appreciated by the passionate music lovers as well as by the authorities and Diplomatic corps accredited in Serbia. During the break, in the foyer, Ambassador di Luca together with his associates has proposed a toast to people from the state and religious institutions in the country, as well as 27 Ambassadors in honor of friendship and cooperation between Serbia and the Order of Malta, and in honor of the success of the numerous humanitarian activities organized by the Embassy in Belgrade which are currently in progress.
After the spectacle, light dinner in honor of the soprano Claire Coolen and the baritone Alberto Gazale. Besides the Maestro Dejan Savic, Ambassador Alberto di Luca with his wife Emanuela, Minister-Counsellor Carlo Buora with his wife Daniela, Counsellor Valter Catoni with his wife Patrizia, Advisor to Ambassador for diplomatic issues Sonja Spirito with her husband Enzo, Project Manager of the “Make a WISH” Nenad Prokic and the secretary at the embassy Tamara Jovanovic
Ambassador Alberto di Luca with his wife and colleagues from the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Belgrade. Joined together in the chapel of the Archbishop of Belgrade with H.E. Mons. Stanislav Hocevar at the Holy Mass dedicated to all collaborators of the Order as well as to volunteers involved in humanitarian actions in Belgrade.
In the picture on top: The musical values united with the ideals of the humanitarian mission of the Order of Malta, have found their expression in the unforgettable performance of the famous opera “La Traviata” by Giuseppe Verdi at the National Theater in the Serbian capital, with protagonists: the Canadian soprano Claire Coolen and the Italian baritone Alberto Gazale, who made his return on great demand of the audience.
