A Diplomatic Highlight of the Season

On 2 June 2026, the Embassy of Italy in Prague celebrated Festa della Repubblica with its traditional reception at the historic Istituto Italiano di Cultura Praga. Several hundred guests from government, parliament, diplomacy, business, academia and the arts gathered for what has become one of the highlights of Prague’s diplomatic calendar. The evening combined official protocol with Italian hospitality, culture and cuisine.

A Ceremonial Opening

The ceremony began with the Band of the Czech Presidential Guard performing the Czech and Italian national anthems. Italy’s Il Canto degli Italiani, better known as Fratelli d’Italia, filled the courtyard with its energetic, almost operatic melody and reflected the patriotic spirit of the Republic.

Ambassador Alessandro Gaudino

Ambassador Alessandro Gaudino welcomed the guests and emphasized the exceptional quality of Czech–Italian relations. A career diplomat with extensive experience in European affairs, international economic cooperation and multilateral diplomacy, Gaudino has made strengthening political dialogue, economic cooperation, scientific exchange and cultural ties key priorities of his mission in Prague. His speeches consistently underline that diplomacy is built not only through governments but also through universities, entrepreneurs, artists and ordinary citizens.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš attended together with almost the entire Czech cabinet. Both he and Ambassador Gaudino highlighted the excellent bilateral relationship and the constructive personal cooperation between Babiš and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. They stressed common interests in strengthening European competitiveness, industrial development, energy security and effective protection of the EU’s external borders.

History of Festa della Repubblica

Festa della Repubblica commemorates the constitutional referendum of 2 June 1946. Following the collapse of Fascism and the end of the Second World War, Italians were asked whether the country should remain a monarchy under the House of Savoy or become a republic. The majority voted for a republic, ending the monarchy that had existed since Italian unification in 1861. King Umberto II went into exile, while a Constituent Assembly drafted the Constitution that entered into force on 1 January 1948. Since then, 2 June has symbolized democratic renewal, constitutional government and national unity.

The Italian Cultural Institute

The reception was again held at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura Praga in Vlašská Street in Malá Strana. The site has a remarkable history stretching back to 1573, when it became the centre of Prague’s Italian community. Italian merchants, architects, craftsmen and artists played an important role in shaping Renaissance and Baroque Prague. Over the centuries the complex served as a hospital, orphanage, maternity home and school before evolving into today’s cultural institution. Since 1942 it has housed the Italian Cultural Institute, which promotes Italian language, literature, cinema, music, design, science and visual arts through exhibitions, lectures, concerts, festivals and language courses.

Economic Relations

Italy remains one of the Czech Republic’s most important trading partners, with strong cooperation in the automotive industry, engineering, energy, fashion, food production, research and tourism. Hundreds of Italian companies operate in the Czech Republic, while Czech businesses continue expanding in Italy. These economic ties complement close cooperation within the European Union and NATO.

A Celebration of Italian Hospitality

After the official programme, guests enjoyed an elegant garden reception. Representatives of diplomacy, business, culture and academia continued discussions while sampling regional Italian specialties, premium wines, prosecco, desserts and traditional gelato on a warm summer evening. The relaxed atmosphere reflected the openness and warmth traditionally associated with Italian hospitality.

Conclusion

The 2026 celebration of Festa della Repubblica once again demonstrated that Czech–Italian relations are founded on far more than politics. Shared European values, vibrant cultural exchange, expanding economic cooperation and strong personal friendships continue to strengthen one of Central Europe’s closest bilateral partnerships.