The mission of the Italian ambassador to Chile, Valeria Biagiotti, to Copiapó, in the Atacama region, and to La Serena, in the Coquimbo region, ended on Thursday. During her visit, the Italian diplomat took part in the inauguration of Fodere 2024, an important business event organised in Copiapó by the Corporation for the Development of the Atacama Region (Corproa) to promote direct encounters between the region's main mining companies, large industrial suppliers, service providers, companies, SMEs and the community.
In her speech, the ambassador emphasised the enormous potential of the Atacama region, especially in the mining sector, and hoped that bilateral economic cooperation in the area would continue to grow, also thanks to the presence of an important Italian community historically settled in the region.
Following this, Ambassador Biagiotti took part in the initiatives organised on the occasion of the XXIV Week of the Italian Language in the World at the Italian schools Giuseppe Verdi in Copiapó and Alcide De Gasperi in La Serena, studded with lectures and meetings with teachers and pupils. "Visiting a school is always a moment of great joy because it allows us to get in touch with the energy of the children and to recharge ourselves with their enthusiasm and positivity, so that we can return to our daily work with a smile," said the ambassador, thanking the teaching and management staff for their work and dedication in spreading the Italian language and culture, "one of the fundamental tools we have at our disposal to keep our ties with Italy alive and vital".
In the two cities, the ambassador had the opportunity to meet representatives of the historic Italian community, including members of the II Firemen Company of Copiapó 'Pompa Italia' founded on 7 January 1952. The first Italians arrived in Copiapó in the 19th century, while the Italian presence in La Serena is linked to an agreement between the Italian and Chilean governments that led to the transfer of the first 153 people of Trentino origin in 1951.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
