It will start Sunday 8 December at the Circus Maximus in Romewith the lighting of the Christmas tree at 5pm and the animation of the living nativity scene, the 2024 edition of Atreju, the now traditional Fratelli d’Italia event. “The Italian way – Concrete responses to the changing world” is the title chosen this year, which “symbolizes the path traced by the Meloni government to address the major issues of the present, an approach that favors the national interest while respecting the countries with which we are dealing and which strengthens the proactive role of Italy on the international tables”, explains a note.
“The Circus Maximus is transformed into an arena for discussion: lots of politics with debates on current affairs, but also a family-sized Christmas village. Markets, volunteering, the return of the large ice skating rink, with a play area for adults and children, and the novelty of ‘Radio In Ondà, the Atreju radio with programming entirely dedicated to the event. “This year Atreju will remain open a whole week, until Sunday 15th when, as per tradition, the event will be closed by Giorgia Meloni, President of Fratelli d’Italia, of the European Conservatives party and Prime Minister: her speech is scheduled for 12.15pm.
Appointment that will be preceded by the interventions of deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini and Antonio Tajani and the leaders of We Moderates and UDC, Maurizio Lupi and Lorenzo Cesa. Opening the program of debates on Sunday 8th at 5.30pm will be “Men never aligned” with Fausto Bertinotti, Paolo Bonolis and Pietrangelo Buttafuoco. Followed by “Atreju from 1998 to today: our Infinite History” with the generations who have given life to the festival over the years. “The village will warm up its engines for what will be the full opening, scheduled for Thursday 12 December, and which will see a tight program of debates.
The parterre was full of international guests, starting from the President of Argentina, Javier Mileywhose speech is scheduled for Saturday 14th at 7pm. The Middle Eastern question will also be on Atreju’s stage, with the participation of the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikatiagain on Saturday 14th at 1pm. And a discussion on migratory flows between the Home Affairs Ministers of the United Kingdom, Yvette CooperFrance, Bruno RetailleauMalta, Byron Camilleriand that of Italy, Matteo Piantedosi“.
“This year too, the event hosts the most important institutional and government positions, from the Presidents of the Chamber and Senate, Lorenzo Fontana e Ignazio La Russa. And this year – continues the initiative’s presentation note – will also see the participation of the Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Raffaele Fittowho will go on stage together with the former Prime Minister and secretary of the Democratic Party, Enrico Letta in an interview scheduled for Friday 13th at 7 pm. This year too, space will be given to the Conservative party, with Adam Bielan (MEP, head of the Polish Delegation, Poland), Lord Martin Callanan (former Under-Secretary of State for Energy, United Kingdom), Gila Gamliel (Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Israel), Olena Khomenko (MP, Vice President of the Group of European Conservatives and the Democratic Alliance, Council of Europe, Ukraine) Marion Marèchal (MEP, head of the French delegation, France), Georgiana Teodorescu (MEP, Romania).
Atreju has always been the festival of political confrontation and more. Among the guests is the president of the National Association of Magistrates Giuseppe Santalucia, who will discuss justice reform with the minister Carlo Nordio. And then the leader of the 5 Star Movement Giuseppe Conte, the President of the Emilia-Romagna Region Michele De Pascale, that of Puglia Michele Emiliano, the leader of Action Carlo Calenda, the President emeritus of the Chamber Luciano Violante and the LGBT activist Anna Paola Concia , just to name a few. The government will participate with ministers Lollobrigida in a debate on Italian quality, Crosetto on the “Italian way” for building peace, Urso on the relaunch of the automotive sector, Schillaci on investments in healthcare, Roccella on the future of the family, Giuli on the rebirth of Italian cinema, Musumeci on decarbonisation, Santanchè on tourism management at the time of the Jubilee, Ciriani on European conservatives, Abodi on football reform. And then we will talk about economic successes of the Meloni government described by ministers Giorgetti and Foti, the employment ones by Marina Calderone, Pichetto Fratin on nuclear power and renewables, Valditara and Bernini on the discussion in schools and universities, Casellati, Calderoli and Zangrillo on reforms and autonomy. Space on stage also for deputy ministers, undersecretaries, governors and local administrators.
But Atreju is not just politics. This year too, protagonists from the world of entertainment, music and sport will compete. Among them the directors Federico Moccia and Fausto Brizzi, the actresses Claudia Gerini, Maria Grazia Cucinotta and Rocio Munoz Morales, the singer Nina Zilli, the Olympic champion Elisa Di Francisca. The traditional “Atreju award” also returns, which will be awarded this year to Olivia Maurel, activist born from a rented womb and committed to the international abolition of this same practice, Kimia Yousofi, athlete Afghan paralympian, Edoardo Vianello, icon of Italian songwriting, Stefania Battistini and Simone Traini, Rai journalists on whom an arrest warrant is pending in Russia”, concludes the note.