By Maya Rosenberg
Italy’s Ambassador to the U.S. spoke on the importance of a strong European Union and other global issues at the University of Maryland on Monday in a talk hosted by Maryland Global Leaders and the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.
Armando Varricchio’s talk, marketed as “Italy and the European Union,” highlighted the importance of a strong EU, the increase in the study of the Italian language and Italy’s commitment to “multilateral” diplomacy with its allies.
“We have traced the path towards democracy, the rule of law and economic and social progress,” Varricchio said. “[The EU began] as a purely economic union, and it has evolved into an organization, spanning humanity from policy areas from climate, the environment and health to external relations and security and justice and migration.”
Lucy Bedewi, a senior marketing major and Italian minor, hoped the ambassador would focus on “his job” and his “perspective…on some of the hot issues in Italy right now.”
The ambassador did emphasize current issues in Italy, particularly the large flow of migrants from Africa to Italy and its neighbors. Varricchio also touched on climate change, a global issue for both the EU and the U.S.
“The environment is what makes Italy absolutely special,” Varricchio said. “We have to preserve our landscape [and] we have to preserve the quality of our natural resources. We owe this to not just to our fellow talents, but we owe this to the world.”
According to the ambassador, speaking at the university in October was not coincidental as October commemorates “the legacy of Christopher Columbus.” However, in recent years, the celebration of Columbus Day on Oct. 15 has shifted from only shining light on Columbus. Indigenous Peoples’ Day has grown as a replacement for Columbus Day in order to celebrate indigenous people and condemn Columbus’ violence against them.
During a question and answer session following the ambassador’s prepared marks, freshman Japanese major Simone Mularkey asked Varricchio about his stance on Columbus. Mularkey said she asked the question because “it is important to talk about legacy, and what a celebration with a legacy like Christopher Columbus really means to people in our country.”
“As I’m sure you know, Columbus Day has become somewhat of a controversial figure here in the U.S.,” Mularkey said. “I wanted to ask you if you were tasked with picking a different famous Italian person for Italian Americans to celebrate, who would you choose?”
The ambassador responded that he would stay with Columbus.
“We are of course not denying the many tragedies, the genocide of the Native Americans,” the ambassador said. “Christopher Columbus created a connection between different worlds. Among this great historic act, came the arrival of those who wanted to prevail over the local indigenous people… but it is not by denying [Christopher Columbus] that you better help and preserve the history, heritage and great culture of the Native Americans.”
Mularkey, whose mother’s side of the family is Navajo Indian, said she felt unexpectedly emotional after she asked her question.
“It’s understandable for Italians and Italian Americans to want to look to someone, as a source of national pride and pride of one’s heritage,” Mularkey said. “but I feel like a lot of people in this country, [for] indigenous people like myself and my family, when we think of the legacy of Christopher Columbus, it’s painful.”
Mularkey said she thought of her question before the panel even began.
“I hadn’t meant for it to be of a serious, or even pointed question,” Mularkey said. “I was mostly just looking to ask him something where he could express… who he thinks would be a good role model for Italian Americans, someone who has just as important if not more important contribution to both the countries.”