The parade dedicated to the 150th anniversary of unification of Italy and 65th anniversary of the Republic of Italy was held in Rome. President of the Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev attended the celebrations on the invitation of President of the Republic of Italy Giorgio Napolitano.

The ceremony is held on June 2, as the monarchy was abolished by popular referendum and Italy was proclaimed a republic on this day 65 years ago - in 1946.

Delegations from more than 80 countries arrived in Rome to participate at the ceremony. Majority of countries were represented at the level of heads of state and government.

Unification of Italy marks one of the most important pages in the history of this country. During the initial years of the XIX century, occupation of Italy by Napoleon I and its annexation to France created a huge dissatisfaction in the country. After Napoleon Bonaparte’s dethroning, the Congress of Vienna supported the idea of handling Italy over to the pre-Napoleonic independent kingdoms. Thus, the Papal States, the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont, Duchy of Tuscany, Duchy of Modena, the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia were restored.

At that time, secret revolutionary groups called the Carbonari (coal-burners) already started their activities for unification of Italy. As a result of the activities of these organizations, led by Giuseppe Mazzini and Giuseppe Garibaldi, the idea of unification gradually turned into a national issue. Italy, which managed to get the French support in the issue of unification, defeated Austria together with France and with the Treaty of Zurich, all the kingdoms, which were under the protectorate of Austria, were taken back.

The United Kingdom of Italy was established with a capital first in Turin in 1861, and then in Florence, and finally in Rome. It was named the Republic of Italy in 1946. Now, this country is one of the leading states of Europe.

The center of holiday ceremonies in Rome is the “Imperial Fora” square. This square connects the famous Venice prospect of Rome with the Coliseum. The main ceremony of the current holiday also once took place on this square. An official grand parade was held here. The Italian government invited the representatives of various nationalities which played a role in unification of the country 150 years ago, and also, the servicemen of the coalition states to the military parade.

More than five thousand servicemen participated in the parade.

Soldiers of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, also, marched ceremoniously in the parade with the national flag.

The ceremony ended with aviation show.