AMBASSADOR
Investiture Ceremony : H . S . H . Prince Albert II of Monaco and H . E . Giulio Alaimo , Ambassador of Italy to the Principality .
: Once the health emergency is over , what will you do first ?
GA : It is hard to find just one goal . I think I will start making up for lost time . In this period , we have been limited in our activity but also in basic social relations . I would therefore like to resume the habit of meeting the community via a series of events supported by the Italian Embassy and myself . My first public appearance was at the Monte-Carlo Comedy Film Festival by Ezio Greggio , in October 2020 , and my second one was in the June-2021 edition of the same event . Even the traditional Italian Republic Celebration Gala ( 2nd June 2021 ) was cancelled and celebrated on remote platforms only . Coming back to a regular set of rendezvous with Italians in Monaco is on my agenda besides keeping up the excellent relations with local authorities . Thus , we are already planning to pay tribute to the great Italian poet , Dante Alighieri , on the 700th anniversary of his death as part of Italian Language Week in the World .
: What values do you consider most important in playing the role of a diplomat ?
GA : My mission implies a lot of personal sacrifices . A diplomatic career is commonly seen as something absolutely outstanding and brilliant . The implications on a personal and family level are less perceived .
Our children are able to stay with the family as far as a certain age and then they must follow their path , not because they choose this but because they are obliged to , considering that the quality of schooling is not high in all places . In my case our kids live in Milan , not at a very far distance , but that still loosens the family relationship . The spouse , man or woman , is unlikely to be able to carry on their own professional activity because we are compelled to change country every four years . Unless you are a free thinker , a writer or a painter , continuity in your professional activity is difficult .
My effort during these thirty years of my diplomatic career has been that of reconciling professional life with the personal dimension . So far it has been possible but it is not a painless operation because you still live far from your beloved ones and from your roots and this has a psychological cost which can be heavy to handle at certain times .
: In your opinion , what does it mean to be a successful person ?
GA : Not an easy question to answer . Success perhaps lies in having found the right balance between your professional and your private life as well as being able to always manage quietly what we have to face at any given moment , without second thoughts .
I believe that success is measured not so much by our professional affirmation in the strict sense but rather with serenity in facing your own life .
: You are father of three children ; what legacy would you like to leave them or would you like them to acquire ?
GA : My wife and I have always tried to give examples more than just with words , but rather with our behaviour .
56 / Hello Monaco Summer — Autumn 2021 www . hellomonaco . com