Embrace of Italy
Weekend in Rome, both without anyone? It’s almost that. On Saturday May 13, taking advantage of a visit to the Pope at the Vatican, the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, stopped at the Chigi Palace to meet Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister from the far-right Brothers of Italy party. . He took the opportunity to ask the transalpine government to further intensify arms deliveries to Ukraine, she took the opportunity to reaffirm all the support of her country and give him, above all, a nice hug.
feet of war
To tread the red carpet of the Chigi Palace, Volodymyr Zelensky had not changed anything in his clothing strategy consisting in carrying on his shoulders the conflict experienced by his country. The Ukrainian president was thus dressed in a black sweatshirt, olive green tactical pants and a pair of black sneakers adapted to the urgency of the moment. These are equipped with a lace locks system allowing them to be put on and taken off without ever undoing their laces, in all simplicity and speed.
Well in his boot
Facing him, Giorgia Meloni wears an immense classic of contemporary elegance: a pair of Church’s Shannon shoes. Launched in 1970 and named in reference to the Irish city of the same name, these derbies have become over time a reference model, acclaimed by both men and women. For Giorgia Meloni, it is also, incidentally, a way of expressing an economic patriotism that is close to her heart. Since 1999, Church’s has been owned by the Italian group Prada.
Tufts all flame
In the background, the soldiers of the Granatieri di Sardegna brigade stand at attention and in ceremonial dress. On their head, the traditional and spectacular bearskin, or hairy cap. Originally the headdress of the grenadiers, this one appeared in Napoleon’s imperial guard, before being emulated all over the world. Even today, fourteen armies remain faithful to the bearskin. But, with the Swedes, the Italians are the only ones to use models made of synthetic hair.
fake antiques
This photo taken at Palazzo Chigi gives us the opportunity to remember one of the greatest feats of arms of the spirited Silvio Berlusconi. In 2010, then at the head of the country, the latter obtained the loan of two ancient statues of Mars and Venus to decorate the place. But, upset to see that these were not in perfect condition, he ordered the installation of various prostheses. Mars thus regained a hand and a penis, Venus her two hands, to the great displeasure of all the historians of the country. Alas, a few months later, Berlusconi left his post and the two statues were cleared of their excrescences.
