Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta

Official Account of Tilman J. Fertitta, United States Ambassador to Italy and San Marino.

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[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

Another impactful Coastal Diplomacy stop, this time celebrating Freedom 250 in Siracusa. 🇺🇸🇮🇹

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a wonderful evening. It was a pleasure to meet the mayors, security partners, business leaders, and members of the local community whose friendship and commitment strengthen the relationship between the United States and Italy every day.

This part of Sicily is home to many of our U.S. servicemembers, and it was a privilege to spend time with the people whose presence and work strengthen our security partnership.

Thank you, Siracusa, for such a warm welcome.

#CoastalDiplomacy #Freedom250

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

Connecting people is the core of diplomacy! 🇺🇸🇮🇹

I was honored to join President Mattarella at the @Quirinale to celebrate our Fulbright exchange program, Freedom 250, and the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic.

The @FulbrightIT community in Italy builds trusted academic and professional networks that strengthen our alliance and help our two countries face future global challenges together.

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

Grazie, Cefalù! 🇮🇹🇺🇸

Returning to the place where our family’s story, like so many other American families, began was truly unforgettable.

It reminded me of the deep connection we will always have with Sicily and the millions of Italian-Americans who continue to be bridges between our nations.

Thank you for the extraordinary hospitality. We look forward to coming back for many years to come.

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

🇺🇸🇮🇹 What a joy to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in Palermo - a city that so beautifully reflects the strong ties between the United States and Italy.

I am grateful to President of the Sicilian Region Renato Schifani, Prefect of Palermo Massimo Mariani, our military and law enforcement partners, Maria Falcone, and all the distinguished guests who joined us for this memorable evening.

As we celebrate 250 years of American freedom, we also look to the future. I appreciated the opportunity to discuss with President Schifani how we can strengthen economic ties between Sicily and the United States, encourage greater mutual investment, and expand the cultural and commercial exchanges that continue to bring our communities closer together.

Thank you, Palermo, for your warm hospitality! 🇺🇸

#CoastalDiplomacy #Freedom250

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

🇺🇸🇮🇹 At this special moment in our nation’s history, I am honored to return to Cefalù, the place of my family’s roots.

Being here, and visiting the magnificent Cefalù Cathedral, is a reminder of the deep and enduring bond between Sicily and the United States—and of the generations of Sicilian Americans who continue to carry that connection forward.

I am especially grateful to the Bishop of Cefalù, H.E. Monsignor Giuseppe Marciante, for tracing my family’s history back to 1566, and to Mayor Daniele Tumminello and the people of Cefalù for their warm hospitality and their enthusiasm for the enduring ties between our two countries.

I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect on those connections, and on the friendships that continue to strengthen them today.

#CoastalDiplomacy #Freedom250

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

🇺🇸🇮🇹 Thank you President Mattarella for your heartfelt well wishes on this special celebration of 250 years of American Independence which you rightly say “has become common heritage for all of those who identify with the principles of liberty.”

https://t.co/0pOYaE2uqM

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

🇺🇸🇮🇹 Hosting this year's Independence Day celebration at Villa Taverna was one of the great honors of my time as U.S. Ambassador to Italy.

As we celebrated the 250th anniversary of American independence and reflected on Italy's 80 years of freedom, I was reminded not only of all our two nations have accomplished together, but of the extraordinary opportunities that lie ahead.

This evening was especially meaningful to me. My family's roots are in Italy, so serving here and welcoming so many friends to celebrate this remarkable milestone was a privilege I will always treasure.

Throughout the evening, I had the opportunity to meet old friends, make new ones, and share in conversations that reminded me why the relationship between the United States and Italy is so special. Diplomacy begins with people, and the friendships we build today help shape the future we share tomorrow.

My sincere thanks to our sponsors whose generosity and partnership helped make this celebration possible. Your support contributed to an evening that reflected the very best of the enduring friendship between the United States and Italy.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Villa Taverna to celebrate America's birthday and the enduring bond between our nations. It was an evening I will never forget.

🇺🇸🇮🇹 #Freedom250 #independenceday

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

Wishing everyone a Happy 250th Anniversary of American Independence!

This year, Americans around the world celebrate 250 years of a nation founded on the enduring ideals of liberty, equality, and the belief that every person is created equal.

As we mark this extraordinary milestone here in Italy, I am filled with gratitude – for the generations who have built and defended our democracy, for the enduring friendship between the United States and Italy, and for the opportunity to celebrate this historic anniversary together.

May the spirit of July 4 continue to inspire hope, courage, and a renewed commitment to the freedoms that unite us.

Happy 250th Birthday, America.

#Freedom250 #IndependenceDay

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

🇺🇸🇮🇹 Thank you for celebrating with us.

Our Independence Day reception honoring 250 years of American independence brought together friends for an evening of conversation, music, wonderful food, gratitude, and shared purpose.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this unforgettable evening possible.

#Freedom250

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

🇺🇸🇮🇹 What an unforgettable evening celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence with friends from across Italy.

Villa Taverna was filled with conversation, laughter, music, and the shared spirit of a partnership that has grown stronger with each passing generation.

From the stirring performance of the U.S. Navy Band to the artistry of Houston's Angelo Greco Dance Company, every moment reflected the energy, creativity, and friendship that define the relationship between our two nations.

The evening concluded beneath a spectacular fireworks display—a joyful finale to a celebration of the enduring friendship between the United States and Italy.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this historic milestone.

It was a privilege to share such a memorable evening with so many friends.
🇺🇸🇮🇹 #Freedom250 #independenceday

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

It was a profound honor to welcome so many distinguished guests, partners, and friends to our Independence Day reception as we celebrated the 250th anniversary of American independence.

My sincere thanks to President of the Senate Ignazio La Russa, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini, and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto for your warm and thoughtful remarks. Your presence reflected the enduring strength of the friendship between the United States and Italy.

I am also very grateful to the 1st Regiment’s Bersaglieri Band of the Garibaldi Brigade, the U.S. Marine Security Guard Detachment Rome Color Guard, the Italian Armed Forces for their remarkable helicopter flyover, and our choir, who beautifully sang our two countries’ national anthems.

Your contributions brought dignity, pride, and inspiration to this special celebration.

Thank you to everyone whose service, dedication, and participation helped make this evening such a meaningful occasion.

Some friendships only deepen with time.

🇺🇸🇮🇹
#Freedom250 #IndependenceDay

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

What better place to celebrate America's 250th than Italy, as Italy marks 80 years as a Republic.
🇺🇸🇮🇹

Full Remarks⬇️
https://t.co/qq2tZ9OSRy
#IndependenceDay #Freedom250

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

Join us LIVE on July 2 at 8:00 p.m. as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence.

We invite you to share in this historic occasion as we honor 250 years of freedom and the enduring friendship between the United States and Italy.

Watch live here: https://t.co/88ObMY2GC9

🇺🇸🇮🇹 #Freedom250

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

It was a pleasure to meet with the President of Calabria @robertoocchiuto to discuss the strong relationship between Calabria and the United States and explore new opportunities for cooperation.
I appreciate President Occhiuto’s commitment to strengthening the economic, cultural and people-to-people ties that connect our communities.
I look forward to continue working together to further deepen the partnership between Calabria and the United States. 🇺🇸🇮🇹

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

Honored to welcome Mayor Enzo Romeo, Prefect Anna Aurora Colosimo, Carabinieri Calabria Legion Commander Brigadier General Riccardo Sciuto, and guests from across the region aboard Boardwalk here in beautiful Vibo Marina — where Calabria's maritime heritage, industrial potential, and dynamic economic future come together. Strong alliances are built port by port, community by community.
🇺🇸🇮🇹
#CoastalDiplomacy

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

Great visiting @bakerhughesco plant in Vibo Valentia and meeting the talented team behind its long tradition of engineering excellence. Proud to see American excellence drive technological innovation, create jobs, and strengthen shared prosperity in southern Italy. 🇺🇸🇮🇹

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

What a joy to visit Gay Odin, one of Naples’ most iconic confectioners, crafting exceptional chocolate since 1894.
Now a proud member of @AmChamItaly sweetening commercial ties with the United States. 🇺🇸🇮🇹

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

Great to visit the mural at the Port of Naples honoring the real faces and stories of Italians who set sail for new lives in the United States.

It reminded me of my own family's journey, which began when my ancestors left Sicily in the late 1800s.

What an incredible privilege to return to Italy today as U.S. Ambassador, celebrating the enduring ties between our countries.

Thank you to the Port Authority of Naples for supporting this beautiful artwork and to @niaforg for helping make it possible.

The bond between our peoples is truly unbreakable. 🇺🇸🇮🇹

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

It's great to be back in Naples as part of #CoastalDiplomacy!

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, this is the perfect place to begin exploring Southern Italy and highlighting the ties that connect our countries.

Naples is also deeply connected to the story of America. For generations, it served as a gateway to the United States for many Italian families.
Today, millions of Italian Americans can trace their family roots to Naples and Southern Italy, which makes it especially meaningful to be here and connect with the people of this extraordinary city.

Thank you to the local and regional authorities for their partnership, and the people of Naples for the warmth and hospitality they continue to show the American community.

#Freedom250

[Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta @USAmbItaly]

🌊⚓ What an incredible evening on the Bay of Naples.

Last night, I had the privilege of hosting a reception aboard the Boardwalk here in the breathtaking city of Naples — the gateway to southern Italy — with the magnificent Mount Vesuvius as our backdrop.

I am deeply grateful to the extraordinary guests who joined us, including @SHAPE_NATO & @US_EUCOM Commander General Grynkewich, President of Campania Roberto Fico, Prefect of Naples Michele Di Bari, Mayor of Naples Gaetano Manfredi and President of Napoli soccer team Aurelio De Laurentiis. Your presence made the evening truly special.

Italy holds a very special place in my heart, and evenings like this one are a gift. 🤝🇺🇸🇮🇹

Napoli, grazie di cuore.