The Italian Ambassador to the United States, Marco Peronaci, concluded today a joint visit to Texas with his American counterpart in Rome, Tilman Fertitta.
“I chose to return to Texas with Ambassador Fertitta to begin the year working on strengthening a relationship that is strategic to Italy,” Ambassador Peronaci commented. “The growing Italian presence in this State is part of the broader dynamic of strong cooperation between Italy and the United States at all levels.”
Accompanied by the Consul General of Italy in Houston, Mauro Lorenzini, Ambassador Peronaci had a busy two-day program, during which he met with the Italian community in Texas, with representatives of Italian business leaders, and with representatives of the cultural and academic world. The Ambassador visited the Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston and the Axiom Space facility, accompanied by the company’s top executives and by Italian astronaut Walter Villadei. During the visit, Peronaci emphasized that space cooperation is a strategic priority of Italy-US relations.
The two Ambassadors visited the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston to tour the exhibition “Art and Life in Imperial Rome: Trajan and His Times”, dedicated to Emperor Trajan, the first American stop for this ambitious international project. This exhibition features 160 works and ancient objects from the Italian archaeological museums of Rome, Naples, and the Vatican City, intended to explore the impact of Trajan’s era on art and culture. This is another important cultural initiative on Ancient Rome, which follows the one dedicated to marbles from the Torlonia collection of the Kimble Art Museum in Fort Worth, TX, demonstrating the strong interest in Roman classical art by American leading museums.
The strong relations between Italy and Texas are also demonstrated by the launch of the first direct flight between Houston and Rome – which will be operated by ITA starting next May, and by the recognition of Houston as Capital of Italian Creativity in the World for the year 2026. Furthermore, with over 200 Italian companies, Italy aims to strengthen economic and commercial relations with Texas, especially in the energy, space, medicine, and biotechnology sectors.
In meetings with representatives of the Italian community, Peronaci emphasized that “the significant presence of Italian scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs here in Texas helps us enhance and promote Made in Italy: the evidence of cutting-edge science, innovation, and quality production contributes to projecting an image of Italy as a country with great innovative and entrepreneurial capabilities.”
