(ANSA) - Italy's first-ever Grandparents Day was marked on Sunday by the country's number one granddad, President Carlo Azegli Ciampi, who stressed the important role grandparents play in the family.
In a message issued from the presidential Quirinale Palace, Ciampi said that dedicating a national holiday to grandparents was "a right thing to do. Grandparents play a role of particular importance within the structure of the family.
"They are not only the custodians of memory and family values and points of references for their children and grandchildren. They also make a fundamental daily contribution to the unity of the family, helping it to overcome the problems created by modern society and to maintain an important solidarity between generations.
"Today, as in the past, the family represents the cornerstone of society. Supporting and giving recognising its value is a responsible thing to do. With Grandparents Day we can rediscover old values which are still present in our society and our culture".
