Commemorative events dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the feat of the Baltic fleet sailors of the Russian Empire were held in Italy. The Russian military came to help the victims of the earthquake in the Strait of Messina. The celebrations organized by the Foundation of St. Andrew Pervozvaniy were held in Messina, Taormina and Reggio Calabria from 23 to 26 September.
The Foundation of St. Andrew Pervozvaniy traditionally conducts extensive work not only in Russia but also abroad. A number of projects of the Foundation are connected with the Italian city of Messina, which can be called one of the points of Russian cultural and historical presence in Europe.
In 1908, a powerful earthquake occurred on the island. In a few minutes, the disaster almost completely destroyed the cities of Messina and Reggio Calabria, killing thousands of people. Russian sailors, including members of the Russian Geographical Society, were the first to come to help the residents of those places. In memory of this feat, the municipality of Messina decided to install a monument.
President of the Russian Geographical Society Sergei Shoigu sent a welcoming speech to the participants of the event. He stressed that the Russian Geographical Society continues the glorious tradition of friendship and humanitarian cooperation between the peoples of Russia and Italy.