An Italian invitation for Albo
THE mayor of the Italian town where Anthony Albanese’s father was born and raised has extended an invitation for him to visit.
Cosimo Cannito said the Australian Prime Minister had brought Barletta, in Italy’s south, “to the fore on the world stage” by talking about his heritage during the May election campaign.
“Above all, this is the success story of a man who, starting from the other side of the world, was able to rediscover his origins and now proudly claims them,” Mr Cannito said. “The whole community of my city is proud to have him at the helm of a great country such as Australia.”
One businessman from the tourist spot – known for its large bronze statue of a Roman emperor – is so enamoured by y Mr Albanese as a “workingclass politician”, he thinks the
PM should have his own monument there.
“Mr Albanese is a Barlettano. A Barlettano has won the Australian election and this is a great opportunity for our town to be known in Australia,” Michele Rasola said, standing in front of the famed Colossus of Barletta statue.
“We would like him to spend time with us to properly understand that this is a town full of people like him, like his father, who worked hard to make ends meet and to better themselves.”
Silvia Massara, 59, who lives between Barletta and Rome, said Mr Albanese gave Barletta and its 94,000 residents a new claim to fame.
“Barletta doesn’t only have good food, good people and a rich history which includes a battle of knights in the 1500s, but now we can claim a part of Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese,” she said.
Mr Albanese was approached for comment but did not reply by time of publication.