The event was attended by the Consul General of Italy in Sydney, Gianluca Rubagotti, alongside prominent members of the community and Italian artists active in the city, such as Simone Piccioni and Matteo Bernasconi.
Local media representatives were also present, confirming the strong interest surrounding this handover.
In Ireland, Gioacchini led the Italian Cultural Institute in Dublin for four years, during which more than 500 cultural events were organised, including concerts, conferences, exhibitions, film screenings and collaborations with universities and festivals.
Over the same period, enrolments in Italian language courses more than doubled, making the Institute a point of reference for anyone wishing to explore Italian language and culture.
Among the initiatives supported during his time in Dublin was the Progetto Scuola of Com.It.Es. Ireland, created for bilingual children. The role of the Institute and its director was considered essential to the project’s success, reflecting an ability to turn cultural promotion into tangible services for the community.
A passionate historian and an enthusiast of culture in all its forms, Gioacchini explained that he intends to bring a fresh perspective to Sydney. “I want to tell the story of contemporary Italy,” he announced.
With a background in international relations and communication, the new director emphasised that his guiding principle is passion for his work: “The most important thing is to love what you do.”
The Australian context, however, differs from Ireland. In Dublin, the Italian community is made up largely of migrants from the 1950s and more recent flows, whereas in Sydney the presence larger and multifaceted.
In fact, during the 1950s and 1960s, a significant number of Italians emigrated to Ireland from Ciociaria, particularly from the Comino Valley and Casalattico in the province of Frosinone. Many settled in Dublin, where they opened restaurants and fish & chip shops, leaving a recognisable mark on the city’s life.
Even today, Casalattico celebrates the Festa dell’Amicizia Italo-Irlandese every summer, a testament to the enduring bond between the two communities.
Looking ahead, Gioacchini expressed his eagerness to get to know Sydney’s Italian community more closely; a community he describes as numerous, deeply rooted and strongly engaged with the city.
He considers the Italian presence in Sydney a valuable resource for developing shared initiatives and fostering a dialogue between contemporary Italy and Australia.
