President Sergio Mattarella on Thursday phoned Life Is Beautiful star Roberto Benigni and wished him a very happy 70th birthday, the presidential Quirinale Palace said.
Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano also said Happy Birthday to the actor, director and screenwriter, as well as Dante popularizer.
"Very many happy returns to Roberto Benigni," said the new culture minister, an ex-Rai state broadcaster news editor.
"A great Italian actor, 70 years of authentic talent marked by a never superficial comedy, as shown by his greatest success, Life Is Beautiful, with its three Oscars".
Sangiuliano went on:
"I'd like to remember him today, on his birthday, for his readings of the Divine Comedy, and in particular that of the ‘XXX Canto of the Paradiso’ at the Quirinale before President Mattarella on the occasion of the 700th anniversary of Dante's death: with his Tuscan verve, Roberto continues to give life to the oral tradition which immediately marked one of the most powerful poems of humanity."
