20 July 2026

Zarrelli il lunedì, 27 Luglio, 2026

On 20 July 2026, I had the honour of taking the oath of office before the Consul General, Luca Fratini, officially assuming the role of Honorary Consul of Italy in Belfast*.

I am deeply honoured to take on this responsibility and grateful for the opportunity to serve the Italian community in Northern Ireland. It is a privilege to represent Italy, and I look forward to supporting our fellow citizens with dedication and commitment.

I am pleased to offer my full support to the Consul General in pursuing the future projects of the Consulate General, and I am committed to working closely with him to further strengthen the ties between Italy and Northern Ireland.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the former Honorary Consul in Belfast, Dr Federica Ferrieri, and to the former Consul General, Veronica Ferrucci, for the trust they placed in me, as well as for their constant support, guidance and encouragement throughout the years. Their professionalism, dedication and commitment to serving the Italian community have been a true source of inspiration.

My sincere thanks also go to all the staff of the Consulate General of Italy in Edinburgh. Throughout the years, I have always found them to be courteous, highly professional and exceptionally helpful. Their daily commitment plays a vital role in providing excellent consular services to Italian citizens.

Finally, I would like to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Consulate General of Italy in Edinburgh for the confidence they have placed in me.

I begin this new chapter with enthusiasm, a strong sense of responsibility and a genuine commitment to serving our community and strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Italy and Northern Ireland.

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An Evening with Rossini: The Barber of Seville Comes to Belfast

Zarrelli il mercoledì, 18 Febbraio, 2026

What a memorable evening last night at the Belfast Grand Opera House for The Barber of Seville, presented by Lyric Opera Ireland in partnership with the Grand Opera House, with the wonderful support of the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Edimburgo!

As Honorary Consular Correspondent, it was a true honour and a pleasure to attend such a remarkable cultural event, together with Federica Ferrieri. A heartfelt thank you to Stefano De Angelis, the newly appointed Director of the Italian Institute of Culture in Edinburgh, whose presence from the very outset of his tenure speaks volumes about his commitment to promoting Italian culture across the region.

And it was truly thrilling to meet Vivian J. Coates, Artistic Director of Lyric Opera Ireland, and his husband at the end of the performance, both wonderful people whose warmth and passion for music are simply infectious.

Evenings like this remind us of the extraordinary power of Italian culture to bring people together and inspire.

Stories beyond borders

Giorgio Zarrelli il venerdì, 27 Settembre, 2024

What an afternoon, speaking of the unspeakable—words lost in translation between different cultures, different worlds. Words that long to be inscribed on pages, carrying with them the history and traditions of the universe they belong to. And the passion that sweeps you away when writing, creating a bridge between devotion and everyday practice.

Thank you, Laura Imai Messina, for sharing your precious words with us. Thank you, Federica Ferrieri, for going above and beyond to organize this event. And thanks to everyone who participated and shared their thoughts.