In the picture: Italy's President, Giorgio Napolitano (left), with the President of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, Renzo Gattegna (right).

(Italian version in attached PDF file)
Despite the rain - in some cases real storms – that has befallen Italy’s north and central regions on Sunday, September 29th , the European Day of Jewish Culture has, however, enjoyed a good turnout of visitors, tens of thousands of people who have travelled to 71 Italian places that offered guided tours, performances, exhibitions , "rehearsals " and routes to explore the Jewish culture.
The “highlight” among the events of the day was certainly the inauguration of the celebration in the presence of President Giorgio Napolitano, which took place in Naples, chosen to be the "ringleader" of the 2013 edition.
The Head of State attended the opening ceremony at Villa Pignatelli, this elegant Naples building, listening to the greetings and speeches by the President of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, Renzo Gattegna , by Vice-President Roberto Jarach, and representatives of the Jewish community of Naples. The event has been commented on many television and radio programs, as well as in national newspapers , with a significant space dedicated to images of this event, which has taken an important relevance and resonance in Italy.
There are many major events in this edition to mention: from the inauguration of the restoration of an ancient Jewish quarter in Alghero, Sardinia, to the festival of the kosher kitchen in Rome, passing through many places that , from north to south , have offered concerts, shows , excursions , exhibitions and paths of knowledge , with hundreds of events properly advertised due to good media coverage.
Standing out among these is the festival "Jewish and the city" in Milan , which has involved the citizens during four days in a "full immersion" in Jewish culture , with the participation of many thousands of visitors and the presence of prominent intellectuals , artists and journalists .
On the whole, this has been a beautiful and important edition, which has satisfied the public and delighted organizers and locations, already awaiting the EDJC 2014.

By Marco Di Porto, Dipartimento Informazione e Relazioni Esterne, Unione delle Comunità Ebraiche Italiane
Photo from http://www.quirinale.it/qrnw/statico/guida/guida.htm