The Consul General of Italy in São Paulo, Philip LaRosa, ended his mandate in the capital of São Paulo and published a farewell letter on his Twitter profile.
O diplomat held the position for around three and a half years, but served in Brazil for eight years and four months.
“After so many have said it, now I say it. My term in São Paulo ends. I had thought of writing: 'it's over, I'm leaving, I'll miss that hug'. But the many expressions of esteem require me to express some thoughts. So here I say goodbye to all of you”, says La Rosa in a message that mixes Italian and Portuguese.
“The role of consul general brings you closer to people, who look to you for an answer to their needs and dreams. I tried to give this answer whenever possible. I had to say a lot of 'no'. What I did was be available to listen. Always,” he adds.
According to La Rosa, he leaves a “new consulate with improved services“, but regrets “having lived this adventure during the pandemic”. “And above all I leave you, the many, very many, who were close in this adventure that was not always easy, never banal. I leave new friends. With some, the paths will never separate. I already know that,” he says.
The diplomat also cites his last public commitment as consul, his participation in the São Silvestre race, as well as the second championship of Palmeiras, a team historically linked to the Italian community, in the Libertadores.
“I'm leaving with the drizzle falling outside, after having run the first São Silvestre of my life. Others will come. I had the blessing of lifting two Libertadores cups. Others will come. I went to have the last beer where Ipiranga crosses Avenida São João. Next door is Terraço Itália, owned by my friend Sergio Comolatti. And then… I leave knowing that the new Italians can enjoy you in a good way. I loved it!”, concludes La Rosa. (Handle)
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