December 16, 2025

Churchill Society of Italy Meets in Rome

Italy Hosts Distinguished November Conference Honoring Churchill’s Legacy

The International Churchill Society Italy marked an exceptional November with a dynamic two-day conference in Rome that drew more than eighty attendees to the historic Sala Salvadori in Palazzo Montecitorio. The gathering brought together Italian and international voices, including the Hon. Simone Billi, Marina Churchill, and historian Anthony Tucker-Jones, for a program dedicated to the eightieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Marina Churchill offered personal and moving reflections on her great-grandfather, “It’s exciting to see how Italy celebrates my great-grandfather’s legacy with so much participation. His message of freedom, courage and hope remains today more current than ever. Europe must continue to preserve those values that Churchill helped to defend with such determination,” said Marina Churchill, who went on to tell various unpublished anecdotes and family stories about her great-grandfather.

The historian Anthony Tucker-Jones made a historical overview of the legacy of the English statesman, focusing particularly on the role of Churchill starting from Fulton’s famous speech known as “the Iron Curtain” in which he analyzed the polarization of international relations between the two blocs.

“It is our duty to make new generations aware of the huge cost that was paid for our freedom, and therefore how volatile it is,” said Salvatore Murtas, president and founder of the International Churchill Society Italy.

The conference also featured remarks from the Hon. Simone Billi, who praised the chapter for its cultural and historical impact, and a message from the British Ambassador to Italy, delivered by Miss Lizzie Lovat, affirming the deep bonds between the United Kingdom and Italy rooted in Churchill’s legacy. ICS Deputy Executive Director Angela Ostrom joined the event on behalf of ICS headquarters.

During the proceedings, ICS Italy awarded honorary memberships to several distinguished leaders, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio, Ambassador Lord Edward Llewellyn, Lord Edward Lister, and Marina Churchill. The evening concluded with the presentation of the 2025 Richard Langworth Award to journalist and author Nicoletta Maggi for her contributions to advancing Churchill scholarship in Italy.

The chapter closed the conference with a fundraising luncheon featuring artist Paul Rafferty. Guests enjoyed a visual journey through Churchill’s Italian paintings, including celebrated works from Lake Como and lesser-known canvases produced during his travels. Rafferty enriched the program with insights into Churchill’s artistic life, accompanied by unique memorabilia including the painter’s eyeglasses and a cast of his hand.

Learn more about out ICS Italy and their programs: Italian Chapter Website