Best wishes to my colleague Gaetano Cataldo. Press release follows:
From 3 to 5 July, Identità Mediterranea, the cultural association founded by Gaetano Cataldo, will have the honour of accompanying the Ambassador of Mexico to Italy during his visit to the Cilento region.
An academic, political scientist, journalist, human rights activist and well-known Mexican television commentator, Genaro Fausto Lozano Valencia officially took office in Rome in September 2025, succeeding Ambassador Carlos Eugenio García de Alba Zepeda following his direct appointment by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
In addition to Italy, Ambassador Lozano also serves as non-resident Ambassador to Albania, Malta and the Republic of San Marino, working from the Embassy in Rome, where he oversees bilateral relations with all four European countries under his responsibility.
Last December, Ambassador Lozano Valencia also founded the Mexican Cultural Institute in Italy, naming it after Tina Modotti, the Italian-born photographer renowned for her social commitment in Mexico.
The visit of one of Mexico’s most prominent public figures and Ambassador to four European countries stems from the three-year relationship between the Mexican Embassy in Rome and Identità Mediterranea, which has once again been invited to represent Italian wine during the celebrations marking the 216th Anniversary of Mexico’s Independence on 15 September.
The cultural association, based in Castel San Giorgio, has distinguished itself through a range of high-profile initiatives, including the creation of the first commemorative wine bottle dedicated to an Italian Capital of Culture, art exhibitions, commemorative philatelic cancellations, and, most recently, the organisation of Italy’s National Conference on Ungrafted Vine Viticulture. Over the years, it has also actively contributed to numerous events hosted by the Embassy of Mexico in Italy.
Its activities at the Embassy have included participation in the 214th and 215th Anniversary celebrations of Mexico’s Independence, the creation of the official wine list for a state dinner at the Ambassador’s residence during bilateral meetings relating to Italy’s participation in the Guadalajara International Book Fair, as well as toasts celebrating world-renowned dancer Triana Botaya and the presentation of the latest biography of Julio Iglesias. The association also took part in celebrations marking the 113th Anniversary of the Mexican Army and the 111th Anniversary of the Mexican Air Force.
Through Identità Mediterranea, Gaetano Cataldo—journalist, wine and food expert, and Merano Wine Festival Sommelier of the Year—has successfully built a cultural bridge between Italy and Mexico, using wine as a privileged vehicle for dialogue and cooperation, together with the partner wineries that have supported the association’s numerous initiatives.
Cataldo also recalls that this year marks 152 years of diplomatic relations between Italy and Mexico. Official relations were established on 15 December 1874, with the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between Mexico and the newly established Kingdom of Italy.
Reflecting on this long-standing relationship, Cataldo stated:
“The longstanding friendship and mutual admiration between our two countries, founded on shared values and humanitarian principles, point towards the importance of pursuing a common path. In today’s changing geopolitical landscape, this cooperation should extend beyond culture to embrace tourism and mutually beneficial trade. Hosting Ambassador Lozano is not simply an honour for me and our small association; it is a unique opportunity to showcase our territory, its extraordinary natural and cultural heritage, and to introduce His Excellency to the visionary entrepreneurs and key stakeholders who have invested in the Cilento, a land that represents the heart of Magna Graecia’s legacy and an exceptional reservoir of biodiversity.”
The Ambassador’s programme will centre on a visit to the Paestum Archaeological Park, where he will be welcomed by Director Tiziana D’Angelo, highlighting the cultural nature of the visit, fully in line with the shared intentions of Identità Mediterranea and the Embassy.
During his stay in the province of Salerno, Ambassador Lozano Valencia will also visit the towns of Capaccio-Paestum, Prignano Cilento, Giungano, Castelcivita, Agropoli, Agnone Cilento (Municipality of Montecorice) and Casal Velino.
The Ambassador will be hosted at the Hotel Schuhmann Paestum Coast, thanks to the hospitality of the Pagano and Barlotti families, leading figures in the Cilento hospitality industry. To offer a comprehensive experience of the region, Gaetano Cataldo has selected Viticoltori De Conciliis and San Salvatore 1988, two wineries whose complementary production philosophies represent some of the finest expressions of the Cilento terroir.
Together with the partners and friends of Identità Mediterranea, Cataldo has also designed a culinary itinerary showcasing the authentic flavours of Cilento, including La Panoramica by Pietro Manganelli, renowned for its traditional Cilentan-style pizza, Tre Olivi at the Hotel Savoy Beach (hosted by Giuseppe Pagano), Ristorante Feo by chef Alessandro Feo, and, last but certainly not least, Paisà by Pasquale Tarallo. The programme will also include an essential visit to Caseificio Barlotti, one of the area’s iconic producers.
From Baia di Trentova to Punta Licosa, the Ambassador will enjoy a “Cilento Coast to Coast” experience by sea with skipper Giorgio Vergona, a passionate ambassador of the Cilento’s maritime heritage and owner of Ocone Vini.
To maximise the effectiveness of the visit and foster a shared vision for promoting the Cilento through collaboration and year-round tourism, Gaetano Cataldo will also meet with His Excellency together with Christian Cutino, Campania Coordinator of Ecodigital, Emanuel Ruocco, President of Cilento in Rete, and Giovanni Molinari, founder of Campania da Vivere, one of the region’s leading tourism marketing initiatives.
