Italy and Netherlands mark 20th anniversary of grandparents’ day law

Rome: In a significant diplomatic gathering at The Hague, the Italian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Augusto Massari, met with Charles Lansdorp, the President of the Grandparents’ Day Foundation, to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the law that officially established Grandparents’ Day in Italy. More than just a simple diplomatic courtesy, this meeting acted as a link between two nations united in their recognition of the important role of grandparents in families and society.

The ceremonial exchange during this meeting had symbolic nuances too, as Ambassador Massari received a bouquet of Rose Clarence+, a variety dedicated to former Dutch Milan footballer Clarence Seedorf, who sponsors Lansdorp’s initiatives. These orange roses were prudently chosen to represent affection, gratitude, and recognition, embodying the very sentiments that Grandparents’ Day celebrates.

The path to the official recognition of Grandparents’ Day began in 1997 through the initiative of Arturo Croci and Franco Locatelli, President of the ‘Festa dei Nonni’ Foundation, working alongside other prominent Italian and Dutch figures in the floriculture sector, including Valter Pironi, Cosimo Pagano, Mara Verbena, Wim van Meeuwen, and Charles Lansdorp. Their international collaboration from the outset showed the universal appeal and importance of honoring grandparents across different cultures.

The choice of October 2nd as the designated date held particular significance, too, as this day coincides with the Catholic feast of the Guardian Angels, which also echoes the protective and nurturing role that grandparents traditionally fulfill within families.

Through the efforts of the Grandparents’ Day Committee and their collaboration with institutional authorities, the initiative gained momentum throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, in a grassroots effort that gradually caught the attention of lawmakers and cultural leaders who recognized the need to formally acknowledge the contributions of grandparents.

Official recognition by the Italian Parliament came on July 31, 2005, with the approval of Law No. 159, marking a defining moment in the formal acknowledgment of intergenerational relationships within Italian society. This legislation established a legal structure that encouraged institutions, communities, and families to actively celebrate and honor the elderly members of their societies.

The law’s passage also pointed to the social changes occurring throughout Europe, where aging populations and evolving family structures made the recognition of grandparents’ roles increasingly relevant. This served as a model for other nations considering similar initiatives, validating how governmental recognition could support and strengthen intergenerational bonds.

Twenty years later, the celebration is more than just a single day of recognition. It is a cultural tradition that actively promotes understanding and connection between generations, with the observance now inspiring similar movements across different European nations.

Drawing inspiration from the Italian Parliament’s initiative, the Foundation, led by Charles Lansdorp, now seeks to promote the establishment of Grandparents’ Day within the Dutch Parliament, working toward official recognition of the ‘Grootouderdag’ in the Netherlands. This is just as the international scope of Grandparents’ Day recognition has grown significantly, with similar celebrations established in the U.S, Canada, France, the U.K., Spain, and Portugal.

But the Netherlands is a particularly important addition to this international network, given the historical connection between Dutch and Italian floriculture professionals who originally conceived the celebration. The potential establishment of an official Dutch Grandparents’ Day would complete a circle that began with international cooperation nearly three decades ago.

The continued success of Grandparents’ Day shows the wider societal recognition of the key role that elderly family members play in preserving traditions, transmitting cultural knowledge, and providing emotional stability. The celebration addresses contemporary challenges facing many families, including geographic separation, busy lifestyles, and the risk of intergenerational disconnection.

In its designation of a specific day for grandparents’ recognition and celebration, the initiative encourages families to prioritize relationships with their elderly members and creates opportunities for important interactions between generations. Plus, the use of flowers in Grandparents’ Day celebrations symbolically connects to cultural traditions surrounding respect for elders and the cycle of life. The gift of Rose Clarence+ during the diplomatic meeting exemplified this notion, honoring both the beauty of flowers, as well as the beauty of family ties that last through time.