Conference interpreting for the Italian President
On February 5, 2025, the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, was awarded an honorary doctorate (Docteur Honoris Causa) by Aix-Marseille University in France. For this special event, the university called on Atenao to handle the conference interpreting, putting their trust in the quality and professionalism we’re known for in the field of conference interpreting. This was also a milestone for us : it was the very first time Atenao provided interpreting services for the President of the Italian Republic. It preceded the interpretation done during the Trump-Zelensky meeting in February, organized by the news channel LCI.
A day celebrating French-Italian friendship
The President of the Italian Republic began his day with a visit to the “Italian Marseille” exhibition at the Hôtel de Ville, accompanied by Mayor Benoît Payan. The visit highlighted the deep historical connections between Marseille and Italy. After the cultural tour, the President headed to the official ceremony held at the Palais du Pharo auditorium.
The academic ceremony was held in the presence of Eric Berton, President of Aix-Marseille University, Benoît Delaunay, Rector of the Academy, and Jean-Baptiste Perrier, President of the Faculty of Law and Political Science. Professor Joël-Benoît d’Onorio gave a heartfelt speech, praising the impressive path and achievements of the Italian President. The event concluded with a formal address by President Sergio Mattarella, who spoke about the strong cultural and academic bonds between France and Italy.
Top-Quality Conference Interpretation for a Prestigious Event
The Palais du Pharo was the setting for the honorary doctorate ceremony awarded to President Sergio Mattarella. This iconic 19th-century building, originally built by Napoleon III for Empress Eugénie, overlooks Marseille’s Old Port with timeless elegance. Today, it serves as an international conference center, regularly hosting high-profile global events that often require interpreting services. With its state-of-the-art facilities and stunning views of Marseille’s natural harbor, the palace provides the perfect backdrop for conferences, congresses, and prestigious multilingual ceremonies.
Hosting an international event like this really depends on how well the conference interpreters do their job. These language pros are experts at translating speeches in real-time, so everyone can follow along in their own language. But it’s not just about translating the words, as they also have to capture the speaker’s tone, emotions, and energy. That means they need to be fully tuned in to what’s going on, so they can deliver the message just as it was meant to be heard.
To ensure top-quality interpretation during the ceremony, two interpreter booths were set up, and about 500 headsets were provided for the audience. President Sergio Mattarella’s keynote speech (lectio magistralis) was interpreted from Italian into French by his personal interpreter, while other speeches, delivered in French, were interpreted into Italian by professional interpreters from the agency Atenao. This setup not only ensured smooth and accurate communication but also showcased the technical excellence required for such a high-level event.
The key role of a conference interpreter
Conference interpreting is a unique skill that takes serious brainpower, language know-how, and cultural awareness. Unlike written translation, there’s no pause button, which means that interpreters have to translate on the fly, with no chance to go back and fix things. They need to listen, make sense of what’s being said, and instantly deliver it in another language, all while keeping the speaker’s tone, style, and energy.
These language pros have to think fast, stay cool under pressure, and be comfortable with all kinds of specialized terms. But their job goes way beyond just translating words since they’re key players in helping people from different backgrounds truly connect. By acting as a bridge between cultures, interpreters make sure everyone understands each other, making conversations flow smoothly during international events like this one.
Photo credits: Event photos: Atenao / Palais du Pharo: Djedj