Forlì, 16 May 2024 – Theinauguration of the monument dedicated to the ‘mud angels’revealed on the exact day ofanniversary of the flood.
“Today it almost seems like we’re going back to that terrible daythe worst day in the history of the city, which left indelible marks and overwhelmed people and families, in addition to that serenity that characterized us – the words of the mayor Gian Luca Zattini – . But we must also remember the beauty of those moments, especially the infinite solidarity and the desire to react of the people of Forlì who were able to overcome the tragedy and put themselves at the service of the recovery”. There was also a reference to the many discussions which, in the last few hours, have concerned the monument created by the Forlì artist Ido Eranifrom Cesena Luciano Navacchia and from the Arlam company: “We must maintain the community spirit and avoid divisions which are the worst thing. I accept the criticism that comes from people who have suffered harm, but it pains me controversies with an institutional character: the path that led to this work was shared with the territories and is the result of a common reasoning”.
Excuses
Zattinithen, just like he did last year, he used words of apology: “Sorry for what I didn’t do to my best, but I really put all my ability into it. I lived a year that bent and bruised me, but I didn’t give up and I kept the bar straight. In difficult moments you can see the mettle: we are and are a great city.”
The flash mob
As soon as the event ended, which ended with the performance of Moreno Lombardi and Danilo Rossi who performed their version of Romagna mia, a flash mob composed of some young volunteers who unrolled a sheet with the writing on it People first. One of them was Rita, one of the two volunteers portrayed in the now famous photo by Silvia Camporesi became a symbol of the flood and taken as a model to create the sculpture. “This is not meant to be one protest, but only a way to have our say – the boys underlined –. We think that this was not the right time to think about a sculpture, but that it is still the time for solidarity towards those in need. We volunteers have certainly done a nice gesture and we are happy that it is recognized, but other ways could have been found and waited for different times.”
