Alfonso Stigliani, 18 years old, a fifth year student at the ITCG Loperfido-Olivetti in Matera, is a Standard Bearer of the Italian Republic.
The title was awarded to him by the Head of State Sergio Mattarella (on the proposal of the General Secretary and the evaluation commission of the Presidency of the Republic) who will personally award him the certificate of merit in the ceremony on May 13th in Rome. The news was released in the early afternoon today by the Quirinale.
The student’s exemplary story is told in his book entitled “Un giorno mi dirai”, published by Zaccara Editore, created under the guidance of his professor-tutor Emilio Salierno (who proposed the candidacy for Alfiere to the Quirinale), in the wake of “Training” project of the Upi, Union of the Provinces of Basilicata, which promotes interventions for youth policies. An initiative, that of the UPI, coordinated by the project manager Pasquale Salerno, which promotes concrete actions to combat youth hardship.
Alfonso Stigliani’s book, which aroused the interest of the Quirinale, presented in 2023 at the Turin Book Fair, is the passionate story of his personal experience following family events and Covid. Alfonso knew how to get involved, reacting to difficulties and demonstrating that problems must be faced, opening himself up to the challenges we are all called to face.
Thanks to the UPI Basilicata project and the book, the 18-year-old from Matera today makes his positive story known to his peers, taking part in discussion initiatives in Lucanian schools and in other public events to which he is invited.
“I am very happy for President Mattarella’s recognition – says Stigliani – and I thank those who supported me in difficult moments, in particular in my family and at school. I will try not to disappoint those who continue to trust me, committing myself everywhere to urge my peers to react to disadvantages, always with a positive spirit and without ever giving up. Now I’m on a school trip and when my father and mother heard the news, they called me without hiding their tears. My thoughts go to my grandparents, who passed away one after the other, not long ago. They will be happy too. It doesn’t seem real to me: an Italian bishop on the ferry to Greece!”.
“I have met Alfonso on several occasions, in particular at the Turin Book Fair last year, where he was the protagonist – points out Piero Marrese, president of UPI Basilicata – and I respect this young man because he understood how important it is to fight and bear witness to one’s efforts in the youth field. I am really happy for President Mattarella’s recognition and I applaud his teachers who supported him. The decision is also certification of the validity of the initiatives in favor of young people that the UPI promotes with inclusion and active citizenship projects”.
Satisfaction is expressed by the head teacher of the institute that Alfonso attends, the Itcg Loperfido-Olivetti of Matera, Professor Antonella Salerno: “Alfonso is now a leader, but above all a model of a good citizen. President Mattarella’s recognition fills us with pride. We are close to our boy and we share his joy for this well-deserved gratification which enriches his training and commitment path, among other things not far from the state exam that he will have to take.”
Alfonso, the institute representative for the student component, is a very sociable and curious boy, he loves travelling, rap and trap music, football (which he plays as a goalkeeper) and economics. John Keynes is one of his myths.
Here are the reasons for the Head of State’s recognition of Stigliani, released by the Quirinale:
“For the maturity and depth with which he told himself in an autobiographical book. Being able to ask for help when you are in difficulty is a great generational theme: discussing it can also be useful to many peers who experience moments of discomfort.
Alfonso is a boy who was able to react to family problems and school hardship that affects many young people, committing himself to writing a book, which was presented at the Turin International Book Fair in 2023. In these pages he decided to tell the story of the period of Covid and how this helped him to deal with his problems as a teenager and to recover the difficult relationship he had with his father. A heartbreaking story from which the value of family relationships and the importance of asking for help when you are in difficulty emerges in all its power.”
Solidarity for the environment and culture is the prevailing theme that inspired the choice of young Alfieri in 2023. The floods that hit our territory in 2023, in particular Romagna and Tuscany, once again brought to light the altruism, generosity and sense of community of many young people. The Certificates valorise voluntary actions, examples of active citizenship, as well as the stories of young people who have been able to transform their passion for writing or science into a “bridge” to reduce inequalities. The cases chosen, however, do not constitute examples of rare actions, but are representative of widespread behaviors, of spontaneous solidarity: actions and feelings to be encouraged to spread among young people those values that can allow them to become builders of a sustainable future, adults aware of importance of solidarity in a world crossed by conflicts, climate change, environmental crises. Alongside the awards oriented towards the annual theme, there are certificates of honor relating to acts performed with particular courage and emblematic gestures of friendship.
