An “unexpected bond” between Siculiana and Imola sealed by a Friendship Pact signed by the respective mayors: Giuseppe Zscopio and Marco Panieri, who placed the signature under the dome of the Sanctuary of the Black Christ of the Agrigento town, festively lit up by fireworks .
The common thread that unites the Romagna city to the Sicilian village is Ayrton Senna, the beloved Brazilian Formula 1 driver who was three times World Champion and who this year marks the thirtieth anniversary of his death.
The bond between Ayrton Senna and Siculiana was born when the ancestors of the future Formula 1 World Champion left their homeland and undertook the journey to Brazil. This is demonstrated by the documents found thanks to the intuition of Mayor Zscopio.
A very heartfelt speech by Marco Panieri, mayor of Imola, on stage. He was keen to point out the importance of the location of the meeting, the small square with the red bench, a sign and symbol of constant attention on gender violence. He then focused on the many points in common between his city and Siculiana. First of all, the sense and spirit of welcome that has enveloped him since his arrival.
Accompanying the mayor of Imola is the councilor of the Imola Autodrome Elena Penazzi. Both said they were surprised and amazed by the engaging atmosphere of the celebrations of the Holy Crucifix: an event which is celebrated in the first weekend of May. A celebration that is celebrated in the first weekend of May. A celebration that recalls a strong popular and religious tradition, makes the authentic sense of belonging to the community palpable by highlighting its habits and customs.
The “Ayrton Senna: call to the Origins” Museum project in Siculiana was born from roots tourism and meeting the beloved Formula 1 driver on this research journey was something extraordinary and unexpected. The Museum was born for this reason, to tell the story of Ayrton’s origins and somehow bring him home. He is joined by Giovanna Magro, his great-grandmother.
His is an extraordinary story, of emigration like many others, but also of courage, values and faith. All elements that we then find in the essence of Ayrton and in the attention he dedicated to the most fragile and which to this day make him a idol for young people
The stories of the discovery and of the family were told by journalists Anna Restivo and Giacinto Pipitone, while the project of the multimedia museum in augmented reality was presented by architects Francesco Ferla and Salvatore Nigrelli”.
