(Arv) Venice 6 May. 2024 – On Friday 3 May, the Ceremony of the International ‘Riace Bronzes’ Award, now in its 23rd edition this year, was hosted at Palazzo Ferro Fini. The event was born from an idea of Giuseppe Tripodi, President of the tourist association ‘Proloco Città di Reggio Calabria’, and is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of Reggio Calabria, by the Presidency of the Regional Council of Calabria, by the Presidency of the Council of the Veneto Region and by the Metropolitan City of the Municipality of Reggio Calabria. The event’s testimonial was Dr. Paola La Salvia, Officer of the Guardia di Finanza: ‘a warrior of modern times’, a valiant example of professionalism and leadership. In front of a large audience, President Giuseppe Tripodi opened the event, addressing “a cordial greeting to the numerous attendees”. Tripodi recalled that “the two mythical Warriors, of Greek origin, who re-emerged, after their discovery in 1972, from the clear waters of the Riace sea, represent masterpieces of one of the greatest civilizations in history, and furthermore that the two statues , have an inestimable value also from a moral point of view. In fact, they represent universal values, also enshrined in our Constitution and are also the symbol of the beauty and greatness of human ingenuity capable of creating incredible and extraordinary masterpieces and undertakings. Hence the idea of naming the Award after the two legendary warriors who are well suited to pay homage to excellent people who, in the light of our ideals, with great ingenuity, competence, professionalism, courage and sacrifice, as ‘new Warriors’, they particularly distinguished themselves in the various branches of knowledge and human professions”. Following this, the Honorary President, Giuseppe Viceconte, intervened, highlighting that “the Award for excellence, which has also given so much prestige to our country at an international level, is also aimed at promoting, making known and enhancing our beloved Calabria. Viceconte then recalled that many famous and illustrious artists worked in the ancient Rhegion, such as Pythagoras from Reggio and his nephew Sostratus, famous sculptors and bronze workers, counted among the greatest of their era. The Award is also an opportunity to make known and popularize all the beauties: natural, artistic, archaeological, cultural and gastronomic of our beloved land, Calabria and, above all, Reggio Calabria, the enchanting city of the ‘Fata Morgana'”. This was followed by greetings from the Director of Communication and Social Relations, Nunzio Puccio, who highlighted that “the Award is itinerant. In fact, every year, the awards ceremony takes place in wonderful cities and the Bronzes are thus protagonists of a virtual journey that promotes their value and image”. Subsequently, Dr. intervened. Roberto Valente, General Secretary of the Veneto Regional Council, who after a cordial greeting, warmly congratulated the organizers of the Award, underlining that “Venice and the whole of Veneto were truly honored to have hosted this beautiful event”. The General Secretary of the Veneto Council then specified that “the Award, in addition to constituting a cultural event of great importance, is at the same time a great opportunity to promote tourism in two cities which boast a wonderful historical and artistic heritage which must be further valued”. The introductory part of the institutional greetings was concluded by the testimonial of the Event, Dr. Paola La Salvia who, in thanking the President and the local authorities, who hosted the event in such a solemn manner, recalled how “the Award, inspired to the powerful statues of the Riace Bronzes, constituting one of the symbols of Calabria, perfectly embody the typical characteristics of this beautiful region: proud, proud and warrior Calabria”. You also recalled that “the two statues are today kept, in a perfect state of conservation, in the ‘Magna Grecia’ Archaeological Museum in Reggio Calabria and deserve to be visited”. He concluded by saying that “the Award is reserved for those people who in the course of their respective professional lives have demonstrated that they unequivocally possess the requirements of valiant warriors, therefore long live the Riace Bronzes, long live Italy, long live the warriors of today and tomorrow” .
Then the awards ceremony began. The reasons were read by Dr. Rocco Fiano. They were awarded:
For the Zeus Section (legality and justice): Alessandro Giuliani, Captain of the Financial Police; Paolo Rota Gelpi, Brigadier General of the Carabinieri; Stefano Signoretti, Head of the Flying Squad of the Rome Police Headquarters; Alessandra Simone, Police Commissioner. Athena Section (Military Strategy): Carlo Cadorna, Colonel of Cavalry. Hippocrates Section (Health and Medicine): Fernando Pierà of Clima, Surgeon. Biagi Section (Journalism and culture): Giovanni Lepre, Journalist; Paolo Micalizzi, journalist, critic and film historian; Santo Strati, Journalist. Montessori Section (Training and school): Manlio Del Giudice, Full Professor of Economics and Business Management, Pegaso Digital University; Marco Li Calzi, University Professor; Giampaolo Romanato, University Professor; Guido Saracco, University Professor. Santa Barbara Section: Robert Triozzi, Captain Fire Rescue Development Program. Ermes Section (Commerce and Economy): Giovanni Battista Ballarino, jeweler of several royal houses and gemologist; Nohad Haj Salih, Shipowner; The Gragnano pasta factory “Famiglia Moccia”; Rana pasta factory, Cav. Giovanni Rana; Eugenio Perazza, Founder of Magis; Giuliano Terzi, Entrepreneur; Vita di Vetro Company. John Paul II Section (Faith and Charity): Don Massimo Manservigi. Michelangelo Section (Sculpture and painting): Giorgio Celiberti, Painter; Carlo Pierà, painter. San Giorgio Section (Knight): Giuseppe Rizzani, Count Cav. Gr. Cr. Apollo Section (Art and Music): Silvia Casarin Rizzolo, Conductor.
At the end of the ceremony, President Giuseppe Tripodi thanked them for their warm participation and referred everyone to the next edition of the International Riace Bronzes Award.
The editorial responsibility and the contents of this press release are the responsibility of the VENETO REGIONAL COUNCIL
