A well-attended ceremony was held yesterday morning, during which the mayor of Aprilia, Lanfranco Principi, awarded honorary citizenship to the writer Elma Sant’Ana. This gesture symbolizes the importance of the bond between Aprilia and Mostardas, a twinning that celebrates the figure of Menotti Garibaldi, a hero born in Brazil and buried in Carano Garibaldi, an area that bears his name.
The Concession Ceremony
The ceremony, held at the Municipality of Aprilia, saw the presence of numerous dignitaries, including Marcello Rampolla del Tindaro, head of cabinet, and several local councilors and councillors. Highly emotional moments were offered by the musical performances of Maria Ausilia D’Antona and the Laeta Corda and Loris Zecchin choirs, who performed the national anthems of Brazil and Italy.
Elma Sant’Ana’s Contribution to Twinning
Elma Sant’Ana received recognition for her decades of commitment to promoting the history and values of Menotti Garibaldi, through her literary work and her research activity. The writer, author of the book “Menotti, the leader son of Anita and Garibaldi”, was fundamental in establishing and keeping alive the twinning that began in 1996. During the ceremony, she underlined the importance of the writers’ mission to preserve history and remembered the key figures who contributed to the twinning.
Symbolic Donations to Strengthen Cultural Bonds
As a sign of gratitude and deepening of cultural ties, Elma Sant’Ana gave the mayor Principi various significant symbols, including the flag of Brazil, a coin depicting Anita Garibaldi, the birth certificate of Menotti Garibaldi and a study notebook which traces the roots of the twinning.
Comments from Participants
Francesco Argondizzo, president of the Twinning Committee, thanked the mayor for having “harvested this ancient seed”, highlighting the twinning as a cultural and spiritual bridge between the two communities. The councilor for culture, Elvis Martino, praised the initiative and expressed gratitude for the work of all those who kept this bond alive, underlining the writer’s continuous contribution in promoting culture and friendship between cities.
