There are 8 Emilia-Romagna people – including six ‘mud angels’ – among the 29 new “Alfieri della Repubblica” to whom the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, awarded certificates of honor today. Ssolidarity for the environment and culture it is the prevailing theme that inspired the choice of the 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.
President Mattarella also awarded three plaques for collective actions of young people and very young people who have strongly expressed the values of solidarity.
Here is the list and the reasons of the new Emilia-Romagna honorees by the Head of State
Emanuele Nicola AFFATICATI, 5/7/2008, resident in Fiorenzuola D’Arda (PC). For having courageously foiled the plan of a man intent on killing his ex-partner. It was thanks to the promptness and civic sense demonstrated that a potentially dramatic epilogue was avoided.
Returning from school on a regional train, Emanuele involuntarily heard the phone call from another passenger who, in Romanian, continued to nervously repeat that he was headed by his ex-girlfriend to kill her. Knowing the language and having understood the content of the call, Emanuele realized the gravity of the situation and, without hesitation, notified the police. These, by virtue of the courageous report, identified and arrested the man, preventing him from carrying out his violent intentions.
Selim AYACH, 7/12/2007, resident in Gatteo (FC). To have, without hesitation, performed resuscitation maneuvers on a person in cardiac arrest, thus saving their life. For the generosity and dedication with which he participates as a volunteer in the life of the community, as recently done during the flood that hit Emilia Romagna.
An elderly lady, having just got off a bus, collapsed on the ground feeling ill. Luckily for her, Selim was passing by at the time and, having witnessed the scene, he immediately rushed towards the woman, activating first aid and performing cardiac massage until the paramedics arrived. The awareness of having managed to save a life and the desire to be able to help other people pushed him to embark on the path to become a Red Cross volunteer, putting his time at the service of the community, as he did, with great generosity, even recently , in the days of the flood that hit Emilia Romagna.
Abderrahim BEN RHOUMA, 22/9/2010, resident in Cesena (FC). For the solidarity and commitment made following the flood that hit Emilia Romagna. For the exemplary civic sense with which he provided help to his community, to the land and to the people who welcomed him when he arrived in Italy from Tunisia with his family.
From the very first days after the flood that devastated the Romagna area, Abderrahim made himself available to the volunteer center set up in the school gym to do his part, demonstrating great civic sense, altruism and solidarity towards that community that, with equal generosity, had welcomed his family and him when they arrived from Tunisia.
Guido BETTI, 31/10/2005, resident in Ravenna. For the energy and innovative vision with which he contributed to the creation of an IT platform, which made it possible to organize more than 6 thousand volunteers in rescue operations for the population affected by the flood in Emilia Romagna.
With great energy, competence and innovative vision Guido has provided an important contribution to the development and management of the CommunitySos IT platform, designed to allow the mapping of local needs and optimal management of volunteers during crisis and emergency events. During the recent flood that hit Emilia Romagna, in particular, thanks to CommunitySos it was possible to manage 6 thousand volunteers divided into 1100 teams, reaching all the critical areas of the province of Ravenna.
Valeria FRASCA, 10/20/2006, resident in Forlì. For the solidarity and commitment demonstrated in the phases immediately following the disastrous flood that hit his city: Forlì.
From the day immediately following the tragic flood that hit the city of Forlì and Romagna, Valeria showed up at the volunteer collection point set up by the neighborhood committee and served for many subsequent days, helping the flood victims and coordinating the activity. of young people from all over Italy. Until the reopening of schools she remained available without sparing herself and demonstrating a great spirit of solidarity and civic sense.
Letizia GALLETTI, 25/7/2004, resident in Lugo (RA). For having brought relief with his music to many people forced to abandon their homes following the recent flood in Emilia Romagna.
During the days following the rivers’ overflow, numerous people who were unable to return to their homes found refuge at the Palabanca in Lugo di Romagna. Here many girls and boys tried to give comfort and assistance to those who had been most affected. Letizia was among these young people, who kept the older people company and played with the children. Letizia also organized moments of evening singing and with her songs she contributed to spreading a climate of solidarity and a spirit of restart. Some elderly people have even expressed the desire not to return home immediately in order to continue living in that very familiar context.
Matteo VIOLANI, 27/4/2006, resident in Faenza (RA). For the volunteer service provided during the flood that hit his city. His commitment constitutes an example of active citizenship and symbolizes the resilience of an entire community.
Matteo is one of the many young volunteers from Romagna who made himself available to the community after the violent flood that devastated his city and his region. The commitment and dedication he demonstrated in those difficult days were an example of active citizenship. They constitute a testimony, fortunately among many, of those who have decided not to let themselves be overcome by despair but to react by rolling up their sleeves to do their part in the emergency phase. Despite his young age, Matteo’s determination was motivating for other young people and with his work he became a point of reference for volunteers of all ages and backgrounds.
Nicole MINARDI, 10/26/2010, resident in Parma. For the tenacity with which she faces the Pan-Pandas syndrome, which is still little known. From his difficulties and her suffering she also drew the strength to devote herself energetically to spreading knowledge of the pathology and promoting its recognition among rare diseases.
Nicole is a courageous girl suffering from Pan-Pandas syndrome, an unfortunately still little-known pathology that was diagnosed after years of uncertainties and problems. Her experience pushed Nicole to dedicate herself with all her energy to spreading knowledge about her syndrome to obtain recognition from institutions, inclusion among rare diseases and the definition of protocols for diagnosis and treatment.
