PISA – For the second consecutive year hosted at Verdi Theater in Pisa as it is included in the events of the “Solidarity Day” promoted by “Nicola Ciardelli Association Odv and Ets” – the show “Donate us Ilaria“, now in its seventh edition and organized and promoted by Prof. Marco Alestra, together with AVIS, AGBALT and F. Buonarroti scientific high school, did not betray expectations, enthralling and involving the over seven hundred students of the 4th and 5th Classes who filled the theater’s stalls and boxes in every order of seats on the morning of Monday 29 April, to underline the importance of the gift as support and support towards those who find themselves in difficulty are the patients themselves as well as their family members.
by Giovanni Manenti
Over two and a half hours that flew by in an instant, thanks to the lineup that alternated moments of leisure and entertainment thanks to the splendid and, in some cases, suggestive interpretations of the kids who performed on stage singing, playing, dancing and acting, which were counterbalanced by reflections on the main theme of the event by Marco Alestraby the President of AVIS Pisa Paolo Ghezzi, of the President of the AGBALT Pisa Association Mirco D’Aversa, who were able to dialogue with both Dr. Sayla Bernasconi and Alessandro Mazzoni of the University Hospital of Pisa who actually made the donation, as in the case of Andrea Massa, Laura’s sisteralso an unfortunate co-star of the morning, as she received it, as well as the parents of a girl who also received a bone marrow transplant.
In particular, while Marco Alestra recalled at the beginning the story of his daughter Ilaria which unfortunately does not have a happy ending, the President of AVIS Paolo Ghezzi, proposed reading the book “Cohabit“, written jointly with the remembered one Laura Massain a sort of two-way dialogue, accompanied by the voice-over of Margherita Calderisiin a poignant atmosphere that certainly constituted the most touching moment of the event.
Conversely, alternating on stage to showcase their respective qualities were, in chronological order, the singer Elena Biosa, accompanied on the piano by Enrico Niccolini(both from Liceo Carducci) who performed the song “Control” (Zoe Wess), as well as from Liceo Carducci are the singer Micaela Montalto who, accompanied on the piano by Francesco Mattoliniproposed the song “When I was your Man” (Bruno Mars), and then left room for it Marco Alestra who sang “Smile always”, dedicated to his missing daughter and to whose notes he performed the dancer Fernando Ferrandino of Prato.
Next, it was the turn of the fifth (and last) student of Liceo Carducci, namely Anna Stelligo on stage to dedicate to the audience the splendid song “When You Believe” (Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey), before leaving room for dance, first with a performance of Pole Dance by the Polevolution XL School with the instructor Desi Vannozziand then touch a again Fernando Ferrandino performing, this time together with Martina Maiani to the tune of the “Love Theme” (Ennio Morricone) from the famous film “Nuovo Cinema Paradiso” and then, after a HIP HOP performance by the students of Prof. Marco Semilia’s ETOILE Schoolalso give space to a Latin Dance Medley by Sara Campagni of the Pesenti Technical Institute of Cascina.
Dance which, after a last song (finally in Italian, ed.), namely “La Rondine” (Mango) performed by Nicole Oshadoganshe returned as the protagonist for the grand finale thanks to dance troupe of the Buonarroti High School who performed to the tune of “Gli Altri Siamo Noi” (Umberto Tozzi) and then moved on to greetings and thanks, as well as, obviously, to the appointment for the 2025 edition.
Understandably tired, but equally undoubtedly happy, Marco Alestra commented on the outcome of the event as follows: “I am very satisfied with how the morning went, everything worked properly, thanks also to some very interesting interventions, in particular by the kids who addressed their peers, including one of them who received the gift of marrow and a girl who vice versa donated it, so that the children present in the theatre, like their teachers, were able to listen to these testimonies which, in my opinion, play a decisive role in making everyone reflect on the importance of the donation of both blood and marrow, a practice that should become a habit over time for every citizen if they want to consider themselves as such, as the future of those who, unfortunately, fall into illness can depend on this act. Obviously – continues Ilaria’s father – This year too, the proactive formula tested in past editions proved to be successful so as not to bore the kids present, alternating the heaviest moments with performances brought on stage by the high school students themselves – some of whom are already at very high levels especially in dance, a sector for which today we have proposed the novelty of Pole Dance which has aroused great interest – all arising from a school work so as to be nothing exceptional, simply representing a proposal which is the common thread of the “Donaci Ilaria” in memory of my daughter as well as of all those who were unable to overcome the disease. In this perspective – concludes Marco Alestra, I therefore feel obliged to thank first of all AVIS which is the first collaborator, the Liceo Buonarroti from which the idea of ”Donaci Ilaria” started and which collaborates in its development, AGBALT which supports us on the donor side, recipients, doctors, as well as clearly the Ciardelli Association which has introduced us to the “Solidarity Day” journey for two years now, and the Municipality of Pisa which has made the Verdi Theater available, which is the most prestigious place where an artist can perform, without forgetting all the guys who supported me and those who participated in the event this morning“.
Last modified: April 29, 2024
