Naples
Spotlight on the eleventh edition of the prestigious International “Ambassador of Smiles” Award. An event this year will be dedicated to the late Marcello Colasurdoking of tammorra.
In previous editions of the award the following have been remembered: Ciro Esposito, victim of violence in stadiums, Luigi Necco, Pino Daniele, Eduardo De Filippo, Massimo Troisi, Pulcinella, Antonio De Curtis aka Toto’, Diego Armando Maradona, Sergio Bruni and Aurelio Fierro .
In this edition we will remember the singer-songwriter and actor, Marcello Colasurdo, icon of popular music, historical voice of the Zezi, symbol of the struggles in the factories.
A timeless voice linked to the oral culture of the peasant world, stubborn and tenacious in defending popular traditions, the last visceral voice of Vesuvius who passed away on 5 July 2023.
He was the first to bring popular music throughout Italy and abroad. His collaborations with the greatest musicians on the national and international scene are numerous, such as the new folk singing company, Almamegretta, and the well-known Peter Gabriel.
He worked with directors such as Federico Fellini and Mario Martone, many songs that the old and new generations still sing: Peppenella, ‘A Suffragio, Ritarantella, Catarina and many others, without forgetting his ritual songs a’ fronna dedicated to Mamma Schiavona.
A simple, humble artist who reflected the heart of the Neapolitan people, always supporting the least and defenseless people through his inimitable voice.
The smile ambassador award created and curated by Angelo Iannelli it is organized by the Vesuvius social promotion association in collaboration with the municipality of Naples and with the moral patronage of important bodies, municipalities and foundations.
The event has always taken place with great success and public consensus in the courtyard of the Maschio Angioino in Naples in the presence of personalities from the world of art, culture, society, the church, institutions and sport, with a single objective: to donate a smile to less fortunate people.
Angelo Iannelli, smile ambassador: “Remembering our brotherly friend Marcello Colasurdo is paying homage to the culture of popular traditions in the world. I am really proud to have had as honorary president of the international smile ambassador award, the Vesuvius Aps association and the Paranza di popular music Vesuvius the great Marcellus. Always present at every edition of the prestigious event, with his eternal voice and tammurriata each edition of the award ended with his famous slogan “Better na’ tammurriata than na’war.”
