CIVITAVECCHIA – They will have until May 20th to present their works and demonstrate that they interpret the theme of transformation in an original way. That is in fact the expiry date of the “My energy” competition aimed at secondary schools in Civitavecchia, Ladispoli and Cerveteri. An initiative by Tirreno Power with the support of the Bellonci Foundation, organizer of the Strega Prize. A writing competition in which children are invited to participate with a story, a poem, a song, a graphic story that places the theme of energy transition and transformation at the centre. The theme of transformation is precisely the underlying theme of the initiatives that Tirreno Power has brought throughout Italy, also involving the city of Civitavecchia last 12 July in a meeting with the finalists of the Strega prize. The jury is made up of Maria Grazia Calandrone, poet, writer, journalist, teacher, Fabrizio Allegra, general director of Tirreno Power, Giovanni Solimine, president of the Maria and Goffredo Bellonci Foundation, Cristiano Dionisi, president of Unindustria Civitavecchia, Raffaele Saladino, full professor University of Tuscia.
And it was the president of the jury, Maria Grazia Calandrone, who suggested some advice to the kids, inviting them to participate, putting themselves to the test, perhaps discovering some more hidden sides of themselves. «A way to explore oneself – she explained – and to find communication with the outside at the same time». And the chosen theme, in addition to being highly topical, opens up to many considerations. «Through these works – the writer underlined – they are called to address important themes; at school they are already sensitized, but in this case they will be able to understand and describe what their position in the world might be, with respect to contemporaneity. What position do they want to put themselves in, what do they want to do today, and in the future, for their planet? Environment and energy are their everyday life today: literature, like poetry, is not an escape, but a way to stay inside things. So we will be able to get some really interesting answers by reading and viewing these works.” A way for kids to “redeem themselves”, to defend themselves from those clichés that want them to be superficial and not very attentive. «It’s true, they certainly read much less – added Calandrone – social media have replaced this aspect in a scientific way: it is much easier to scroll a screen than to read a book. But I go to schools: there are so many extraordinary kids, well-prepared, attentive and curious. What is missing? Politics; there is no political interest or knowledge. An initiative of this kind can help them, through what is closest to them, to understand how an alternative hypothesis is organised, understanding the importance of politics and interest in public affairs.” Any advice for students who want to participate? «Reading, to write you have to read everything – recalled Calandrone – live, have experiences to find your own style, put your own universe. The writer is a builder of worlds. And then you have to read what is written aloud to hear if it sounds, if it has rhythm.”
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