The Rotary Club of Caserta Luigi Vanvitelli celebrates excellence and Casertanism with the prestigious Luigi Vanvitelli Award, now in its fourth edition. The ceremony, held on Monday evening in Caserta at the Hotel dei Cavalieri, featured illustrious figures who have significantly contributed to the prestige and culture of the capital city and the entire province. The prize, created four years ago, was assigned by the Commission, of which the president is also a member Gianluca Parente, to important personalities connected for different reasons to the city of Caserta and who have brought prestige to the territory with their “genius”, their works or their lives
Among the winners, the name of stands out Mamadou Kuoassi, activist of the ex Canapificio social center and of the Migrant and Refugee Movement of Caserta, and source of inspiration for the film “Io Capitano” by the renowned director Matteo Garrone. The story of Mamadou, who integrated well into the Caserta community, moved everyone with its powerful message of redemption and integration. Visibly moved, Mamadou expressed his profound honor in receiving the prestigious Rotary Club award. His gratitude was not limited only to personal recognition, but also extended to the people who shared this significant journey with him. Mamadou wanted to share the prize with his partner Maria Rita Cardillo, with Vincenzo Fiano and with his two “mothers” Menita and Tommasina, fundamental figures who supported him in the creation of the Piedibus project. The Piedibus project, born with the aim of accompanying Caserta children to school on foot, is a brilliant example of integration and community. Mamadou underlined the crucial role of Menita and Tommasina, the “mothers” who believed in him and in the project. Thanks to their commitment and trust, it was possible to overcome fear and distrust towards those who are different, breaking down the barriers of discrimination and racism, and promoting the integration of immigrants.
Even the director Matteo Garrone was awarded the prize, which consists of a limited edition and numbered bronze commemorative medal specially created for the Rotary Club Caserta Luigi Vanvitelli by the well-known Caserta artist Don Battista Marello, for having brought prestige to the city of Caserta through his cinematographic work, bringing Mamadou’s story to the fore and arousing empathy at an international level. The award-winning director was unable to be present at the ceremony, but did not want to miss out on his video message of thanks, applauded by the audience.
Another recognition was awarded to Luigi Espositoaka Gigi, member of the well-known comedy duo Gigi and Ross, resident in Caserta. His artistic career has contributed to enhancing the image of the city in the Italian cultural panorama. Gigi proudly expressed his emotion for this award, underlining the special value it represents for him. “It’s the first recognition I’ve received in Caserta and the first I’ve received 100%, being used to sharing it with my Ross duo,” he declared with evident satisfaction. Collecting the award, he did not miss the opportunity to entertain those present with his brilliant wit, proposing a gag in which he joked about the rivalry between Rotary and Lyons, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.
A moving tribute was paid to the master Elvio Accardo, who passed away prematurely in 2020, with a memorial award that wanted to honor his extraordinary artistic legacy. The ceremony evoked deep emotions, underlining the void left by Accardo in the artistic-cultural world of Caserta and nationally. However, his influence endures, thanks to the works of art he created and the indelible mark he left on the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him and appreciating his work. His art continues to live through his sculptures, scattered in different locations, as a silent witness to his genius and passion. Receiving the medal, his sons Alessandro and Alberto expressed their gratitude for the recognition, highlighting the importance of the bond between their father and the community that loved him so much.
The Rotary Club Caserta Luigi Vanvitelli, as underlined by the president Gianluca Parente himself, is proud to be able to celebrate these excellences, symbols of dedication, talent and love for the city of Caserta and its province. The event confirms itself as a moment of great importance to recognize and valorise those who contribute to making the community unique and to deal with important issues such as immigration, racism and legality.
The event was attended by Rotarian, civil and religious authorities together with many members and friends. The Governor’s assistant spoke Giuseppe DiCapriothe Governor incoming ar 25/26 Angelo Di Rienzothe district trainer in the Terra di Lavoro area Gianpaolo Iasellithe Incoming RRD Mariateresa Avetathe President of Innerwheel Anna Di Felice, the President of the Province of Caserta Giorgio Maglioccathe Mayor of Casagiove Giuseppe Vozza the Councilor of the Municipality of Caserta Annamaria Sadottoand Msgr. Giuseppe Di BernardoChancellor of the Curia of Caserta.
The reasons for the various awards are significant.
To Luigi Esposito, “the merit of having been able to put his intelligent irony at the service of the spectator and with smiling grace interpret the complex daily life of our territory with a lightness that is never superficial improvisation. Because with a smile he managed to touch on profound issues such as the innocent victims of the mafia and environmental speculation, conveying the message of the commitment not to forget and to continue to fight forcefully against any type of abuse, especially for young people. For having maintained deep ties with his territory of origin, a positive sign of those who maintain a concrete idea of belonging.”
To the fellow citizen activist Mamadou Kouassi, “the merit of having witnessed, with his daily life, the extraordinary belonging to the Caserta community, in which and for which he wrote verses of undisputed social commitment and civic sense, of having made the city of Caserta is proud to have welcomed and included its new son, whose courage and humanity have given happy colors to a journey full of tragedy and extraordinaryness”. Director Matteo Garrone deserves credit for being “a valid witness for having told the world, through the language of cinema, the story of Mamadou, who the city of Caserta welcomed as his son; for having presented, through the cinematic work of the narrative of the sad epic of the sea, the city of Caserta, as the new homeland of that Odyssey in reverse, which enhances and adds value to its capacity for inclusion and civic and social promotion”.
Director Matteo Garrone deserves credit for being “a valid witness for having told the world, through the language of cinema, the story of Mamadou, who the city of Caserta welcomed as its son; for having presented, through the cinematic work of the narrative of the sad epic of the sea, the city of Caserta, as the new homeland of that Odyssey in reverse, which enhances and adds value to its capacity for inclusion and civic and social promotion”.
In memory of the artist Elvio Accardo, the merit of “having enriched our territory with his work, creating artistic suggestions of great cultural scope. An innovative and passionate talent who has brought prestige to his and our land. His being is embodied in his spiritual testament: I was born in a country of corals and sailors, between veiled cathedrals of cameos and worn-out Saracen courtyards teeming with rats and screaming children always scented with jasmine. I have nailed my sweet childhood of seafaring grandparents, bitter from polio, to the mirrors of my hands; I looked for the rest in the land of poplars and chestnut trees, among the stones of the tar-stained rails and in the scarlet smiles of my knees, and in my ether vomit. I was defeated by the shadows of the ambiguous truths of my places, I looked for others, with my ships full of new ghosts and my sleeping bag full of sweat and sex. There, I found all my gnomes in the dark rooms, the treasures in the walls, the smell of melted beeswax to make poultices on pimples, millions of ants reconstructing my father’s face. I write shell music and sing it in the verses of my sideshow comedies. All this is clay. I just modeled it.”
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