She likes Novara that way, she wouldn’t want it any different. Elia Impaloni lives it intensely in his work as president of the «Liberazione e Speranza» cooperative, an active organization against violence against women and vulnerable people, in his past as councilor for social services, in his constant commitment in the world of civil society, as mother of 4 children and new “Novarese of the year”. The place of her heart is in the heart of the city but it is important because it takes her far away, in the memory of her mother, when she was still very young.
Which Novara would you like?
«In reality, I am already satisfied with this city. I like it because in the areas I live and frequent I find a quality and depth of human relationships that are rare. A city must be judged not by its “structure” but by its “content”, that is, by its inhabitants. Maybe it’s because of my training based on education but in my opinion the city we are depends on us.”
He therefore does not join the chorus of complaints that often occurs among the people of Novara…
«No, also because taking care of the space you live in is everyone’s responsibility, it is a precious gift that everyone is responsible for preserving. I’ll give you an example: if I see rubbish abandoned on the street and I post the photo on social media with complaints against the administration, of whatever political colour, I am not creating something useful for my city; but if I send that same photo as a report to whoever has to clean, I am instead acting for the good of everyone. When there are only protests, the common “family” breathes a climate of negativity that affects daily life. Regarding the complaints of the people of Novara, I have an anecdote that I would like to tell…”.
Please…
«One day last autumn, while I was going to work and I was at the Barriera Albertina, two ladies stopped me and asked me if I was from Novara. When I said yes they told me: “We want to congratulate you because you have a beautiful historic center. We come from Milan, we went to the art exhibition at the castle and we really appreciated your city. We wanted to tell someone.” I felt very proud of Novara and perhaps all of us should be more proud.”
Staying on the subject of public administration, you were a councilor in Mayor Andrea Ballarè’s council: what do you have left of those years?
«It was a beautiful experience of which I cherish the “counter-stereotype” of the public employee. In the Social Services department I found people who work with determination and passion, who take on unspeakable human toil, because this is a city that experiences so much suffering, and they try to face it with profound dedication. It’s not true that those who work in the public administration “switch off” as soon as their hours end.”
If you were to become mayor, what would you do immediately after the election?
“Never gonna happen”.
Never say never…
«No, I’m sure: it won’t happen. I don’t think I have the necessary skills.”
Does working in the social sector offer you particular knowledge of the people of Novara, what are they like from your perspective?
«They are people who let themselves be touched, sensitive and attentive. It is true that gender violence is an engaging topic, however it has its stereotypes and it is not always easy to get the message across to the population. Instead, the people of Novara are present without becoming gloomy over the tragedies but responding with enthusiasm and positivity. Where the private sector or the public does not arrive, there is always someone who intervenes and lends a hand to solve the problems.”
What does Novara lack in your opinion?
“The sea! We really need… the checked one isn’t enough! (laughs, ed.). Seriously, I would like there to be a university course dedicated to the social sector: the absence leads to difficulties in finding personnel in this sector, a problem that affects all of us who work there. Once upon a time there were schools for educators and social workers and they were very useful, their absence is greatly felt.”
What is your favorite place in Novara?
«Piazza Matteotti, in front of the prefecture. There, inside Palazzo Natta, my mother Domenica lived when she was a girl: at the age of fifteen she left Sicily to follow the family of the prefect Torrisi, because she was the babysitter of her children. She toured various Italian cities with them and then she arrived in Novara where, however, she decided to look for a different job, as a worker, and emancipate herself. On a day of San Gaudenzio she then met my father Giuseppe and, instead of returning to Sicily as she should have according to her family, she remained here with him. For me the prefecture building is the memory of my mother, when I sit in Piazza Matteotti I feel good.”
