After the inauguration of the first two inclusive benches donated to the Municipality by the “Il Sorriso di Giada Odv” association, installed in the Ipatia park and along the Darsena, in front of the Pop Up in 2023, Thursday 30 May, at the institute’s primary school including Bruno Pasini from Ravenna, the Jade Bench was inaugurated. This event is the result of the collaboration between two associations, Sorriso di Giada and La Perla d’Italia. This synergy was born with the aim of creating a network of inclusion between able-bodied and disabled people, breaking down the walls of prejudice that currently exist. This great achievement was celebrated with an inclusive parade involving 110 able-bodied and disabled children and their teachers: present were His Excellency the Prefect of Ravenna, Dr. Castrese De Rosa, the councilor Igor Gallonetto, the principal Cesare Cambio, the National Carabinieri Association of Ravenna, Club 41 with the president Raimondo Serena and Enrico LIverani of ROUND TABLE 11 of Ravenna, who were the organizers of the event, the children in celebration, (which this year too will be held in the public gardens on 29 September ), Lorenzo Frisenda of the Padusa Lions, Roberta Serri, Barbara Domenichini of the municipality of Ravenna, who helped carry out the project and All Sailing 2.0.
The benches were designed so that they can also be used by disabled and elderly people: there is, in fact, a space between the seats capable of accommodating the aid and encouraging conversation and sociality. The artefacts are the result of a collective action which involved Noemi and Giulia Portale, Giada’s sisters, in the conception, Giuseppe Licciardello in the technical part linked to the design, Gaetano Licciardello, the blacksmith who physically built them, and Ferrino Fanti who he took care of the graphic part. The artefacts are then dedicated to Nunzio Zingale and Angela Milia, Giada’s maternal grandfather and paternal grandmother respectively, who passed away recently and were unable to see the project that had excited them so much come to fruition.
Small local businesses also actively participated: “Forno pasticceria Morelli”, “Forno Nonna Iride” and Matteo Verità’s Legatoria timbrificio Universo.
The objective of the association “Il Sorriso di Giada Odv” is to provide help and support to disabled people and their families, aiming at inclusion and sharing to overcome any form of prejudice
