After the inauguration of the first two inclusive benches donated to the Municipality by the association “The Smile of Giada Odv”installed in the Ipatia park and along the Darsena in front of the Pop Up in 2023, Thursday 30 May at the Primary School of the comprehensive institute Bruno Pasini of Ravenna, was inaugurated the Jade Bench.
The event, the result of the collaboration between the associations Il Sorriso di Giada and La Perla d’Italia, was born with the aim of creating a inclusion network between able-bodied and disabled people, breaking down existing prejudices. The celebration included a parade featuring 110 able-bodied and disabled children and their teachers.
Present at the event 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 the Round Table 11 of Ravenna, organizers of the event ” Children in celebration”, which will be held in the public gardens on 29 September. Furthermore, Lorenzo Frisenda of the Padusa Lions and Roberta Serri and Barbara Domenichini of the Municipality of Ravenna contributed to the “La Panchina di Giada” and “All Sailing 2.0” project.
The benches were designed to be accessible to disabled and elderly people, with a space between the seats that allows the use of aids and facilitates conversation and socializing. These artefacts are the result of a collective action which involved Noemi and Giulia Portale, Giada’s sisters, in the conception, Giuseppe Licciardello for the design, the blacksmith Gaetano Licciardello for the creation and Ferrino Fanti for the graphics.
The benches are dedicated to Nunzio Zingale and Angela Milia, Giada’s maternal grandfather and paternal grandmother, who recently passed away and were unable to see the project realized. The small local businesses “Forno Pasticceria Morelli”, “Forno Nonna Iride” and Matteo Verità’s Legatoria Timbrificio Universo also actively participated.
“Il Sorriso di Giada Odv” is an association created to provide help and support to disabled people and their families, aiming at inclusion and sharing to overcome all forms of prejudice.
