From the Garibaldi Brigade on the red and black gozzo of Fabbricotti to the name of Ilio Barontini on the yellow-red one of Pontino, passing through Camici on the Ovosodo, Sgarallino on the Venezia and, today, Osmana and Garibaldo Benifei on the Labrone rig. They are the names of men and women who have marked the history of the city, fighters and partisans who gave their lives for Livorno and for freedom. And which, over time, have also marked the traditional Livorno rowing races, with their names imprinted on the local gozzo boats. Stories of men and women to remember and pass on, and with this in mind, the new work that the Ilio “Dario” Barontini cultural association, directed by Lenny Bottai, has decided to create it for the occasion of the 55th edition. It is a booklet in which the stories of the men after whom the gozzos have been named over the years have been briefly collected. “A tradition – Bottai specified – which passes through the ideals of those who fought, just like Ilio, in the name of the transformation of society, and which are not by chance imprinted on the goiters”. A work that is dedicated to the memory of Otello Chelli, on the occasion of the first edition without him.
The booklet, created entirely by the association, will be donated as a free contribution during the evening of the Cup and will be distributed cellar by cellar in the week preceding it. A work aimed at sending the important message of the profound meaning of this race, which is not just a sporting event. “Some names were lost with the merger of the wineries – added Bottai – while others were forgotten or replaced, but they tell what the rowing tradition means in Livorno. Thanks to the help of historical figures and Claudio Ritorni (former president of the coppa, present together with the mayor Luca Salvetti at the presentation of the work), we have collected the current and past titles, with brief notes on the stories of the men and women after whom the boats were named. This work is an example of what we cultivate from years, and we want to give it to the city.”
