by Andrea Rossetti
Looking at his office in Palazzo Frizzoni, everything seems anything but ready for farewell. The folders marked “Municipality of Bergamo” occupy every corner. Yet, from Monday 10 June Giorgio Gori he will no longer be mayor of Bergamo. End of a chapter of life that lasted ten years, with the hope of immediately starting another in Europe.
The first question is due: how are you?
«Good, in a good mood. I am calm and will continue to work as mayor as long as I can.”
In January 2023 he told us that he dreamed of closing his mandate with the inauguration of Parking Fara. He did it.
“It’s been a complex journey, so it’s satisfying to see it open.”
A work that continues to divide the people of Bergamo.
“I do not agree. Bergamo is a city of 120 thousand inhabitants, even if a thousand people disagree, there are another 119 thousand who think differently. And then, on the day of the inauguration, how many were protesting? About thirty? This is a work that we inherited and to which we gave meaning by placing it at the center of a new access and parking policy in the Upper Town. Also because it was UNESCO that asked us for a plan to lighten the traffic load on the Walls.”
This work is one of many that have changed Bergamo in these ten years. How have you changed?
«I arrived at Palazzo Frizzoni with the idea that the mayor was primarily a manager and believing myself capable of putting my skills at the service of public administration. But I was wrong”.
Meaning what?
«That side is useful, but not enough. It’s that something extra that is required that has changed me. It’s an experience that you can’t define professionally, it’s humanly incredible.”
In 2014 he appeared colder and more detached.
«There was also a lot of shyness. I certainly appreciate human relationships more today. Even in these months of the election campaign I have been among people and it is something I like. I stop, listen, discuss, discover interesting stories…”.
In 2014, he had three “young” children. His path as mayor accompanied them too. How are they experiencing this change?
«Regardless of my job, Blessed, Alexander And Angelica they are becoming adults, they are building their lives. One is Cagliari, the other in Spain, the last one in Milan. The separation has already occurred. I bless the invention of social media, which allows me to always be connected to them.”
They represent the new generations: did they give you any ideas? Did they never say to her: “Dad, you’re old, don’t you understand”?
«No, I have to say that they never told me. Luckily (laughs, ed). But they certainly gave me a lot. Their sensitivity to environmental issues, for example, was of great help to me. Ten years ago I wasn’t so aware. For the rest, I have always preferred to set an example with facts. And I think and hope that my experience as mayor has been a lesson for them.”
And his wife? How did you make the decision to run for the European Championships?
«Christina (Parodi, ed) just asked me how many nights I’ll be out now. It is clear that, if I am elected to the European Parliament, it will be very different: it takes me six minutes by bicycle from my home to Palazzo Frizzoni. But my wife knows me, she knows what I’m like.”
Always looking for new challenges?
«Let’s say that when things have gone well, I feel like moving on to something else. Writing new pages of life.”
Isn’t there a bit of anxiety too?
«A little yes. For ten years I was at the helm of a team, with the possibility of doing very concrete things. In Europe I know well that this will not be the case. I will be in front of a white paper, I will be a small part of a much larger and more complicated system. But I am also convinced that it is there that our future is written and this fascinates me a lot. I have a bit of anxiety about English, I’m afraid I don’t know it well enough. I’m taking lessons and if I’m elected I’ll do full immersion for the whole summer.”
What is the thing about these years that you are most proud of and what do you regret?
«Among a thousand projects and initiatives, I would say that the terrible Covid period is the one that has marked my experience the most. Both positively and negatively. I regret having initially underestimated the situation, but I am proud of how we were then able to manage it, to be present, to make difficult decisions. In that period, processes were triggered that were fundamental for the city’s restart. In this, Atalanta was also a good support.”
Were the Nerazzurri an example for you as an administrator too?
«Atalanta embodies all the values in which we as a community recognize ourselves: determination, constancy, organisation, “mòla mia”. At the same time, Atalanta has inspired a path in these eight years. He made it clear that a provincial reality can aim high without losing concreteness. We tried to do the same: be a provincial city proud of its roots but with some more ambitions.”
Not bad for a Milan fan…
(Laughs, ed) «I talked about it the day we gave the team the gold medal. As a child I loved Rivera, but I became an Atalanta fan many years ago, as a perfect contrarian, when in the company where I worked I saw everyone suddenly become AC Milan fans, and even more so when my son returned from nursery school saying that when he grew up he would have liked to be a footballer for Atalanta. With him, from that day, I shared the passion for the Goddess, from the years of relegation to the magical night in Dublin.”
You talked about Covid, but in terms of concrete works, which one are you happiest about?
«Perhaps the Piacenza Center. Not everyone agreed on that either, but I believe that a mayor must look a little further ahead when he believes that an intervention is the right one. There is no choice that doesn’t have cons.”
And what is the mistake that you think you have made and that you would avoid?
«Honestly, I struggle to find one…».
Do you want a hand? Piazzale Alpini. Or Pontesecco.
«In my opinion they were not mistakes. Has he been to Pontesecco?
Yes. And your predictions turned out to be a little too optimistic.
«During rush hours traffic slowed down a bit, but during the rest of the day the removal of traffic lights helped. The forecasts had been a little too optimistic, it’s true, but we also had the humility to change, combining the solution of the roundabouts with that of the skittles and the reversible lanes.”
And Piazzale Alpini?
«Today it is a popular and popular place. With the same conviction, I believe it is right to protect the people who work there and who suffered three thefts a week. Now there is a very rich new animation project, we will go there to listen to book presentations and concerts, as well as ballroom dancing.”
It also leaves many projects still open.
«Only in shipbuilding terms. Those financed by the Pnrr are all on schedule, I am sure that they will be completed in 2026. We also managed to (…)
