Ferdinando Leoni, architect. He is the professional who redesigned the entire Piazzale d’Annunzio, formerly Piazzale Trieste, going around Valentino Rossi’s large helmet during the works. He is now leading a kind of popular uprising to remove the monument dedicated to the Phenomenon from that place through a public petition. “It has nothing to do with that context.”
Ok, but why now?
“I have recently started collecting signatures for the simple reason that Matteo Ricci is no longer there to lead the municipal administration”.
What is the connection?
“He was the proponent of that solution, that is, putting Valentino Rossi on the helmet in Piazzale d’Annunzio. He liked it, so this operation became difficult until a few days ago.”
In fact, apart from motorcycle enthusiasts, it has never achieved great acclaim. On the contrary…
“Certainly, and it is a fairly deep-rooted feeling among the people of Pesaro and I am acting as its spokesperson. And it is for this reason that we are trying to understand with this collection of signatures whether the operation can be completed. I believe in it”.
But where to place it?
“We were thinking that perhaps its ideal place could be in the gardens in front of the Benelli moto club, in Viale Mameli. What better place than that.”
But have you spoken to the leaders of the association?
“I have set up a meeting with the president of the motorcycle club Marco Brusciotti and also with the former president. Maybe we’ll see each other today and talk about this story and this solution. I know they have some ideas. We’ll discuss it.”
Have you mentioned anything to the new mayor Andrea Biancani?
“No, not yet. Also because he has other problems at the moment. But I think I’ll meet him and explain the project to him in the first few days of July”.
What do the shop owners say?
“Nothing changes for them. On the contrary.
Also because no one lives, they told me, with the four beers sold to some motorcyclist who stops to take a selfie. I also found agreement with the former president of the hoteliers Costantini. Among other things, the helmet is also in bad shape because it has never had a minimum amount of maintenance.”
Let’s take off the helmet to put what on? Did anyone suggest Giuliano Vangi’s seagulls now in Piazzale Matteotti?
“The problem there is linked to the fact that you need to have the approval of the Bucci family who paid. Then the base is larger than the tank and this represents a significant obstacle. I had thought of the Pomodoro stele which is in the Salvaterra foundation , but there is an obstacle there too: the sculpture is private, finding an art object is the least of the problems because the city is full of works of art starting from Colla’s work which was located in the square. Fly”.
How’s the collection of signatures you promoted on Facebook going?
“In a few days we have reached over one hundred signatures. But it is difficult because the mechanism is not easy: it is slowing down. This is why I think with the help of Carlino I can put two or three signature collection points in the city to give strength to this project that I believe in and which is gathering a lot of support because the idea I launched is liked.”
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