by Roberto Marconi
POTENZA PICENA – In 2011, the “S. Caterina d’Alessandria” nursing home for the elderly was inaugurated in Potenza Picena, the result of an intervention that began in 2004, as the newspapers of the time wrote.
Among the authorities and personalities, Giovanni Pastocchi was called to cheer up that morning with his stories in rhyme and in dialect, and after 13 years I conclude this beautiful journey of cultural animation, rereading and reinterpreting some of his texts for today’s guests of this Residence.
The occasion was that just after the celebrations for the anniversary (80 years) of the liberation of Potenza Picena from Nazi-fascism, thanks to the Polish troops, I came across a poem that Giovannino had written from that historical period, where he compared the flashes of gunpowder to those of the local historical photographer, Bruno Grandinetti. I have fond memories of Bruno, I continued to tell the guests, when I curated a successful anthological exhibition of his in ’96, finding a precise title for it “Unknowns on everyone’s lips”, given that the snapshots dealt with particular local subjects (people we know perhaps only by nickname).
In this reading journey of mine, which began in October and was carried out without compensation (how praiseworthy it would be if every association in the area dedicated a day a year to entertainment for guests…), I also wanted to remember the Asciutti, the immense work of the father (Giuseppe who gave a lot to the country) and of his daughters, Sandra who married a Polish officer and Giulia who was also my teacher in elementary school. I remembered how Giulietta, on the 40th anniversary of the Liberation of Potenza Picena, had her students do a thorough research on the subject, producing a moving mimeograph.
I concluded this long journey of “animated” reading, but I would say better of reviving conversation with the guests, mentioning at the end another text by Pastocchi on the public gardens called Pincio, the truly breathtaking point of view of the Marche landscape (I still remember that thanks to the book donation from his nephew Giampaolo, a specific collection dedicated to Giovannino was being formed at the municipal library).
Among the many thanks, in addition to the organizations, I would like to mention in particular the people: Mirco Paccaloni, who developed the project “Legger…mente” for the Social Cooperative Il Faro (which manages the services in this Residence, on behalf of the Ircr of Macerata and the Municipality of Santese) and proposed and left me free to personally develop these meetings, Debora Pantalone who inside the Rest Home was always present and a valid help to gather the guests and record with photos and videos the most tender moments and last but not least, Cinzia Canale who was a precious source of inspiration for her great experience of entertainment for children and the elderly and for her encouragement.
And the entire editorial staff of “Il città di Recanati” for all the timely guests.
