The sky beyond the fence, here and there. The equally deep blue, the same one that “caresses everything” in Ljubka Šorli’s verses – which rose with magical lightness in the room, recited by Annamaria Grusovin – took place in the early evening yesterday, at a packed Kulturni dom in Gorizia , the show “Boundlessly Creative” organized by the Unitri association of Nova Gorica in collaboration with Ute of Gorizia and Unitre of Cormons. The mayor of Nova Gorica Samo Turel brought his greetings, recalling how the Slovenian community proposes a specific theme every year, this year called “The year without borders 2024”.
«Today’s activity is a gem», he remarked proudly. A small gem enclosed in the larger project that will take place throughout the entire year. Julij Savelli and Lionella Costantini moderated the groups and translated the kindness into the two languages. An event that occurs every spring, when third age universities reap the fruits of the work carried out during the academic year. To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Slovenia’s entry into the European Union, this year the Unitri of Nova Gorica invited its counterparts from Gorizia and Cormons, driven by the desire to «build bridges of dialogue and friendship that overcome differences and let their hearts unite.”
The first to perform was the guitar, ukulele and flute group directed by maestro Egon Boštjančič, who performed “Angeli živijo” (I have a dream) by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. “To those who claim that the elderly are of little use, we can reply that they are wrong”, the presenters read by voice of the associations present. Not only did they prove indispensable, but during the evening they demonstrated an inexhaustible energy and creativity that enhanced their immense resource. From belly dances to choral symphonies, to bags, scarves, clothes and infinite other handmade accessories, the event brought to the stage an army capable of representing the pillar of society no less than young people.
Speaking on stage was the president of Unitri Ivanka Drnovšček, who recalled the eighty activities offered to members, thanks to the 40 teachers who collaborate assiduously. «Before the pandemic we had 600 members, today we are around 400», he regrets. A collaboration with the territory that aims to “be an active part of its growth” ensuring cultural promotion to the members themselves, but at the same time providing an opportunity to “establish interpersonal relationships without prejudice or fear”. Luciano Patat, president of the UniTre of Cormons, also remembered the twenty years that have passed since the cancellation of the borders.
Since then “contacts have intensified”, so that the work carried out at the Universities of the Third Age today allows a fertile exchange of experiences and ideas, binding us inextricably. An initiative that allows you to «bring the two communities closer together across a border that no longer has bars or dividing nets. Two communities that want to continue to live in peace, overcoming the misunderstandings of the past.”
And after the moving “Meraviglioso” by Domenico Modugno and the lighter “Un kiss at midnight” performed by the Cormons choir – directed by Cristina Del Negro – it was the turn of the sparkling dance in red and black together with the teachers Annarita Tomat, Fulvia Torresan and Sherry Wilson.
Performances that can be “light for our soul” and stimulus for creativity, the main tool of social inclusion. The ukulele group is followed by the flute group directed by Ivan Mignozzi, up to the recitation of the verses of the poem “Motivo goriziano” by Šorli and “Paradiso perduto” by Silvia Wehrenfennig. While Ljubka disenchantedly observes the landscape in which «St. Gabriel meditates, almost angry at the strange border», Silvia questions herself on the meaning of losing the homeland: «How will the new one welcome us? /In silence we will drag the cart/with inside everything that remains/of a lost life”.
Emiliana Di Dato Valenti, president of Uti Gorizia, is also enthusiastic, according to which the aim of the associations is “to improve the quality of life of the elderly by creating meeting opportunities”. A university founded in 1986 and now in its 38th academic year, with an offer that exceeds one hundred courses. Thunderous applause for the fashion show organized by Flavia Lippi, in which the ladies displayed with great elegance hand-sewn dresses, but also umbrellas, bags, hats, soft toys and silk scarves, creations created during the sewing and painting courses on fabric and crochet.
Finally, great success for the group of belly dancers and the choreography of veils directed by Nika Mlakar, in a triumph of colors and satins. From the Mavrica choir we move on to the guitar group, to close on a high note with “The hymn to joy” by Ludwig Van Beethoven, which saw the choirs of Nova Gorica and Cormons united to bring to each of them that «joy that is the enemy of every war» .
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Tags: Gorizia Nova Gorica Cormons stage Goriziano
