«It is with pride and emotion that I receive honorary citizenship of the Municipality of Sirignano from the mayor and the municipal council. I consider it a tribute not only to my person, but also to the position I hold. The memories I have of Sirignano are few, but extraordinary.” The prefect of Perugia said it, Armando Gradonereceiving honorary citizenship and the “Cuore d’Oro” award in the town of Irpinia, promoted by Massimo Maria Civale of the Academy of International Cultures and Sciences which every year intends to recognize those who are actively involved in social work and volunteering and have held important roles in public administration and associations.
«This land is my essence, the place where my roots lie, despite my parents coming from Vallata, on the other side of Irpinia. I spent the first seven years of my life here, and the separation was painful and definitive. However, the return was a whirlwind of emotions. Seeing the house where I grew up with my brothers was like an embrace of my deepest history. Sirignano, like many towns in Irpinia, has suffered emigration, leaving a void in the communities. Growing up here meant spending time with our grandparents while our parents sought their fortunes abroad. We are children of our grandparents. I remember with pain the day my father left. For me it was dramatic. Instead, I remember with joy when my mother took me to the fields to play under the thick, dense tree, while she arranged the hazelnuts in the basket. The harvesting of hazelnuts, with the chapped hands of women, was a ritual made of effort and beauty. My childhood was not easy. I got up at dawn to follow mum. To the young people present, I want to say that our roots are our strongest anchor, we must never lose them, because they define us and support us in life” concluded the prefect.
Honorary citizenship was conferred on him by the mayor of Sirignano Antonio Colucci in the presence of the councilors and municipal administrators, of the deputy vice-prefect Maura Nicolina Perrotta, current regent of the Prefecture of Avellino and other local authorities. «Today is a historic day for our city, because after so many years the community is once again embracing a son of its land. One who represents the pride of this Municipality, often forgotten by the institutions – declared Mayor Colucci. An important and solemn day for the prefect Gradone who, after the granting of citizenship, also collected the international “Cuore d’Oro” 2024 award, whose honorary president is the cardinal José Saraiva Martinsprefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. A prestigious recognition that enhances values, gestures of great altruism, the principles of legality and transparency, culture and social volunteering. The “Cuore d’Oro” award organized by the Grand Prior Civale was awarded to voluntary associations and people from civil society who distinguished themselves for their professional and social activities.
Among the awardees who have actively committed themselves to altruism and responsibility there are also the Consul of Bénin in Naples Giuseppe Gambardellathe journalist Angelo Covinorepresentative of the Communication Network of the INPS Metropolitan Coordination Directorate of Naples, the mayor of the Municipality of Sirignano, Antonio Coluccithe president of the Don Tonino Bello Association of Avellino, Giuseppe D’Argenio; the National Carabinieri Association of Nusco, the National Carabinieri Association of Ospedaletto d’Alpinolo formerly Montefredane Michele Fragnito; the president of the Italian Police Association of Camerota Pio Del Duca; the president of the Campania Region Italian Environmental Guard Association Concetta Galotto; the president of Ass.Cavalieri “OMSTJ” Laura Petrizzi; the president of the Knights of St. George Association in Carinthia Antonio Spiezia; the president of the Association. of Volunteer Civil Protection “Jaguar”, Marialina La Marca and finally the Associations of the Order of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem “OSJ Malta” and the Knights of the Holy Grail of the Pelican Pirate. An award for the commitment carried out in the Baiano area was given to the Commander of the Carabinieri Station Marshal Major Luigi Passero and to the Commander of the Guardia di Finanza Lieutenant, Lieutenant Luciano Fasolino.
«We must continue on the path of solidarity. It is absurd that on the threshold of the third millennium one has to travel 20 kilometers to go to school and 10 kilometers to fetch water” added the Benin consul Giuseppe Gambardella. «The award dedicated to me – said Covino, I symbolically offer it to the deputy inspector of the State Police Christian Di Martino, stabbed in Lambrate station a few days ago by a Moroccan and who risked his life to defend other human lives. This “Golden Heart” recognition is a heartfelt tribute to those who, like him, with a heart of gold, sacrifice themselves every day to guarantee public order and safety.”
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