In Valguarnera yesterday a plaque was unveiled in memory of judges Falcone and Borsellino. Today, the anniversary of the Capaci massacre, in which Giovanni Falcone lost his life, we asked the mayor of Valguarnera, Francesca Draià, to talk to us about the initiative linked to our collective memory.
Good morning, Mayor Draià. Yesterday, May 22, 2024, the city of Valguarnera experienced a significant moment during the celebration of Legality Day. Can you tell us how the initiative to name a plaque after judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino was born?
Good morning. It all started on November 24, 2016 with the naming of the former Villa Vecchia in Villa “Falcone -Borsellino”. Since that time, our commitment to keeping the memory of these great men alive has become a mission for our community. The unveiling of the monumental plaque is the culmination of a process of reflection and education on legality that involves the entire city.
Today’s ceremony saw a significant participation of authorities and citizens. Can you tell us about the people and institutions involved?
Certainly. The ceremony was attended by numerous civil and military authorities, including His Excellency the Prefect, the Police Commissioner of Enna, the Colonel of the Guardia di Finanza and the Commissioners of the armed forces of the Province. We also had the precious testimony of the President of the Antiracket association of Leonforte, Gaetano Debole, and the presence of the Coordinator of the Italian Antiracket Federation, Paolo Terranova. Their participation gave an even deeper meaning to the day.
During the ceremony, students played a central role. What was their contribution?
The students of the Professional Institute for Commercial Services “G. Magno” and IC Mazzini offered wonderful performances, reading thoughts and reflections born from an educational path carried out in the classroom. Their words, full of emotion and hope, reminded all of us of the importance of fighting indifference and actively committing to legality. I’m very proud of them.
Are there any other people or groups you would like to thank?
Sincere thanks also go to the head teachers of the schools involved, to the teachers present and to all the citizens who participated. Special thanks go to my Councillors, the Prime Minister and the City Councillors. Without their support, this day would not have had the same meaning.
The plaque discovered today bears a quote from Giovanni Falcone. What message do you want to convey to the community through this quote?
The plaque reports the words of Giovanni Falcone: “Men pass, ideas remain and will continue to walk on the legs of other men.” These words embody the spirit of Falcone and Borsellino. Their sacrifice must be a beacon for all of us, so that legality becomes a shared and daily practice. We hope that today’s message can continue to resonate in our daily lives, inspiring us to look to the future with confidence, supported by their example of courage and dedication.
Thank you, Mayor Draià, for sharing these thoughts with us and for your continuous commitment to legality.
Thank you for the opportunity to talk about this important initiative.
