There are experiences that leave a deep mark on you, especially when it comes to your children’s health. For those who spend long periods in the hospital, each day can feel endless, difficult, and filled with emotions to manage. The ABF Edu-Care program represents something truly important, especially for children
My name is Maria Manetti Shrem and I am proud to be an Andrea Bocelli Foundation Ambassadress. I live in San Francisco, California and Florence, Italy. I am a patron of the arts and music, and a benefactor for causes related to education and health, internationally and in my local community. I
Hello Mara, it does not happen so often that a celebrity such as yourself so promptly stands up for a cause. Why did you immediately, and enthusiastically, accept and decide to take part in this project?
I have been following the trajectory of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation for quite some time now and I find it very genuine and transparent, built on passion and heart, which is why I immediately took up the initiative when I was told about the new project that it wanted to carry out in the areas affected by the 2016 earthquake, welcoming Andrea and Veronica to Domenica In TV show to talk about it together. And they “knocked me over” with their energy and their enthusiasm. I like what they do and the gravitas that they have brought to ABF.
In July of 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada where I live, Laura Biancalani presented me with a beautiful certificate naming me an Ambassador of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation. To say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement.
Good morning director. Well, it has been demonstrated that “the earthquake has not stopped the music”. Yes, that’s right. Although the earthquake destroyed our building, deeply wounding us and causing a dream that we had been chasing for years to vanish into thin air, music, in any case, continued to
How would you describe your personal relationship with Maestro Andrea Bocelli?
I’ve known the Maestro for a few years and our relationship is based on great admiration and cooperation, which began with my predecessor Matteo Renzi and then developed over time. Of course, the main thing that brings us together is music: when you speak about music with Andrea Bocelli you immediately understand the passion that he puts into his work. Once we even played together in private, me on the violin and him on the piano, and I hope that we can do so again in the future. Beyond the music, I find Andrea to be a highly sensitive and spiritual man. I greatly appreciate the commitment that he, his wife Veronica and his Foundation give to social issues: here at Palazzo Vecchio we have hosted Celebrity Fight Night in Italy several times, which is organized for his Foundation. Last but not least, we also share a love for horses: I’m not as good at riding as he is, but we’ve promised one another that we will go riding together one day.
The future is sustained by the memory of the past and the pursuit of the present.
The project for the new De Amicis School Complex in Muccia is focusing its utmost attention on safety and stability, incorporating the shapes and colors of the physical geography that surrounds it, as well as the thoughts, ideas and desires of the historical, cultural and social environment in which it is located.
In seeing the positive outcome of my work, I have learned the most important lesson: helping your neighbor fills your heart with gratitude. Day after day, I notice how much determination and passion each person dedicates to reaching magnanimous goals and this drives me to do the same.
The first time that I came to ABF, a year ago, I was struck by the enthusiasm of the people who were working there and by the smiles on everyone’s faces in the photos hung on the wall: of the children and famous people photographed together with Maestro Andrea Bocelli.
We do not live for ourselves alone. We give a little of our love to others and life feels much more rewarding.