“An example of virtuous synergy between the enlightened entrepreneurs, the Institutions and a supportive community”.
These are the words of the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella, who with his personal message virtually joined the celebrations for the Grand Opening of Sarnano’s middle school – the throbbing heart of a village still scarred by the earthquake – today is an innovative, anti-seismic, eco-sustainable building, technologically advanced reality.
On May 2nd at the presence of Andrea Bocelli and Renzo Rosso, respectively founders of the “Andrea Bocelli Foundation” and the “Only The Brave Foundation”, the “Giacomo Leopardi” middle school in Sarnano was officially inaugurated. This achievement is the result of the commitment of the 2 philanthropic organizations (with the support of many companies that believed in the project) that in the record time of 150 days were able to rebuild the school hit by the earthquake exactly in same area where it used to be before.
A little yet big miracle of good will and synergies that thanks to the support of friends and donors transformed a rubble and debris scenario into a festive inauguration of the new facility which not only is an amazing school but it also represents a strategic cultural, sports and artistic for a community in a beautiful medieval village in the mountain, tourism driven that was able to react with courage cohesion and determination to the earthquake emergency.
“After signing hundreds of non-compliance with the safety standards orders, this is the best order I have ever signed”, stated the Mayor of Sarnano Franco Ceregioli, in a spirit of moving excitement, when the two founders and the Mayor in the stunning Assembly Hall of the new school ratified the document for the transfer of the school to the Municipality.
Over two-thousand people attended the ribbon cutting Ceremony at the presence of many important celebrities from the showbiz and the charity world like Italian singer Renato Zero, Italian actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Sarah Ferguson and DJ Ringo who thanks to a SMS fundraising campaign launched last Fall at the “Celebrity Fight Night in Italy” marathon, had already given their precious contribution, as they took this small medieval village at heart and decided to support the ambitious pilot project.
Amongst the Authorities who attended the ceremony, Special Commissioner for the Reconstruction Paola De Micheli, the President of the Region Luca Ceriscioli, the Macerata Bishop Monsignor Nazzareno Marconi, the Mayor of Sarnano Franco Ceregioli and his fellow Mayors of the villages and towns hit by the earthquake. However, the real protagonists of the day were the children, visibly thrilled and smiling, in front of a carousel of spotlights and cameras.
It was the “thank you” day, to be given and to receive, within a virtuous exchange that fuels the same conviction and the same momentum that some months ago made ABF and OTB decide to join forces: leading by example, by creating a circle of people for people. A “Thank you” that the “Andrea Bocelli Foundation” wish to extend to all those who supported the project even with the Fundraising Campaign with the Solidarity SMS last Fall.
The two Foundations dealt directly with all aspects related to the reconstruction, including tenders, taking on quite demanding responsibilities, although they also had more freedom to manage the spaces – with the approval of the local administration. Despite being an intervention that fell within an emergency context, the Andrea Bocelli Foundation and the Only The Brave Foundation – in line with their Missions – adopted a systemic approach which aims at implementing projects that can create growth opportunities for single individuals as well as for the whole community. The building was conceived to be complete and definitive, in perfect harmony with the environment, as it is the expression of beauty, as well as of extreme functionality. A school full of music and opportunities.
