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END-OF-YEAR MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE CULTURAL ASSOCIATION “CONOSCERE GENOVA”
[In Genovese] I would like to speak in Genovese dialect, but I’d better speak in Italian. [In Italian] Even though 2010 seems to be the year of the rebirth of our dialect.
This is thanks to an initiative, supported by the “A Compagna” Association and by the Regione Liguria, which will see the Genovese dialect taught in primary schools from September onwards.
An initiative marked by the rediscovery of our culture, of the culture of a “superb” city, a city which is full of history, art, and... culture, indeed.
2009 is closing with the anniversary of the launch of the Castelletto lift
This is certainly an interesting anniversary but not the only one and it is not the most important to be celebrated in Genoa.
In 2009, for the second time, our Association has celebrated the anniversary of the first public performance of the Italian anthem, the Inno di Mameli, which was called then the ‘Song of the Italians’ and was performed on 10 December 1847 in front of the Oregina Sanctuary.
And, still in 2009, the “Conoscere Genova” Association joined forces with the Comune di Genova to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Edoardo Firpo’s birth as well as the 90th anniversary of Ceccardo Roccatagliata Ceccardi’s death.
Both were important poets from our city, and the latter (Roccatagliata Ceccardi) is, unfortunately, quite neglected.
But our Association will try and develop further knowledge of the poet, through a meeting in the foyer of the Teatro della Corte on January 8, at 5.30pm.
But these anniversaries pale into comparison with the one which will be celebrated right in the middle of 2010.
On May 5th, there will be the 150th since the Expedition of the Thousand from the Quarto coast.
150 years since the expedition which unified Italy, 150 years since the expedition which, in a way, paved the way for the unification of Europe too.
Let us not forget that one of the first people to theorise the unity of Europe was from Genoa. I am referring to Giuseppe Mazzini, who lived in those years too.
And I can say something else:
Even at the time, that expedition had an echo which went beyond the borders which would have been then defined with Rome as the capital.
In 2009 Conoscere Genova restored a plaque dedicated to the Polish poet Maria Konopnicka, which can be found on the Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi in Nervi.
On that occasion, on May 3 when the restored plaque was unveiled, a poem about Nervi was read out: “Noc w Nervi”, which in Polish means “Night in Nervi”.
This poet lived a long time in Italy, and also in Genoa
And among her poems there is one, written in Polish but with an Italian title, entitled “Gran Scoglio” (‘Big Rock’).
Even a foreign poet, of the calibre of Maria Konopnicka, was impressed by Garibaldi’s expedition and wished to celebrate it in her poetry.
These and many more are valid motives why we should be proud of living in Genoa, and of being from Genoa.
These and many more are the motives which make us happy to work hard to promote, develop and defend the culture of our city.
These and many more are the motives which spur us to continue, in 2010, with our project, with many projects, and we wish that you too might want to collaborate.
Our activity is certainly very engaging, but it also brings important recognition.
For me it was an honour, on December 10, to be able to read the messages that the Association received, on the occasion of the concert, from the Honourable Senator Enrico Musso and from our Major, Honourable Marta Vincenzi
Both wished to make their presence felt even though they were unable to come to Oregina in person, to celebrate with us the anniversary of the ‘Song of the Italians’.
It would be too long for me to list all those people who have shown an appreciation of our activity and are demonstrating it with facts; these people receive my heartfelt thanks.
And my heartfelt thanks also go to all the associates who have made possible what we have done so far and who will continue to make the Conoscere Genova activities possible.
To all of you, from Genoa and from other cities, on my behalf and on behalf of the Association, our very best wishes for a happy 2010, gull of joy and happiness.
Long live Genova, long live La Superba.