Dear friends, on September 11, 2015, around 4:30 p.m., I was at the summer residence of the President of the Republic with friends from Fede e Luce and various representatives from different organizations.
During the summer, Castelporziano was made available to associations serving people with disabilities, giving them the opportunity to spend a seaside holiday. September 11th marked the closing ceremony.
Television presenter Elsa di Gati was there—she works on Rai Tre on the show "Mi manda Rai Tre" and others like "La vita in diretta" and "Uno Mattina". She told the story of meeting Roberto Luciani, who spent the entire time talking to her about Roma football players. We sang the national anthem, and then the President of the Republic arrived with representatives from institutions: Mayor Marino, Zingaretti the regional president, Boldrini the president of the Chamber of Deputies, and Prefect Gabrielli. We watched a performance by the Ladri di Carrozzelle ensemble and danced. Then came the Carabinieri band on horseback and a group of paratroopers from the Tuscania regiment who performed jumps. At the end there was a lavish buffet. It was hot because the weather was beautiful, and you could see the castle. It was a wonderful and fun day!
Gabriella Buongiorno, 2015
On Friday, September 11th, President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella spoke humbly at the extraordinary celebration marking the end of the summer stays reserved for people with disabilities and their families in the Castelporziano nature reserve. Among the various officials present, he spoke not only to thank the organizations working with people with disabilities, but also to share his thoughts on the meaningful experience that had just concluded.
"I was deeply troubled by organizational concerns—worry that we wouldn't be able to welcome people who are 'different' as well as we should have," Mattarella said. "Both political and high-ranking officials had many fears. But those fears dissolved when we realized that we can only truly accept difference by spending time with people whose way of being differs from our own. The joy they brought to this austere place has filled our hearts with happiness," the president concluded, pledging to repeat this experience in the years to come.
The Carabinieri on horseback, paratroopers, trained dogs, and a musical group composed of people with disabilities all added to the festive spirit, which ended with an abundant buffet.
I find Mattarella's example admirable—he is the only president truly sensitive and engaged with the issues facing people with disabilities. I hope many others will follow his lead.
Flavia Castoldi, 2015
I'll add just a few notes to what Gabriella and Flavia have described—young women from two Roma communities.
The sun shining brilliantly despite the storm raging just a few kilometers to the north… but how vast Rome is!
The emotion of entering—welcomed guests, expected guests—a presidential estate that was not flashy but truly beautiful, and thanks to… Pietro (a fair-haired man in his seventies, powerful voice, gentle soul), a perfect host.
The entry procedures turned out to be far easier than expected… relief all around!
The few but thoughtful words the president spoke to those gathered. "It wasn't difficult. It required work, it required particular attention, but in the end it cost only some small effort. And this makes me reflect: it really isn't that difficult to tear down architectural barriers, to remove the obstacles that stand in the way and prevent access for everyone. It isn't that difficult at all. It can be done.
Perhaps the barriers that are hardest to break down are those in our minds—in the mentality of so many people. These barriers are inertia, the laziness of not wanting to take responsibility, not wanting to face problems, not wanting to decide to open up and welcome others." And then: "Joy is something that must be guaranteed to everyone, something that must at least be allowed to each person. There is so much of it here today, and for that I renew my welcome and say thank you—thank you truly to all of you."
Meeting so many of the people with disabilities we know from Fede e Luce who had come with the organizations that support them… seeing evidence of so many different communities—so many places of relationship, to return to the theme of the last issue…
The satisfaction of it, like seeing your favorite singer up close… giving your friend an elbow nudge… when we discovered that the Roberto the presenter had mentioned… yes! …was our very own Roberto Luciani! He was able to greet the President somewhat on behalf of all the participants at the summer center. And we know him!!!
The presence of the Ladri di carrozzelle ensemble… a genuine successful example of profound self-awareness about their own disabilities and the possibility of seeing them from different angles—even humorous ones!
The music that had everyone dancing and singing on the grassy field in front of the Carabinieri, the officials… and it seemed the President concluded that this really was a celebration. A true, authentic celebration.
The generous professionalism of the Carabinieri who performed with trained dogs, horses—at least fifty of them—and who then parachuted down before our astonished eyes into a space that seemed far too small. For someone like me, not much of a practitioner of such things, it seemed almost like threading a needle from six hundred feet away!
And finally, a very pleasant and abundant buffet: excuse me, but we from Fede e Luce know our food…
Cristina Tersigni, 2015