By Simone Bandini
Torrita di Siena celebrates the arrival of summer with two cultural events of absolute importance: the Giulio Neri International Opera Singing Competition (16-19 April) and the cultural-fair event Il Borgo dei Libri (22-24 May). We talk about it with Councilors Roberto Trabalzini and Natascia Volpi and, in closing, we ask Mayor Giacomo Grazi about the new camper area built in the village and its role as a logistical complement to tourism.
Who was Giulio Neri? Born in Torrita di Siena on May 21, 1909, son of Pasquale and Marianna Pagliai, since his youth he used to perform in the ceremonies that are celebrated in his native town; one day, during a wedding party, he attracted the attention of a local nobleman, Count Enrico Galeotti Ottieri della Ciaia who, amazed by that talent, decided to support his singing studies. Thus began the period of training, during which Neri did not take long to distinguish himself. In 1933 he won the competition of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and then continued his studies at the school of the Royal Opera Theater in Rome. It was the year 1935 when he made his debut in the part of Baldassarre, in Gaetano Donizetti’s La Favorita at the Politeama Giacomo Puccini in Castelfiorentino. Three years later, in Rome, with the interpretation of Fafner in Richard Wagner’s L’Oro del Reno, he became first bass of the Opera.
“The eighteenth edition of the Giulio Neri International Opera Singing Competition will be dedicated to this illustrious fellow citizen – says Roberto Trabalizini – wanted by the city to celebrate the art of opera singing and to enhance young talents from all over the world”.
The event, which also includes generous prizes and the evaluation of the artists by a jury composed of relevant profiles in national and international musical culture such as Cristiano Sandri, as president, Edoardo Bottacin, Alessandro Di Gloria, Eleonora Leonini, Marco Vinco, Carolin Wielpütz, is a unique opportunity for opera singers to measure themselves against the challenges of the operatic repertoire, compare yourself with experts in the field and make yourself known to the public and professionals of the international music scene.
“It is not just a competition, but a path of artistic growth: meetings with conductors and opera professionals complete the experience of the competitors, transforming participation into an opportunity for artistic growth, training and visibility,” Trabalzini concludes.
Torrita thus becomes a stage and a musical laboratory that offers enthusiasts and visitors a truly unique show.
To remain on the subject of culture, especially for young people, “Il Borgo dei Libri” will return to the historic centre of the town, a fair that brings together booksellers, publishing houses, authors and exhibitors, arranged in an evocative path, with their stalls, through the streets and the square of the Old Town.
We therefore asked Councillor Natasca Volpi for further information on the event in May Torrita.
VALLEY LIFE: “Councillor Volpi, Il Borgo dei Libri, reaches its twelfth edition this year, what are the dates on the calendar and what are the main novelties of this year?”
NATASCIA VOLPI: This year the Borgo dei Libri expands its offer, anticipating the start of the event to Friday 22 May, which will then continue as usual on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May. An important event is scheduled for Friday 22 at the Palazzetto dello Sport, with a guest figure known to the general public who will be in Torrita di Siena to talk about young people and school, but on whom, at this time, no further details can be revealed. On Saturday 23 and Sunday 24, however, the event will move as usual to the historic centre, where the book fair will be set up and the various events and meetings will be located. In addition – new for this edition – starting from mid-April, on the weekends preceding the event, a series of cultural events will take place “Waiting for the Borgo dei Libri” dedicated to the presentation of books, readings and exchanges of reflections on books and the pleasure of reading.
V.L.: Literature and the young age of our children, a combination that is not easy and a passion that is increasingly difficult to cultivate in the digital age. What is your commitment, what is your message to the new generations?
N.V.: The message to the new generations is to read, develop a critical sense and become an active part of their future and of our society. For this reason, among the novelties of this year we have also decided to propose an active part: a writing workshop for the 4th and 5th classes of primary schools. A workshop held by a writer of mystery books for children. The children have already had a first remote meeting with the writer Luca Occhi and are excited to have this new experience.In addition, the “Clanis” competition, dedicated to the production of written works in Chianina dialect, previously reserved for high school students in the Valdichiana Senese and Aretina, will also be extended this year to secondary school students of the Comprehensive Institute of Torrita di Siena and Trequanda. As every year, a 5 euro voucher will be delivered – to be spent during the event – to all boys and girls who attend our schools: from kindergarten to eighth grade. Our message is therefore to ‘live’ books and reading in every way, as readers or writers, to be passionate about books whether they are paper or digital and always remember, as Carlo Collodi taught us to whom we would like to make a special mention this year on the occasion of the bicentenary of his birth, that without education and the curiosity to discover the world through the pages, We risk remaining puppets at the mercy of others, deprived of that freedom that only knowledge can give.
V.L.: What role do the local associations play in the organization of the event?
N.V.: The associations are the soul of the event. The Proloco of Torrita di Siena collaborates with the Municipality by taking care of the organizational part: from this year it will also take care of the workshops for kindergarten and elementary school children. But practically all the cultural associations of the country participate in the Borgo dei Libri, some with billboard activities (“The Accademia degli Oscuri” with the Literary Competition for children, “I Culturativi” with their column dedicated to the yellow book, the Compagnia Teatro Giovani Torrita with their theatrical performance), and most of the others (ANPI, Circolo Fra-Jacopo, to mention a few) by setting up of their own stand along the streets of the town where visitors can stop to learn about the activities of the association and the publications produced in the over the years.
V.L.: What can you tell us about the collateral events, will there be the traditional food stands in the centre again this year?
N.V.: I’ll answer you like last year: “The main event is dedicated to reading and books, however, we will try to set up food stands in order to allow visitors to spend the whole day in Torrita, thus participating in both the initiatives planned in the morning and in the afternoon.”
And finally we take stock with the Mayor Giacomo Grazi on the new strategic work carried out.
VALLEY LIFE: Good morning Mayor Grazi, where was the new camper area built and what is its strategic and functional value for visiting the town?
GIACOMO GRAZI: The new camper area has been built in Via Arno in the lower part of the town, easily accessible once you enter the town. The intervention was possible thanks to the donation of the land by the ARTS Association which a few years ago ended its activity, and the board of directors decided, rightly applying the statute, to donate this plot of land to the Municipality. It is an area where ten campers can park; There is both the discharge of wastewater, and the recharging with electricity and of course the supply of drinking water by tourists, campers, who visit our beautiful village and our welcoming town very willingly. The intervention was also possible thanks to the Tuscany Region, with which the Municipality was able to use the resources made available. This area is added to the one already present in Via di Ciliano, a few steps from the historic centre of Torrita Paese, and will give a nice tourist response to the whole system.
V.L.: What are the actions that the Municipality intends to do to encourage tourism, also encouraging a greater stay in its territory?
G.G.: For years now, thanks to teamwork of the Tourism Sector with the other eight Municipalities of the Valdichiana Senese ATO – with the Municipality of Montepulciano leading the way among the best areas for hospitality in the entire Tuscany Region – we have been trying to give better and better services to tourists, making the best use of the tourist tax. In addition, we try with small but significant initiatives distributed throughout the calendar year, to provide attractions and valid reasons for tourist visits, such as sporting and cultural events, passing through food and wine and, of course, historical and revocation events such as our Palio deiSomari now in its 60th year and 70 editions.
V.L.: Is Torrita di Siena a living city? Your associations are very active, aren’t they?
Our more than 50 associations are our pulsating engine and our human and social lifeblood. Thanks to them and thanks to their activity, every day, and every hour, there are people engaged in health care, cultural, sports, musical, theatrical services and so on and so forth. In Torrita and Montefollonico, our beautiful hamlet that is ‘Bandiera Arancione’ (Orange Flag), we certainly cannot get bored; indeed, there is no weekend free from commitments or initiatives wanted, sponsored and financed by the Municipality. In addition, we are often happy to give asylum to other associations of neighbouring municipalities, which use our buildings, our theatres and our sports facilities.
Info: For more information about the complete program please visit www.torritadisienaliving.it or Instagram and Facebook pages. For further details: info@torritadisienaliving.it – Tel. 0578717484 / 3886525977
