“The State is here with us today”: so commenced Claudio Gubitosi during the inauguration of the 49th edition of Giffoni. The Festival, that has been celebrating creativity all over the world for almost 50 years, officially started in the presence of regional Councilor for Tourism Corrado Matera, Salerno Deputy Mayor Eva Avossa, Giffoni Valle Piana Mayor Antonio Giuliano, Mayors from the Picentini area, law enforcement and military authorities.
After paying a visit to the Campania Region and law enforcement’s exhibition areas inside the Giffoni Village, the Italian National Anthem by Mameli was performed by the Carabinieri’s fanfare to enhance the naming ceremony of the Multimedia Valley’s new square, that has now officially become Piazza Giffoni Film Festival. “With 6200 jurors coming from 50 Countries as well as all over Italy, this day marks the beginning of the future towards the 50th anniversary – declared Mayor Giuliano – Here we can share brotherhood, solidarity and togetherness along the journey that led us here”.
Then a visibly moved Giffoni Experience President Piero Rinaldi took the floor: “I wish to greet all the institutions present here today, in particular the Campania Region that always supports us and gives us the opportunity to grow. My best wishes to all of you for this edition, which is going to be a breathtaking one”. “Right now Giffoni is at the centre of the world – went on Councilor Matera, who also recalled the magnificent success of the University Games. It behooves us to address a farewell thought to great Luciano De Crescenzo who’s just left us, a citizen of the world who always held Naples and Campania in his heart, a man of culture who had a gift for making difficult things very easy. Well, easiness is the key to the Giffoni success, a Festival that gives the youth the chance to express their emotions. The Campania Region is here and supports Giffoni because these are the events worth boosting, the events that bring prestige to Campania”.
The inaugural programme of the opening day also included the presentation of 47 special passports. Forty-seven Ambassadors of Giffoni, forty-seven witnesses of a bold idea, forty-seven spokespersons of the value that the Festival has been conveying for no less than 50 years. On the occasion of the 49th edition opening, at the Multimedia Valley 47 Ambassadors, coming from all over Italy, were given a passport officially charging them with the task of spreading the message and spirit of Giffoni in their cities and schools. Passports were handed by Director Claudio Gubitosi, together with Councilor for Tourism of the Campania Region Corrado Matera, Giffoni Experience President Piero Rinaldi, Giffoni Experience Strategy Manager Jacopo Gubitosi and Giffoni Valle Piana Mayor Antonio Giuliano.
“This year – Director Gubitosi said – I’ve met no less than 60.000 youth while wandering around Italy, in little villages, schools and universities. The Ambassadors are going to reverse such scheme: they will be able go to their schools and usual places and say: “I am Giffoni, I can bring Giffoni here. That’s how the 50 years era begins”. No saying can better express the challenge the Ambassadors have embarked on: “What happens here improves the world. And you – Gubitosi ended - are called to make the world a better place”.
