Each year in Genzano di Roma
They say it with flowers
While the discussion – and I really don't want to underestimate its import – continues on the way of highlighting the Christian roots of Europe – I have had the opportunity of reflecting on one of the deepest religious influences on the life of a characteristic town in the Castelli Romani, where there is no lack of evidence of the quarrels caused by the exercise of the temporal power of the popes.
Giulio Andreotti
The “Infiorata”, the flower display in Genzano on the feast of Corpus Christi
With legitimate pride the townsfolk explain how they make these pictures; with the selection of the sketches the outline of which is then drawn on the pavement and entrusted to the flower arrangers. There is the patient gathering of three hundred and fifty thousand flowers (along with the plant essences) that are then stored in caves where the laborious task of separating of the petals from the corollas is undertaken.
But you also listen with interest to the reports of various past occasions of an unusual spectacle that caught the attention - and they wrote about it - of such men of letters as Gogol and Andersen, but also of such historical figures as Massimo D’Azeglio and Garibaldi who, invited by the civil authorities of Genzano to walk up the large carpet of flowers, refused with the words: “Certain divine things shouldn’t be trampled”.
The exciting experience of recent days, including the opening of a permanent historical exhibition of the “Infiorata”, confirmed me in the conviction that Italy’s new program of economico/social development must hinged on the artistic legacy of the country (Unesco estimates it possesses more than half of all the works of painting, sculpture and architecture existing in the world) as well as on its landscape, on its traditions, on its historical monuments.
I once asked the great Federico Zeri to shape such a project, but he refused, objecting that in his opinion the landscape is in considerable part ruined. He was tired and there was no time to discuss further and convince him. But I didn’t change idea and I hope that on the national level or through the initiative of various regions opportune measures will be taken. Recently the centenary of the birth of Ezio Vanoni was celebrated with due respect: the farseeing development scheme of the ’fifties was his.
The Italy of Tourism (with a capital T) that I hope will be able to face the difficulties of competition that international rivalry in the productive sectors will make ever tougher. Reacting and raising the alarm for the Fiat crisis is of course the right thing. But unless we come up with new constructive ideas there’s the danger of getting caught up in a narrowing spiral.
I’m grateful to the people of Genzano for having given me occasion to freshen a conviction that I consider not only well-founded, but also without alternatives.