TURIN – A day dedicated to inclusion and solidarity with Ukrainian children concluded with extraordinary success at the “Cascina Torta” Reception Center. The event, held on December 8th, transformed the facility managed by the L’Angolo Social Cooperative—currently home to 248 refugees—into a vibrant stage of joy, sharing, and institutional closeness.
Promoted by journalist and activist Claudia Conte, under the patronage of the Embassy of Ukraine in Italy, the initiative saw the active participation of prestigious partners such as the FIGC (Italian Football Federation) and the Italian State Police. It demonstrated how synergy between the public sector, private entities, and non-profits can generate concrete social impact.
A Day of Celebration, Hope, and Sharing
Sport, music, and culture merged in a single symbolic embrace. The solidarity with Ukrainian children was expressed through tangible gestures: the FIGC distributed gadgets, sports kits, and gifts, using the universal language of football as a bridge for social inclusion and play.
In parallel, the Italian State Police donated “Il Mio Diario” (My Diary) to every child. This interactive educational notebook, designed to guide young people through themes of legality, safety, and creativity, represented a gesture of profound closeness, offering reassurance and institutional affection to young guests marked by the drama of the ongoing conflict.
The Message from the President of the Piedmont Region
The institutional significance of the event was highlighted by Alberto Cirio, President of the Piedmont Region, who emphasized the territory’s central role in reception policies:
«Piedmont is a land of welcome and solidarity. Hosting these families means offering protection and normalcy, but also remembering that peace is built starting with the little ones. This event takes on an even stronger value because it involves fundamental institutions like the State Police together with the worlds of sport, volunteering, and culture.»
Music, Storytelling, and Workshops to Restore Smiles
Educational entertainment was the beating heart of the day. On stage, singer-songwriter Massimo Di Cataldo, honored as “Ambassador of the Smile to the World,” engaged the children in an emotional musical workshop.
The magic of storytelling was entrusted to actor Daniel McVicar and actress Angela Melillo, who enchanted the little ones with fairy tales and stories. There was also space for Italian culinary tradition with a “taste workshop” curated by Molino Signetti and the Zafirov family of Pizzeria Zaffiro, who guided families and children in preparing pizza dough, celebrating the excellence of Made in Italy.
Testimonials of Sport and Social Commitment
The event featured prominent figures from the sports and association landscape, including Luca Massaccesi (Olympic Medalist and President of the National Observatory on Bullying and Youth Discomfort), Prof. Cesare San Mauro, and Makovska Olga, representative of the Ukrainian Community in Turin.
The success of the initiative was made possible thanks to the support of strategic partners sensitive to CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), including Attorney Maurizio Bortolotto (Studio Gebbia Bortolotto), Gianfranco Santero of Santero 958, Stephan Nicolussi (Domus Europa), and Pompeo Torchia (President of Associazione Sud del Mondo ETS). Torchia also announced the next institutional appointment: the conference “Pacification and Reconstruction for Ukraine”, scheduled for December 16th at the Chamber of Deputies, with a focus on mutilated children.
The Voices of the Promoters
At the close of the event, the words of the protagonists summarized the spirit of the day. Claudia Conte stated:
«December 8th is for us a day of profound solidarity. It is a way not to look the other way and to transform closeness into a gesture of humanity. I thank the Ukrainian Embassy, the FIGC, and the State Police for supporting an event that speaks to everyone’s heart.»
Mirella Margarino, President of the L’Angolo Social Cooperative, concluded by stressing the importance of daily care:
«This day is a big hug to the Ukrainian children. At Cascina Torta, we try every day to transform reception into listening, relationships, and a future. On December 8th, we told our little guests that they are not alone.»
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