In the picturesque setting of the Alpemare Beach Club in Forte dei Marmi, the “100% Italia for Matteo” Gala Dinner was held, an event that combined haute cuisine, art and music with a common goal: to support Matteo Materazzi in his battle against ALS. The initiative, conceived by Simone Barazzotto, garnered the support of personalities from sports, culture and civil society, while also keeping an eye on the United States, where the possibility of an experimental cure is opening up.
Reporting from Rome together with his wife Maura, Materazzi was able to move and make the guests smile, showing the fighting spirit that distinguishes him. “I’m becoming like Cicciobello,” he joked, “but as long as my brain allows me, I don’t want to give up. Next to him, his wife ironically recounted the daily difficulties: “When we are in bed I always have to fix his legs… I feel like Verdone with his grandmother on vacation!” Moments of levity that drew laughter and applause, even while being aware of the seriousness of the challenge.
The evening was attended by Veronica Berti Bocelli, hostess, former soccer player Fabio Galante and volleyball champion Veronica Angeloni. On the gastronomic front, chefs Gabriele Corcos and Bilena Settepani, together with Mirko Caldino, proposed a menu that enhanced the authenticity of Italian taste. Artist Benito Macerata, on the other hand, put on a live performance, donating one work to the Materazzi family and earmarking a second painting for charity auction.
The initiative is part of a larger project to promote “Sistema Italia” in the United States, thanks to the support of House of Made in Italy NYC and I Love Italian Food, with the participation of brands such as Acetaia Giusti, Olio Monini, Urbani Tartufi, Tenuta Utulivu and others.
Meanwhile, an online auction of sports memorabilia and artworks, including an original drawing by Keith Haring and autographed items by champions such as Francesco Totti, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Gianpaolo Pazzini, will start on Memorabid from Monday, August 25.
Fundraising has already exceeded 250,000 euros, but the goal is much more ambitious: over a million dollars, needed to support the costs of research and a possible relocation to New York. A race against time that turned a gala dinner into a message of hope.
The article Gala in Forte dei Marmi to support Matteo Materazzi against ALS comes from TheNewyorker.
