Last Sunday, in Santiago de Chile, a friendly match between Italians and Ukrainians residing in the Trans-Andean country mobilized young institutions of the tricolor community in an embrace of solidarity. With United hands parcels and parcels of medicines and medical devices have been collected, which will reach the wounded and displaced persons of the conflict through the embassies of Italy and Ukraine.
From "Italy of Today" ...
"It all started with a group of friends who got together to play football". But now, Italy today it is much more than that. It is an experience full of vibrant positive energy in the purest Italian style ", wrote our Mirtha Aldunce on itChile. When Mirtha met the sparkling young Italians of recent migration, now in Chile for a few years, to write about them - the "Italia di Oggi" group, in fact - the friendship created spontaneously resulted in an invitation to participate in a party in family, with friends, at the Da Franco restaurant. The all-tricolor sympathy of the group also conquered the enChilena Valentina Brignole, who inarticle Mirtha talks about it with enthusiasm.
… To an idea in a box: Manos Unidas
The pleasant evening ended with an invitation to leave a note with an idea in a box. A proposal of activities and initiatives to blossom from the creativity of the group - which has a lot of desire to do beautiful things together -. Among the proposals was “organize one humanitarian soccer match between representatives of Italy and Ukraine ". A beautiful way to do something, and also to offer closeness and affection, in the face of this absurd drama. Faced with the truly anachronistic yet real tragedy that it is the Russia-Ukraine war. No sooner said than done.
Manos Unidas, hands together
And so last Saturday, Manos Unidas “happened”. Hands united and ideally extended from Santiago de Chile to Kiev, Mariupol, Odessa… The sports complex Italian Stadium in Las Condes, in the north-eastern district of Santiago, starting at 11 am the friendly between Italians and Ukrainians in Chile. Before the kick-off, they have the national anthems - simple but exciting, in this context - of Ukraine, Italy and Chile (host country). The "paying public" paid for the ticket by donating medical supplies, medicines and basic necessities. Which the Embassy of Italy then handed over to the Embassy of Ukraine for a quick shipment home. After the game, prize draw offered by a dozen sponsors, almost all closely linked to Italy. But first: the game! Ovations to the players, greeted one by one, and ... off to the dances.
Relevant appearances
For Giacomo Montecassiano, one of the founders of “Italia di Oggi”, Manos Unidas was “an event of union and socialization that showed that great results can be achieved with sacrifice”. "Our goal is to guide people to reflect the value of time, friendship and respect for others and for the world in which we live".
The presence and intervention emphasized the importance of the event Ambassador of Italy to Chile Mauro Battocchi, of theChargé d'affaires of the Embassy of Ukraine Vladyslav Bohorad, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian community in Chile Oksana Tunska and Yuliia Kulyk, from the organization Chile Supports Ukraine. Last but not least, the president of the Italian Stadium Paola Della Schiava and its director Enrique Ravizza.
Football for friendship, football for peace
For the record, the cup, also donated by a sponsor, went to Italy, winning 7 to 3. Manos Unidas was a bit like those rays of sunshine, now more urgent than ever, than on dark days rekindle the hopes of a peaceful future.
And this thanks to Giacomo Montecassiano, Niccolò Viviani and the other young people from Italy today. Thanks to the authorities of the Italian Stadium sports and cultural center, to itChile - media partner of both organizations -. And to many others.
Photo source: Marcia Cifuentes
