[:en]Ragusa – The three-day Ragusa Pride 2023 began yesterday (Thursday).
The CCC welcomed a large audience, who came to listen and immerse themselves in the dialogues titled "What is Needed? Visionary Views into Real Worlds" that characterized the first two days.
The event opened with institutional greetings from Councilor Elvira Adamo of Ragusa, an important moment to remember that institutions must also address the lives of LGBTQIA+ people. In the province of Ragusa, many institutions have given a clear sign of support by granting patronage, which is a formal but public act, a starting point, a foothold for the many people demanding recognition of their rights, contrary to what is currently happening in many Italian municipalities. For this reason, we would like to thank, once again, the Libero Consorzio Comunale di Ragusa and the municipalities of Ragusa, Scicli, Giarratana, Vittoria, Comiso, Monterosso Almo, Chiaramonte Gulfi, Modica, and Ispica for granting their patronage to Ragusa Pride. Mayor Giuseppe Cassì also participated in the initiative during the evening.
The evening began with “Notes of Truth. Lives Beyond Music”, a dialogue between Maestro Alessio Cappello and Valeria Vicari (Katastolè Prospettive), starting from the book "Non tocchiamo questo tasto" by Luca Ciammarughi, which recounts the censorship of homosexuality among great composers of the past, including Chopin, and the "Letters of Chopin," which he himself wrote to Tytus, and are temporally linked to the composition of several waltzes, officially dedicated to local countesses. Listening to Chopin, played by Cappello on the piano, accompanied by projections of images and colors by Giampiero Carta, made the experience even more vivid and engaging.
The second dialogue, "Faiths, Secularism, Self-Determination," led by Massimo Maiurana of UAAR, featured three women with different religious views. Thesie Mueller, Pastor of the Evangelical Methodist Church of Scicli, Luana Gravina, representative of the Sicilian LGBT Christian group, and Najla Hassen, an atheist intercultural mediator with a background in Islam, shared their differing perspectives, tied to their closest religions.
Tonight (Friday), starting at 8:00 PM, another event dedicated to dialogue will take place, again at the Centro Commerciale Culturale (Cultural Shopping Center) – Via Matteotti 61, Ragusa. The evening will open with "Dads by Choice," Christian De Florio and Carlo Tumino, who, together with Andrea Ragusa, president of Arcigay Ragusa, will discuss "Living Families," unconventional families, same-sex families, and real families that belong to this world, whose rights are too often trampled upon.
This will be followed by a screening of the short film “Chiedimi se,” by Margherita Fiengo Pardi, which recounts her experience as a daughter of two mothers.
It will follow “Words are windows” dialogue between Graziella Priulla, sociologist of communication and culture, and Elvira Adamo (Agedo Ragusa).
As for the first evening, LIS interpretation service is guaranteed.
At 11 pm, music will take over at BAM, Giovanni Paolo II Park, to warm up the spirits before the grand final parade, with music by Terra Matta.
On Saturday, July 1st, starting at 5:30 PM, meet at the Rainbow benches (Via di Porto Venere, Marina di Ragusa), with a large procession starting at 6:30 PM. During the wait, the very young Lorenzo Minardi will entertain the crowd with his music.
The parade will begin at 6:30 PM and will follow the entire Andrea Doria promenade, arriving at Piazza Torre, where the stage is located. Music and color will take center stage along the route, with a DJ set by Mattia Terranova and a float carefully decorated by the staff.
At 8:30 pm, on the stage in Piazza Torre, we will give voice to the LGBTQIA+ community, with scheduled presentations by the organizing associations and the attending authorities. "Dads by Choice," spokespeople for Ragusa Pride 2023, will also be present. Sign language interpretation will also be provided.
All information is available on the Ragusa Pride social media channels, Facebook and Instagram, and on www.ragusapride.it
Ragusa Pride Committee
Agedo Ragusa, Arcigay Ragusa, Katastolè Prospettive, UAAR Ragusa
