The festive atmosphere was palpable as Il Messaggero kicked off its much-anticipated Christmas event, marking 146 years since the newspaper's inception. The week-long celebration invited myriad guests from the realms of entertainment and politics, who shared personal stories during live-streamed interviews on the newspaper's official website.
Central to the event were the engaging discussions presented by stars like Leonardo Pieraccioni and Alessandro Siani. The duo, promoting their upcoming film Io e te dobbiamo parlare premiering on December 18, recounted their artistic synergy. "I’ve always turned down other people's scripts, except for when I was involved with Il Mio West by Giovanni Veronesi back in 1997," Pieraccioni said. He added, smiling, "With Ale, I said if we do this together, we had to have fun." Their well-documented chemistry suggests they succeeded, sharing laughter and creativity through WhatsApp audio messages as they fine-tuned their comedy routines.
Focusing on the film's narrative, it follows two very different police officers united by circumstance as they investigate intertwined personal issues. Pieraccioni praised Siani for matching his Tuscan flair with his own Neapolitan charm, humorously adding, "I’m the one who mimics the other’s accent best!" This whimsical interaction was part of the larger celebration reflecting the vibrant spirit of the season.
Among the festivities, Claudio Czeller, widely recognized as Babbo Natale from Fiorello's show Viva Radiodue, brought joy to the attendees with his cheerful greetings and Christmas wishes. Guests explored the historical pages of Il Messaggero and were gifted with printed replicas of the newspaper’s front page from their birthdays.
Ferzan Özpetek, whose film Diamanti is set to release soon, also joined the event. During his interview with Il Messaggero’s Deputy Director Alvaro Moretti and Gloria Satta, he expressed gratitude for the challenges of working with such an extensive cast. “Having 18 actors could have been intimidating. I must thank the producer for believing in us. It was tough, especially for the emotional scenes,” he shared, exuding pride. The film's cast features familiar names like Mara Venier and Luca Barbarossa. Özpetek mentioned how he convinced Venier to take on her role shortly before filming began, asserting, “She would be perfect for it.”
Özpetek also opened up about his struggles with imposter syndrome, citing public affection as both uplifting and anxiety-inducing. The atmosphere of the event allowed for candid conversations and heartfelt connections.
Andrea Delogu, another spotlight character of the evening, shed light on her show La porta magica, which airs on Raidue. She described her passion for telling the stories of ordinary people embracing their vulnerabilities, receiving uplifting feedback from viewers seeking to transform their lives. With ambitions to achieve higher viewership, she expressed, “I dream of reaching 4% share; it's quite the leap, but I’m hopeful.”
Cementing her presence, Delogu declared her unwavering commitment to radio, emphasizing its grounding effect. “Radio keeps me connected to reality and prevents me from feeling too important,” she lightheartedly stated. The celebrities contributed to the festivities by autographing ornaments crafted to embellish the event's Christmas tree, symbolizing unity and warmth during this celebratory period.
The broader community took notice of the entertaining engagements, culminating not just as social gatherings, but also showcasing the intertwining of arts and media within Italian culture. Meanwhile, on the political front, Rome's Mayor Roberto Gualtieri also shared insights on urban development initiatives. Aiming to reshape the capital's image, Gualtieri announced advancements on local stadium projects. He reassured fans of AS Roma and SS Lazio by noting the total absence of forests on their proposed construction sites, affirming the project would not disturb any wooded areas. “We are well-positioned to offer both clubs their own facilities,” he stated confidently.
Gualtieri elaborated on the planning stages of these stadiums, hinting at the extensive public benefits they promise. “These projects will also usher significant green spaces, revitalizing the surrounding areas,” he added. This reformation is emblematic of Gualtieri's broader ambition to transform Rome not just structurally, but also culturally, as he encouraged collaborations with major fashion houses like Dior and Dolce & Gabbana to reinvigorate the city’s fashion industry.
On the topic of quality of life challenges, he acknowledged fluctuated income levels between districts, expressing the need for systemic economic support for vulnerable demographics. “We must redistribute wealth, ensuring growth benefits everyone,” Gualtieri emphasized.
Beyond immediate concerns, Gualtieri expressed excitement for sustainable long-term change, positioning Rome to emerge as Italy's guiding force. “The vision for Rome is not about short-lived endeavors. We aim to develop strategies for lasting growth,” he insisted.
The conversation shifted to issues of mobility. Gualtieri articulated improvements made to the public transport system, highlighting the arrival of new CNG buses to modernize Rome's fleet effectively. Notably, he indicated the initiation of projects aimed at sustainable urban reinvention. “Necessary enhancements will follow through, especially with the support of our private partners,” he indicated, casting optimism for future collaborations.
Gualtieri’s individual projects tend to garner attention, and his remarks concerning the upcoming Jubilee concluded the night with fervor. “The Jubilee is our opportunity for transformation. We face this hazard with collective strength, ensuring extensive improvements are ready by 2033,” he said firmly.
For the night dedicated to Il Messaggero's Christmas event, the comforting blend of delight and ambition shone through, inviting audiences to tune back as the week unfolded. Not only did it feature unforgettable conversations and film previews, but also renewed commitments for the city — both culturally and politically.
Likewise, the warmth radiated by each moment served as embers of hope for the year to come, energizing participants for the tasks and triumphs yet to unfurl, echoing the spirit of the holidays and the invitations of storytelling to come.
