Garda’s “Poems on the Wall” Contest Sparks Local and Tourist Interest
Calle dei Sottoportici is one of the most photographed alleys in the historic center: a quintessential picturesque corner. In recent days, the number of tourist clicks increased because dozens of poems were hung along the alley like sheets. This was the work of an Milanese artist now effectively a resident of Garda: Adriano Foschi, known as De Melo, who has his studio in the typical narrow street of the Riviera center. He was the one who proposed to the Comune Library the idea of “Poems on the Wall.” This sparked a unique poetic contest.
Results and Participation
The success was immediate: about seventy entries from more than thirty authors. Even more remarkable was the engagement during the on-site voting: around three hundred people participated at the polling stations. Perhaps never before in the town had there been such interest in poetry. “The first open poetry contest to be hung on walls,” says Adriano Foschi, “was born from a genuine popular need for communication and creativity.” The compositions received at De Melo’s studio were then attached to laundry lines along the street, fluttering there until they wore out.
Viewing Methods and Judgments
Passersby could read, comment, and, as mentioned, vote for their favorite poems. Their votes were complemented by the judgments of Foschi himself and Andrea Torresani. The winner for the dialect compositions in Gardesan was, rightfully, Grazia Gaburro Simonelli, with her “Letter to Paradise” sent to her late husband. “A big surprise, full of poignant melancholy and great humanity,” commented tourism councilor Antonio Pasotti.
Other Recognitions and Awards
In second place was “La cà de le rondole” by Massimiliano Zermini, who has long been dedicated to poetry with a Benacense subject, achieving excellent results. Third was Tito Ragnolini, a local football legend, who through his poem “Maggio” celebrated the Marian traditions of the town and the political successes of the new mayor, Davide Bendinelli. In the Italian language section, Mauro Bellinazzi triumphed with his classically styled “Vol di passerotto.”
Selection and Mentions
Following him in the rankings are Carla Collesei Billi with “Bevo il tempo” and Maria Luisa Pedrotti Rigo with “Poesia d’amore.” Also noted were Manuel Dall’Ora, Marco Gelmetti, Paolo Paoletti, Francesca Vianini, Roberto Sensi, Giovanna Marchi, Davide Foschi, Graziano Lorenzini, Lucia Gandini, Patrizia Garneri, and Alberto Paon.
Final Impressions and Future Proposals
“The initiative was definitely interesting and engaging, and it deserves to be repeated,” says Pasotti. Perhaps, we suggest, expanding it to tourists choosing Garda for their holidays: many vacationers, including foreigners, in these days showed curiosity and interest in the “Poems on the Wall.”