Christiaan Barnard Visits Moniga for Foundation Supporting African Children

“That he was the pioneer of heart transplants was well known to most of us; now we also know that he is, in another sense, a great benefactor of humanity through the work of his foundation, which takes care of millions of African children suffering from AIDS,” said the mayor of Moniga, Massimo Pollini, along with his assessors and councilors, who officially welcomed Professor Christiaan Barnard to the municipality during his recent visit to Moniga del Garda and the Costaripa cellars, producers of wine marketed worldwide to raise funds for his Foundation.

The famous professor’s visit was a true tour de force, taking him across several towns in the middle and lower Garda area. The official reception in Moniga, at the Town Hall, was significant because Moniga, in essence, is the center of his Italian Foundation.

The connection between wine, history, and culture of Moniga

“It makes us happy,” Pollini stated in his speech of welcome, “when he teaches us that a glass of red wine is good for health and that Moniga’s red wine is the official drink of his Foundation. Here unfolds a story, our story, of residents of Valtenesi and Lake Garda.”

If wine is ancient, having spread with Phoenician, Greek, and Roman civilizations, our lake is also ancient and bears the marks of those civilizations, sometimes even preceding them.”

Memories and life testimonies

In his closing remarks, Massimo Pollini finally remembered the man who, over 30 years ago, performed the first heart transplant, saying: “There is a human story: a citizen, a friend of Moniga, Enzo Viviani, lives with a new heart, thanks to the great generosity of others, but also thanks to the methods he was the first to apply and then teach.”

The Valtenesi and Garda – concluded the Mayor – are ancient lands, but they offer stories of daily life that are meaningful. They have a big heart and an intense soul. This day will not be forgotten.”