Rivano Christmas Contests Halted Amid Legal Dispute and Reform Plans

The Manifestations Committee of the Retail Traders Association has decided to take the necessary time to renew and promote the Rivano and Arcense Christmas celebrations.

Decision Regarding the Contest

This is why, explains Franco Gamba, president of the Manifestations Committee, the contest will not be repeated this year: “the terms to study and implement corrections and obtain ministerial authorizations are very lengthy.”

The brief statement makes no mention of the “dispute” that arose with the Excluded Committee over the famous 20,000 or so tickets that did not participate in the prize draw during the 2000 edition.

It is true that Rivano Christmas has shown signs of fatigue for several years, but it is equally true that the decisive blow was struck by the Excluded. And it’s not over yet.

Legal Proceedings and the Excluded’s Position

The third hearing of the civil case will take place on October 19, unless the parties reach an agreement beforehand. This prospect, however, is highly unlikely.

Franco Gamba reiterates that the Manifestations Committee is willing to put this matter behind them by donating 7 or 8 million lira to charity, to an organization or association.

Giordano Modena, spokesperson for the Excluded, reaffirmed that to finally settle the issue, the contest organizers must reimburse not only 8 million lira (equivalent to 400 lira for each of the 20,000 tickets, the cost of a ticket for those excluded from the prize draw), but also legal expenses.

Gamba, however, counters that the Excluded were the first to approach the lawyer, so each should deal with their own legal costs and sort it out individually.

Modena responds that if the Manifestations Committee had not made the “original mistake,” there would have been no exclusions, no Excluded Committee, and no need to seek legal counsel to resolve the matter.

Given the current situation, it seems likely this will be settled before a judge.

Clarification on Charitable Donations

The final—and not least—point Modena emphasizes is charity. “We, and not the Manifestations Committee, will be the ones to donate to charity the amount we recover as compensation, as we see fit, because we do not want harm to be compounded by mockery,” he states.