by Valeria Robecco

Mortadella, Parmigiano Reggiano, and tortellini on the menu of the fundraising event organized by chef Michele Casadei Massari. Governor Bonaccini: "Bologna was the Manhattan of the past." It takes 20 million to get it back on its feet.

"As custodians of Italian heritage and cuisine, we believe it is our duty to contribute to the preservation of an iconic structure that represents Bologna's past, the historic Torre Garisenda," says chef Michele Casadei Massari, describing the initiative he and his partner Alberto Ghezzi, both Bolognese and friends since school days, have devised to help preserve the recently spotlighted architectural gem, also highlighted by the American press for its concerning structural challenges.

Meanwhile, the artist Skye Ferrante, famous for his 'continuous wire' sculptures, has created two small works that will be auctioned to raise further funds. The dinner "was our way of giving something back to Italy, a country that has given us so much in terms of culture, history, and culinary inspiration," continued the chef, emphasizing that 100% of the proceeds will go directly to conservation efforts for the tower. After all, no one better than him, an ambassador of the most prestigious Italian brands in Italian food and wine in the United States, and for years committed to bridging the physical and cultural distances between New York and his Bologna, could promote an event to save the Garisenda, one of the treasures of Italian architectural heritage, whose works, according to the mayor of the city, Matteo Lepore, will cost 20 million euros and will require at least 10 years.

Source: La Repubblica