The inauguration of the Madonna to the port of Livorno
Holy Mother Livorno - Photo © Giacomo Spagnoli
The inauguration of the Madonna of the peoples.
Livorno, September 7, 2013 – The port of Livorno has its Madonna: the “Madonna of the people”, a statue of 8 meters high terracotta tile and painted commissioned the sculptor of Mr. Paolo Grigò by Bishop Simone Giusti.
The statue, commissioned by the Propeller Club and financed by port operators , among which NERI, and positioned on the head of the pier 78 in the outer harbor, was formally opened at 19.30, between the water fountains shoot the sky by tugs and motor launches from the fire brigade, the music of the military band the Naval Academy and hundreds of boats and boats as a backdrop. The bishop has blessed: godmother Michela Robazza, the young widow of the pilot port of Livorno dead in the tragedy of Genoa tower demolished by a maneuvering ship.
The inauguration wanted to be first and foremost a celebration of the people, confirming that his Lady protector of seafarers of all races the people of Livorno – secular city to tradition – he just wanted: and they wanted the operators and port workers, which in a referendum have “voted” with over 70% of “share.”
A Madonna in addition to the hundreds scattered in ports and coasts in the religious tradition that sees the mother of Jesus invoked by sailors first venture into sea. Madonnas ranging from that of the Montenero sanctuary to those in Elba Island, recently rediscovered by the icon in the shipyard Orlando’s statue at the entrance of the port of Messina, the famous Madonna of Monserrat to those on the Spanish coast. Everywhere there were sailors battling with the elements flourished the cult and often ex vote each to the Madonna.
Yet, despite the referendum, the universality of worship and membership convinced of the locals – believers and non-believers – operation “Madonna of the people” there have been conflicts. It also led to a small but fierce Committee has repeatedly called for a similar site on the port because it “is granted also to any other religions to be able to install its own symbol”: request on which the bishop himself said he agreed however the hope that the signatories will become promoters of initiatives because the Catholic religion and its symbols are respected where today are persecuted.
The large statue of Grigò sculptor took almost two years of work: it is made of 120 pieces of terracotta tiles, painted and protected from salty with special paints. Mounted on special steel tie rods, the pieces have been assembled like a domino, and then “tied” together by special mortars. On the pedestal recalling the seafaring traditions of the peoples who all hold a special Madonna protector of sailors; then there are the symbols of Livorno wards and scenes from the life of the port with some of his historical figures, including the now legendary Tito Neri.
