(May 24, 2017) The new Italians in the world, the so-called fleeing brains, are not old-fashioned immigrants with a cardboard suitcase, but young graduates who are successful in every part of the world: to them is dedcated the Travelling Genius Award, conceived and Promoted by the Vittoriale degli Italiani and the Italian Institute of Culture of Montreal, with the aim of establishing a virtuous connection between Italy and its new “ambassadors” in the world. The award – dedicated this year to a young Italian who has built an excellent career in Canada – will be delivered on May 27 in Montreal (Casa Italia) to the chemist Andrea Paolella, born in Reggio Emilia, 1984. The prize Awarded by the Vittoriale degli Italiani in honor of the D’Annunzio quote “Arm your bow and sail to the world”, consists of a sculpture specially made by master Ugo Riva. “A museum, and especially that ‘Living Stone Book’ that is Vittoriale, can not only be a place of conservation, but an engine of ideas, initiatives, projects – commented the President of Vittoriale, Giordano Bruno Guerri. The Travelling Genius Award comes from the need to put in the right light a frequently misunderstood phenomenon: brains do not run away, they work, it is good to encourage them, follow them. It is also born from the desire of Vittoriale to increase its partnership with the Italian Cultural Institutes, as has already been the case with those of Montreal and Amsterdam, which in turn are motors of ideas, initiatives and Italian projects in the world”. The 2018 edition of Travelling Genius will be organized in Holland, in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute of Amsterdam. The Travelling Genius Award is the “recognition of the Vittoriale to the young people of the ‘Travelling Genius’ in Montreal, who give voice to their knowledge in the Institute and that day after day blend in a wonderful way the diversity of human stories – emphasized Francesco D’Arelli, director of the Italian Cultural Institute of Montreal. Young Italians are in the world bearers of knowledge gathered in Italy and widespread with an ancient vocation: the generous exchange of culture, animated by secular humanism. Young Italians are the most lively and creative expression of Italy, they are the inexhaustible source of culture, courage, and will to do. To all of them, the D’Annunzio exhortation: ‘Aren’t you now a whole gathering of hope?’ “. (Red)
