Today's DAR
Sunday, November 17, 2024, was packed with exciting events for the intrepid participants of the America 250! Tour in Italy as a follow up to last year’s trip which launched plans for official and permanent recognition of Italian and friend to Thomas Jefferson, Filippo Mazzei. Mr. Mazzei is credited with expressing to Mr. Jefferson that all men are created equal. Grateful appreciation is expressed to Massimo Balzi, President of the Filippo Mazzei Cultural Circle and Pax Romana Chapter member, past Chapter Regent, Cara Kavanaugh for their coordination over the past year to bring these two projects to fruition.
Remembering Filippo Mazzei in Pisa
The day began with rain as our bus traveled the winding roads up the hills. What resembled snow actually turned out to be meticulously-cut cliffs of marble and marble dust. President General Pamela Wright was met at the base of the quarry by our host, Massimo Balzi, and Pax Romana Chapter Regent Valanna Widoff for the drive through several white-knuckle tunnels, twists and turns to the pinnacle. Arriving at the clear-glass Litix Technologies marble factory, Cara Kavanaugh welcomed the group and showcased the AI-generated bust of Filippo Mazzei. The actual carved bust was to be presented later that afternoon. The sculpture was created by Luciano Massari, owner of Litix and innovator of the AI technology used to create the Mazzei sculpture. DAR commissioned the sculpture while the Bruno Lucchetti Marble and Granite Company donated the Carrara marble.
Our interpreter Camilla translated Mr. Balzi’s remarks, in short, “Today is like a renewing of the bond between us as it was years ago. Thanks for coming all this way to be with us.” When one of the participants raised the question “When will we run out of marble,” the group was told “It goes deep below the surface. We have consumed only about 5% of what is left since the Roman times!” Mrs. Wright presented Filippo Mazzei pins to our hosts, who invited the group to a join them for a sumptuous Roman lunch buffet. The President General welcomed and presented a pin to a long-time Pax Romana member Dina Natali Ghirlanda who was able to attend this special event.
The group next ventured to Cimitero Suburbano di Pisa for the Patriot Marker presentation at the grave of Filippo Mazzei officiated by America 250! Chair Kathryn West. Following the invocation offered by Honorary President General Lynn Young and greetings from President General Pamela Wright, the beautiful marker commemorating Mazzei’s support to the colonists in the cause of American independence was unveiled. The plaque is engraved in English on one side and Italian on the other. Joining our host Massimo Balzi were several descendants of Filippo Mazzei and representatives from the Pisa Mayor’s Office.
Following a dress-and-run stop, the group walked to the Pisa City Hall building for the official dedication ceremony of the Mazzei bust presided by Kathryn West, where over 200 local citizens attended. After the playing of the Italian National Anthem during the opening ritual, our American National Anthem was played for the first time ever within the walls of the Pisa City Hall. The Mazzei bust was dedicated and remarks were offered in both languages. The President General presented the DAR America 250! Presentation bowls to Pisa Mayor Michele Conti; U.S. Consul General for Florence, Daniela Ballard; Valeria Colonna, CFO of Lucchetti Marble & Granite; and Luciano Massari, Sculptor. The Mayor presented to the President General and Cara Kavanaugh beautiful floral bouquets in recognition of their work on this important project. A poignant hymn concluded the program.
Our contingent’s last stop of the evening was a gala dinner hosted in the Museum of Ancient Ships of Pisa set within cleverly-reconverted stables. Prosecco and appetizers welcomed us as we mingled with our new Italian friends. Making our way to tables scattered among the former stable halls of the museum, Massimo Balzi welcomed the group and introduced our President General, who was presented with several books from a local artist. Appropriately, bottles of Filippo Mazzei wine (grown and bottled locally) were enjoyed by the diners along with our traditional meal. Sadly, all good things come to an end, and we bid “Ciao” to our hosts, boarding our bus back to our Florentine hotel, full of wonderful memories of a packed day celebrating Italian-American friendship in Pisa.
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