“Stories of Hope” is a long-term project. I meet ordinary people that carry a message of hope, a fragment of the future”
— Luca
Story#7 - Thierry
Adaptation, motivation, hope
Thierry de Pina, Nice (France)
Thierry is an actor.
I discovered his work while in Nice last April. I was intrigued by his story during the first lockdown phase: theatres were closed with no clear indications of reopening.
He invited me to his place, in the heart of ‘Viuex-Nice’ and I made an immediate connection to one of the reasons while I wanted to meet him.
He started proposing ‘Theatre a domicile’, playing at private houses and apartments, with minimum requirements of social distances.
I found this choice a concrete way of adapting to the new circumstances, although the French administration decided to ban even these kinds of experiences.
“We did as long as we could, although it has not been an easy exercise: we needed to check locations, ensure social distances, contain costs”.
A place of Inspiration
“Promenade des Anglais, is a place of inspiration for me. I often walk here and start thinking at what to create”.
It is true: Promenade des Anglais is a special place in Nice where many people go for inspiration. Particularly early morning, calm, quietness and light create a very intimate atmosphere.
‘Ah le Zèbre’, a young and dynamic theatre association, proposes several activities promoting theatre in the Nice-area, in gardens, public squares, schools. The name comes from a big zebra he has in his living room.
People just get in and say: “Ah, a zebra!”
Thierry and his zebra
‘We are using these long weeks to prepare new cultural proposals for the summertime and schools in September. It will not be easy because theatre producers will have to schedule calendars taking into account the cultural programme that was there before pandemic: they will, most likely, re-start from there.”
But he knows people need to laugh, relax, and enjoy theatre as they used to have before COVID. He is firmly convinced that theatre also plays a vital role for children and kids.
“As soon as I can, I will go to schools to read love letters to children: they need it!”
I am so happy to see that, while this story gets published, Thierry just played “Parle moi d'Amour" as part of the ‘Department des Alpes-Marittimes’ summer cultural offer.
Thank you Thierry for showing me that you can plan your the future, you can prepare for something new, you can follow your passion, with determination and hope.
I really enjoy our chat.
Looking forward to your love letters for children, Thierry!
STORIES of HOPE. Simple stories of ordinary people that carry a message of hope, a fragment of future. I have been meeting incredible people, that transmit energy, passion, engagement. I talk to them and try to find their message of hope.
Story#6 - Roberto
800 km of hope: a 3-day solo-bicycle tour, to remember how life is precious.
Roberto, 44 years old, Pordenone (Italy)
As this post goes live, Roberto is starting is a personal journey of hope. He will cycle alone, to cover approximately 800 km in a few days from Pordenone (25 mamsl) to "Passo Dello Stelvio" (2758 mamsl), through 7 mountain peaks.
"The bike saved me. Back in June, following a depressive stage illness and a tough year during the COVID pandemic, I stayed at the hospital for three days. Next to me there were young people with serious health issues, nothing to compare with my situation. These people were lost and are fighting for a future, together with their family".
I will do this
"I was in bad thinking: I can't throw away a so precious gift, my life, and allow that external factors can influence and ruin my life.
He wanted to do something to take back the control of his life and, at the same time, help these young people met at the hospital.
He decided to do a solo tour. Nothing new until here, but with a mix of challenge and madness, to raise the visibility of his profound motivation.
He picked up the "Stelvio" as a destination, which Roberto reached already few times on a bike. He knows the way, and he knows how difficult it is to climb it. But for this occasion, Roberto wants to make it on a bicycle, and in few days. He bought a new Bianchi and trained for a month, covering 1500 km in few weeks, in all conditions: early morning, late evening, night, and hot temperature.
During his tour, Roberto will not have any technical support nor a hotel (not even an hostel). He will rely on micro-sleeps along the way, following the practice of 'ultra-cycling', a long-distance race, where cyclists continuously cycle on average for 36 hours.
It is a very demanding journey, where he will need to overcome several challenges: hunger, sleep, loneliness, weather conditions and the much more difficult mental and psychological pressure of the journey.
To better prepare, he reached out to cyclists who have already done similar experiences: "Be prepared, it is very hard. Focus on your willingness and your motivation: it is the only way, especially if you are without any backup support".
Roberto decided to link his experience to a fundraising activity to support the work of the National Cancer Institute CRO Aviano (Pordenone, Italy), a major health research center and a highly specialized hospital in the oncology sector, particular for young people ("Area Giovani").
Local TV invited me to share the reasons of my tours, but I expected local press to give more attention. Never mind, I am not doing for me. I even declined sponsorship offers from local enterprises, and have invited them rather to turn their proposals to the fundraising part of my experience. Children in the hospital needs more than me".
"When in hospital, I realized that many people experienced lockdown before us, before COVID. They couldn't go out, and they couldn't see people that often. They lived apart."
The few days at the hospital and the direct proximities with the stories of these people in intense therapy treatment was a life-changing experience for Roberto.
"I realised I was too focused on me. Complaining about some of the banalest consequences deriving from lockdown (the spritz with friends; the time limitations; the 10 km limit distance), was a no-sense. Youth in therapy at CRO Aviano institute enjoy simple things. They carry powerful life lessons messages to all of us: they want to live and might lose their lives soon".
The tour starts today at 4:30 am, the exact time when this post blog is scheduled for publishing.
Roberto will bring just a few items on his slim pack-back: some changing clothes, a solar charging device for the phone, a couple of replacement air chambers, and few motivational objectives: a t-shirt with drawings by children in therapy at CRO Hospital.
“A 3-year old kid made this one, and usually these shirts are used to raise funds and to allow kids from the hospital to spend a holiday weekend in the mountains.”
Also for Michael
"This little medal belonged to Michael, another child in therapy at the hospital. Unfortunately, he couldn't make it, but I will also cycle to his memory. Michael will support me.".
"This little medal is also precious - It belonged to Michael, another child in therapy at the hospital. Unfortunately, he couldn't make it, but I will also cycle to his memory. Michael will support me."
You can help and support Roberto by buying ideally 1 Km of this trip at this address.
Good luck Roberto, this experience has already changed you. I hope that your message of hope will reach many people and inspire many more to focus on our lives, the most important gift we have.
About CRO Aviano
Fund collected by Roberto will support CRO- Avianbo. The National Cancer Institute CRO Aviano (Pordenone, Italy) is a major health research center and a highly specialized hospital in the oncology sector. The Institute works to improve public health by advancing medical knowledge, providing outstanding specialty medical care to patients, and preparing tomorrow's physicians, scientists and other health professionals in the field of oncology. It is a public, nonprofit institute operating under the authority of the Italian Health Ministry for the clinical & experimental research functions and shared in the governance by the Friuli Venezia Giulia region as for patient care.
Good luck, Roberto!
STORIES of HOPE. Simple stories of ordinary people that carry a message of hope, a fragment of future. I have been meeting incredible people, that transmit energy, passion, engagement. I talk to them and try to find their message of hope.
Story#5 - Gianna
Waiting for the right time
Gianna, Cordenons (PN) - Italy
Gianna has incredible energy. She seeks, finds and generates positive energy in her professional job: personal trainer, naturopathy expert, masseuse, nordic-walking trainer, and many more.
She is highly involved in promoting active health practices, transmits her passions immediately and has an unbelievable ability to mobilise localesi. Take a look at “Gruppo Camminare Insieme”.
I was curious to know how COVID impacted her approach to life and people.
Of course, during the pandemic's peak, she had to interrupt most of her activities, but she still needed to canalise all her energy and find motivation.
She started giving new life to books that people were throwing away, drawing on stones taken from the bank of the river very close to where she lives and work, and sharing online cooking recipes.
"Everything happens when the time is right. I took the chance to do everything that I always wanted to do but never found the time to master".
"I discovered a new part of me, which probably can't make my living, but remains so important to me".
Her new art production is now on FaceBook, where her +3200 connections can follow her artistic journey and get some of her work.
You can also follow her on Instagram
It is about energy
"I am a kamikaze, a free spirit, and I take the space I need."
During our short conversation, she reminded me how important it is to find time to follow our passions and the things that make us feel alive. There are no excuses not to look around and see our "stones" or our "old books" and make them something new.
Our passions are there, right in front of us. And there will be a time, sooner or later, for us to grab them and put them at the right place in our lives.
Gianna is one of my stories featured in “VERA” Magazine.
The place of inspiration
STORIES of HOPE. Simple stories of ordinary people that carry a message of hope, a fragment of future. I have been meeting incredible people, that transmit energy, passion, engagement. I talk to them and try to find their message of hope.
Story#4 - Aymeric
An international museum for a local community
Aymeric Jeudy, directeur adjoint, Musée Matisse
Some months ago, during one of the last lockdowns, I met Aymeric Jeudy, one of the directors of Musée Matisse, in Nice. As with all cultural activities, the museum was closed, but he kindly agreed to find some time and meet me.
A strange feeling to be in a museum where all paintings and sculptures are covered and in low light. Particularly when you expect Matisse’s typical colours and energy.
I intended to document the feelings of cultural operators and understand how an institution like a museum was preparing for the post-COVID and find their story of hope.
I imagined an expected shift to virtual visits and online presence. Can't visitors come to the museum? No problem, we make sure people can connect to a website. I was wrong.
About the mission of a museum
“The mission of a museum is not to promote virtual visits. Particularly for a gallery such as Musée Matisse. We want to accompany a visitor in the universe of Matisse and possibly let him understand the heritage of this place. You can't do this online. We offer an experience”
I was also wrong on another dimension. When a museum is closed for many weeks, that doesn't mean there is nothing to do.
"We build our catalogue, seek for collaborations and continue our research on Matisse and his legacy. Moreover, we have learnt something important: local people, starting from the district of Cimiez, need to come here".
Musée Matisse attracts a high number of American and Asian tourists. During the different lockdowns, the museum received many testimonies of people who missed the museum's activities, the visits, the ateliers, the academic proposal, including the ateliers for children.
"It was a clear indication that people need the museum: this gives us stronger motivation to prepare for the post-COVID".
People living in Cimiez is essential for the cultural offering of the museum. Matisse is a universal artist and will continue attracting American tourists, and young artists, but the museum will strengthen its local connotation.
The history of the Nice Matisse Museum is closely linked to the donations made by Matisse and his heirs, as well as to his deep attachment to Nice, the city in which he produced the largest part of his work. The Museum and this located on the Cimiez hill whit its historic neighbourhood.
"You can't see Musées Matisse in isolation. When you come here, we want visitors to spend time in the 'Jardin de Cimiez'; visit the Monastery, its garden and the unique roses; the roman archeologic ruins with the arena; the 'Regina Palace', which hosted Matisse's atelier. Matisse is buried 5 minutes from here".
I found special energy in Aymeric and how he was planning the reopening of the museum, focusing on involving local communities, integrating the museum with its surroundings, ensuring visitors can have a complete experience of Matisse, beyond the painting of the famous French painter.
I strongly encourage to visit Musée Matisse with this spirit.
Thank you for your time Aymeric, it was really inspiring meeting you. Another story of hope, that builds on Matisse’s legacy and relaunch the importance of culture..
Creativity takes courage (Henry Matisse)
STORIES of HOPE. Simple stories of ordinary people that carry a message of hope, a fragment of future. I have been meeting incredible people, that transmit energy, passion, engagement. I talk to them and try to find their message of hope.
Story#3 - A new dance
A dance of the past carried to the future
“Opening Dance, Domaine National Saint-Cloud”
Here is a collective story of hope, of a group of people who have waited to perform their genuine passion for so long.
Carnet de Bal is the first association of historical dance in France and aims at rediscovering, teaching and promoting historical dancing as a cultural aspect of France. Dancing, but also costumes and elegance, searching to understand a tradition.
“Premiere Empire”
Activities result in events hosted in beautiful palaces and castles in France and demonstrations with the general public in many cities, to raise awareness of 'bal d'epoque'.
Last week, in the magnificent Domaine national de Saint-Cloud, Carnet de Bals promoted “Le Songe d’une Nuit d’Eté’, celebrating 30 years of activities.
I witnessed the joy of returning to dancing, wearing timeless dresses, probably prepared with special care, because so long was the waiting.
"We waited so long to wear these dresses and return dancing. But what a joy ....! "
(captured during the evening).
Premiere Empire, Baroque, Polka, Quadrille française, Tempéte …. all strange expressions but full of meaning and tradition that Carnet de Ball want to carry to the future.
Dances started at 18:30 and continued almost without any stop till 2:00, in five stages, with an energy and a passion unique.
Evening programme
A time capsule exercise to transmit to the future generation a fascinating world of the past.
