IGM together with Progetto Itaca with the charity dinner "Il Bel Viaggio"

An evening of sharing, solidarity and social commitment that took place at the Pirelli HangarBicocca in Milan. Great participation for the seventh edition of the charity dinner “Il Bel Viaggio” , the annual charity event of the Progetto Itaca in support of people affected by mental health disorders. Organized in collaboration with the Paolo and Giuliano Clerici Foundation, this year the event also saw the Istituto Grandi Marchi in the front row which, with its participation, renewed its great closeness to this cause. The 18 great families of Italian wine , ambassadors of Italian winemaking excellence, actively contributed by donating a selection of their great wines and numerous cellar experiences to the charity auction.

“Participating once again in the charity dinner - underlined Piero Mastroberardino, President of IGM - is an honor and a great pleasure for us, strongly appreciating the activity carried out by the foundation. I would like to thank Alessandro Dubini, President of Progetto Itaca Milano, for the welcome he gave us. Contributing to the fundraiser for us means actively investing in terms of inclusion and autonomy of those who need help. Initiatives like this demonstrate how important it is to dedicate oneself to a social commitment and for this reason we are proud to continue to give a contribution to this path”.

Over 400 benefactors united together for a common cause: the funds raised were entirely donated to support the Itaca Club , the center for the development of social and work autonomy for people affected by mental illness, which this year in Milan has reached 20 years of activity. Meanwhile, the other part of the funds was allocated to JOB Stations , a smart working network that promotes the work inclusion of people with mental disabilities. This is another key initiative of the Itaca Project, born in 2012, in collaboration with the Italian Accenture ETS Foundation, today active in 7 Italian cities with the aim of curbing social exclusion and encouraging the reintegration of the weakest into the world of work.

The most anticipated moment of the evening of “Il Bel Viaggio” was the charity auction held by auctioneer Fabio Bertolo of the Finarte auction house, with the 13 lots donated by the 18 Istituto Grandi Marchi companies at its center. The great labels of the IGM cellars were also the protagonists of the wine pairing of the seated dinner curated by da T'a Milano, staged in the splendid museum spaces of the Pirelli HangarBicocca.

Istituto Grandi Marchi was founded in 2004 by the determination and enthusiasm of 18 of the most illustrious Italian wine companies, emblems of the tradition and innovation of quality production in our country. With the aim of promoting the culture and tradition of Italian wine in the world, Istituto Grandi Marchi brings together families and companies that are the maximum expression of the different Italian production realities.

The following companies are part of the Istituto Grandi Marchi: Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari Tenute, Antinori, Argiolas, Ca' del Bosco, Carpenè Malvolti, Col D'Orcia, Donnafugata, Jermann, Lungarotti, Masi, Mastroberardino, Michele Chiarlo, Pio Cesare, Rivera, Tasca D'Almerita, Tenuta San Guido, Tenuta San Leonardo, Umani Ronchi.

Progetto Itaca was founded in Milan in 1999 as an association of volunteers and over the years it has developed at a national level, becoming the most active and dynamic Italian organization in the field of mental health. It has a Helpline, a toll-free number with national extension 800.274. 274 (from mobiles 02.29007166) , offers completely free services , making use of hundreds of trained volunteers and has 17 offices throughout the country: Milan, Rome, Florence, Palermo, Genoa, Parma, Naples, Catanzaro - Lamezia, Padua, Lecce, Turin, Rimini, Bologna, Brescia, Molise, Bari and Bergamo. On 5 July 2012 , Fondazione Progetto Itaca ETS was founded with the task of coordinating the network of 17 local associations and promoting the diffusion of the model throughout Italy .

Progetto Itaca is part of an important international movement that offers an innovative vision of mental distress by collaborating with important global associations such as Clubhouse International and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).