40th MASI AWARD: TODAY THE OFFICIAL CEREMONY AT THE PIEVE DI SAN GIORGIO IN THE HEART OF VALPOLICELLA

After the signing of the historic Amarone barrel in the Masi cellars in the heart of Valpolicella, the winners, accompanied by the president of the Isabella Bossi Fedrigotti Foundation, the vice president Sandro Boscaini and the Secretary Marco Vigevani , went to San Giorgio for the official ceremony in the homonymous Roman-barbarian parish church (7th century) which dominates a landscape made up of terraced vineyards up to Lake Garda.

" For years the Prize was hosted in the Pieve di San Giorgio. With the growth of the event, the parish was no longer able to accommodate all the guests and we chose another larger location " recalled Sandro Boscaini " San Giorgio is the religious and cultural center of Valpolicella in history. Returning today on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Prize in this jewel of art and architecture has an evident symbolic value. This return excites us and underlines the intimacy of the Prize with its spiritual and cultural roots of the territory".

In this splendid architectural setting, a stimulating debate via streaming took place moderated by the journalist of Radio 24, Alessandro Milan , which touched upon extremely topical issues such as the pandemic and today's recovery phase in which, thanks to the sacrifices of many and to scientific research, we begin to see the signs that open up a new beginning. But also, the protection of the environment, the strengthening of the links between sustainable science and politics and the always fundamental contribution of art. Values perfectly represented by the winners of this fortieth edition.

" The Scaligero area boasts numerous excellences, which the whole world envies us, including certainly wine and centuries of wine culture - explains the Mayor of Verona Federico Sboarina , present at the ceremony -. What the Masi Foundation has established with this Award is a new union between the ability to preserve our traditions and knowing how to look to the future with foresight. Also thanks to the experience, help and example of prestigious personalities, coming from the world of business, science and art . Especially today, after the difficult period we have gone through, we need to start again with courage, looking to tomorrow with confidence. And having the positive protagonists of our society in front of our eyes is certainly an injection of hope ".