In memory of a special Italian: Enrico Mattei, founder of ENI and former partisan. Mattei died tragically on October 27, 1962 in a plane crash that is still shrouded in mystery today. Three judicial inquiries and a series of journalistic investigations, films, books, reconstructions have never shed full light on that event which, unfortunately, is part of the history of Italy. The National Association of Christian Partisans on the occasion of his death he organized a marathon of events dedicated to him: “Mattei Marathon forever”. Three stages desired by the National President Maria Pia Garavaglia. The appointments are in Rome today 27 October, in Rieti on 1 December, in San Donato Milanese on 4 December. A commemorative tour of a character who marked the history of post-war Italy. Mattei was from the Marche region, he was a member of parliament for the Christian Democrats from 1948 to 1953, but his reputation as a manager and shrewd visionary has been around the world.
Enrico Mattei and the strength of Italy's energy independence
During the years of his rise to power and his entrepreneurship in the energy field, there were not a few who - especially abroad - tried to imitate his decisive and pragmatic style. “Never before have we grasped the greatness of man, of the manager, of the democrat” writes the President of the Garavaglia Association. All that has been written and transmitted to us with reconstructions now superficial, now mischievous, in over half a century have not obscured his ability and desire to do.
In memory of the 60th anniversary of the Bascapè accident in the skies, the ANPC meetings were prepared as an opportunity for common and fraternal reflection for all those who still today see Mattei as a point of reference for a farsighted policy, especially in the energy field. In an Italy destroyed by the war he was able to ensure guaranteed supplies for Italy and for Europe. He started from the discovery of gas wells in the North to get to evaluate the use of nuclear energy and in a certain sense continued to behave as a partisan for the good of Italy. When he died he was returning from an "exploratory" business trip to Sicily. He did everything - until his death - to protect the country from hardship (not even so hidden) that they wanted Italy to be dependent on other countries for supplies of gas and oil. Italy, on the other hand, had to restart without losing dignity and energy was the main engine to get a nation full of rubble and tears back on its feet. Battle on several fronts and for this reason (perhaps?) paid the highest price. The Christian partisans, of which he was leader and first President, today say that it is clear how lThe use of energy decisively crosses the relationship between states and therefore affects the democratic system as a whole. Are the ideas with which Enrico Mattei convinced politicians, men of finance, heads of state and government understood in the extreme? With Italian politics he had very special relationships, sometimes talked about. With the spirit of a freedom fighter and a Christian politician he founded the ANPC, because the Resistance had also been the work of Catholics.
The death of Mattei: three meetings in Rome, Rieti and S. Donato Milanese
Today we have a man like him, it has been said in certain circumstances. For the celebrations at today's first meeting at Palazzo Valentini in Rome, they will intervene Mariapia Garavaglia ANPC National President, Mariano Angelucci, City councilor of Roma Capitale, Mario Rencricca, National President of the ENI Veteran Pioneers Association. Aldo Ferrara, university professor and author of the recent book "Mattei il visionario" will hold the masterful lecture on the figure of the founder of ENI. Following the concert of the "Virgo Fidelis" choir of the Carabinieri General Command with the "Ars Ludi" chamber orchestra of IMI Personalities from the political and cultural world will bring their own testimonies before the iinauguration of the traveling photographic exhibition con the most significant images of Mattei's life.
The second stage is in Rieti on 1 December 2022 at the Flavio Vespasian Theater. On this occasion Pino Strinati, National Secretary ANPC will coordinate the meeting-debate which will conclude with the Concert of the Musical Band of the National Fire Brigade directed by Maestro Donato Di Martile. In the evening, the International Solidarity Award "In the Fire" will be awarded to the Ukrainian Fire Brigade.
The last stop is at San Donato Milanese (the Metanopoli of the 60s) the 4 December. First a mass in the Church of Santa Barbara, then the Conference "Mattei per semper" at the Theater of the Maria Ausiliatrice School with Luisa Ghidini Comotti ,ANPC Female National Delegate, Mariapia Garavaglia and the lectio magistralis of Maurice Gentilini member of the National Research Council. The interventions of Patricia Toia, European Parliamentarian and Vincent Calia, the magistrate who conducted the third investigation into Mattei's death. Calia himself will be awarded the "Come Barbara" cultural award. 60 years after one of the most tragic and mysterious deaths in Italy, there was no better way than to bring together the national spirit, managerial skills and resourcefulness of former partisan and Cavaliere del Lavoro Enrico Mattei to let young people know.
