Forty million euros for philanthropic activities aimed above all at young people, an unshakable trust in Europe and only one big secret: curiosity. Marino Golinelli, 93 years old and not hearing them, is celebrating the first 25 years of one of his most important creations, the private foundation that bears his name and which for 5 decades has been contributing to the promotion of research and the dissemination of scientific culture.
During a conference with the city and national authorities, gathered yesterday in Bologna, Golinelli symbolically blows out some candles, to light a thousand other projects for the future. Among these Eureka, a trust dedicated to young entrepreneurial ideas which will start with a contribution of one hundred thousand euros, then "OPEN M. Center for knowledge and culture", a place where, starting from the beginning of 2015, will come together in an integrated way, in time for the start of the EXPO, the main training, educational and cultural activities of the Foundation. An investment of eight million euros, more than 2,5 million a year budgeted for projects. A sea of money that Golinelli extracts from his personal assets, because we need to give the new generations an opportunity, as it was for him: “Up to now I will have invested around 40 million euros in my philanthropic activities. But I owe debts of gratitude to my parents and my wife Paola”. Then, in the Aula Magna of Santa Lucia, his first thought goes to the young people gathered to applaud him: “Thank you for being here and with me the Foundation thanks you, which lives for you. You are our future, global”.
Who knows if this gentleman, a chemist-pharmacist, is hiding a long-life secret, certainly his strength is extraordinary: in fact, in the morning he also finds time to deal with a little politics. He brings together 75 Italian foundations, from the Benettons to Isabella Seragnoli and draws up a document with them, to be delivered in the afternoon to the government representatives. The aim is to create a network, but also to sensitize the palaces of power so that they put the theme of foundations and above all taxation and regulations on the agenda that do not hinder the work of those who want to contribute, with their own money, to the collective well-being. For so much vitality, he says, that there is only one propeller "curiosity".
Born in 1920 in San Felice sul Panaro, in the province of Modena, Golinelli developed a passion for chemistry in middle and high school, then graduated in pharmacy. In 48 he sowed the seeds of his business in Bologna, in a small laboratory, Biochimici Alfa, where he began to produce his first drug, a multivitamin syrup. The plant develops and today is called Alfa Wassermann, a company that he still presides over (CEO is his son Stefano) and is a typical pocket multinational: 332 million in turnover, 53% of exports, 12 subsidiaries in 4 continents and products distributed in 60 countries in the world. Its main market is Italy, followed by the United States, Russia and Spain. His most famous drug is Normix, a planetary patent, a molecule used for the treatment of infectious and inflammatory intestinal pathologies. An industrial success born of commitment and research, but not sufficient to satisfy the need to give meaning to the life of a non-believer: "we are just dust", he claims.
About 30 years ago, therefore, a profound inner reflection led him to a turning point: “The main objective of entrepreneurial action is profit and from this derive work, taxes and income. Personally, however, I have decided never to invest my personal wealth in financial and real estate assets, for me it is an ethical imperative to give back part of what it has given me to society". The subsequent choices derive from this reflection. A beautiful house for rent in the heart of Bologna, full of paintings, even on the floor covered by plexiglass. Works by famous and recognized authors such as Jeff Koons or less well-known authors such as the amusing Laurina Paperina, because art is a great passion. And then science, training, the opportunities to offer to those who want to put their ideas to the test. Golinelli's is one of the few wholly private foundations that invest in their projects. An Anglo-Saxon-style structure that does not ask for contributions from others and which in recent years has carried out dozens of initiatives in which 750 people have participated, including 400 school students.
In short, a true Italian miracle. So let's ask this man who has seen the Great War and Mussolini, the economic boom and 68, Berlusconi and the euro, the crisis of the Eurozone and of values, what is our future according to him. Will the euro make it? "Certain. I absolutely believe in Europe, there are no alternatives. If this continent wants to maintain the cultural and economic leadership it has always had, it can only go forward united”. A smile and run away.
