Today is Ignazio’s turn. I found this video, shot immediately after the Sanremo victory. The entire city council and the whole city of Marsala gave a beautiful recognition to a very happy Ignazio and he does not lose his sense of humor.

Here is the translation:

(The crowd applauds and shouts IGNAZIO, IGNAZIO ……. Ignazio gets up and turns smiling, at that moment a girl’s voice shouts “Bravo my love!!”, everyone laughs.)

The city council expresses all the satisfaction of the city for the great goal achieved by the fellow citizen Ignazio Boschetto who, as a member of the trio IL VOLO, has won the 65th edition of the Sanremo Festival. (applause and again the girl’s voice “Bravo my love……..fantastic”).

And now, the proposal to appoint the fellow citizen Ignazio Boschetto as ambassador of the city of Marsala in the world. (much applause and ritual photos, the mayor tries to bring back the order but there is too much noise of the crowd and then Ignazio takes the situation in hand raising his voice ……. too nice)

IGNAZIO = Gentlemen, as it is an official session ……. (everyone laughs)

Man = The President Enzo Sturiano delivers the resolution to Ignazio Boschetto. (kisses and applause)

Let’s read the official prize:

“The city of Marsala,  the gold medal to the civil value to Ignazio Boschetto, member of IL VOLO, ambassador of the city of Marsala in the world. The president of the City Council, Enzo Sturiano, city of Marsala, 18 February 2015”. ( photo and then the anthem of Italy sung by the whole crowd).

IGNAZIO = There would be many things to say, because it’s really unexpected, starting from a small city like Marsala and starting to study a little for fun, and then after 11 years, you’re ambassador of your city, so it’s really something inexplicable, it is also difficult to explain the emotion, but what I can say and that in recent years, sometimes I was also criticized by Marsala, people thought I was a haughty guy, who had found the opportunity to go on air to Rai1 and has become who knows what!!

What I have learned, and I do not want to be a teacher, is that before judging a person, one must know him. (applause).

The problem we have today is that many people judge immediately, instead of doing the actions, we all judge and say only words.

In fact here today, I came with a friend of mine, he came to my house. I unfortunately was not there, but then at home we talked about it, it’s this boy here . . . get up.

What’s your name?

Antonio Maniscalco?

Well, this guy is Italian boxing champion right? Lately I’ve heard people say that Marsala has recently forgotten about her talents and is only interested in me.

Instead I hope that Marsala is aware, even of these small but great realities, that they are like him in boxing and many other people in all sectors, because Marsala is full of talents.

What I wanted to tell you, is that I am the first who would like to have a friend ambassador in fact, I’m the first one who would like to share the emotions with another person, but I think that many people speak only to talk, and to get out the air from their mouth.

I wanted to say thank you, because in recent years I felt supported by Marsala, and, apart from the politics there is, with Enzo there is a great friendship.

I have always pulled back with regards to politics because in my position it is always better to avoid, but with Enzo there is a friendship that goes beyond politics, it is a beautiful person.

And then there are all of you here, I think that in the end there is always something that unites us, in this case THE MUSIC unites us all.

We may be acquaintances or friends, but in the end we are all the same, we are all in the same place, so sometimes I think there is no need to make any difference.

So I wanted to say thank you to all the inhabitants of Marsala and the city council. (applause, people shout Mayor you, Mayor you and Ignazio respond to them)

I would not run a city ….. I must be mayor of my life, first of all.

Thank you very much for this nomination, I am truly honored and I hope I will never disown this nomination, because it is really nice to be ambassadors of your city and I hope to always bring prestige to this city.

Man = You have the keys to the city.

(follows a hug, and then several short questions)

IGNAZIO = I think that in Marsala we have many beauties, there is the Stagnone (a reserve with natural landscapes, there are also salt pans), but I think that first of all the inhabitants of Marsala have to take care of it, because if all the inhabitants of Marsala will take care of all the things we have here it will increase tourism, it will increase the number of people who will come only for a weekend. So I think we are an important part of a new economic and tourist recovery in Marsala.

Touring a lot, you realize many things, when you go to Vancouver in Canada, you realize that there is not a cigarette on the ground, if we had the same efficiency of other countries…….. when I arrive in Marsala I wonder, “but you imagine, if everyone had respect for the city. “

Interviewer = I spoke with Mr. Tony Renis, he complained that none of the boys contacted him to announce the victory of Sanremo.

IGNAZIO = Obviously there is controversy. Like any relationship, over time …. when the glass breaks, it breaks. Critical aside, I do not want to think about it, we won Sanremo and it’s a nice emotion, and I want to enjoy it at the limit of everything, so I let it slip away.

IGNAZIO = Marsala has a population of warm people, when you come back to Marsala, you never feel alone, there is always the person who makes the joke, that makes you laugh, maybe, if you go to Milan and it’s a little more difficult to find people like that. But as I said before, maybe we should have more respect for our city, because we know that we have a beautiful city and we think only to exploit it but not to preserve it.

(At this point, Ignazio was asked for an opinion on political matters)

It’s something that does not belong to me. I have always said that I do not like giving preferences, however, I have a person here next to me that is very valid. I say only this, and in friendship I can say that I hope that all of Marsala will understand what this man can do, politically speaking, I’m for nobody.

Follow the images of the crowd outside the Town Hall, all sing Grande Amore with Ignazio, a woman imparts to him the wrong words and Ignazio scolds her and everyone laughs.

I believe that night all the citizens of Marsala felt proud of Ignazio. They filled the municipal hall and also the whole square in front of it.

How fun to hear the whole square that sang the verses of Grande Amore, which only a few days before had won Sanremo.

But the thing that struck me the most were the answers of Ignazio, clear and mature answers, of a serious, honest boy who does not want to obscure the success of other people.

This is simply Ignazio, one of the three jewels of IL VOLO.

Daniela

Credit to owners of all photos and video.