The citizens of Montepagano, they want to wish well to their fellow citizen, Gianluca, and his family.

A few days ago, even if IL VOLO did not get the first place in Sanremo, the citizens decided to have a nice party in the square, in honor of Gianluca.

These sentences are extracted from an article in the local newspaper:

Everything is ready for the big party. Gianluca Ginoble, fresh from the prestigious podium of SanRemo 2019, will return to his country Sunday evening at 6 in Montepagano who prepares him a welcome with due honors.

Gianluca Ginoble is the pride of the entire city of Roseto degli Abruzzi, but above all the ancient village of the City of Roses, are ready to stretch, symbolically, a red carpet to the one who in these years, has brought up all the pride of our country.

In Montepagano, the Pro Loco, the Fan Club and the BereBene bar organized the celebrations. An entire country awaits him with open arms. The appointment has been set for him with banners and more. There will really be everyone there.

The preparations were hectic in the village while Gianluca was in Paris. And on his return, the party was ready in the square. The citizens were so many, it was certainly a moment of great joy for Gianluca.

But let’s see some images.

Gianluca with his father and his grandfather.

Mayor = Good, and thank you for what you do, for Italy, because we need to keep our name high.

Thanks to you for what you do for Roseto, because the reflection that you have as a person on our country is great.

This photo gallery is beautiful.

GIANLUCA GINOBLE: THE QUIET STAR.

Montepagano di Roseto degli Abruzzi, Sunday 17 February 2019.

Festival of the community of Montepagano, organized to pay homage to Gianluca Ginoble and Il Volo, after the 3rd place at the 69th Sanremo Festival with the song “Musica che resta”.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Gianluca Ginoble in front of so many people, outdoors, simply. Nothing screams and no unnecessarily high tones, because the important things are said better in a calm voice.

An intense chat came out of it, thanks to the reflections of Gianluca who a couple of times was also moved.

And in those moments when his eyes were touched with tears, talking about his family and the values that he transmitted of his beloved land of Abruzzo, the uselessness of living badly envying and hurting others.

Luca Maggitti, journalist.

Ieri sono stata a Montepagano per la festa di bentornato a @GianGinoble, e lui ha parlato anche dell'episodio accaduto in sala stampa a Sanremo.
"Alla fine certo che perdoni, che devi fare?"
Chi insulta i ragazzi de Il Volo non li merita e non sa quello che si perde.#Sanremo2019 pic.twitter.com/1Rq1QswTFk

— 𝑮𝒊𝒖𝒍𝒊𝒂 🌟 | AD ASTRA (@chissasefinira) February 18, 2019

And here is the interview by Luca Maggitti. (Click on the Twitter post above to view the video.)

LM = How much did it hurt, to you three, to see that video and now, you, Ignazio and Piero, where you are with this thing, how you are living it.

GG = But you must know that I, by character, I slip, all over me.(You know when it rains? The water wets you, but it slips away, that is, once dry it leaves no trace on you, it has not affected your person …… the same is the meaning of this first sentence….. even if the things said by the journalists, they are very bad, Gianluca intends that those words leave no trace of malice in him, nor even of rancor, it is like saying that he has swept away from his shoulders all the bad words.)  I do not hate anyone, absolutely, because, you can also make mistakes, not in a press room in Sanremo, in a place like this, it should be a party, so it should not happen there. Everyone can make mistakes, in the end, of course forgive them, they are important people, the journalist in Sanremo and the music critic are important. The people are the ones who command at the end, (applause), the televoting is the most important thing. In the end, they can criticize, they can express their taste, because in any case they talk about musical tastes and may not even like our music. We do not have the presumption of pleasing all, absolutely, it would be stupid.

One thing is, the news, one thing is criticism, one thing is the offense.

Somehow, thanks to this thing, they are learning to know each other, they are really knowing who we are, as people, because I can understand that sometimes, repeating so many times “international success, they go around the world,” risk to have the effect on the contrary. People can be envious, they can be bad, they can express their negative thinking, but never fall into the offense. We, thanks to this Sanremo, somehow, we managed to get into people’s hearts, not only with the voices, but also as a person, what we really are, not just us (IL VOLO), but nobody deserves to have that treatment. (applause)

And here is a beautiful article published after the party and which I translate for you.

Il Martino Article – Click Here

MONTEPAGANO – A starry sky, on a February evening with an unusually mild climate, a long banner and the notes of “Musica che Resta” framing the ancient village of Montepagano. This is the atmosphere with which yesterday evening a crowded square, not only of Paganesi but also of many fans arrived from different areas of Italy, has prepared to welcome the young talent from Abruzzo.

A party in honor of Gianluca Ginoble who returns to the native village of Montepagano, after having won the third place of the podium at the Sanremo Festival with Il Volo. A party announced a few days ago and that is part of the tenth anniversary of IL VOLO that began to take its first steps in 2009, with the participation in the Clerici program, “Ti lascio una canzone” (“I leave you a song”).

Gianluca arrives at 6.00 pm, welcomed by a thunderous applause. Peaceful and smiling he greets and opens with an interview in the square, moderated by a journalist. Gianluca appears visibly excited and calm, just as they are used to seeing him, his fellow citizens who have reserved for him a welcome, as an international star.

A recognition not only to the artist but also to his two traveling companions, Ignazio Boschetto and Piero Barone, who have made Italy known throughout the world and continue to represent with grace and style.

But how has Gianluca changed during these 10 years?

Walking through the village and collecting people’s impressions, comes the portrait of an affable and genuine boy, attached to his roots and his family. They tell us about Gianluca as one of them, calling him “Our Gianluca”. One who when he returns to his small village stops to take coffee at the bar of the village and does not miss an opportunity to greet and exchange jokes with everyone. One who could spend his summer holidays who knows where, but who chooses to go back home and stay on the beach of Roseto, with the affections of all time; one who at happy hour prefers football matches with friends.

Il Volo in their artistic career has trod the most prestigious stages, and known world-renowned artists. Following the steps of Bocelli and Pavarotti he succeeded in spreading the refinement of the bel canto also abroad and exponentially raising our country in the world.

An ascent in the Olympus of music, culminated with the victory of Sanremo 2015 with a niche music genre, but which in recent years is gathering more and more acclaim and that allowed them to know not only great personalities of the music world. In November, in fact, they enchanted Trieste singing the Inno di Mameli in front of President Mattarella while, last January, they performed in front of Pope Francis during the World Youth Day in Panama. Gianluca, despite his success, has appeared as the boy of all time who, with his simple and courteous ways, was able to make the Abruzzo geographically known also to Woody Allen, through the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.

Strongly linked to these places, Gianluca never loses an opportunity to highlight its beauties anywhere in the world. The last one dates back to the Sanremo Kermesse during which he made Antonello Venditti fall in love (guest of one of the evenings), the arrosticini, in dialect “li rustell”, making him become familiar with the dialectal terms of Abruzzo, as can be seen from a funny video that is becoming popular on the web.

As he says in the interview in the square “This is a special place because I feel good when I’m here, it’s my home. I continue to live here and I cannot wait to come back to see all the Paganesi and my family. That is the most important thing.”

All this love for the music and for his people, last night he came back to him, through the shining eyes of the people, the manifestations of affection and the industriousness of his countrymen, of the Pro Loco, of the Fan Club, of the bars of the village that took care of the organization of the party, setting up even a refreshment for all those present. A way to pay homage with simplicity and warmth not only the artist but also the boy of 24 years (completed last 11 February) which is the pride of his country and of an entire region.

A young man aware that the road to go is still a lot and it is perhaps this humility, beyond the unquestioned talent, to make him so loved. When asked what he would suggest to the boys who want to pursue a dream, not only in music, but in every field of life, he replies that he does not feel like giving advice.

“I still have many dreams and goals to reach, for example learning how to play the piano; before telling others I have to tell myself. Study for the future!”

But the engine that drives this young talent forward is the family. He thanks his parents but above all a person. This is his dear grandfather, Ernesto, who since childhood gave him the love for opera music.

The evening draws to a close with the greetings of the mayor of Roseto, Sabatino di Girolamo, who rewards the singer with a plaque, thanking him for having made known the places of his land and makes them visible all over the world.

Here comes the greetings and takes a real bath of crowd that surrounds him. Smiles and photos with everyone, with its infinite availability and courtesy.

And compared to the controversy in Sanremo, on the insults received in the press room, the three singers have won not only on stage but especially in life, managing to beat offenses with the grace and good manners that are their hallmark.

Soon we will see Il Volo in a series of firmcopies (CD signing events) – as the singer himself says – then in March the tour in America and Japan. On the 22nd, “Musica”, the new album, will be released, with two unpublished works and then many other projects: a summer tour that could also include a date in Abruzzo.

Gianluca, you are really a treasure!

You said things that were really beautiful and without any rancor.

Only very intelligent and sensitive people would react just like you, to such malice.

You really deserve all the love of your people.

You always stay that way.

Daniela

Credit to owners of all photos and videos.