Weekend with “Avis in Festa” in Castelfiorentino. From Friday to Sunday, the event promoted by AVIS with the patronage of the Municipality returns with the aim of raising awareness among the population on the need to donate blood and plasma, and at the same time handing out awards to people who have been making this choice for some time now, which is more vital than ever considering the shortage recorded in recent times.
The festival will open on Friday 6 September from 7.30 p.m. with an “AperiAvis for all donors” at the Bar Lilith in Piazza Cavour (compulsory booking at 0571.628032), to be followed at 8.30 p.m. by the presentation of awards to the seventy-two well-deserving citizens who have distinguished themselves in the past through their choice to donate. In particular, a copper badge will be presented to the 26 donors who have made at least 8 donations, a silver badge to the 22 donors who have made at least 16 donations, and a silver-gilt badge to the 24 donors who have made at least 25 donations.
The ceremony will be attended by the president of the regional AVIS, Claudia Firenze, the president of the AVIS of Castelfiorentino, Silvia Zannelli, Isa Mancini (historical representative of the association, recently awarded the title of Cavaliere della Repubblica) the Mayor Francesca Giannì, and the Councillor for Volunteering, Federica Parisi.
Saturday 7 September will be a day dedicated to the rediscovery of an ancient tradition: the legendary “Rificolona”, which in Piazza Gramsci (near the lift) will see children as protagonists both in the making and in the exhibition of these evocative lanterns, with their fantasies and colours.
As will be recalled, the Rificolona has its origins in the Florentine rural masses, who once descended from Bivigliano and Vallombrosa to Piazza SS Annunziata (Florence) during the night hours, and who used a small do-it-yourself lamp surrounded by a paper wrapper to light the way. Arriving in Florence, the peasants were often surrounded by numerous children, who amused themselves by singing to them. Hence the link between the rificolona and the children (and the irreverent nursery rhyme we all know, “ona ona..”) from which the event then spread throughout the province.
The meeting is at 5.30 p.m. with the rificolone construction workshops, while in the evening there will be the parade, starting at 9.30 p.m. from the Church of San Francesco and arriving in Piazza Gramsci. The parade will be accompanied by the musical notes of the Filarmonica “G. Verdi”.
Lastly, on Sunday 8 September, AVIS will participate in the afternoon in “Festa Insieme” (Viale Roosevelt park area) with candyfloss and balloons, not failing to offer information and explanations to those interested in donating
“Donating blood”, observes the Councillor for Voluntary Work, Federica Parisi, “is a free choice, but it is good to remember once again that it is above all a noble gesture, which in cases of emergency can make the difference between life and death. This is why I will be very happy to attend the donors‘ prize-giving evening, to meet them and thank them for what they have done”.
In this regard, the Avis would like to remind you that on Sunday 22 September, an extraordinary opening of the transfusion centre is scheduled, from 7.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. (the transfusion centre is in any case open every day from 7.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m.).
