Legality closely linked to quality of life

Three months have already passed since the barbaric murder of Angelo Vassallo. The last article that spoke of his merits, his life and his work in promoting the region, appeared on this very website. There is always something to say about these matters, which are so dear to our province.

Over the last few days, a classic analysis appeared in the economic newspapers, portraying Varese Province as being “without merits or shortfalls”. On the whole, we come in the middle of the ranking, with some reasons for disappointment and a number of criticisms. In short, we are increasingly like the parents who go to speak with the teachers about their children, and are told, “He’s a good boy, but he could do better”.

Different analyses of the statistics give the same results, but from a different perspective. We look for justification for everything, and so we are like those parties after an election, that, although they did not win, they did not lose.

Angelo Vassallo was not like this. He said things clearly, in an outspoken and strong manner. He described things as they were, without the fear of hurting feelings. He was convinced that the world could change only if everybody felt involved. This is why he wanted to save the rare species of sea lily that grows on the rocks opposite the beaches of his town, Acciaroli. It must have seemed a crazy battle, in a world increasingly interested only in profit and economic growth.

He believed that man must regain his cultural and spiritual dimension, where he has the greatest space to express sensitivity to his surroundings and to his everyday life. This is what led to his attention for his town, with its outlying hamlets, for the animals, for anyone left behind, and for the whole world. He chose the slow approach, and as a result, Acciaroli became a “slow town”, with over 70% of its waste separated out.

The quality of life was based on research, and on innovative ideas, not only on one-way ecology. He broke with the conventions, so much so that he believed in federalism as a resource for the South, and claimed to be so pro-Northern League, despite being a convinced member of the Democratic Party and of the environmental organisation, Legambiente.

Varese took up the many challenges issued by Angelo Vassallo, and on several occasions organised initiatives to remember him and to revive his ideas. The latest will be held next Tuesday, in Varese. It is a good choice, given the dangers of infiltration by organised crime also in this region. Legality, environment, development, culture and traditions are increasingly linked together. They are not the ideas of just one political side. They concern everybody and, while respecting the positions of everybody, the best response possible is to look at ourselves and to go back to planning for the future.