This morning the conference hall of the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo hosted the opening ceremony of the 21st edition of “La Scuola allo Stadio” (School at the Stadium), the socio-educational initiative promoted and organised by Atalanta and mainly aimed at all primary and secondary school students. The project is renowned for its educational value and has long been recognised by the Osservatorio Nazionale sulle Manifestazioni Sportive del Ministero dell’Interno (National Observatory for Sporting Events of the Ministry of the Interior). With what involving 27,000 students from schools scattered within the Bergamo hinterland and beyond in its 20 years of operations, the upcoming run of the initiative will bring in 3,135 pupils from 64 schools over the course of the 10 instalments staggered between late February and early April: namely, the meetings will begin on 26 February and will continue with sessions on 27, 28, 29 February, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 March and finally on 5 April.

After the ceremony awarding the best projects from the 20th edition, came the unveiling of the 21st chapter of the initiative, enriched with exceptional contents agreed upon with the Ufficio Scolastico Territoriale of Bergamo, the Provincial School Networks, the Welfare Service of the Province of Bergamo and the Pastoral Office for Schools of the Diocese of Bergamo: “Let’s join forces against bullying and cyberbullying”.

Playing hosts were Director General Umberto Marino, Head of Youth Sector Roberto Samaden and Doc. Lucia Castelli, psychologist of the Atalanta Academy and patron of the project first launched in 2001 together with Stefano Bonaccorso.

“This is one of Atalanta’s key moments – as stressed by DG Umberto Marino in the opening act – because it strengthens the ties with the local territory, a paramount occasion that serves the purpose of conveying a moment of consideration on the good behaviours we all should uphold in our everyday lives and not just here at the stadium”.

“This project – as Academy Director Roberto Samaden cared to enlarge – is a paramount example of cooperation between the two most prominent educational agencies, notwithstanding the primary role of family, namely school and sporting entities. It all stems from the invaluable work carried out over the years by Lucia Castelli and her staff. Atalanta are known for the great attention shown to such topics, a degree of commitment that, day in and day out, is conveyed both in words and actions, by President Percassi himself. In his daily reminders, he always underscores how Atalanta Academy is first and foremost a school for life”.

“La Scuola allo Stadio – in the word of Lucia Castelli – is but one of the countless projects endorsed by Atalanta to foster the cultural, ethical and human side of all the youngsters involved. This is the first step of a larger civics project that, through its seven stages to be hosted at the Gewiss Stadium, is aimed at, among others: stressing the educational value of football, accustoming children at politely availing football gatherings, playing their part in preventing episodes of violence and/or racism and, from this year, at promoting anti-bullying attitudes”.

Among the main attendees, the event was graced by the presence of local authorities such as: the Bergamo Prefect Giuseppe Forlenza, the Commander of the Carabinieri Unit of Bergamo Col. Salvatore Sauco, the Councilor of the Bergamo Province Romina Russo, the Social Policy Manager Giovanna Fidone, City Council President of Bergamo Ferruccio Rota, the Representative of the Bergamo Education Office Ilenia Fontana, the CONI Lombardia President Marco Riva, the CONI Representative Betty Paganessi, the CSI Bergamo President Gaetano Paternò, theUISP Secretary General UISP Milvo Ferrandi, the LND FIGC Lombardia Deputy Vice-president Sergio Pedrazzini and the FIGC-LND Regional Councillor Gianlauro Bellani, the FIGC-LND Provincial Delegate Nicola Radici, the Pastoral Office for Schools of the Diocese of Bergamo spokesperson Daniela Noris.

The warmest thanks go to all the sponsors who endorsed and supported the initiative: Volvo, Brembo, Wuber (Beretta), Lactis, Dole and Giochi Preziosi.

With the unveiling of the new edition also came the awarding ceremony for the best projects from the previous edition, with recognitions being awarded to: the I.C. Valtenesi of Brescia, the secondary schools of Manerba and Padenghe, which partook in the project with a joined-up effort as part of the “Bergamo e Brescia – Capitali della Cultura” policy; the I.C. Villa di Serio, the secondary schools of Villa di Serio and Pradalunga, the I.C. Gazzaniga, the secondary school of Cene,  the secondary school I.C. Verdellino.