In a special session of the city council, the municipality of Mantua has honored four citizens with the Edicole d’Oro di Virgilio, the city’s most prestigious civic honors. The awards, presented during one of the final sessions of Mayor Mattia Palazzi’s current administration, recognize individuals whose contributions extend beyond professional success to create a lasting social impact on the community.
The recognition of these four individuals centers on the theme of talento e cura dell’altro—the intersection of professional talent and the genuine care for others. According to Mayor Palazzi, the awards are not intended to simply highlight “stories of success,” but rather to celebrate talent that has been intentionally directed toward the collective and social dimension of the city.
The ceremony was attended by a broad array of local leadership, including the prefect, the questore, and regional councilor Carra. The honors were formally delivered by City Council President Massimo Allegretti, alongside deputies Fabio Madella and Eugenio Anceschi, marking a moment of reflection on the values of hospitality, protection, and promotion that the administration aims to uphold.
A Legacy of Corporate Welfare and Cultural Diplomacy
Among the honorees was Giuliano Bianchi, the entrepreneur behind the globally recognized brand Lubiam. Bianchi’s recognition stems not only from the international growth of his company but from his commitment to corporate welfare. Specifically, his approach to balancing work and life has served as a model for employee well-being within the local industrial landscape.
Reflecting on his journey, Bianchi attributed his success to a foundation of support, citing his parents, the 50-year history of the company, and the partnership of his wife—who is herself a previous recipient of the Edicola di Virgilio for her work with the Centro di aiuto alla vita. With four children now steering the international enterprise, Bianchi emphasized that the true strength of the company lies in the loyalty and attachment of its thousands of collaborators.
Parallel to the industrial contribution was the cultural stewardship of Stefano L’Occaso. As an art historian and the director of the Museo di Palazzo Ducale, L’Occaso has spent more than two decades in Mantua, arriving in 2000. He described his role as an “ambassador” for the city’s culture, working to project Mantua’s artistic heritage both across Italy and to a global audience.
Advocacy for Neurodiversity and Humanitarian Aid
The awards also highlighted the critical role of specialized psychological care and humanitarianism. Laura Delfino, a psychologist specializing in the autism spectrum and the founder of SbrisolAut, was honored for her dedication to neurodiversity. During the session, Delfino described individuals on the autism spectrum as “a extremely beautiful part of humanity,” calling for greater public awareness and urging local businesses to support SbrisolAut in its goal of becoming a city-wide enterprise.
The human element of the ceremony reached a peak with Marco Randon, an entrepreneur known for his bakeries. Randon’s contributions extend far beyond the borders of Mantua, as he has integrated humanitarian missions into his professional life. He spoke emotionally about the support of his family, stating that his primary goal is simply to “bring bread where there is a humanitarian emergency.”
Randon recalled a specific mission in Haiti following a devastating earthquake, where he produced single-portion sliced bread to feed displaced populations. This effort left a lasting mark on the local community in Haiti, where the product became known as “pain italien.” His work exemplifies the “care for others” that Mayor Palazzi identified as the common thread among all four recipients.
The Core Values of the Edicole d’Oro di Virgilio
The selection of this year’s recipients reflects a specific civic philosophy. Rather than focusing on financial metrics or corporate scale, the city council sought to reward “the capacity to multiply positive values” and ensure those values reverberate throughout the community. The following table summarizes the specific impact areas of the 2024 honorees:
| Recipient | Primary Field | Community Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Giuliano Bianchi | Entrepreneurship | Corporate welfare and work-life balance |
| Laura Delfino | Psychology | Autism spectrum advocacy and inclusion |
| Stefano L’Occaso | Art History | Global promotion of Mantuan culture |
| Marco Randon | Entrepreneurship | International humanitarian food aid |
Why This Recognition Matters for Mantua
The timing of these awards is significant as the Palazzi administration nears the end of its term. By centering the awards on talento e cura dell’altro, the city is signaling a shift in how “merit” is defined—moving away from individual achievement toward collective benefit. For the citizens of Mantua, the recognition of Laura Delfino’s work with SbrisolAut, in particular, serves as a call to action for local companies to integrate neurodivergent individuals into the workforce.
the global reach of Bianchi and Randon, coupled with the cultural diplomacy of L’Occaso, suggests a city that views its local identity as a springboard for international solidarity and intellectual exchange. The “three words” noted by the Mayor on his first day—welcome, protect, and promote—were echoed in the diverse backgrounds of the four awardees.
As the city council concludes its extraordinary sessions, the focus now shifts to the implementation of the social projects mentioned during the ceremony, particularly the expansion of SbrisolAut into a city-wide initiative. Official updates regarding the integration of these social projects into the municipal urban plan are expected in the coming months.
We invite you to share your thoughts on the importance of civic honors and how your community recognizes social contribution in the comments below.
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