Franco Milasi, who heads the Italy-Belarus Association, has big plans for bringing people around the world into closer, more kindly contactI first met Franco at Minsk’s House of Friendship (at an event organised by the Italian Embassy to promote Calabria Province, where he lives). I immediately felt he radiated kind-heartedness. His smile was typically Italian and his ‘Victor, how are you?’ disarmed me.
I’d heard that he was implementing joint projects with Belarusian partners. Also, I’d discovered that he is a Professor and teaches Italian to non-native speakers. However, my knowledge was tenuous. He had visited our country many times, which alone was a reason for professional interest. He easily agreed to be interviewed and, as I switched on my dictaphone, he began to draw a diagram to show the history of his association.
In fact, Mr. Milasi is President of the Italy-Belarus-Russia Association. He explains, “Everyone has heard of Russia while Belarus isn’t as well-known around the world. We used to have one big organisation: USSR-Italy. During the cold war, Italians knew little of the Soviet Union but, with my friends (who were also keen on Russian culture) I worked hard to promote better understanding. At the time, many were looking to the West and America for values but my friends and I were looking to Russia.”
To Russia or to the Soviet Union?
F.M.: At that time, of course, it was the Soviet Union. When it collapsed, the USSR-Italy Association ceased to exist. However, a decade ago, with my friends, I decided to renew Italian-Russian ties by setting up schools for the study of Russian language and culture. Then, Chernobyl occurred and, of course, we learnt more about Belarus. Beforehand, we only knew that Belarus had suffered greatly during WWII. Frankly, this wasn’t a great deal of knowledge about your country. After the Chernobyl disaster, closer collaboration began between ordinary people from Italy and Belarus, with many families welcoming your children for recuperative stays. These children, naturally, grew into adults and studied Italian. Our association gathered pace and, over the last decade, I’ve visited Belarus frequently.
What was your first acquaintance with Belarus?
F.M.: I first learnt about Belarus from children staying in Italy for recuperative trips after the Chernobyl accident. I knew a little of the history of wartime in Belarus but it was the Chernobyl tragedy that made me travel here. My friend at the Italian Embassy in Minsk assisted, inviting me to stay, ten years ago. It was a rather different world to my own but I gained understanding over the course of time, and began to view things positively.
Belarus is very civilised, your people being well-brought-up and educated (by European standards). Minsk is the cleanest city I’ve ever seen and respect for the law is evident everywhere. I’d like to mention again that your people are exceptionally kind-hearted and friendly. There’s no aggression towards those who differ, unlike in Italy. Belarus’ benevolent, friendly and heart-warming atmosphere inspires me to return repeatedly. Dozens of my acquaintances have come to Belarus with me; many have since married and some live and work here. Meanwhile, many Belarusian students come to Italy to study.
Franco resides in Reggio Calabria, in the south of Italy, teaching Italian to non-native speakers at Dante Alighieri University (the only one for foreigners, located by the coast). Students from all over the world attend, including those from the Belarusian State University’s Philological Department. The association headed by Mr. Milasi promotes the University abroad.
What inspired you to set up this bridge between Italy and Belarus?
F.M.: Undoubtedly, my own enthusiasm guided me. Belarusians I’d met shared my enthusiasm so our mutual affection and energy led to joint projects. Some are already completed, while others continue.
From where did your enthusiasm originate?
F.M.: I sincerely wanted all the wonderful things I’d seen in Belarus to be more widely appreciated, including in Italy: art, music, painting and ballet. I want people to speak about Belarus in the superlative
What have you achieved so far?
F.M.: The Days of Calabria in Belarus have been held successfully at the Minsk House of Friendship while concerts featuring Belarusian music students have been hosted by the Cilea Theatre in Reggio Calabria — at the invitation of the Italian Academy of Music. We’ve arranged ‘reciprocal exchanges’, inviting your students to take master classes which conclude with a joint concert by Belarusian and Italian students. Belarusian students can receive a scholarship in Italy of 600 Euros per month to allow them to attend. These cultural events all aim to strengthen the bridge connecting Belarus and Italy.
How do you describe Belarus to friends and acquaintances in Italy? What do you tell them about first?
F.M.: I stress that Belarus is culturally rich. I’d like more Italians to experience this, so I tell them to come here themselves. There are also other tourism opportunities. Many of my friends are keen on hunting, and would enjoy your genuine hospitality. Such trips create a solid bridge for developing business ties, since people remember the warm atmosphere here. They then tend to return.
How do you find Belarus on arriving after a six month break? Do you ever notice changes?
F.M.: People never lose heart, remaining positive regardless of difficulties. I’d like also to note that, in recent years, I’ve noticed more construction in Minsk, which makes me think that the economy must be moving forward, despite the global crisis. It impresses me greatly.
Which projects would you like to implement in future in Belarus?
F.M.: As far as future humanitarian projects are concerned, we’re focusing primarily on children — particularly, recuperative stays for Belarusian children, with Italian families. We’d like to implement a co-operative project between the Belarusian State Choreographic College and the National Choreographic Centre in Rome. The Rector of the Centre plans to empower me with the authority of an ambassador, to make this project a success. Of course, Moscow and St. Petersburg are highly respected by Italians for their music and ballet. However, I believe that Belarusian ballet can rival the best seen worldwide. I intend to invite teachers from Rome and those aged 16-20 from Belarus to study at our institution, staying with Italian families while visiting Rome. Italian youngsters will have the same opportunity to come to Minsk. I’m the ‘ambassador’ of this project.
We also have a similar project with the Academy of Arts and are planning such liaisons in the sphere of fashion.
Is such major collaboration really possible?
F.M.: Of course. As a teacher, I can say this. Italian young people lack the drive I’ve seen in your country. Belarusian youngsters overcome difficulties, showing true determination. I wish everyone had this quality. Materialism has taken over from personal achievement (including educational goals) as the ultimate aspiration. When I see Belarusian young people, they inspire me, being well-mannered and speaking several foreign languages.
Why are foreign students drawn to your university?
F.M.: We offer short courses of one month duration, which are convenient to those working, since they can devote their vacation to studying Italian. People can study in the morning, then enjoy excursions in the afternoon and at weekends. They might visit the countryside, sea or historical sites. Importantly, they get to meet people from all over the globe of around the same age, which gives them unique linguistic experience. Some courses last 3, 4 or 6 months; there are even three year courses, which confer a qualification (including certification as a teacher of Italian to non-native speakers). Pleasantly, the university is in a friendly and relatively inexpensive location.
You’re keen on hunting, as are your friends, so we must ask your thoughts on Belarusian nature.
F.M.: Oh-oh-oh! (here, Franco’s face lights up as only an Italian’s can). We love the wilderness of the countryside and the warm welcome we receive. For hunting, we usually hire a house near a river or lake. On returning, our hosts are so kind and warm, we feel their welcome is heartfelt, from the soul. Clearly, we make an economic contribution, since we go to restaurants, buy tickets of your airlines and take taxis; we’re always happy to spend money in your country.
My next dream is to organise an event in Reggio of the highest cultural level, as I want to welcome Belarusian guests with the same warmth. I’m ‘Franco Belarus’ in my native city, which I don’t feel shy about; it’s a true honour.
By Victor Mikhailov
