The grand parade of the Golden Lions at the Senate in Rome: Candelaresi and Ghisolfi protagonists of a highly prestigious edition
One of the most significant and celebratory editions of the Venice International Grand Prix, an event that each year awards the Golden Lion of Merit, a recognition of extraordinary national and international importance, took place in Rome, in the solemn setting of the Senate of the Republic.
This award not only celebrates Italian excellence, but also confers on each recipient an aura of prestige that has brought Italy and Venice to the world’s attention for decades.
The ceremony, held at the Institute of Santa Maria in Aquiro in Palazzo Madama, was once again led by the Patron of the Award, Sileno Candelaresi, a central and unmistakable figure of the event, flanked by Vice President Luz Adriana Sarcinelli and the President of the Grand Prix, Attorney Maurilio Prioreschi.
The Institute Hall, one of the most prestigious spaces in the Senate, was the setting for the official event dedicated to recognizing Italian Excellence for Peace and Economic Development, an annual event that honors deserving individuals by awarding them one of the most iconic symbols of Italian prestige: the unmistakable Golden Lion.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of authoritative representatives from the various fields of the Award as official speakers:
- Catello Maresca, Magistrate and President of the Golden Lion for Legality
- Professor Beppe Ghisolfi, President of the Golden Lion for Economics
- Professor Marco Gargari, President of the Golden Lion for Medicine
- Engineer Nico De Corato, President of the International Institution of the Golden Lion
Also present were the members of the Presidential Committee, Stefania Capobianco and Concetta Bianco, who helped to underline the high profile of the event.
The heart of the ceremony: the presentation of the Golden Lion for Merit
The most eagerly awaited and solemn moment of the entire day was, as per tradition, the presentation of the Golden Lion for Merit, a symbol of absolute excellence. An award that, due to its history and prestige, represents one of the highest tributes that can be conferred in the Italian cultural, institutional, and professional landscape.
Among this year’s recipients, Paolo Bonolis stands out in particular, awarded for his extraordinary television career, to which the Golden Lion confers a further seal of authority and value.
Alongside him, the following individuals received the prestigious award:
- Gigi D’Alessio, for his artistic and musical contribution to the world
- Chiara Colosimo, President of the Parliamentary Anti-Mafia Commission
- Senator Francesco Silvestro, for his institutional and social commitment
- Giuseppe Inchingolo, Director of Communications for the Ferrovie dello Stato Group
- Lawyer Michele Sarno, for his contribution to legality
- Rafael Ramírez, former President of the UN Security Council
- Ilir Kulla, former Advisor to the President of the Republic of Albania
- Benedetto Marotta, internationally renowned entrepreneur
The official nomination was awarded to Yulia Loshchukhina, while the Venice Institutional Plaque went to Professor Luigi Rizzo and the Hotel Gli Dei in Pozzuoli, for its 100 years of history, represented by Gennaro and Immacolata Martusciello.
Seals, awards, and special prizes
The segment dedicated to excellence in Italian food and wine—a sector that embodies one of the greatest expressions of national cultural heritage—saw the awarding of the Sigillo del Leone d’Oro (Golden Lion Seal) to the following Knights:
Salvatore Palma, Sabatino Palumbo, Khrystyina Paulyuk, Valerio Biagio, and Gianfranco Dainotti.
Dr. Veronica Gezzi was named Star Golden Lion, while the seal of merit was awarded to Luigi Maria Perotti.
Literary awards were given to Professor Cosimo Comito and Dr. Giancarlo Sardaro.
The Venice International Grand Prix – Golden Lion, founded in 1947, is today one of the most prestigious Italian institutions dedicated to merit, legality, culture, economics, and international diplomacy.
The event celebrates the commitment of women and men who make a concrete contribution to peace, economic development, and the growth of Italian excellence in the world.
The day ended with the traditional and significant distribution of scrolls of recognition for merit, including our Director Antonella Gramigna, for her commitment to combating disinformation and for her professionalism, sealing an event that, once again, reaffirmed the absolute centrality and international prestige of the Leone d’Oro.
