Sasso Morelli (Imola), September 2024 – A special evening dedicated to the presentation of the "100% Italian Award" took place on Saturday, September 14, at Villa La Babina, home of the CLAI Management Center. Through this prestigious award, now in its seventh year, CLAI champions the promotion of Italian heritage and traditions by celebrating a person or company that has distinguished itself through its commitment to promoting culture, work, and solidarity. This year's winner was the community cooperative Ortika, which, through the reintroduction of black nettle cultivation on the Cimone mountain and the production of yarn, clothing, and cosmetics, contributes to keeping alive the textile history of Fanano, the Modena town located within the Alto Appennino Modenese regional park.
The event, hosted by Gabriella Pirazzini and introduced by CLAI President Giovanni Bettini, also featured the exclusive presence and greetings of Irene Priolo, Interim President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Maurizio Gardini, National President of Confcooperative, and Marco Panieri, Mayor of Imola.
The awards ceremony took place following a dinner reserved for the guests in attendance. Also on stage were the new CLAI Director, Stefano Giubertoni, and Fabrizio Castellari, Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Schools, Budget, and Organization of the Municipality of Imola, who offered a brief welcome. President Bettini explained the award: "We are incredibly pleased to be able to recognize truly special individuals and businesses from across Italy through the 100% Italian Award. Ortika not only deserves credit for reviving and innovating the ancient tradition of harvesting and processing nettles, but has also created social, environmental, and economic value in an area at high risk of depopulation. It is precisely companies and cooperatives like the one founded by Luisa Ciocci—which I consider small, great cornerstones of Made in Italy—that create the conditions for young and old to cultivate hopes for change and development within small communities. For us at CLAI, accustomed to working every day with passion and enthusiasm for the well-being of the local community, it is essential that the commitment of organizations like Ortika be adequately shared and celebrated so that it can serve as an example for others."
Upon receiving the Award, Luisa Ciocci, founder of the Ortika Community Cooperative, commented, "We are honored to receive the 100% Italian Award. Seeing the commitment and passion we put into our work have been noticed and recognized is truly heartwarming. The attention paid to small businesses like ours, who strive every day to leave a positive impact on the planet, becomes further motivation to continue the journey we have undertaken with growing enthusiasm. We define ourselves as an Italian company, visionary and revolutionary. We are working to re-establish an entire economic system in the High Apennines, starting with the humblest of plants: the nettle. The process begins with the cultivation of the raw material and ends with the sale of the products, adopting a virtuous, ethical, and eco-sustainable system in every aspect."
The fashion show followed, showcasing the stunning dresses made from nettle fiber, where patience, care, and research come together to dress the world in innovative and sustainable garments.
The evening concluded with a floral tribute to Mrs Ciocci di Ortika, to the journalist and host of the evening Gabriella Pirazzini and to Sofia Cavalli, captain of Clai Imola Volley, who after 20 years returns to Serie A, thanks to a season of true dominance.
