Poggibonsi, even the walls speak of Stefano Lotti

The sun beats down. There will be about a hundred people in the park. “All confirmed. But it depends on the weather.” From above it promised rain, but the sky was forgiving. Not even he had the courage to ruin this day. The scene is a continuation of pats on the back, hugs and yellow-red colours. I turned on. Someone wears a jersey, the number 4 on the shoulders. Men, women, young and old: they all came together to remember Stefano Lotti once again, 35 years after his death.

It’s a whole community. He arranges himself in a semicircle and waits for the words. Words that arrive: the authorities speak. They contributed to the realization of the work. The region, the mayor. But above all, people talk. Stefano’s brother takes the floor. It’s been 35 years since his Stefano is gone. Now he is the Stefano of all present. Shaved hair and facial features that recall those of the number 4. he He says that in Poggibonsi he feels at home, that the city, the team and the curve have always welcomed him in a wonderful way. They who come from the province of Pisa: Madonna dell’Acqua. Then he points to two people in the audience. He tries to say that they are his parents, Stefano’s parents. But he can’t take it, his voice cracks, his eyes go wet. He tries again. Nothing. There is sincere applause from everyone.

The work was curated by the association Mixed Media and built in the underpass in Via Vallepiatta, thanks to the work of the artists of 400 Drops-Crew, the contribution of the Regional Council of Tuscany and the support of the Municipality of Poggibonsi. “But it was the fruit of everyone’s collaboration. They advised us, they supported us. They never left us alone”, says the artist. “And please, I too would like a Poggibonsi shirt”. It is not easy for professionals to take care of such an emotionally engaging job for the client.

While I was trying to get an idea of ​​who Stefano Lotti was, I discovered that he was a midfielder of those who run a lot, those with a heart. In the photos he is portrayed with shaved hair and the look of someone who is about to take the ball away from you. They say he was a wonderful person off the pitch as well. One of the articles read struck me in particular, because it contained the statement of the coach of the time, Uliano Vettori: “It’s nice to see that so many kids who weren’t born yet or very young at the time, feel committed to remembering the boy, and make it a worthy example of their sporting passion”. Vettori or simply Uliano as everyone calls him has recently passed away and, who knows, maybe he has met his number 4 again. “Every year in mid-February, Uliano looked for us because there was something to do to remember Stefano”. He would be there again this time. And with him Silvaro Benelli, historic yellow-red speaker, who disappeared less than a month ago.

It’s a moment to embrace. Strengthen each other. Show united. And the guys from Poggibonsi do it very well. They are the fans, the ultras. Stefano is a symbol to tour Italy for and support Leo. Thanks to this mural, the boy with the number 4 who played with his socks down and never stopped becomes an ever more immortal symbol.

The plate of this work is revealed. The clouds move fast, but they don’t block the sun. They crown this moment. The smoke bombs fill the air with the social colours: yellow and red. The smell is unmistakable. Here are the lions. The emotion is great. Joy too. In everyone’s eyes there is the satisfaction of having done something great, something beautiful, something that makes it possible to say: “We are Poggibonsi”.

Slowly the yellow-red scarves become thinner. “What time tomorrow?” “We play at four”. “Come on then, see you…” Only a few remain to look at the work. Stefano Lotti remains to watch over his city, his people, his Poggibonsi.

Gianni Galleri