From the territory to Europe, passing through the value of solidarity and participation. This is the meaning of the initiative hosted in recent days at European Parliamentwhere the MEP Lara MagonI welcomed a delegation from Bergamo to talk about the experience of Bikers Party Of Cologno al Serioin the province of Bergamo, a reality capable of combining passion, community and social commitment.
An opportunity to bring to Brussels a testimony born in the province and grown over the years to become a point of reference for volunteering and solidarity. «For me it is a great honor to present this reality», began Magoni, «here in Brussels we represent all Italians and being able to bring experiences like this means showing what really happens in our territories». And again: «It is the possibility of showing Europe what is done in Bergamo, a territory rich in associations and extraordinary people».
Alongside the MEP, the founder of the event, Fausto Fratelli, retraced the origins of the Bikers Festival and its growth over time, without ever losing the original service dimension. «We started out sitting at a plastic table in a bar. Then we became aware of the responsibility and it became more and more important.”
A path that has been consolidated while maintaining one principle: solidarity. «We have always made one thing clear: Festa Bikers was born to do charity and will remain so. Let’s combine fun with solidarity and help various associations.” Numbers that tell of a now structured reality: «In the last edition we supported 22 associations and in these 29 years raised over half a million euros».
Behind the success of the initiative, an organizational machine made up of dozens and dozens of volunteers. «It’s not just me», explained Fratelli, «the management is made up of ten people. We have built an organizational framework with the right people to manage everything we do.” And above all a large and active community: «We get to be around 300 volunteers during the event. Before and after there are about forty of us, but during the party we all work together.”
A network of people who make their time and skills available, often outside of their daily profession: «Everyone has their own job: electricians, bricklayers, tilers, office workers. Then during the party held in August we reinvent ourselves: those who normally stay in the office are perhaps in the kitchen cooking for thousands of people.”
However, the heart of the experience remains the human and relational value: «It is not imposed on us», underlined Fratelli, «it comes spontaneously to us. We do it because it does good. This simplicity has become a value that we have also passed on to our children». And again: «We don’t go on holiday, but it’s natural for us. A family is created, we are together from morning to night.”
A “social construction site” that takes shape every summer in Cologno al Serio: «The preparation lasts about twenty days, then six days of celebration and other days to dismantle. We are building a village on an area of over 50 thousand square meters, with restaurants, breweries, spaces for artists and custom motorbikes.”
Over the years, there has also been no shortage of misunderstandings or criticism from the outside. «Someone even criticized us, called us stupid: “is it possible that you sacrifice a month for the Bikers Festival?”. Yes, it’s true, we don’t go on holiday, but it’s natural for us. A family is created, we are together from morning to night.”
An aspect that has also found confirmation in the words of those who, in the area, concretely benefit from solidarity activities. Nazzareno Angeliof the Palliative Care Association of Bergamo, underlined the value of collaboration built over time: «There are values that unite their reality and ours: love, family, friendship, being present for those who are less fortunate».
A relationship consolidated over the years: «We have been collaborating with them for years, there is a mutual respect that already arises from Dr. Minetti, who praised their determination». And again: «What they do really reaches people. Donations become concrete help for our clients, also through activities such as pet therapy and music therapy.”
The community dimension, for Angeli, also translates into direct participation: «Some patients and volunteers participate in the party, others follow it through our newsletter. It is a strong bond, based on esteem and respect. When you sow well, you reap well.”
Fausto Fratelli closes the story with a summary of the deeper meaning of the experience: «We don’t set ourselves economic objectives, because the project is bigger. Festa Bikers is involvement: the associations participate, work with us, get involved. It is a relief valve but also a way to do good for others. We are most proud of the bonds we have built. We involve entire families, from grandparents to children. Alone we would do little, but together we can do a lot. This is the true value of the Bikers Festival: the community.”
