"For this degree Don Alfredo, the father, who asked us to help him in his studies, will be happy. And today the highest possible recognition has arrived".
With these words Enzo Decaro, a friend and colleague of Massimo Troisi, accompanied his speech at the ceremony for conferring the honorary master's degree in 'Disciplines of Music and Entertainment.
History and Theory' to the artist who died on June 4, 1994 at the age of 41 after shooting the scenes of his last work, 'Il Postino'.
Naples, Federico II honorary degree for Massimo Troisi
In the complex of Saints Marcellinus and Festus, the University of Naples Federico II has kept alive the memory of the man and artist, born in San Giorgio a Cremano, in the province of Naples, who would have turned 70 on 19 February 2023.
"A figure of a complex artist rich in depth", defined him in the lectio magistralis Anna Masecchia, coordinator of the degree course in 'Disciplines of Music and Performing Arts.
Storia e Teoria', taking the floor after the greetings of the rector Matteo Lorito and Andrea Mazzucchi, director of the Department of Humanistic Studies.
In a packed room, Anna Pavignano, companion in life and work, lingered on the figure of the man Troisi: "He who often skilfully withdrew from study, often felt uncomfortable towards those he considered intelligent", she said .
"He said that his intelligence was like a crookedly grown tree with leaves and branches that went everywhere. But how many precious and rare fruits those branches gave! A harvest to be envied! An entire orchard tended daily by skilled hands" .
ANSA. it
Massimo Troisi's 70th birthday - THE SPECIAL - Specials
He was born on February 19, 1953 in San Giorgio a Cremano.
The subtle and profound irony is unforgettable.
Today he leaves the artistic legacy of his masterpieces and also other signs such as the art academy created by Lello Arena.
From Smorfia to the Postman, eternal 'fool' in the popular imagination © Ansa
The ceremony, interspersed with short film scenes, saw the video testimonies of Renzo Arbore, Giuliana De Sio, Vincenzo Mollica and Carlo Verdone.
Among those present at the event, the municipal administration of San Giorgio a Cremano which, on the occasion of the artist's 70th birthday, has developed cultural events, including the awarding of honorary citizenship to Maria Grazia Cucinotta, interpreter of 'Il Postino', and a match of the heart with the national team of actors.
Right there, in the Vesuvius center, Troisi took the first steps of his career in the Centro Teatro Spazio with 'La Smorfia', a series of comedy sketches together with Lello Arena and Enzo Decaro.
The graduation parchment was handed over to Rosaria, her sister, who was visibly moved.
"Thank you all from the bottom of my heart."
Rolling her eyes she exclaimed 'Thank you, Massimo!'.
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