Work, formal meetings but also art, history and local flavor.

A long “two days” the one that has seen  in Tuscany  the partners of the project REAL  – funded by Erasmus Plus – during their third European meeting organized by Selena Italy. The Valdelsa countryside could not accommodate the group with better colors. Sun and heat were the backdrop to the meetings in the beautiful Villa Ducci in San Gimignano and visits the area. After an initial welcome meeting, the participants coming from 8 different European countries agreed to meet the next morning to carry out a monitoring of the work performed so far and plan the next targets.

A quick lunch full of local flavors and, subsequently, the first visit organized by the Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, a center of excellence that operates to support research and promote the creation of innovative companies in the field of life sciences. Subsequently, the group moved to Siena to  Piazza del Campo in Siena for a tour inside the Civic Museum, home of medieval frescoes of great value (just think of the Guidoriccio from Fogliano by Simone Martini); they were expected in the ‘Sala delle Lupe’ by the Deputy Major for Education and Equal Opportunities Mrs. Tiziana Tarquini, with which they discussed and played an interesting comparison about the problems and good practices of the town that is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy.

The afternoon ended with a long guided walk through the  ‘sienese’ streets and squares before the  arrival at the premises of the museum in Contrada Civetta (the Owl District in the Palio), where a real “privileged” Dinner was punctuated by tales of a bubbly “hostess”;  with verve and strong sense of belonging she definitively led the group on an incredible journey in the characteristic history of the Palio. (= particular horse race  twice a year, from medieval times)

Friday, after another morning of activities related to evaluation and dissemination of the Project, and an excellent lunch proposed by the chef of Villa Ducci, the group was welcomed at the Town Hall of San Gimignano by the Deputy Major for Equal Opportunities, Ms Carolina Taddei. She also – like her fellow Sienese – reiterated the Municipality availability to work with Selena and Real team in Europe.

Art, shopping and final dinner in the medieval city for the European partners. They were tired but extremely satisfied, in the morning on Saturday when all left Tuscany.  A well deserved reward for the President of Selena Italy Elda Lettieri who oversaw the event in detail.