History and Territory: signed a memorandum of understanding between the AM and the “Cities of the Motor” Association”

Promoting the history and typicality of Italian motorcycling, also in the field of aeronautics, spreading the values and culture represented by the Italian Air Force, enhancing the historical, industrial and museum heritage related to flight, creating a link between motorcycling museums and military ones, organizing common events and initiatives to be included in the national integrated calendar of events in the sector foreseen by the National Plan for Motorcycling Tourism. These are, in short, the fundamental points of the memorandum of understanding signed today, Thursday 3 March, at the ANCI (National Association of Italian Municipalities) national headquarters in Rome, by Luigi Zironi, mayor of Maranello and president of Città dei Motori, the network that represents 35 municipalities and a catchment area of over 2 million inhabitants in 14 regions, and General of the Air Force Giovanni Francesco Adamo, Head of the 5th Air Force Communications Department of the Air Force General Staff. 

“The bond that unites the Air Force with the world of technology and engines is something that is uniquely part of our genetic code and rooted in the traditions and history of the Armed Forces, a history that is about to celebrate its first hundred years of existence in 2023.““, declared Gen. Adamo during his speech.“Therefore, we are particularly pleased, just as this important anniversary approaches, to be able to reaffirm – with the signing of this significant memorandum of understanding with the Association Città dei Motori – the will to strengthen and develop all those institutional synergies within the national territory that can put our expertise and excellence at the service of the country and, at the same time, to ‘team up’ to contribute to enhancing part of that vast historical and cultural heritage of which we are proud to be the proud heirs and witnesses.“. 

City of Engines, in the words of Luigi Zironi, “We are truly honored by this new partnership, because in the characteristics of the AM Historical Museum in Vigna di Valle, as well as in the values represented by the Aeronautica Militare, we find numerous points of contact with what the territories of our association want to tell. For both of us, a passion for engines and a connection with the territories represent the ideal means of conveying the fascination of our history and traditions, as well as the peculiarities of a cultural identity that is recognized worldwide as one of the hallmarks of Made in Italy.“. 

The event was opened by the intervention of the vice president of Anci and mayor of Termini Imerese Maria Terranova, who emphasized that “The tourism movement linked to motor vehicles has moved in Italy, in 2019 alone, 4 million people, proving to be fundamental for our country’s GDP. The protocol between Città dei Motori and the Air Force fully demonstrates the importance and the need to “work together” to make the best use of the potential that our country, with its excellence, can offer by transforming a potential into something usable in the regions and in our territories. An extraordinary tourism opportunity that we can seize thanks to significant resources that we have today but that we must use quickly and well, having the right support and input from personnel and project management capabilities. Anci will, as always, be attentive and vigilant and at the side of all those who want to invest, with courage and vision, in ever new and extraordinary challenges.“. 

With this four-year protocol, Città dei Motori strengthens the ‘alliances’ established with public institutions and private entities, enriches the Italian motor museum system thanks to the historical and technical heritage represented by the Armed Forces, and consolidates its collaboration with local authorities in the Italian territories directly linked to the history of aviation, as witnessed by interventions via video link with Mayor Matteo Franconi of Pontedera and with Col. Michele Rega, commander of the Flight Department of the 46th Air Brigade of Pisa; from Villafranca di Verona, with Mayor Roberto Dell’Oca and with Col. Giovanni Luongo, Commander of the 3rd Flight Wing; with Mayor Gianluca Del Mastro of Pomigliano d’Arco; with Mayor Davide Ranalli of Lugo di Romagna, from the Francesco Baracca Museum; with Col. Rosario D’Auria, Commander of Vigna di Valle Airport, home to the AM Historical Museum; with Lorenzo Ardizio, curator of the Museum Historical Alfa Romeo from Arese.