by Massimo Lissa
A riot of colors, engines, and smiles enlivened Piazza Giusti early this morning for the long-awaited 500 rally organized by the Pistoia Fiat 500 Fiat Italia Coordination Committee. This event combined a passion for classic motoring, culture, and a strong spirit of solidarity and generosity. The 170 participants proudly displayed their four-wheeled jewels, sharing anecdotes, curiosities, and their shared passion, transforming Piazza Giusti into an open-air museum.
The event was attended by Fiat 500 Club Italia Trustees and Members from most of Tuscany (Pisa, Empoli, Siena, Valdarno, Massa Carrara, Lucca) and members from the Coordinating Committees of Prato, Pisa, Empoli, Siena, Valdarno, Florence, Grosseto, Capalbio, Massa Carrara, Livorno and Versiglia.
In addition to the celebratory aspect, the gathering, as always, had a charitable purpose: the donations raised went to the local Monsummano Terme association "Insieme Si Può" and the Gaslini Pediatric Hospital in Genoa. Our rally generated a concrete gesture that demonstrates how passion can also become a tool for social assistance.
The morning was spent registering and receiving a generous welcome bag, followed by a delicious breakfast from our friend Cristian from “Bottega del Caffè”.
The guided tour of the Monsummano Terme museum led by Dr. Silvia Di Paolo offered a glimpse into local history, enriching the event with charm and knowledge.
Before setting off through the streets of the historic center of the small village of Montevettolini, we received thanks and greetings from Mayor Simona De Caro, Deputy Mayor Monica Marraccini, and Councilor for Social Policies Roberta Doto. The morning was full of surprises, with visits from our friend, the Mayor of Ponte Buggianese Nicola Tesi, Mauro Farnocchia, Vice President of the Cassa di Risparmio di Pistoia Foundation, and Domenico Gatto, Commander of the Montecatini Terme Local Police. All participants received a small gift made by the members of the "Insieme Si Può" association, and we also handed over a small contribution to President Angelo Buono.
During lunch at "Il Discepolo" in Montecatini Terme, we presented all the women with a floral tribute, courtesy of Flora Toscana. We also presented our friend Giuliano Barsotti of Lucca with a donation to the Gaslini Hospital in Genoa. Our friends from the Carabinieri of the province of Pistoia also attended the event, and they stopped by to visit.
The day's closing was the most emotional: after a long absence from gatherings, we were happy to see our friend Mara and her inseparable husband Claudio again, and poetry was a must.
Special thanks go to all the members of the Pistoia coordination team for their commitment and support, to the municipal administration, the municipal police, and all the participants who made this wonderful day possible. We also thank all the companies that have supported us for many years and help make our events even more special.
