Skip to main content

Author: admin

“No one dies as long as he lives in the heart of those who remain” (U. Foscolo)

Silvio Berlusconi has always called her his “little sister Etta” and, with this tenderness, with the same genuine sense of protection, he approached MAB, the association founded to remember Maria Antonietta, celebrate the memory and above all carry out the attention to the new generations and the love for art, born years before with the foundation of the Princess school.

MAB has been, from the beginning, the bright response of an entire family to a sudden darkness: the choice to put oneself “at the side”, to make beauty bloom, even on a great pain.
Significant parable was the constant presence of the former Premier, who has always accompanied the event with care, respect, enthusiastic participation, as discreet.

He saw the final Gala of the MAB Prize, at the Teatro Manzoni in Milan, as an unmissable event, an evening in which to remember his beloved Etta, celebrating very young Aristi. He arrived without a clamor and assisted fascinated, enthusiastic, grateful: he practiced that gratitude made of concreteness (so much so as to establish a special Prize in his name, in support of emerging industry operators – so as to rely on a solid economic basis, to dedicate themselves to innovative projects in the Dance – over the years transformed into an instrument of openness to an unthinkable world dimension) and of careful consideration for the work of each.

During the first edition, admirable exchange of jokes with Rossella Brescia (godmother and presenter of the event) to establish extemporaneously the important recognition entitled to him, which anticipated a “behind the scenes” known only to operators, in which, at the end of the evening, the Knight reaches the stage closed curtain, to shake hands with all the organizational and technical team, along with the master Roberto Fascilla and his nephew Silvio Andrea Beretta, president of MAB, with whom he shares intent and objectives.

It is a delicacy that returns with steadfast steadfastness, so much so that, in 2016, when he had to, despite himself, miss the final, he did not give up to feel his closeness and to honor those who were in the theater, in the name of a great dream. He sent, by surprise, a letter read on stage, addressed to the competitors, to whom he wished a bright path, to the artistic director Fascilla, to the general manager Gisella Zilembo and to the team, to whom he expressed sincere appreciation.
He expressed his constant closeness, with gestures full of meaning, out of every incursion, that did not correspond to making himself available to a work, of which he supports the power, in the visionary enthusiasm and tenacious planning, that have always given MAB body and substance.

Silvio Berlusconi lived the project with great enthusiasm, in the name of an essential ideal, shared with his nephew Silvio Beretta and imprinted in the DNA of the association: offering space to young people, believing in the value of culture, pursuing excellence, without compromise.

As the book “La Vita che danza” (ed. Mondadori Rizzoli) recounts when, at the suggestion of Maestro Fascilla, the Zilembo, then a fledgling manager, in 2009 was summoned to design MAB, the call appeared to her a joke and, once the misunderstanding was resolved, to her question “Why am I here? There are people of great experience who do this work”, the answer sanctioned the ethical and far-sighted approach of the MAB world: to give consideration to those who deserve, apart from any other consideration. MAB was born, therefore, with a single rule: employ for each role growing professionals, to offer a chance and give confidence.

This same trust is perhaps the most precious and powerful gift that Silvio Berlusconi today bequeaths to the association, which has become a leading international reference point, always faithful to the idea of making true, with commitment, what appears utopia.

Also in his name, with enormous gratitude, the leadership, led by the President, renews the will to do more and more and more better, so that skills and dedication have full realization and dreams can become results.

ADOPT A STAR

Having become a worldwide reference point, MAB announces, in view of the Gala evening 2023, the next big step, from an idea of Gisella Zilembo: the start of an international vocational training path: “MAB INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME“accessible to trainers and students from the age of sixteen, through a hearing, and starting next September. It is a program aimed at validating the work of Italian schools (which demonstrate great merit) and offering children, who could not or would like to move abroad, a study plan in line with their expectations, in Italy. “A tribute” says Silvio Beretta “to those who do not give up believing and want to fly”.

From NY to Milan, via Seoul: 3…2… 1…MAB

Three continents, two months, an event that grows and that ranges: between April and May 2023, MAB Prize makes a stop in New York (with the USA final on April 7, at the KNJ theater at Peridance Center, on the occasion of the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the famous American academy, that MAB celebrates by donating a sculpture of the artist Ivan Nadin to the founder and artistic director Igal Perry); in Seoul (with the competition on May 14 at the Sangmyung Art Center, Gyedang Hall, in coordination with Interballet); then in Milan (with the traditional gala evening at the Teatro Manzoni).

The idea of being close to those young people who choose to dedicate their lives to commitment and artistic excellence is the engine that brought president Silvio Andrea Beretta, Artistic director Julio Bocca and General Manager Gisella Zilembo to multiply MAB around the globe, in the name of a great dream, to give substance and concreteness.

The first stage is the Big Apple: on April 7, completely free of charge, thanks to the patronage of MAB Association, 15 selected dancers compete on the stage in the presence of a jury that includes world famous names (Nikki Holck, David Parsons, Igal Perry, Melanie Person, Victoria Vargas, Greg Zane with Gisella Zilembo) to win an important prize money (2000 $) in tangible support of their future.

The Award is received with such enthusiasm as to count among the finalists, not only the talents of the main American realities, but also competitors from France, Japan, Brazil, Mexico and Italy and to attract great media attention.

Remarkable organizational efforts and deep commitment of all for an ambitious project and strongly desired by Silvio Andrea Beretta, so that the Award is also combined with study sessions in collaboration with Peridance Center, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Alvin Ailey School and a special masterclass with the director of the Joffrey Concert Group, Bradley Shelver. Among the guests of the event, the Broadway star Giuseppe Bausilio, the first winner of the MAB Award in 2010, who at the event recognizes the beginning of his brilliant career.

“Good luck to all” wishes the Master Julio Bocca and to win the podium, in New York, is the American Bec Gombar.

“It is said that Love moves mountains, we are trying to move them at a pace of Dance,” says the Zilembo, then adds:  “Today more than ever, if we can transmit a living example of how commitment, constancy and trust can change the world, all this makes sense and Art is confirmed as the most extraordinary of revolutions”.

(Ph. Matteo Rocchi)

Attached, in photo: 

David Parsons, Melanie Person with Gisella Zilembo, Igal Perry, Gisella Zilembo with Bec Gombar, all finalists of Premio MAB Usa 2nd edt.

Some finalists of MAB USa2023, namely:

Ana Cecilia Cardoso Urchichi, HELOISE Ponsonnet, Miku Hivayama, Bec Gombar, Martina Maculan, Andrew Schroeder, Alexia Quaglia.

14 March 2023 – Presentation of the book Alba Gonzales “Vissi d’Arti fra danza, canto, scultura e resilienza”

Roman sculptor of international fame, Alba Gonzales wanted to tell herself in the volume “Vissi d’Arti fra danza, canto, scultura e resilienza”, published by Gangemi Editore International with a critical introduction by Vittorio Sgarbi. Through the many conversations woven in years of acquaintance with the communicator Annamaria Barbato Ricci, always committed to the enhancement of female talent, the book tells the artist’s journey through the arts that have brought her to the forefront of the contemporary art world.

A special interview will be dedicated to Alba Gonzales in the March issue of Identity Style and while waiting, the book will be presented in Milan, Tuesday, March 14, 2023, from 18.00, at the Sala delle Colonne of Banco BPM, in via di San Paolo, 12. Introducing Diana Vaccaro, Artistic Heritage Banco BPM and Luca Pasquero, Easywork Italy and speakers Daniela Girardi Javarone, President of the Association Friends of Opera, Giovanni Iovane, Director of the Academy of Brera, Pasquale Lettieri, Curator, Professor of the Academy of Fine Arts of Naples Sergio Mandelli, Literary, critic and art popularizer, Domenico Piraina, Director of Palazzo Reale, Milan, Massimo Salamone, President of Durini Design District, Gisella Zilembo, General Manager MAB Award. The meeting will be coordinated by Annamaria Barbato Ricci, co-author of the work and communicator. The event will be attended by Maestro Alba Gonzales.

During the event will be exhibited two works of the artist: “Under His Mantle” and “The fears of Bacchae”, which will be transferred, from 15 March and until 15 September 2023, in the central hall of the headquarters of Banco BPM in Piazza Meda.