Journalist and writer but above all disseminator of knowledge. He chooses a "difficult" road along that niche sector of scientific communication. It does this by making use of the small screen by carrying theknown in the homes of Italians. A well-known name, the first we think of when it comes to documentary productions. "Superquark", "Ulysses", "Journey into the cosmos" are just some of his most famous programs. It is Piero Angela, celebrated on Monday 15 April in Vercelli where he received honorary citizenship.

Piero Angela in the Vercelli event

A proposal made by Alberto Fragapane, director of the Democratic Party, who immediately found everyone's agreement. Majority and opposition united in support of the same project. How can we not be so? In fact, we are talking about the person who most distinguished himself in the field of scientific dissemination. He certainly deserves the credit for having propagated various aspects of human knowledge to the general public. Objective achieved thanks to communication strategies placed at the service of widespread understanding. What significance does the Vercelli event have in all of this? A territorial link that goes beyond a specific geographical root. It is in fact an educational, cultural relationship. What Piero Angela has always had in regards to Piemonte. But let's start from the beginning. Son of the doctor Carlo Angela, originally from Olcenengo, a town in the province of Vercelli. From his father he learned the rationality, self-control, the sense of listening and tolerance. A rigid education, guided by firm principles that must be contextualized in the Piedmontese society of the time.

Piero Angela. Close-up photo of Piero Angela's face in an elegant dress and with a serious expression but curious gaze

Perhaps the daughter of that nineteenth-century positivism that gave a specific value to concrete and experimental reality. That reality that has helped to shape a certain mindset. Behind the professional man always hides. And it is undoubtedly essential to find a point of reconciliation between these two figures. So Piero Angela, despite containing an important knowledge, does not exhibit it but remains humble. Then comes thatindispensable balance between knowledge and mediation. By virtue of all that Piero Angela represents, the city of Vercelli he then decides to confer honorary citizenship on him. The ceremony, which took place on April 15 at the Civic Theater of the city, saw the well-known popularizer lend his contribution on the occasion of a two important cultural events. The 800 years of the Sant'Andrea and the exhibition of Magna Charta. Vercelli is thus the same place where, at the time, the same Piero's father was celebrated with a tree in the garden of the "Righteous" in memory of the help given to many Jews during the Nazis.

Piero Angela: understanding the man with many facets

What more can we say about the life and origins of the best known scientific communicator? There is actually a lot to add! We will then try, with all the humility of the case, a to highlight those aspects that have tempered the man and the professional. Fully immersed in the Piedmontese reality, Piero develops his person also through the teachings drawn from other areas of life. Not only family and school education but also complementary activities.

Piero Angela. Piano keyboard on which the hand of an adult and that of a child gently rests

Those that stimulate artistic, creative or who leave instructions for life. This is the case with music. Piero Angela in fact took thepiano lessons. A study from which he absorbed food for thought. In fact, he says that his teacher, in order to better explain the soul of the instrument, used to resort to a comparison. So he said "To have a good touch you need steel fingers in velvet gloves". A teaching that goes beyond the keyboard and that also adapts to life. Kindness, education, that way of "caressing things". It will not be a coincidence if Piero has managed in his career to reach people's minds and hearts.

The good communicator

It sounds easy but it's not. A clear example is given by the school, the canonical one. Angela herself has repeatedly told of being very bored on the benches. A traditional teaching, equal to itself, perhaps at times even mnemonic. The lack therefore of advocating the development of a critical thinking, what is then needed outside "the boundaries of the class". So "Learning while having fun" taking advantage of that playful channel that promotes knowledge and understanding. Promote mental elasticity, without falling into excess, ask questions, find answers. So for Piero a good teacher, a good communicator must know how reconcile seriousness of content and communication methods of the same. Rich in knowledge but not boring but fun. After all, it is he who tells us that “Humor is one of the companions of intelligence". A difficult goal to achieve in which Angela certainly succeeded. The result of a long career, which began on the radio, passed from tele-journalism and landed in the genre of documentary programs. Numerous awards were given to him, including telegatti, eight honorary degrees, literary prizes and honorary citizenships. A professional, a man, an excellence capable of leaving a strong mark.

Piero Angela: honorary citizen of Vercelli last edit: 2019-04-15T09:00:53+02:00 da Sabrina Cernuschi

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