Memory and commitment: in Catania, the remembrance of Alfredo Agosta and the awards for the fight against the mafia

March 18 is not just a date on the calendar of Catanese memory, but a constant reminder of courage and civic duty. 44 years after the assassination of Major Marshal Alfredo Agosta, the Great Hall of the "Palazzo delle Scienze" hosts a meeting that combines historical remembrance with an analysis of modern criminal challenges.

The event, titled "Organized Crime from the 1980s to the Present: Evolution, Strategies, and Social Impact", analyzes the mutations of the mafia phenomenon under the aegis of the University of Catania and the GRINS project. Under the coordination of Prof. Marco Romano and with institutional greetings from the Rector Enrico Foti and the Prefect Pietro Signoriello, the conference will delve into a debate moderated by Laura Distefano, Journalist for La Sicilia.

The Testimony of Son Giuseppe

One of the most touching moments of the morning will be the speech by Dr. Giuseppe Agosta. As a representative of the National Anti-Mafia Association dedicated to his father, Giuseppe Agosta will provide a direct testimony, offering a human perspective that goes beyond the professional profile of the Marshal. His participation emphasizes how memory is not a static exercise, but a living legacy capable of inspiring those who work in the field today.

A Recognition of Institutional and Civic Value

The beating heart of the day is represented by the delivery of the "Alfredo Agosta" Awards, an exclusive recognition that in twelve years has been awarded only 23 times to those who have shown exceptional valor in the fight against crime . This year, the Association has chosen to award a group of personalities that represent the excellence of the State and information .

The recognition will be awarded to the journalist and special envoy of La Repubblica Salvo Palazzolo, to Brigadier General Pierluigi Solazzo, current Commander of the Carabinieri Legion of Tuscany, and to Dr. Giuseppe Bellassai, Chief of Police of Catania . Alongside them, the award will be given to the Prosecutor of the Republic of Catania, Dr. Francesco Curcio, and His Excellency Monsignor Luigi Renna, Archbishop of Catania, as a testament to a commitment that embraces every area of civil society .

New ties and symbols of rebirth

In addition to the awardees, the community of the Association expands with the appointment of Honorary Members of figures who have marked the recent history of the judiciary and security, such as Dr. Marisa Scavo, Dr. Filippo Pennisi, H.E. Maria Carmela Librizzi and General Giuseppe La Gala .

The ceremony will conclude with the presentation of the olive tree, a symbol of peace and social regeneration, entrusted to the speakers and honorees . As member Brunella Bertolino will explain, this gesture seals a common pact: to keep alive the memory of Alfredo Agosta by continuing to strike, with professionalism and courage, the apparatus of criminal organizations .