"Lerici regala un sogno" (Lerici gives the gift of a dream) is an initiative that interweaves dreams and reality, art and social responsibility. With the collaboration of artist Marco Nereo Rotelli, the project celebrates our ability to imagine, to dream big and to build a more inclusive and creative future. NERO Lifestyle provided support for the event to mark the International Day of Peace (19–28 September). The dreams captured in Simona Paravani's book "Piccola guida del mondo per bambini" (Little Guide to the World for Children) took shape and were brought to life, dancing with the artist's light and the children's drawings, in a setting where the town of Lerici became a large canvas to be painted.
There is a form of energy lurking in the complexity of people, in their experiences, in the flow of ideas that intermingle to become an intricate web of dreams, skills and aspirations. This is the impression Simona Paravani leaves upon meeting her. It is not only a question of her professional success, which is nevertheless considerable, but also of her entire value system, which is anchored to a courageous life path and is capable of bringing seemingly distant viewpoints together, such as finance, education, creativity and philanthropy. She first made a name for herself in a context that may seem far removed from creativity and poetry for some, namely that of global markets and investment strategies. However, as an author, finance manager and lecturer at Cambridge University, Simona Paravani seems to turn this misperception upside down, showing how numbers and people, money and dreams are able to coexist and make a positive impact. She not only engages with the sphere of childhood through her book "Piccola guida del mondo per bambini", but also with her own attitude towards life.
Intellectual curiosity is not something that belongs only to the young, it is the key to a freedom of thought that allows us to continue growing and imagining new worlds. Imagination therefore becomes a reality thanks to the partnership with artist Marco Nereo Rotelli. "I met Simona Paravani in Rome and was fascinated by her energy, intelligence and honesty," said Marco Nereo Rotelli. "I was struck by her remarkable mind and its ability to think of children and to work with poetry with great delicacy. I am fascinated by the purity of children and to me they represent poetry in themselves." The project demonstrates that you can use them and their innocence as a central paradigm.
This collaboration is yet another illustration of the fact that egocentricity in an artist is no longer effective. "The 'I' in this story is that of Simona and also of the children, who become a 'We', resulting in a wonderful abstraction in which they are the protagonists." Simona views young people as the bearers of unexplored potential. "If you want to go fast, you have to go alone. If you want to go far, you have to go with others," explains Simona Paravani, with a proverb that mirrors the essence of the project and finds a home in Marco Nereo Rotelli's statements.
In her book, Simona Paravani offers young people a compass to navigate their way through a complex and ever-changing world of eight billion people and just as many opportunities. She dedicates her pocket guidebook to children. It is a small booklet that is not only a collection of stories, but also an invitation to embrace life with bravery and hope, a small school of life where each chapter is an invitation to write our own stories, to be the master of our own destinies. Valuable lessons are imparted through concrete examples and teachings that speak directly to the hearts of young people. It is a "waltz around the world", where every step encourages limitless dreams, viewing every change as an opportunity rather than a threat. In an age often marred by uncertainty and fear, the author offers an alternative view. Dreams are humanity's secret weapon, enabling us to build a better future, to see opportunities where others (referred to as "paurosauri", or "fearmongers") only see problems.
The "Paurosauro" is an imaginary character, a symbol of those who allow themselves to be paralysed by their fears and limitations that are often self-imposed, contrasting them against those who are brave enough to believe in their dreams and the world's potential. Simona Paravani has converted the challenges of globalisation, coexistence in an interconnected society and major planetary changes into metaphors, transforming the fear of the unknown into a resource, a drive upwards, heading straight towards dreams. "Dreams can always come true and are the key to improving the world," said Simona. "Tackling the world's great challenges demands visionaries who are able to turn challenges into opportunities!
As adults, we tend to lose the ability to dream 'beyond the limits' that children have. We adults sometimes experience reality as a hindrance that prevents us from thinking outside the box, something that children do. In short, children can help us free our minds from too many frameworks and preconceptions and help us to 'dream' freely, which is essential for innovation with a capital I."
"I have been very fortunate throughout my career, both in finance and working with NGOs and at the university, where I had the opportunity to travel and meet dreamers who are helping to change the world every day! With this book, I wanted to share that spark of magic and optimism with the young girls and boys that I found when meeting these people, in the hope that it might give them the strength to continue dreaming, even as adults."
"And where better than Lerici? The beauty of its colours, the sea, the hills and the magic of its castle propels us to distant times. All this is synonymous with dreams, and so it is the perfect combination for a book that inspires us to dream." Like the project, the book invites us to look with confidence towards a complex horizon that is full of wonder and examples of social mobility and optimism. The world should not be viewed as a storm, but rather as an ocean of possibilities.