Mikhail Gorbachev Visits Italy

On May 28-31, 2004, President Gorbachev made a trip to Italy on the invitation of the President of Toscana Region, Mayor of Florence and the government of the Province of Florence to participate in a charity event called “The Cordial Meeting.”
On May 28, he appeared as a guest of honor at a charity friendly soccer match between the national team of Italian singer/performers (led by Gianni Morandi) and the all-star team of the United Kingdom (led by Rod Stewart and Mick Hucknall of Simply Red), held at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence. The stadium was decorated with welcome banners and flags with rainbow colors as a classic symbol of peace and with purple hearts. Playing on the field were renowned Italian and British musicians and soccer-players, including Eros Ramazzotti, Steve Harris of the Iron Maiden, Paul Gascoigne and Paolo di Canio, to name just a few. The final score at the end of the match was 10-10.
More than 40,000 people came to the see the match, generating almost 300,000 Euros. The collected money went to finance projects of international cooperation and initiatives benefiting children. The organizers gave Euro 150,000 to the construction of the Raisa M. Gorbachev Childhood Hematology and Transplantology Center at the Saint-Petersburg’s Ivan Pavlov State Medical University.
On May 29, at an official ceremony, the Mayor of Florence Leonardo Domenici presented Mikhail Gorbachev, who is an honorary citizen of the city, with the “Seal of Peace of the Florentine Republic” – a silver medal instituted by the Republic in 1400 to celebrate the people who made the biggest contribution to the cause of peace and freedom. The last person who was awarded this medal before Mikhail Gorbachev was Pope John Paul II.
 Later in the day, Mikhail Gorbachev visited the Soka Gakkai International-Italy Culture Center in Florence. SGI-Italy General Director Tamotsu Nakajima and some 200 SGI-Italy students welcomed Mr. Gorbachev. Referring to his friendship with SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, Mr. Gorbachev stated that in his 50-year career as a politician, his dialogues with Mr. Ikeda left a lasting impression. Decrying the cynicism of the 20th century, Mr. Gorbachev expressed his belief that politics should not disregard ethics and morality but should instead be based on a morality that unites people. On the occasion, SGI-Italy presented Mr. Gorbachev with the SGI-Italy's New Renaissance Award in recognition of his peace efforts.
Mikhail Gorbachev while attending the events in Florence was accompanied by his Adviser Professor Vadim Zagladin and President of the Gorbachev Foundation—Italy Mr. Marzio Dallagiovanna.