An alternative... based on ciauscolo (and a lot more)
I am writing about the Marches, the title bearing a reference to the salami, of ancient peasant origins, typical to that region: rosy, fragrant, with a tasty but delicate flavor, to be spread on bread. Editorial by Stefano Lavorini
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«From reading a piece of true, contemporary poetry (...)
it can be (...) said what Sterne said of a smile: that it adds a thread to the very short canvas of our life.
It refreshes us, so to speak; and it increases our vitality». --- Giacomo Leopardi, , Zibaldone, note, 1 February 1829
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The name ciauscolo seems to derive from the Latin Cibusculum*: small food or small meal, as if to underline the fact that overeating does not help.
And even the excess of pathos in work might appear to be counterproductive, some say. And yet, in our country - where the conditions for civil coexistence seem to have gone by the wayside - operating and fighting to reaffirm the radical nature of principles requires an enthusiasm and energy, which might be enough to carry out a revolution elsewhere.
The men and women of Boxmarche know something about this, reinventing themselves as they know how to do this year, they even "engraved" an "industrious poem", which combines art and work, inspiration and commitment.
In my opinion, this small company from the Marches confirms itself as a "cultural" case, despite the originality and uniqueness of its model.
They produce, not salami, but cardboard boxes, like others: ideas and packaging, which they sell to consumer goods producers on the level of top-rate, long established paper converting concerns. But, on their side, they have that they know how to speak with their own voice, they do what they believe and find pleasure in.
They succeed - and this is surprising - in making sounds and emotions that clash with the "normality" of the market and tear off the hood of ignorance and rampant banality, working responsibly, sustainably and transparently, pursuing a higher purpose than that of simple profit.
The recipe, after all, is simple ... one might way: without morals you cannot successfully do business, as can be deduced by reading the (fifteenth!) Global Report 2018, which combines the financial statements, the social and environmental balance, the analysis of intellectual capital, and which well represents the company, its people and its values, speaking of humanity and business, of culture and the joys of life, of beauty and love ...
And the fact that they do not "follow" but "choose", is borne witness to in the modification of the company statute, that Boxmarche donated itself for its 50 years of activity and that marks the start of the transformation of the company into a B-Corp (Benefit Corporation ), with the aim of ensuring that its economic activity creates a positive impact on people and the environment, while generating profit.
An important "detail" that almost risks ending up in the background among the long list of initiatives carried out to respond to the needs of all stakeholders: from the restoration of the Madonna and Child and Saints panel by Pietro Perugino as well as the stucco ceilings by Federico Brandani in Palazzetto Baviera in Senigallia, to the fundraising for the reconstruction of the Pieve Torina school, destroyed by the earthquake of 2016.
Returning to the Report, it is sufficient to comb through the chapter "Creation and distribution of added value", where it is made clear that, out of a total of 3.8 million euros, only 60 thousand euros were allocated to shareholders.
Hence to the celebrations 5 July at the Corinaldo plant.
Everything went well, very well indeed for the 300 people who attended: because even if someone might have some reservations about the length of the program (over 3 and a half hours in the factory), about the coherence of some interventions or about the general design of the event, based on the marked repetition of so many good projects, nobody could doubt the sincere passion, the deserving intentions and the many incontestable results obtained.
On the other hand, as Lev Tolstòj writes in War and Peace, "There is no greatness without simplicity, goodness and truth".
Tonino Dominici was his usual intelligent, kind and generous self in his consummate role as the director of a celebratory event devised for him and his people, for all of us, to celebrate the idea that man can rise above stupidity and selfishness.
For what counts, we embrace him, and I am sure we are not few in doing so.
