«The mafia no longer rules in Palermo. I rule here». Interview with a cheerful Italian mayor

Євгенія Вірлич Журналістка, головна редакторка

On the eve of the local elections in Ukraine, we are again comparing how people live in other European cities and how they live in Kherson. We communicate with mayors. In connection with the editorial board of "Kavun.City" this time is the mayor of Palermo. The initiative belongs to Kherson guide Inna Mykutska. Many thanks to our Odessa friend Mykola for the translation!

A few words about Palermo

Palermo is a city and municipality in the region of Sicily, Italy. The city is 430 km south of Rome. More than 600,000 people live here, which is twice as many as in Kherson.

A number of festivals take place here every year, and the city is developing quite dynamically. Compare with Kherson? Apparently, in a conversation with the mayor of Palermo, it will be convenient to compare the level of accessibility of the mayors of two cities: Kherson and Palermo.

Palermo Mayor Leoluca Orlando heades the city for six terms

Leoluca Orlando first became mayor in 1985. He is currently leading the city for the sixth time - his cadences were intermittent. Leoluca Orlando says he has implemented almost everything he planned.

"If I die tonight, I will die happy, because I have fulfilled my mission. But not completely".

Leoluca Orlando's political career began in 1980, when the leader of Sicily was assassinated. During the years of Orlando's death - since 1985 - a lot has changed in Palermo for the better culturally.

"Kyiv, Berlin and Prague have changed. Since I became mayor, the Soviet Union has collapsed and the Berlin Wall has fallen. All cities changed. And Palermo has changed for the better without changes to the Italian constitution. We have changed culturally - in the head. I can afford to say that during my time as mayor - which is six terms - the mission is accomplished. Forty years ago, Palermo was ruled by the mafia. The Mafia had the faces of ministers, Catholic bishops and, of course, the mayor. Mafia, as in Palermo, is in New York, Hamburg, Kiev and other cities. But the mafia no longer rules in Palermo - I rule Palermo".

Palermo is hosting the largest equality march in Southern Europe. Orlando is the first mayor in Italy to allow homosexual marriages: "We want to respect not one right, but all rights."

Well, during his time as Leoluc, Orlando became the grandfather of four grandchildren. The only thing that hasn't changed is his wife. The mayor and his future wife met when they were both 18 years old in London. They are still together.

"I wanted to become a saint, but my wife is in front of me in the queue of saints"

"I even sent a request to God to become a saint," says the mayor. - Saint Peter answered me. He told me that my request would be considered very carefully, but in front of me in the queue of saints - my wife. So I'll wait. "

Palermo is a city of hospitality, says the mayor of Palermo Leoluca Orlando. The mayor is personally involved in tourism and development in this area in Palermo. The mayor has 11 advisers to whom he has delegated various powers, but tourism and culture in Palermo is headed by Leoluca Orlando:

"When I am asked what moved me and why I decided to become mayor, I answer: love. Love for my city, "says the mayor.

Palermo is called the city of thousands of migrants and tourists. Senor Leoluka says: "We have no tourists and migrants - we have all our own." A tourist or migrant who arrives in Palermo immediately becomes a Palermo, says Leoluca Orlando.

"Someone loves money, someone loves sports, and we love life"

The Italian Ministry of the Interior has recognized Palermo as a safe city. In terms of health, by the way, too. Palermo is one of the five largest cities in Italy. And in this big city it is really safe, the mayor notes. During the whole pandemic in Palermo registered 16 deaths from coronavirus! Of these, only two died directly from COVID-19, the other 14 were already of a very respectable age - and the coronavirus simply had a significant effect on their already poor health. For example, in Venice - more than 2,000 deaths, in Lombardy - about 17,000. In Sicily - about 300, of which 16 - in Palermo: "Palermo love life - and it is their merit that Palermo - a successful city. Someone loves money, someone loves sports, and we love life. "

Leoluca Orlando is a creative person. In Germany, the mayor of Palermo received the award for best actor, and his books there sold more than 300 thousand copies. These books were not even published in Italian. German is his second native language. And the roots of Señor Orlando go back even to Georgia - the part that is famous for wine and cheese, says the mayor.

We even found the works of Senor Orlando as an actor. If you want to learn Italian from the work of the mayor of Palermo, keep the link to the names of the tapes.

"If you do not like life, please do not come to Palermo"

Palermo is an ideal place for tourists, says the mayor. This city is relatively inexpensive. We are not wealthy enough to live like in Monte Carlo, says the mayor.

The main square of the city has already been filled with tourists after a 4-month quarantine.

"Life is sacred," says the mayor, and assures: "If you do not love life, please do not come to Palermo. Of course, we will accept everyone, but you will definitely be uncomfortable. "

Our communication took place on a very major note. Senor Orlando noted that if he talks a lot, you can tell everyone: the mayor of Palermo talks a lot. He noted that there is a direct flight Kiev - Palermo, so you can come and check if he is telling the truth.

Currently, the city already receives 180 passengers a day. It was 25,000 days before the coronavirus pandemic. We are gradually returning to the level that was before the quarantine, said the mayor.

"I will not tell you about the monuments, the sea and the festivals of Palermo. You should come to Palermo not to see the monuments, but to communicate with the Palermo people. And you will be sure that you have met your brother, sister, friend, who simply speak another language, but these are exactly your relatives, "the mayor said.

The best thing in Palermo is not to go to see the sights according to some program, but just to walk and communicate with the Palermo people.

"Yes, you can walk with a guide, but not according to plan or program. I don't want to be the enemy of the guides - by any means. But I highly recommend: do not ask the guide what places to visit, but just ask what you see now. It will be much more interesting. You still won't see everything - just take a walk, luckily, it will be more interesting, "said Senor Orlando.

Palermo is probably not an ideal city, says Senor Orlando, but in tourism and hospitality - just perfect!

The City of smartphones and Apple watches

Palermo also has its current problems and is solving them. For example, the pedestrian zones, which we are now redeveloping to make it easier to move around the city: "If something is wrong in the city, you can be sure: it's the mayor's fault".

Palermo, like Milan, is well equipped in terms of infrastructure, especially digital communications. The city has all types of communication, including 5G: "Palermo - a city of smartphones and Apple watches."

Palermo is the fifth largest street food in the world. The other four are not in Europe. In other words, it is safe to say that street food in Palermo is the best in Europe, says the mayor. So, in Palermo you can enjoy dishes of Arabic, French, German and other cuisines right on the street. Therefore, says the mayor, everyone who comes to Palermo, smooths: "Come to Palermo - will meet as a brother, but smooth exactly."

What does the mayor dream of

"Deep down, I remain a child. That's why I want someone to say many years later: "Leoluca was a bad mayor, but he loved Palermo."

Any mayor must, above all, love his city, said Senor Orlando, adding that he remains faithful: he has not changed either the city or his wife. He has changed a lot, but he will not say what it is: "If I say that, both the Palermitans and my wife will be offended."

See the full interview in the recording