Inauguration of the Cristo del Mare Sculpture

Location: Piombino (Livorno)
Period:July 29, 2011
Partner:Comune di Poimbino, Comune di Pietrasanta, Autorità Portuale di Piombino e dell'Elba, Ufficio Circondariale Marittimo Guardia Costiera - Piombino, Welfare della Gente di Mare

On Friday, July 29th, the inaugural ceremony and blessing took place of the marble sculpture "Christ of the Sea" , a sculpture which was restored thanks to the financial contribution of the Kepha Foundation.
The statue, over 2 meters in height, was placed on the Pecoraro wharf of the Port of Piombino to offer a message of peace, greeting and good welcome to all those entering or leaving the port.

Present at the ceremony were: Alessandro Russo – Commander, Porto of Piombino, Ilarione Dell'Anna – Tuscan Maritime Park Director and Commander of the Port of Livorno, Luciano Guerrieri – President, Port Authority of Piombino, Gianni Anselmi – Mayor, municipality of Piombino, Massimo Lombardi – Mayor, municipality of Pietrasanta, His Excellency Mons. Carlo Ciattini – Diocesan Bishop of Massa Marittima and Piombino, and Mons. Patrizio Benvenuti, President of the non-profit Kepha Foundation.

Following the greetings of the port authorities, each of the mayors spoke briefly, after which time Bishop Ciattini blessed the statue.
At the conclusion of the celebration, the Foundation Kepha invited all participants to a buffet lunch, held at the Vittoria Academy, the Foundation’s base in Piombino.