Class 3E of the Arzachena Primary School won the first edition of the Karim Aga Khan School Literary Competition with the text entitled in Gallura “L'Abbracciu” , a work in the form of a fairy tale, under the guidance of the literature teacher, Amalia Ciampallari and the principal Pinuccia Selis.
"When we received the communication from the Municipality," says teacher Ciampallari, "we immediately got to work studying the life of Prince Karim Aga Khan. Not all the students, despite being from Arzachena, knew him, or had only heard of him but were unaware of the important role he played. We therefore focused heavily on his biography, framing him as a prince who loved discovering new lands and who, one day, arriving in this wonderful land, fell in love with it, just like in a fairy tale."
The jury recognized and highlighted the uniqueness of the work by teacher Ciampallari's class. The jury's citation stated that it "intended to recognize the fairytale-like narrative, imagination, originality, passion, appropriate use of the Gallura language, and the simple yet not superficial text."
But the jury also "intended above all to reward the courage to portray, in a romantic, almost dreamlike manner, an extraordinary business venture, following a far-sighted financial investment, inextricably linked to the love for Sardinia, Gallura, and the land that would become the Costa Smeralda. A long story of love and friendship, captured in a text that looks far beyond the narrative. His Highness, Prince Karim Aga Khan," the statement concludes, "who watches over us from somewhere in the sky, would certainly have approved. And he would have been moved." The class was awarded a trip to Paris, funded by the Municipality of Arzachena. The awards ceremony was held on Friday, September 26, at the AMA Auditorium Multidisciplinare in Arzachena.
The initiative was promoted by Michele Occhioni, the delegate for Public Education, sponsored by the Costa Smeralda Consortium, and supported by the Probuilding company. Its goal is to keep the history of the Costa Smeralda and its founder, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, alive for future generations. Having passed away last February in Lisbon, he received honorary citizenship of Arzachena in 1965 at a ceremony in Piazza Risorgimento. The event was moderated by Emilio Casalini, television host of the program "Generazione Bellezza" (Beauty Generation), broadcast on Rai 3. The journalist urged the young people to invest in their dreams despite the obstacles and to follow the example of Prince Karim, who, starting with a vision, created the Costa Smeralda while respecting Sardinia and its inhabitants. During the opening remarks, Mayor Roberto Ragnedda invited guests and students to observe a minute of silence and reflection in memory of Cinzia Pinna.