The Council of Ministers, upon proposal by President Giorgia Meloni, has approved the granting of an extraordinary lifetime pension , pursuant to the Bacchelli law, to Chiara Vigo, born Calasetta, a master weaver of byssus.

He devoted much of his energy and time to the valorization and protection of this precious textile fiber of animal origin, also known as "sea silk."

Chiara Vigo, unique in the Mediterranean, is the custodian of an ancient tradition that she preserves with love and passion and projects into the future.

"Byssus," he explains, "cannot be bought or sold. Silk works of the sea can only be donated or received. A byssus master lives on donations."

Treccani clarifies that "the Greeks used the term 'byssus' to define a very fine linen cloth originating from India and Egypt, much sought-after in antiquity and also used in Jewish priestly vestments; in Egypt, byssus was used to wrap mummies; in Rome, it was widely used during the imperial age."

Byssus comes from the "Pinna nobilis" plant, now protected by regional and European regulations. Chiara Vigo, with her art, keeps this tradition and technique alive. With great determination, she continues to defend a culture and a thousand-year-old history.

The "Bacchelli Law" establishes a fund to provide extraordinary lifetime benefits to distinguished citizens in need who have distinguished themselves in fields such as art, science, sport, and culture, contributing to Italy's prestige.