On April 26 in Genoa, during Euroflora, Silvia and Antonio Ricci were the protagonists of a meeting held at Spazio Gardenia entitled “Gardens in Liguria, between tradition and innovation. Villa della Pergola in Alassio becomes a Partner RHS garden and Fai opens Villa La Rezzola in Lerici and Punta Mesco in Levanto”.
The key to the meeting promoted by Gardenia was that of the Gardens compared to "a sleeping beauty" waiting for a "kiss" to wake up. A fitting metaphor with the history of Villa della Pergola and its Gardens, which this year celebrate their 150th anniversary and, thanks to a rescue from a building speculation and the subsequent recovery, have returned to shine and become a national and now also international excellence.
The discussion, moderated by Gardenia director Emanuela Rosa-Clot, highlighted the crucial role of passionate figures, such as the couple Silvia and Antonio Ricci, and of organizations such as the FAI, in the restoration and maintenance of villas and gardens, the challenges of economic management and the need to promote tourism that enhances this unique heritage.
Silvia and Antonio Ricci themselves talked about Villa La Pergola, its restoration and the recovery of its English garden, saved from building speculation and the object of a meticulous restoration curated by the architect Paolo Pejrone.
The Gardens of Villa della Pergola, today custodians of prestigious and famous collections, have been proposed as an example of rebirth and environmentalist “provocation”, demonstrating that beauty can preserve a place from concrete and that a neglected garden can surpass its ancient splendor.