Filippo Cappelli, a practicing journalist and student of the Master in Journalism at Luiss Guido Carli, is the winner of the Targa Athesis, the award dedicated to under 30s, as part of the “Natale UCSI” awards of the Unione Cattolica Stampa Italiana. The UCSI awards aim to enhance journalistic activity that tells stories of solidarity, legality and humanity, often far from the spotlight of the general public. This year, Filippo Cappelli stood out for his touching reportage entitled “Children all smile in the same language”, a profound and moving story about the humanitarian work in war zones of Marco Rodari, known as Claun Il Pimpa. The articlewas published in Zeta, the newspaper of the Master in Journalism at Luiss.
The story of Marco Rodari, told by Cappelli, is that of a clown who has been working in war zones for over sixteen years to bring hope and smiles to the children who live in these contexts. The narrative transports the reader to the heart of the devastation of Bakhmut, in eastern Ukraine, a city ravaged by the ongoing conflict. It is here that Rodari, dressed as a clown, enters the cellars where children hide from the bombs, managing to “rekindle a glimmer of wonder in their eyes”. The article recounts episodes of resilience and humanity: the moment in which Marco slips under a table to surprise a little girl and her grandmother, or the danger experienced when a bomb hit the hiding place where he was.
The article: «Children all smile in the same language»
The story «Children all smile in the same language» also highlights the contrast between the wars experienced in different places: in Ukraine, children survive for months in freezing cellars, immersed in darkness and silence, while in the Middle East, sunlight and outdoor activities offer an illusory oasis of normality. Despite everything, wherever Rodari goes, he manages to give a moment of joy, demonstrating that “bombs all make the same noise, but children smile in the same language”.
The article also highlights Marco Rodari’s commitment to rebuilding symbolic places for childhood, such as the Izjum library, transformed into a safe space for the little ones, and his “Giornata della Meraviglia” project, supported by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella. Through this story, the journalist Zeta not only documents, but forcefully expresses the message that keeping attention on children is essential to preserve humanity, even in the most difficult contexts.
An award that celebrates the power of journalism to tell civil commitment
The “Natale UCSI” Awards represent one of the national awards dedicated to quality journalism. Established in 1994 by the Verona section of the Unione Cattolica Stampa Italiana (UCSI) and named after the journalist Giuseppe Faccincani, these awards aim to highlight stories of solidarity, legality and civil commitment, highlighting the “good that exists and is not spoken about”. Every year, the competition aims to valorize those information professionals who are able to tell the constructive side of society with sensitivity and depth.
The Award is divided into different categories, including the best article published in registered newspapers (daily, periodical or online), the best television and radio report. The Targa Athesis is also awarded, the special recognition for young journalists or collaborators under 30, and the “Il genio della donna” award, designed for those who valorize female commitment in the promotion of values related to solidarity and civil coexistence.
The award ceremony is held in Verona, involving not only the journalistic world, but also representatives of the institutions. In 2024, the award celebrates its thirtieth anniversary, reaffirming its mission: to promote journalism that highlights the positive, thus contributing to a more balanced and constructive narration of reality.