Vasco Rossi and his face-to-face meeting with Enzo Biagi: "This is why we're here."
Lizzano in Belvedere (Bologna), August 2, 2025 – Every summer, punctually, like a ritual, Vasco Rossi returns to his Apennines. He does so far from the stages, the lights, and the crowds, choosing first his home in Zocca and then the cool trails of Corno alle Scale , the stone villages, the fresh air. One of his favorite destinations for years has been Pianaccio , a small village in the heart of the Bologna area, a hamlet of Lizzano in Belvedere . Here, during his recent trip, the rocker from Zocca wanted to visit a place of special value: the Enzo Biagi Documentation Center.
Indeed, it was in Pianaccio that Enzo Biagi was born in 1920, before becoming one of the greatest Italian journalists of the twentieth century . Editorialist, correspondent, writer, and television host, his career spanned nearly a century of Italian history. The center, housed in the town's former elementary school, is now a precious archive of his memory , preserving photographs, manuscripts, books, interviews, films, and original documents. It is a place of culture and reflection, where one can get to know the man and the professional who chronicled Italy with clarity, rigor, and civic passion.
Vasco, who has always loved the Apennines and its authentic spirit, visited the center's spaces privately , accompanied by a small group of friends. He browsed materials, lingered over the panels, and asked for information. It was a quiet and intimate moment, in a place that speaks of a different kind of rock: that of ideas, words, and commitment.
Then he sat on the bench where the statue of Enzo Biagi stands and improvised an "imaginary dialogue" with the intellectual who passed away on November 6, 2007. "It's no coincidence that I'm here in Pianaccio . Enzo, do you know why we came here? Because you were born here on August 9, 1920." Biagi was "a sharp, insightful, honest journalist, writer, TV presenter." Just like Vasco, "you too, dear Biagi, theorized a better world, that the truth is important and you sought it. The important thing is that now there are those who say no, just as you used to say no, so today is 'There are those who say no' day."
It was, in short, a heartfelt and meaningful stop on a day that then took on a more cheerful, convivial tone. After Pianaccio, the "Blasco gang" reached Monteacuto delle Alpi, another charming mountain village. There, Larry , the vibrant owner of the Il Bagigio restaurant, was there to welcome them, confirming their visit with a smile: "Yes, Vasco came, but it's not the first time . He comes here every now and then. He likes homemade pasta, so we served him tortelloni, ravioli, and tagliatelle . He's a simple, friendly person. He took photos with everyone who stopped him."
Vasco, in fact, did not shy away from the embrace of his fans , who even in a mountain village recognize him and welcome him with enthusiasm. From residents to tourists, from children to retirees, many seized the opportunity for a selfie or a handshake . Vasco's audience, after all, transcends generations, and in the Apennine villages, even the very young seem to know his songs by heart. Last July 10th, Vasco had already been spotted at Lake Scaffaiolo , for a high-altitude hike, and further excursions are not out of the question in the coming days. For him, the mountains are refuge and inspiration. And the Bolognese Apennines, with their silence and sincere welcome, seem to give him something more each time.
İl Resto Del Carlino
