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April 06, 2020 "The memory of the night of April 6 eleven years ago is imprinted with indelible characters on the minds and hearts of the citizens of L'Aquila and all Italians. A terrible earthquake brought death and devastation, threw numerous families in the suffering and sometimes in despair, made homes, buildings and roads inaccessible, forcing a highly demanding path, first of survival, then of reconstruction ". It is one of the passages of the letter that the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, sent to the mayor of L'Aquila Pierluigi Biondi, on the occasion of the eleventh anniversary of the earthquake of April 6, 2009.

Proximity and solidarity
"On the anniversary day - added President Mattarella - I wish to renew the feelings of closeness and solidarity to all the inhabitants of L'Aquila, to those in the neighboring countries and villages who shared both those tragic moments and the worries of the restart, to our fellow citizens numerous other territories of central Italy which, in the short span of a few years, have found themselves experiencing similar dramas and are now busy, as in L'Aquila, to restore to themselves and to Italy the fullness of social life and the values ​​that they come from their history "." This year's anniversary is celebrated in an exceptional context, determined by a dangerous pandemic that we are called to face with all the capacity, responsibility and solidarity with which we are capable.

Still an emergency
A national and global emergency has overlapped that reconstruction itinerary that the Aquilans are following, which has already produced important results, but which still requires dedication, tenacity and work "." The reconstruction of L'Aquila - highlights the Chief of the state in the message addressed to the mayor of the regional capital - a priority and an unavoidable commitment for the Republic remains. Citizens have the right to the completion of the works on site, to the complete and free return of community life, to the full rebirth of their city. In the face of the most difficult obstacles we can have moments of difficulty, but Italy has energy, resilience and a will to the future that has ancient roots and which, in the most difficult passages of our history, has always been supported by a convinced unity of the Italian people. Today this sense of solidarity and sharing represents a precious patrimony to draw on to overcome the emergency of these days ".