2021 in Siena in 12 photos and 12 captions
From January to December, from the Alpha variant to the Omicron, passing from Monte dei Paschi, from the formation of a new government, from the mourning of Andrea Mari, from the non-run Poles, from the magical nights of the Europeans, from the emotions of the Olympics and from the by-elections. The attempt to return to live with the tourism boom and the shadows cast by the new variants that affect the Sienese economy like that of the rest of the world. These are the 12 months that Siena and its province have lived and we will tell you in 12 pills and 12 photos.
January – The year opens and closes in the name of the fight against the pandemic. Tuscany begins 2021 in the yellow zone, Pfizer anti-covid vaccines are administered to healthcare personnel and RSAs while the arrival of Moderna is awaited. However, the virus launches its offensive at the beginning of the year: the English variant attacks medical residences and outbreaks are discovered throughout the province. “Safe territories”, a mass screening campaign among the population, arrives for the first time in our territory, in Sarteano where over 2 thousand swabs are performed. Meanwhile, Cnapi – a document drawn up by Sogin – comes out, identifying an area between Pienza and Trequanda as suitable for hosting the national nuclear waste deposit.
February – The onslaught of the virus becomes more consistent: “Safe Territories” makes a stop in Sinalunga; Closed under siege, it passes into the red zone and the same fate touches the entire province of Siena at the end of the month. The main news, however, comes from Rome: The new Prime Minister is Mario Draghi, for Giuseppe Conte there are rumors about his possible candidacy for the Supplementary to be held in the Senese seat of the Chamber. Giovanni Gozzini, professor at the University of Siena, ends up in the storm for the offenses against Giorgia Meloni.
March – In Sanremo the Festival takes place (but without an audience). In Firenze Mise, the Tuscany Region, Tls and Invitalia sign the pact on possible anti-covid monoclonals (produced in Siena, we are still waiting for them). At the Polyclinic Le Scotte we reach the peak of admissions for Sars-cov2. In addition, the Hidden Partner investigation breaks out. The beauty of the Lands fascinates the world: Van Der Poel wins the Strade Bianche 2021. The competition is broadcast in over 200 countries.
April – In vaccinations for over 80s, Tuscany is the penultimate in Italy at the beginning of the month. Gimbe monitoring highlights this. In Florence, the opposition asks for the head of the regional councilor for health Simone Bezzini. In Siena, however, De Mossi accuses the former governor Enrico Rossi. The biggest drama, however, is experienced in Monticiano which loses its mayor, Maurizio Colozza due to the coronavirus.
May – Politics dictates the agenda: the center-right presents Tommaso Marrocchesi Marzi as his candidate for the Supplements. The extraordinary commissioner for the emergency Francesco Paolo Figliuolo makes a stop in Siena to take stock of the situation on the vaccination campaign. An attempt is made to save the Palio and the council chamber yes again: the July decision is canceled and the decision postponed to August. The city must live in devastating mourning and mourn the untimely and tragic death of the jockey Andrea Mari.
June – Covid gives way: Tuscany passes into the white zone and the province approaches zero contagion. Anxiety, hope and dreams can be read in the eyes of the young boys who face the final exams in Siena. In the meantime, in the Cathedral the magnificent Floor is discovered ‘extraordinarily’. On 30 June the city council votes to cancel the August Palio. Finally Tomaso Montanari is elected Rector of the University for Foreigners.
July – Siena is experiencing the celebrations for the victory of the European football championships by the Italian national team. The streets of the center are filled with tricolor flags and blue shirts after Donnarumma saves the penalty in Saka. While the Municipality has to untie the knots on the Franci and Siena Jazz conservatory, Enrico Letta, secretary of the Democratic Party, takes the field for the Supplements and does it in Montalcino. Unicredit at the end of the month reveals its intentions for Mps.
August – The University of Siena mobilizes for Afghan students fleeing the Taliban. Montanari ends up in the storm for some of his words about the sinkholes. Covid front, Delta variant worries. And Undersecretary Sileri arrives in Siena for Robur vaccines. The Mangia d’oro is delivered to Massimo Maccherini. Medals of civic gratitude to Don Sergio Volpi and Lorenzo Granai.
September – The electoral campaign gets underway and Marco Rizzo is also running in Siena. The no green passes organize the first demonstrations and the first unvaccinated health workers are suspended. In the center he arrives for the parliamentary commission of inquiry into the David Rossi case for the inspections at Rocca Salimbeni
October – The month opens with the electoral round: Letta wins the Supplements; in Chiusi the new mayor is Gianluca Sonnini; Trequanda awards Andrea Francini; in Monticiano Alessio Serragli wins instead. In the capital the majority splits on the waste with Minghi and Marsiglietti critical of the work of the commissioner Silvia Buzzichelli. Stop the negotiations between Unicredit and Mps.
November – The University of Siena inaugurates the academic year with the presence of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella. The Head of State also visits the Tls laboratories. A flaw is opened in the relationship between the Municipality and Opera Laboratori, manager of the museum system: the relations already tense since the beginning of the De Mossi mandate, end with the decision of Palazzo Pubblico not to renew the agreement for services to the Santa Maria della Scala. Mustafa and Munzir, on the other hand, win the Siena Awards: the image (cover photo ed.) Taken by Mehmet Aslan tells the drama of the Syrian conflict and becomes one of the symbolic shots of 2021 all over the world.
December – Sant’Ansano renews the spirit of the districts with the hope of returning to live better moments. On the Common question – Opera Laboratori which puts 50 employees at risk, the manager saves his employees. Will there be a competition for the others? In the meantime, the municipal council decided to re-internalize the services of the complex and entrust Sigerico (what was once Siena Parcheggi). The final yes for the operational plan also arrives in the classroom and Mps instead presents its 2022-2026 industrial plan. The Holidays arrive but Christmas is devastated by Omicron: in the province there are 5 thousand people in quarantine, in Tuscany over 600 tampons are required per minute. The year ends as if we were in a natural lockdown, which leads to increasingly harsh judgments regarding the policies adopted to deal with the covid. On the sport side: Siena, which at the beginning of the season had started with promotion ambitions to Serie B, change two coaches in a month (4 throughout the season). The new mister Padalino finds himself with a team very far from the top and from the playoff area back from s6 ko in a row.