Italian national team members Silvia Biasi and Giulia Aringhieri and the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV) are offering a rare and unique chance to be part of Italy’s Tokyo 2020 campaign.
As they make debut at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games after securing their ticket via the 2019 European Sitting Volleyball Championship, Biasi and Aringhieri have launched an art competition called “Appasionarti”, in collaboration with the Italian Paralympic Committee, Sintomi di Felicita and the Inail Prosthetic Centre.
Appasionarti was born from their desire to bring people together despite the COVID-19 circumstances and through this art contest, the Tokyo 2020-bound athletes hope to showcase the story and passion of sitting volleyball players through art and ultimately promote the values of the sport and the Paralympic Movement.
“The main goal is to bring people closer to our discipline and our team. I am convinced that the initiative will enable people to approach disability objectively, thus making it possible to understand even better that it is not necessarily a handicap,” Biasi said.
Appasionarti is open to participants of all ages and interested individuals may submit their entry until April 14. The Italian women’s sitting volleyball team will select the winner from among the top six artworks selected through a public poll. The winning artwork will be printed on Biasi’s prosthesis when she competes at Tokyo 2020, while the artist will receive some special prize from the national team.
“The winning design will be with us on the playing field and it will remind us of the strength of all our supporters,” Aringhieri said.
All entries will also be put on display at the Italian Sitting Volleyball Cup and Super Cup final, and Scudetto finals. They will also be exhibited on multimedia galleries set to be organised by FIPAV and Sintomi di Felicita.
“Participation is open to everyone, from children to adults, with maximum freedom and variety of images, colours and emotions. We are waiting for you,” Aringhieri added.
For more information, you may visit the official Appasionarti Facebook page, Instagram account and website.
