Casorate Sempione: 7,000 pine cones for San Tito feast (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell<br>- Over 150 floral compositions made by Iris Gallarate CD users<br>- Seven thousand pine cones collected and turned into flowers via Genoa in Casorate Sempione<br>- Two years of work to prepare the decorations for the ten-year feast of San Tito<br>- The project born from the meeting with the inhabitants of Via Genova has become a service to the community<br><br>## Key facts<br>What: Creation of over 150 floral decorations with pine cones and salvaged materials<br>When: Preparation started two years before the 10-year feast of St. Titus on September 5<br>Where: Via Genova in Casorate Sempione, 550 metres of street in the historic centre<br>Who: Boys and girls of the Iris Disabled Day Centre in Gallarate, with educators and volunteers<br>Amount: About seven thousand pine cones collected in the woods and in the Bassetti Park of Gallarate<br><br>Over 150 compositions made by CDD users will decorate the 550 meters of Via Genova on the occasion of the ten-year anniversary. A project born from the meeting with the inhabitants has become an opportunity to put creativity and skills at the service of the community.<br><br>Wisteria, roses and many other colorful flowers will accompany those who will travel via Genoa to Casorate Sempione during the famous ten-year celebration of San Tito that will open on September 5. They were created by the boys and girls of the Iris Disabled Day Centre in Gallarate, protagonists of a long project that transformed pine cones,

Operational details

Practical analysis<br><br>The Iris Gallarate CD project for the feast of San Tito in Casorate Sempione represents much more than just a creative activity: it is a concrete example of how social work can generate tangible value for the community. The boys and girls of the center have transformed raw materials collected in nature – such as the seven thousand pine cones collected in the woods and in the Bassetti Park of Gallarate – into over 150 decorations that will embellish Via Genova, a 550-meter street in the historic center.<br><br>This process required two years of constant commitment, with appointments organised two or three times a week, demonstrating how the regular programming of the CDD can be oriented towards specific and measurable objectives. As the educators pointed out, they could have achieved the same capacity building goals through other activities, but they chose to do so by doing something for the community, thus giving particular meaning to the work done at the center.<br><br>Meeting with the inhabitants of Via Genova was a key element of the project. Carla Zoia, coordinator of the CDD and a Casoratta citizen, explained how the idea was born from direct knowledge of the tradition of the feast of San Tito and the desire to create a meaningful collaboration. This approach has allowed not only to make the decorations, but also to create a positive exchange with the territory, as

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Key points

What can we learn from this project<br><br>The project of the Iris Gallarate Cdd for the San Tito festival in Casorate Sempione offers several practical applications that can be applied in similar contexts. Firstly, it demonstrates the importance of starting from the available raw material in the territory: in the specific case, the pinecones collected in the woods and at the Parco Bassetti in Gallarate became the basis for over 150 decorations. This approach reduces costs and values local resources.<br><br>Secondly, it shows how to transform a regular activity at the center into a project with a concrete and measurable objective. The educators explained that they could have achieved the same development of skills through other activities, but they chose to do it by creating something for the community. This change of perspective gave a particular meaning to the work done.<br><br>Thirdly, it highlights the value of the encounter with the territory. Carla Zoia, coordinator of the Cdd and Casoratese citizen, emphasized how the idea was born from direct knowledge of the tradition of the San Tito festival and the desire to create a significant collaboration with the inhabitants of via Genova. This positive exchange enriched both parties involved.<br><br>For those who would like to replicate a similar initiative, here are some practical steps:<br>1. Identify a concrete need in the territory (such as a street that needs to be decorated)<br>2. Involve the inhabitants from the early stages to create a sense of belonging<br>3. Start from the locally available raw material (pinecones, recyclable materials)<br>4. Organize regular meetings (two or three times a week) to maintain the work pace<br>5. Use different and accessible techniques (brush, spray cans, hot glue gun, silicone)<br>6. Provide moments of cultural deepening (such as the meeting with don Giuseppe on the history of San Tito)<br><br>The project shows how social work can go beyond assistance to become a real engine of social cohesion and territory valorization. As told by the participants themselves, it was 'a beautiful opportunity to develop skills' by realizing something visible and useful for the entire community.<br><br>To deepen themes related to social work and the valorization of skills, visit our skills calculator or discover the job offers in the social sector.