My name is Elvira Arimondo, but everyone knows me as “Vivi”. I was born in Imperia on December 24, 1951, and I have spent my life here, in San Bartolomeo al Mare, surrounded by the sea and the scents of my land.

My family has been marked by a passion for the sea: my father, Elvio Arimondo, was a senior captain in the Italian merchant navy, decorated with the gold medal. This deep connection with the sea has profoundly influenced my life and my path.

In the early part of my life, after completing my studies, I owned businesses in the hospitality sector, welcoming travelers to my hotel and honing the art of hospitality in Rome, where I earned a dedicated master’s degree.

Tenerife, the beautiful island that welcomed me for twenty years, colored my heart with its fiery sunsets and azure sea. But the call of my family and caring for my ailing parents brought me back to Italy in 2012, where destiny offered me a new chapter in my life.

When my mother, Rita, the creator of the prestigious “Rovere D’oro” award, passed away, I was entrusted with the task of carrying forward her splendid legacy. At first, I felt the weight of responsibility and doubted whether I could live up to her radiant example.

Today, with humility and gratitude, I find myself leading an extraordinary group of individuals, an orchestra of hearts and minds united by a passion for music and a mission to discover and support young talents.

I look to the future with confidence, knowing that every note we play together will echo the legacy of my mother. The “Rita Romani Arimondo” award is more than just a scholarship; it is a beacon of hope for those who dream of transforming their inner melodies into universal harmonies.

I thank you for your immense support and for the honor of serving as president of this wonderful institution.

With affection and gratitude,

Vivi Arimondo