by Nina Vaclavikova
Interviews: Elisa Lodi, Trieste councilor for sport; Alessia Pettenati and Thomas Lutman, students from Max Fabiani Institute
A newly decorated basketball and baskin (inclusive basketball) court was inaugurated this week at the Giancarlo Roli Comprehensive Institute in Trieste, as part of a regional project combining education, art, and safety awareness.
The initiative, titled “We Love Safety FVG,” is funded by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and organized with the support of the region’s construction funds and building schools. It involves over 1,000 students from 24 schools across the region who design projects linking creativity and safety.
The new court, painted by students from the Max Fabiani Technical Institute, features a colorful graffiti-style mural called “Stay Safe Together.” The design, inspired by Michelangelo’s “The Creation,” shows two hands reaching toward each other to symbolize mutual support and community. The project was coordinated by artist Mattia Campo Dall’Orto with the collaboration of the ZioPino Baskin Association and local paint manufacturer Ivicolors.
City Councillor for Sports Elisa Lodi said the initiative allows students to “leave a tangible mark on the city while sharing an important message about safety.” Councillor for Education Maurizio De Blasio described it as “a virtuous collaboration between education, sport, inclusion, and art.”
The We Love Safety FVG program, now in its third edition, aims to raise awareness about safety both in schools and in everyday life. Previous winning projects have been realized in Udine and Pordenone, with others planned in Gorizia and Trieste by the end of 2025.
For the students involved, the new court represents more than just a sports facility — it is a lasting symbol of cooperation, creativity, and shared responsibility.
