“Take your life into your hands and create a masterpiece.” The Lega Nord senator quotes John Paul II Giorgio Maria Bergesio to encourage your daughter to look purposefully into the future. Francesca Bergesio, 19 years old, has been Miss Italy for a few hours. And he, the father, does not hide his joy and satisfaction: “She was very good, she achieved an important goal.” Young people have great talents and it is right that they express them.”
Did you expect it?
“Francesca is a determined girl who can give her all when making a decision. I knew he wouldn’t give up, that he would fight to the end.
What did you think when he told you he had signed up for Miss Italia?
“His mother and I were very happy from the start. Comparison is important in life and the competition was an opportunity to showcase one’s talent and tenacity. I lived through this selection phase until I finally came to the conclusion that this would be an important growth path for them.
Many on social media wrote that Francesca won because she is the daughter of a Northern League senator. What do you think?
“It is a sterile controversy. I really don’t think my role could have had who knows what influence. Francesca won because she deserved it and worked hard. She participated by betting only on herself. These claims seem misplaced to me: children are not allowed to pay for the sins of their fathers, always under the assumption that being a Senator of the League is a crime.
So politics has nothing to do with it?
“Absolutely not. Francesca has never been involved in politics, she is not even a militant. She informs herself, reads, but is not at all interested in politics and in following in my footsteps. He has his interests, which is studying and acting.”
Do you ever talk about politics at home? What does Francesca think about her work in Parliament?
“You should ask her, not me.” And besides, we never talk about my activities in the Senate at home.”
Francesca brought the phenomenon of violence against women to the Salsomaggiore stage, a challenging decision.
“He has always shown great sensitivity on this issue, his decision did not surprise me.” She is a girl with great listening skills who pays a lot of attention to gender equality both in the family and in the world of work. She knows how important it is to take responsibility in order to be able to do something for herself and others.”
Francesca enrolled in medicine in Rome, but dreams of becoming an actress. What would you prefer?
“It’s not up to me to decide. She must have the freedom to pursue her goals and realize her ambitions. What is important is that, like all talented young people, she takes responsibility for building her own future. Studying is important and I believe he will continue his university career. But that doesn’t mean I have to give up acting. As you progress, the decisions will gradually emerge on their own. The competition was an important step; it may open up a perspective that we could never have imagined before.”
In short: We set no limits to what comes next.
«If you have talent and try hard, you can achieve great things in life. This applies to Francesca as it does to all young people today. The new generations have great opportunities to make optimal use of talent and to think pragmatically about the future. I am sure my daughter will choose the path that suits her best.”
Did Francesca also show great concreteness on the Salsomaggiore stage?
“Yes, she was good. He answered all the tests correctly. He surpassed many and demonstrated intelligence and skill. As well as beauty. I always advised her to stay informed and follow current events in all areas: from economics to politics to social and cultural issues. It is important that he knows what is happening in the country where he lives and in the world. And today, in the face of ongoing conflict, looking beyond our borders is essential for the education of young people.”
What did you notice about Miss Italia?
“In the past few years I have hardly followed what is happening. But in the last few months I have noticed that there is great organization and a lot of commitment behind this competition. Girls aren’t just asked to show off and smile. On the contrary: there is a general upgrading of women, which is very important. Beauty in competition has value, but there are many values that are passed on to competitors. Including the comparison, which in my opinion is just as important as the victory. Because that’s where growth happens.”
What was the most touching moment?
“When she won, she remembered her grandmothers, who she is very close to.”
Francesca brings the Miss Italy sash back to Piedmont after 18 years. Have you heard of President Cirio?
«He was one of the first to write to me. To compliment my father.
November 12, 2023
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