AVIS Donor Festival

A celebration of giving

The AVIS Donor Festival is one of the most heartfelt events in the civic calendar of Francofonte, a town in the province of Syracuse, Sicily. Promoted by the AVIS Comunale of Francofonte, led by president Natascia Rao, the event brings a day entirely dedicated to the culture of blood donation to Piazza Dante, experienced not as a duty but as a moment of community and celebration.

Solidarity and entertainment in the square

The day begins with blood and plasma collection, the heart of the initiative, and continues with games and entertainment designed for both adults and children. On this occasion, AVIS highlights the benefits of donating, from free health monitoring to the vital importance of transfusions, which are essential for surgeries, cancer therapies, chronic disease management, and emergencies.

In memory of Blessed Rosario Livatino

For several editions, the Francofonte festival has been dedicated to the memory of Blessed Rosario Livatino, the young judge killed by the mafia on September 21, 1990, and beatified in 2021, the first magistrate to be proclaimed blessed by the Church. The motto chosen by AVIS, «Blood is to be donated, not spilled», summarizes the spirit of the event: a call for peace and brotherhood that links the example of Livatino, Falcone, and Borsellino to the daily commitment for a more just and supportive society.

A deep-rooted tradition

The Donor Festival is a well-established annual appointment in Francofonte, a sign of the strong bond between the community and the association: over the years, the local AVIS has even inaugurated a monument in the city dedicated to blood donors. The event is part of the rich calendar of summer and early autumn initiatives in the Municipality of Francofonte, confirming itself as a meeting point between civic engagement, health, and local festivity.