Spring Festival - A Smile for Francesca and Emiliano

A festival of sports and solidarity near Rome

Every spring, the district of Frattocchie, in the Municipality of Marino (Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio), hosts one of the longest-running charity events in the Castelli Romani area: the Spring Festival - A Smile for Francesca and Emiliano. It is neither a food festival nor a music event: it is a full day where the community gathers at the San Giuseppe Sposo Parish, on Via Cardinal Pizzardo, to play, socialize, and raise funds.

The history: two young people, one shared passion

The event is dedicated to the memory of two young people united by the same love for volleyball. Francesca Magistri passed away in 1995 at just 21 years old due to a blood cancer; Emiliano Piazza, a coach and organizer, died in 2017 in a tragic accident. Since that first gathering created to remember Francesca, the festival has grown year after year, becoming a staple of the local calendar and attracting hundreds of participants, including athletes, families, and volunteers.

The charitable core: S.A.Ne.S. Odv

All proceeds from the day are donated to S.A.Ne.S. Odv (Study and Assistance for Blood Neoplasms), an association active since 1984 supporting onco-hematology patients at the San Camillo Forlanini Hospital in Rome. The funds finance free services such as patient transport, psychological support, medical-legal assistance, and a shelter for those arriving from out of town. In its twenty-eight previous editions, the festival has already raised over 152,000 euros: a figure that speaks volumes about the strength of this volunteer project.

What happens during the day

The program kicks off early in the morning and continues without pause until late afternoon. Volleyball remains the star, with tournaments divided by age group, but surrounding the courts is an entire village of activities designed for all ages.

• Volleyball tournaments: minivolley, youth categories, and amateur groups with teams from the Castelli Romani and Rome.
• Sports exhibitions: karate and rugby demonstrations by local clubs.
• Games and workshops: board games, creative workshops, and face painting for the little ones.
• Burraco tournament in the afternoon, with entry fees entirely donated to charity.
• Charity raffle with prizes offered by sponsors: bicycles, toys, game consoles, and household items.
• Entertainment and group dances, with the highly anticipated arrival of superheroes in the afternoon.

An organization made of volunteers

The success of the day is due to a network of local associations that contribute their skills and time every year: ASD Iciesse Pallavolo for the technical side of the tournaments, the board game groups Castelli in Gioco and Nani Ludici d'Aprilia, the Vamos a Jugar play center for face painting, as well as the patronage of the Municipality of Marino. Breakfast and lunch are offered to participants in the true spirit of a village festival.

Why it is worth visiting

Those who visit the Castelli Romani know Marino primarily for the Grape Festival and its wines; the Spring Festival shows another side of the area—that of daily solidarity and neighborhood associationism. It is a free event open to everyone, ideal for a Sunday with the family just a few kilometers from Rome, where sports become a concrete way to support those facing illness.