EUROPA - 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome

The title in Italian is a play on words designed to convey two messages: 'in moto' can mean either 'by motorcycle' – giving the idea of sport as a way to unite all peoples beyond geographic borders - and 'on the move', symbolising Europe's path towards the future.

The initiative is being targeted at the general public and young people, with a focus on safe transport.

A motorcyclist from Marostica, Massimo Cenci, will visit all 27 European capitals to meet and greet city mayors. The final stage of this initiative will be a symposium at which the most challenging current EU topics will be discussed, including energy and environmental policies.

The event will consist of various activities and will see the participation of institutional authorities, officials from the Commission Representation and the European Parliament's information office in Italy, the 'Altiero Spinelli' national committee, the Alcide De Gasperi Foundation, the Italian Motorcyclists Federation (FMI), the “Laverda Corse” sports team, assorted sponsors and even pawns taking part in a game of ‘Living Chess’.

Monday 7 May 2007, 11.30 hrs, Chess Square, Marostica

Opening of the event and commemorative postal first-day cover

Tuesday 8 May 2007, 12.00 hrs, Rome, European Parliament information office in Italy

Start of the motorcycle tour

Wednesday 13 June 2007, 10.30 hrs

General audience with His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI

Sunday 23 September 2007

End of the motorcycle tour

10.00 hrs: stop-off in Breganze, where the headquarters of Laverda Moto are located

11.30 hrs: arrival in Chess Square, Marostica

Friday 5 October 2007

Symposium:

L’Europa “in moto”: per un futuro condiviso

(Europe on the move: for a shared future)

“Capitali d’Europa in moto” for schools.

Inter-active educational tour focused on movement and safety. Initiative undertaken by the Dainese company, in cooperation with the architect Silvia Dainese and together with teachers from the A. Cuman Pertile Primary School. This initiative ties in with the 'Maserati 1957 – 2007, Cinquant’anni dal Mondiale di F1' exhibition taking place at the Bonfanti Car Museum in Bassano del Grappa.

Students from the 'Scotton' national institute for industry and handicrafts in Breganze will provide back-up for the motorcyclist on the longest stages of the tour.