I like to remember you like this, Count Cavazza, as when
we met years ago: I was a young columnist, sent on a task to a dinner
meeting attended only by men, and you, an influential member of the
Association that had organized the evening. You asked me to sit next to
you and we had an extremely pleasant and friendly conversation in which
cultured and compelling arguments alternated with enjoyable and
interesting anecdotes and cordial confidence. Then we began calling each
other Paolo Emilio and Paola Emilia which led to a sense of
friendship.
Once in a while, I like to think about you when we met on
the streets or during an official event: your kindness, your wit, your
culture (always soft) and your good nature; your comments on current
events, general or personal, expressed with elegance and - often - with
humour, never presumptuous or dogmatic. It was easy to forget your titles
and your responsibilities.
Even when you had a main role to play during
ceremonies and various events.
In every occasion your humanity came
through, your clear vision and also "sportive" vision of the world and of
life, the pleasure of communicating and challenging with an utmost
gentlemanly courtesy.
It is true: ours were always brief encounters; we
did not have a relationship per se and probably - in fact: certainly
others will have memories and impressions different than mine.
But I
repeat - aware that my views and feelings are personal - I like to
remember you this way and that is why, when I learned that I would never
meet you again, I felt sincere regrets.
And that is also why to bid you
farewell, I prefer to use a conversational tone rather than an official
tone.
Farewell, with consideration and respect, Paolo Emilio
Cavazza.
