Today marked the inauguration of a special mural titled “The Sea of Smiles” in the waiting room of the Civil pediatric oncohematology. The artwork, created by artist Silvio Irilli of Ospedali Painti, is dedicated to the memory of Matteo Ventura from Cologne, who passed away at the age of 7 in 2015, and his cousin Ettore Pandolfi from Rovato, who tragically lost his life at the age of 4 in 2022.
The initiative for the project was led by the association “A smile for Matteo and Ettore,” founded by family members of the two young boys. Thanks to the contribution of the Mediolanum foundation, funds raised by Michele Lancini’s company “From the heart… All’Adamello,” and the support of Abe, the mural came to life.
The touching artwork features two children riding on the back of a dolphin, symbolizing Matteo and Ettore’s enduring spirit. The parents of the two boys were present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, emphasizing the importance of bringing moments of joy to children and families facing difficult times in hospitals.
“The children and families who are forced to come to the hospital can smile, as much as possible, looking at the sea and Matteo and Ettore on the back of a dolphin following a ray of sunshine, a symbol of hope,” expressed the artist, doctors, and relatives involved in the project. The mural serves as a reminder of the resilience and hope that can be found even in the darkest of times.