LONGARONE. Celebration and recognition for the centennial merchant Caterina Filippin. The municipal administration gave a plaque to the lady who, until 31 December 2018, was in service with her haberdashery shop in the center, the “Eredi Mazzorana”. This event was strongly desired by the family with their daughters Augusta, Giancarla and Gemma, with the latter who for many years worked in the shop with her mother.
«Mrs. Caterina for decades was a point of reference for the town», said the mayor Roberto Padrin, «she was the longest-lived trader in the history of Longarone; her ethics, friendliness, customer welcome, dedication to work and strong bond with the family have made her an example for future generations. A few years ago we gave plaques to the longest-lived traders and unfortunately she was not present at the ceremony for health reasons; but today he’s back in shape and we also wanted to celebrate his 100th birthday ».
The lady, originally from Erto, is still full of strength and enthusiasm and has told her long history in the world of commerce.
«I have been a trader for 75 years», comments Caterina with a hint of pride, «I am really grateful for this award. I’m sorry I couldn’t attend the ceremony a few years ago but I was in the hospital. Now fortunately I have recovered and am still here on my two legs. Our business began immediately after the war, in 1945. We went around with two bicycles, my husband Ettore “el ros” and I, always by my side; around all the towns and all the valleys, with the little merchandise that was found in that period. How can we forget those long and cold winters in the squares? But always happy and confident towards work and life. While continuing the itinerant business, in 1955 we opened the first shop in Longarone. This is where our daughter Gemma, tall “na spana”, has been the backbone of our work ever since. Our business experienced only one major painful halt with the Vajont disaster. With the reconstitution of Longarone », Caterina continues, the shop has also been reborn. We are certain that we have contributed, together with the other survivors, to the economic recovery of our country. We shared joys and sorrows, even some “gossip”, as we saw the children grow up to whom we provided clothes and aprons to go to school as children. We therefore want to thank all our customers who have trusted us for years and have allowed us to keep their doors open until 2018. That shop has been our life, our window on the world and the strength that has always kept us “young. “And dynamics”. A regret? “Today I have a bit of trouble walking, I have crutches and so for some years I have had to give up my passion, that is dancing”.enrico de col