In a period where time is never enough, we realize that some pandemic habits manage to simplify our life, even if human contacts remain fundamental. I interview Fabrizio Cieslakiewicz via Skype and perhaps precisely because we are all getting used to these virtual encounters, the chat immediately becomes spontaneous.
But how is she experiencing this moment?
“Hard to say because in the end this pandemic has changed the lives of all of us. I do not deny that it causes a lot of stress both in work and in private life, because we are worried and none of us are as serene as they could have been before. Furthermore, leisure activities are also very limited and therefore this pressure is felt more. This doesn't mean we have to be negative, we have to be able to hold on. When we overcome this historical moment, which will be remembered by future generations, I am convinced that we will return to appreciate everything that was trivially part of everyday life ».
Your bank played a front row role in granting Covid credits…
«Yes, also because the role of BancaStato it is written in our institutional law. Our bank has always been committed to supporting the economy and savings of the Ticino people and in the face of a situation that has put many of us in difficulty, we took action as soon as possible. In addition to the Covid credits guaranteed by the Confederation, we have acted, for example, by financing the “Vivi il tuo Ticino” program, aimed at supporting Ticino restaurants and hotels. For example, the “Gusta il Ticino” vouchers delivered to all residents who requested them, made it possible to dine anywhere in Ticino. Of the 6,2 million francs allocated, more than four of these were actually used, which means that we have concretely helped families and restaurateurs. Furthermore, at the end of the year we made a special donation in favor of associations operating in our area ».
Proximity to the citizens, to Ticino, what do you think of politics or politicians in this particular period that sees them daily solicited and called to react ...
«It is difficult to judge, indeed I think that one should not judge: politicians are involved in politics and I have another job. The problem is that many criticize what they basically don't know. This pandemic has touched the whole world and, frankly, it would have been difficult not to make mistakes, not to make mistakes, because in every moment something changes and what you do today tomorrow can be wrong. The second and third waves have shown that we have learned a lot from the first, but not enough, in the sense that we are confronted with new scenarios, such as that of the numerous, unpredictable variants ».
After all, humanity has been periodically confronted with devastating influences ...
“Yes, how can we read events like these in the history books will also recur in the future. So it is important that once this pandemic is overcome and returning to normal we will not forget and we will undertake to leave a handbook for the next health emergencies. And to those who continue to criticize I would ask what they would do differently: I'm sure no one would find valid alternatives ».
Let's go back to her, I guess she misses you a lot not to follow her favorite team live ...
(Smiles) "Yes, this is a great renunciation also because I was born in Piotta, right in front of the ice field where Ambrì-Piotta was born and therefore hockey was immediately part of my life, so as for most of those born in the municipality of Quinto; we have it in our DNA. I learned to skate outside the home, when ice pools were created after the snow. I had skates with two blades, I remember how much fun I enjoyed as if it were yesterday ».
And the cold?
«When you are born in Alta Leventina in the cold you get used to it immediately. I remember we went to train ahead of the first team and once it had snowed so much that to allow the team to play in the evening we spent hours and hours shoveling snow. They are memories that I will never forget (excited) ».
Like many young sportsmen, did you also have the dream of making hockey a profession?
“It is always important to follow your dreams. I played in the Juniori Elite section and then I was part of the junior squads in the under 16 and under 18 national team. Unfortunately then I hurt my shoulder, I skipped school, training ... and when you start to go wrong in studies and in sport situation becomes difficult. One day my dad, returning home by car and after having seen the carnival judgments, stopped in front of the Valascia and said to me: "Now, my dear friend, with your back to yourself it is better that you concentrate on your studies" ».
And it stopped like this ...
“To tell you the truth, no, it wasn't that easy. Initially I continued to play in the minor leagues and then when I went to Lausanne to continue my studies I joined the university team ».
Always as a defender?
“Yep, with my build I didn't have much choice (laugh). However, in the end, believe it or not, Lausanne offered me a contract in Serie B. I was very happy, especially to be able to finance my studies as well. Too bad that, when I got home to my parents and I communicated everything, my dad was not so happy and told me: "Keep hockey as a hobby and keep studying". I followed his advice and finished university ».
Excuse me but your surname, Cieslakiewicz, since you were born in Ticino, what origins do you have?
“He is of Polish origin and in any case don't worry about the question because they often ask me it. My paternal grandmother was from Giornico, while my grandfather was Polish, he had fled with his family during the Second World War and had moved to France; after fighting on the "Ligne Maginot", my grandfather then took refuge in Switzerland. In any case in France I still have relatives who have changed the surname Cieslakiewicz to Chelaque and are located in the Dordogne area. While on my mother's side the family had emigrated from the Blenio Valley and from Claro to Paris. My mother arrived in Leventina, as relatives, when she was twenty and there she met my father who worked on the railways. They got married and moved to Göschenen; think, from Paris to Göschenen… she really must have been in love (smiles). In any case, my story is a European story like many others and I have deep roots in Ticino, especially in Upper Ticino ».
But has your surname ever played against you?
“With my surname at the age of 25 I was elected mayor of Quinto, a rural town with roots in its patriciate. With this I think I have said a lot and for this reason I will always be very grateful to all those who have supported me. My experience leads me to believe that from a professional point of view the surname was not a discriminating element ».
This means that he went to the bank immediately after his studies ...
«Yes, but I didn't start with the idea of working in a bank… initially I wanted to go to study criminology, because I was very passionate about science and mathematics. I remember that I was sitting at the University with the current head of the scientific police of Geneva, the professor enters the auditorium and tells us: "Good morning, today there are 300 here, at Christmas there will be 60". Then a doubt arose and I went to do political economy (laughs) ».
What about politics?
“Initially I worked in the bank and for politics, I was mayor for 12 years, but then as I grew professionally I concentrated on banking. I assure you that I never get bored, of course I must always be updated, informed. It is anything but monotonous work. Sometimes there is even the risk of moving away from reality and projecting too much into the future, just think that at a strategic level 2021 has already passed and the mind is already racing for the following years ".
Do we have to worry?
«It is difficult to predict precisely because, as I said before, the evolution of this pandemic is not predictable. I think the day all restrictions are lifted there will be an incredible euphoria, a boom linked above all to the consumer economy. To see the real effects, however, we will have to wait until 2022, 2023. Only in one or two years will we understand who will have to pick up the pieces or who actually managed to overcome the crisis ".
You don't read much about your private life, are you married or have children?
“I have two beautiful daughters and I am one of many divorced. However, I managed to establish a good relationship with Giulia and Rachele and I am very happy, I think that children are something very important and should always be put first. We as evolved people must be able to make our society progress and therefore always avoid making children suffer and provide them with solid family foundations on which they can grow up to become responsible and serene adults ".
Do you always live in Quinto?
"Of course! Every day I travel fifty kilometers of road to get to Bellinzona and fifty to return, but I do it in a relaxed way, on the way out I prepare myself mentally for the day and in the evening I cool down, like a sportsman, but by car (amused) ».
She is a person who is always ready to get back in the game, with many interests and passions ...
"Absolutely. I like skiing, I have an apartment in Carì where I often go, but I also really like the Dolomites. I go climbing, also because I love good food and if I'm not careful I accumulate, like bears, even if I do it during the winter (laughs). Also, I know that someone will not agree, I like to practice the art of hunting, in a responsible, thoughtful way, not so much for shooting, because that's what shooting stands are for ».
And then thanks to his youngest daughter he also discovered that he loves horses ...
(Laughs). «I did it for her, because it is not easy to manage a horse! I also obtained the patent to be able to learn to carry it around, take care of it, clean its clogs, put it on the van (a company) ... so yes, to be able to follow it during the events I got back into the game and I'm happy. I think it is important that children have their own passion and follow it, horse riding allows them to strengthen their self-esteem, have a sense of responsibility and in any case confronting an animal weighing six hundred kilos is not really obvious… ».
When she talks about her daughters, about young people, I feel very calm and optimistic ...
«I don't want to be critical, I think we understand, not even with regard to the young people who will create their future. It is up to us adults to know how to direct them, to make them understand what are the main values of life, such as respect. When we were kids no one expected that we would do this interview via Skype or that we would be so attached to these cell phones. Last night I wanted to see a movie again and voila, I saw it again, with an ease that was unthinkable just a few years ago. I find that today's generation has solid values, I hope that they will be able to understand that in life you cannot go back and that they know how to use their intelligence not only to maximize their financial profit, but their well-being of life ".
Do you think they will be affected by this pandemic ...
«We must not be negative, we must believe in them, compliment us, also because in the last year they have had to give up a lot, but they did it and most of them follow the rules, just like adults. It was a sacrifice for them not to see friends and have fun with kids their age. The important thing is that as parents and teachers we can make them understand how lucky we are to live in Switzerland. I am convinced that this is the most beautiful country in the world, with a policy made up of compromises and not struggles ».
What will you do when all of this is over?
(Silence) «You know I don't know… maybe a trip to Paris because I haven't been there for years and it's a city that I love very much. And then the party of my fifty years! Which I blatantly missed in 2020 ».
And if we all take the advice given by Fabrizio Cieslakiewicz to young people as our own? Use human intelligence not only to maximize financial profits, but to improve our well-being of life.
