It has been attributed to the historian Marino Viganò Paolo Grandi Award 2025, an award given in the "dissemination" category to individuals who distinguish themselves in promoting cultural and professional relations between Switzerland and Italy. The citation refers to Viganò's contribution to the Carlo Cattaneo Association, particularly through his care of Notebooks, a tool for reflection and in-depth study of cross-border relations.
The award was presented during a public evening held on Wednesday, December 10th at the Ariva Restaurant, located at the Tertianum Residenza Du Lac in Paradiso. The winner received a sculpture specially created by Ticino artist Gianni Poretti.
An award inspired by the figure of Paolo Grandi
Il Paolo Grandi Award It is an initiative of STRP – Ticino Public Relations Society – and is inspired by Paolo Rinaldo Grandi, co-founder of STRP in 1981 and considered one of the pioneers of public relations in Italian-speaking Switzerland. Grandi, who passed away on December 8, 2022, was an active and recognized figure in numerous areas of public and cultural life, from gastronomy to finance, from music to the promotion of cross-border relations.
Now in its second year, the award was first presented to chef Dario Ranza in 2023. The initiative aims to recognize professional and personal experiences that impact the dialogue between local areas, institutions, and communities.
The role of the Carlo Cattaneo Association
In awarding the prize to Marino Viganò, the jury emphasized the scholar's role in the growth and consolidation of the Carlo Cattaneo Association, founded in 1992 thanks to the impetus of Paolo Grandi and which, over time, has become a point of reference for cultural cooperation between Switzerland and Italy.
Grandi served as its president from 2003 to 2016, helping to strengthen its public profile and influence in intercultural debate. Thanks in part to Viganò's editorial and scholarly work, the association was able to expand its outreach activities, maintaining a rigorous yet accessible approach.
Marino Viganò's profile
Born in 1961, Marino Viganò is an Italian citizen. He graduated in Political Science from the Catholic University of Milan in 1984 and earned a PhD in Military History from the University of Padua in 1987. He is an associate researcher at the Alpine History Laboratory of the University of Italian Switzerland (USI) and director of the Trivulzio Foundation in Milan.
His academic and outreach work encompasses historical research, editorial curation, and institutional direction. He currently divides his time between Milan and Locarno, maintaining a constant connection with the Ticino cultural scene.
Paolo Grandi, a transversal figure
Paolo Rinaldo Grandi was born on August 1, 1940. He graduated in Economics and Financial Sciences from the Catholic University of Milan. Throughout his career, he worked in various sectors, including EuroProgramme, the Banca della Svizzera Italiana, and the Italian Consulate, where he was awarded the title of Cavaliere della Repubblica italiana in 1999.
He was also honorary co-president of the Carlo Cattaneo Association and a delegate for the Italian Academy of Cuisine. His diverse interests and expertise now represent the ideal benchmark for an award that seeks to recognize careers that combine professionalism, culture, and international relations.
With the assignment of the Paolo Grandi Award 2025 With Marino Viganò, the initiative confirms its focus on figures who, through dissemination and research, contribute concretely to the cultural dialogue between Italian-speaking Switzerland and the Italian context.
