"Wooden Slingshot" Award

2026 Edition with Paolo Ruffini

Paolo Ruffini will receive the prestigious 2026 Wooden Fionda from the hands of Antonio Ricci.

“We thought of him for our Fionda,” underline the Fieui organizers of the event in collaboration with the Municipality of Albenga, “because of the extraordinary commitment that Paolo Ruffini has long dedicated to the theme of inclusion, with particular attention to those who are very dear to us: the elderly, children, and vulnerable people .”

The reference is primarily to the theatrical show "Din, don, down," an unexpected but overwhelming success. "Just imagine, just a few days before our Fionda will be in Albenga, he and his 'special' boys will be inaugurating the summer season at the Verona Arena in front of tens of thousands of spectators."

Ruffini's award citation: "For his strong, sincere, and ongoing commitment to vulnerable people and those with disabilities, aiming to break down the physical and, above all, mental barriers that shape the thinking of so many. The Fionda Award is for the sensitivity and lightheartedness with which he addresses and brings to everyone's attention challenging issues like Alzheimer's. He educates and teaches by making people smile and have fun, revealing how life itself is a hymn to variety and the joy of embracing its many facets. The 2026 Fionda Award is given to Paolo Ruffini for helping us rediscover the beauty and joy of embracing human diversity, promoting a world where every individual feels valued and appreciated for their uniqueness. Thank you, Paolo, Tuscan with a good heart. Fionda of inclusion."

Musical guest Eugenio Finardi

The award ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 9th at the Teatro Ambra . The musical guest will be Eugenio Finardi , the Milanese singer-songwriter known for his great sensitivity to the issues highlighted by Fionda 2026. He is the father of a girl, now in her early forties, born with Down syndrome. He has dedicated some of his most beautiful songs to her, such as "Le ragazze di Osaka" and "Amore diverso ."

Concertissimo on May 2nd

The tireless Fieui di caruggi will preview the Fionda di Legno Award on Saturday, May 2nd , again at the Teatro Ambra in Albenga at 5 pm, with a Concertissimo featuring Giorgio Conte , the Asti-born singer beloved in Italy and abroad. And, knowing the Fieui di caruggi, there will likely be other surprises in store.

As usual, to ensure your attendance at both events, organized by the Fieui di Caruggi in collaboration with the Municipality of Albenga, you can make a reservation with a small donation, which will be donated entirely to charity. Reservations will open on Saturday, March 21st at 7:00 a.m. (upon request from early risers in line) with a new twist. Reservations will not be made as usual at the currently closed Bar ai Giardinetti, but rather at the nearby CROCE BIANCA headquarters in Piazza Petrarca, known as Piazza della Croce Bianca. "We sincerely thank you," say the Fieui di Caruggi, "for your hospitality and for the room made available to us, equipped with every comfort to reduce waiting times."