Page 14 - Lanzarotto Malocello from Italy to the Canary Islands

14 from Italy to the Canary Islands

ince its foundation, I have supported the Committee organiz-
ing the celebrations for the seventh centenary of the discovery
of the Canary Islands because I was immediately fascinated by
the courage inspired by the figure of the Genoese navigator Lanzarotto
Malocello. I then accepted with sincere enthusiasm the invitation to join
the Honorary Committee.
How many Italians or Spaniards know that one of the most popular
beach holiday tourist destinations, the island of Lanzarote, owes its name
to Malocello? With this valuable publication, the Committee’s initiative
tries to cut through the veil of oblivion and brings back to light a historical
event of great significance for European geography and civilization.
In my capacity as deputy, I summoned the attention of my Spanish “Con-
greso” colleagues and I am pleased that the members of the Parliament of
the Canary Islands have expressed in a motion their appreciation for the
celebrations that renew the historical bonds among the peoples involved.
I am confident that the initiatives promoted by the Committee, led by the
generosity and dedication of Alfonso Licata, Esq. find the enthusiastic and
flattering reception they deserve not only among scholars and politicians,
but also with the economic and tourism sectors and all the people interest-
ed in knowing the past to live in the present and make sure the future will
have roots.
Prey to the myth of globalization, the contemporary world tends to
consider travel and trade as contemporary prerogatives, whereas the past
shows us shining and comparable examples of knowledge that demon-
strate how old and established man’s desire for exploration really is. Thus,
through the Lanzarotto Malocello experience, Italy and Spain together re-
cover timeless values common to European culture.
In this way, the Canary Islands, a small homeland beyond the Pillars
of Hercules, return to symbolize the historical aspirations of expanding
the Mediterranean horizon and to confirm their role as transcontinental
bridge.

Stefano Stefani, MP
Chairman of the Committee on Foreign and EU Affairs
of the Chamber of Deputies