Opening Speech from the wbf President

Avv. Paolo Zanotto, Sindaco di Verona
Dott. Massimo Giorgetti, Assessore Regionale
Prof. Elio Mosele, Presidente Provincia di Verona
Dott. Fabio Bortolazzi, Presidente Camera di Commercio
Avv. Luigi Castelletti, Presidente Fiera di Verona

President Emeritus,
President Rona,

Dear All,

Times may have changed but the world is not really so different from when the disputes raged between the Montagues and Capulets, so diametrically opposed to our motto, Bridge for Peace.

At least, in Bridge, we succeed in bringing together people from all races or religions, assembling here participants from about 70 countries.

However, tonight I am happy to feel like a Veronese. Indeed, I had to pay many visits here in order to prepare these big Championships and, every time, I made new friends. Grazie per il benvenuto, grazie per l'aiuto.

And now, finally, the event will start with you, the bridge players, filling the city, enjoying its special atmosphere and the beauty of Verona and the welcome of its inhabitants and authorities.

I am more than pleased to have the opportunity to thank all those who made this event possible and, on your behalf, I will acknowledge our gratitude to the Regione del Veneto, the Verona Provincia, the Verona Commune, the Camera di Commercio and the VeronaFiere. Please come onto the stage to receive the WBF Trophy.

Besides the institutional sponsors, we were lucky enough to build some partnerships with private companies such as the Generali Group, which has supported the world of bridge for many, many years thanks to its President, my personal friend and friend of many bridge players, Antoine Bernheim. He deserves a gold medal as a partner and player.

I am delighted also to give our souvenir trophy to Dott. Fabio Innocenzi, Amministr. Delegato of the Banco Popolare di Verona and to Dott. Reggia, Amministr. Delegato of the Cattolica Assicurazione, our local sponsors who came into the picture through the recommendation of another friend of ours, Romain Zaleski, who I thank most warmly.

I will not forget to mention also our friends from Lavazza and Renault as well as all the technical partners.

And last, but by no means least, let me pay tribute to the FIGB and its President, Gianarrigo Rona, the Comitato Mondo Bridge: Mrs. Maria Cristina Motta, Luca Darbi, Enrico Ghinato, Camillo Norbiato, Giovanni Maci and Paolo Clair.

I am quite sure that you will want to compliment them for all the hard work they have put in to make this a successful championship for you.

Enjoy Verona, enjoy playing bridge with the greatest champions and VIPs, among whom I salute with great pleasure the presence of Bill Gates.

Thank you all.

It is now my privilege to declare the 2006 World Bridge Championships open.

José Damiani,

WBF President