“We can do it, we said, and not only did we get it done, but we did it in the most beautiful way possible.” The speaker is Rocco Femia, director of the Radici cultural magazine at the conclusion of the “Toulouse for Italy” concert in support of earthquake victims in Italy, that was organized by the French Italian cultural magazine. The numbers prove it: The Halle aux Grains of Toulouse was filled to capacity. The sum of money raised for the Italian earthquake victims went beyond all expectations. Many sponsors covered organizational costs so that all the proceeds from the concert could go to the direct benefit of earthquake victims. The Focolare’s United World Project will channel the money from their cousins beyond the Alps, through the RImPresa project which is already in operation and directed toward families. Femia was visibly moved when he said: “I want to thank all of you who made this evening in favour of solidarity and celebration of great music so unforgettable. Thanks to your response, we have won our battle. The reverberations of the heart have turned out to be more powerful than those of destruction.” The crowd was silent, it had become one person with a thousand hearts: “Thank you for your generosity and support.” Fifty artists performed for free, confirming the strong sympathy is being felt for those who have suffered great loss. Artists included the OCCITANIA Chamber Music Ensemble, with music of Bach; the popular Italian song group, Incanto, which travels around the world with its musical titled ITALIANI, when we were the immigrants; The DALTIN Trio; Vicente and Rafael PRADAL from Spain; flemenco virtuoso guitarist Kiko Ruiz; the NACCARATO Jazz Trio; mandolin player Julien Martineau; the musical poems of the great Faber, performed by the Fabrizio DE ANDRÈ Band; the  unforgettable music from the Italian films and the great finale and standing ovation for Cécile LIMAL who led La vita è bella… by Roberto Benigni. The music alternated with lively presentations by Rocco Femia, Director of RADICI  magazine and by television journalists Marina Lorenzo and Patrick Noviello. In his thank-you speech, the director of RADICI did not want to forget anyone, conscious of the deep personal commitment of each person to the success of the event: from the technical crew to the artistic director, to the sound director, to the lights. Then there were the Deputy Mayor Francis Grass, the Italian Console to Toulouse, Fabrizio Mazza, the sponsors, benefactors, the media, and so on. Everyone “won the battle” together. And that is what I experienced as I shared a supper with the artists and technical staff after the concert. There is a strong bond among us, comprised of mutual trust, esteem, shared talent and solidarity – and a strong desire to make the world a more beautiful place. And I joyfully realized that this bond also included me and UWP. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if I discover that what I just experienced is only the beginning of a long and beneficial relationship of collaboration. In fact, when presenting the United World Project (UWP) during the concert, Rocco Femia highlighted the slogan of the RImPresa Project, to sum up what everyone seemed to be feeling: Hope vibrates; the future isn’t trembling.”   Gustavo Clariá