Elio Balacca has reached an exceptional milestone: 100 years lived with surprising energy and vitality. The party, held in Riccione on March 2, combined the emotion of the birthday with an out of the ordinary gift: the renewal of the driving license and the signing of a new car insurance policy, which took place in front of family and friends.
The coincidence did not go unnoticed: just two days earlier, Balacca had passed medical visits and checks to obtain his fresh driving licence, confirming enviable health. The celebration was characterized by cakes, candles, festoons and handshakes with the institutions, combining joy and respect for the man who embodied the history of the Romagna Riviera.
A life between work and passion for the land
Born in Montescudo in 1926 and moved to Riccione in 1957, Balacca left an indelible mark on the community. With his father and brothers Lino and Giuseppe, he opened the first wholesale fruit and vegetable warehouse in the city, supplying hotels and shops during the Riviera’s tourist boom.
Subsequently, he managed the Hotel Viking in Viserbella for 33 years, contributing to the economic growth of the area. But the real secret of his longevity, as he himself says, lies in the land. Until he was 98, Balacca personally looked after a 1,500 square meter vegetable garden, an activity that allowed him to maintain an incredibly active body and mind.
The celebration with the community and institutions
Also present at the party was the councilor for Personal and Family Services, Marina Zoffoli, who brought the official greetings of the municipal administration and was personally struck by the incredible physical form of the birthday boy:
Mr. Elio is young in spirit, lively and elegant in his ways, very lucid in his stories. And above all proud of that license renewal obtained with ease. Our best wishes go to him, his energy and vitality.
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