On Friday, May 9th, from 10:30 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon, a heartfelt and intellectually rich day was held in Siena in memory of Achille Lemmi. The event took place at the Aula Romani in Piazza San Francesco and brought together colleagues, friends, students, and scholars to celebrate his life, legacy, and contribution to academia and research.
The day began at 10:30 AM with institutional greetings by the Rector of the University of Siena, Roberto Di Pietro, for Achille Lemmi’s work. He was joined by Angelo Riccaboni, who had served as Dean of the Faculty of Economics between 2005 and 2010, and by Monica Pratesi representing the Dagum Center. Filippo Belloc, Director of the Department of Economics & Statistics, also offered his reflections. This opening session was gracefully moderated by Laura Neri, who guided the proceedings with care and clarity.
After a brief coffee break at 11:45 AM, the program resumed at noon with a session entitled “Achille and Research.” This part of the day was devoted to exploring the academic and intellectual contributions of Achille Lemmi. Jacques Silber offered an insightful presentation, followed by interventions from Thomasz Panek, Lorenzo Fattorini, and Nicola Sciclone. Their talks highlighted the depth and scope of Lemmi’s work, painting a picture of a researcher deeply committed to rigorous inquiry and meaningful scholarship. Gianni Betti served as moderator, facilitating thoughtful exchanges among the speakers.
The afternoon session began at 2:30 PM with a panel titled “Achille’s Friends.” This emotional and personal segment featured contributions from Luigi Biggeri, Gianni Marliani, Alessandro Viviani, and the duo of Andrea Giommi and Laura Grassini. Linda Laura Sabbadini offered a particularly poignant tribute. Moderated by Antonella D’Agostino, this session offered a touching look at Achille Lemmi not only as an academic but as a friend, mentor, and human being.
The final session of the day began at 4:00 PM. Dedicated to “Achille’s Students,” this session showcased the voices of those who had been directly shaped by his teaching and guidance. Andrea Regoli, Nicoletta Pannuzi, Duccio Stefano Gazzei, and Roberto Ricciotti; each spoke, offering personal stories and professional insights that underscored Lemmi’s influence as a mentor. The session was enriched by spontaneous contributions from the audience, reflecting the deep affection and respect felt by many. Francesca Gagliardi moderated this concluding part of the program with warmth and attentiveness.
Lorenzo Mori (local organiser committee)
