Page 73 - PROTAGONIST 114

PROTAGONIST / MONTE CARLO

THANK YOU, CARLO!

There was a moving commemoration of Carlo Riva during the

13th “Monaco Classic Week - La Belle Classe 2017”

fond farewell full of esteem and gratitude
was bid to a nautical pioneer and virtuoso. A
large, spectacular parade at the 13th “Monaco Clas-
sic Week - La Belle Classe 2017” paid tribute to Carlo
A Riva, who passed away on 10 April 2017 at the age of
95. Around 40 vintage Riva vessels - including the legendary Aquar-
ama Lipicar IV - set off from Monaco Boat Service and cruised
alongside numerous other old sailing ships and classic boats that
were in the spotlight at the enthralling biennial event. The most
poignant moment came when the owners got their mahogany
masterpieces into a circle and the sirens were blasted to ensure
that the sound of the heartfelt, touching farewell could be heard
up in heaven. “My mahogany boats? They simply tell a visual tale of
how I gave concrete form to the earnest dreams of my youth. Even
back then, they all revolved around a quest for beauty and the very
best.” These words from Carlo Riva were printed at the bottom of
a copy of the Aquarama construction plan on parchment, which
was complemented by a decorative mahogany frame. Both the im-
age and the touching message met with great approval when they
were given by the Riva family to all of the owners in the magnifi-
cent, panoramic Aquarama Lounge at the Yacht Club de Monaco.
Lia and Maria Pia Riva were also delighted with what turned out
to be a wonderful day: “We’re sure that our father will have looked
down with an amused smile when he saw all of the turquoise bal-
loons floating through the air in Monte Carlo, which is a place that
he loved. He would have been delighted and moved to see “Grazie
Carlo” written in block letters on the floating platform facing the
Yacht Club de Monaco. We’re also sure that in his heart he replied
as he always used to by saying: ‘Thank you, my dear Riva owners,
for the care and attention that you give to my ladies of the sea.’”

N. 114 / PROTAGONIST 73

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