There is a war at the gates of Europe, a conflict that is also an attack against our values. In support of liberty, Grazia, the magazine edited by Silvia Grilli, has developed an extraordinary project entitled Buongiorno Grazia (#BuongiornoGrazia), for which it asked the young artist Bianca Cedrone to create 10 works which have become 10 collectable covers for this special issue.

“There are times when it is our duty to underline which side we are on. This is one of those moments and we are on the side of freedom. And we are declaring it with this extraordinary issue of Grazia and 10 covers that are works of art and represent what we believe in: peace, human rights, care for the planet, honest journalism,” said the editor of Grazia Silvia Grilli. “In attacking Ukraine, Vladimir Putin wants to subdue a nation that is on the road to self-determination. Begun as a “special operation”, the war led by the Kremlin’s boss has (thanks to the reaction of the free world) become a conflict between two different conceptions of history. On the one hand, progress, on the other, a retreat evoked by a bloodthirsty leader who rules through lies, oppression and death, and a view that the lives of others are of no value. Grazia, with honest journalism, devoid of fake news, knows which side it is on. This edition, with its values and commitment, wants to reassert the primacy of free information, rights and peace, because we must never take them for granted,” the editor concluded.

Each cover of this special issue represents one of the values that guide the Grazia brand, forming a collection of unique digital works, created with NFT technology, in which images blend with the exciting notes by the brilliant composer Giovanni Allevi. The collection is inspired by a desire to defend a freer and more inclusive world, more respectful of the planet and of people, where the uniqueness of everyone is the strength to pursue their talents and realise their dreams.

“This project with Grazia has allowed me to explore parallel realities and worlds with the dreamlike and surreal aesthetic that represents me,” said Bianca Cedrone. “Being able to explore such important values through my vision and imagination is an enormous satisfaction. And I believe it is important to convey profound messages through beauty and imagination and I hope that my work can serve as an example,” the artist concluded.

“A work of art must move consciences and focus attention on urgent issues. When the innovative Grazia project was presented to me, I immediately realised the important synergy that could be created for and in support of women,” said Giovanni Allevi. “The musical heart of Grazia NFT is represented in 3 themes in the different emotional approaches – rhythmic, poignant and dreamy – of my solo piano piece” “Woman Warrior”, a tribute to all the women warriors who in this historical period are carrying the weight of the tragic and difficult events we are seeing, thanks to their combative spirit, their courage and an unconditional love for life. I am thrilled to think that music, such an ethereal and impalpable art, can make a contribution to the creation of concrete change in our time,” concluded Allevi.

The collection of NFT digital works, which includes all ten covers, can be purchased on the manifesto.grazia.it platform, developed by Smartxchange Ltd. With this platform, for the first time ever, Grazia has made the world of NFT inclusive, simplifying the purchasing processes in a few clicks. The proceeds will go to support the ‘Emergenza Ucraina’ project for children and women of the Fondazione Francesca Rava N.P.H. Italia Onlus (#GraziaNFTforUcraina).

“I am deeply grateful to the editor Silvia Grilli who, with this wonderful initiative launched by the magazine Grazia, decided to support the Fondazione Francesca Rava, which is always at the forefront of helping children and families in difficulty, and is now also involved in the Ukraine emergency,” said Mariavittoria Rava, President of the Fondazione Francesca Rava NPH Italia Onlus. “A few hours after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the foundation took immediate action to respond to the most urgent needs of hospitals through Prof. Oleg Bodnar, head of the Pediatric Hospital at the Bukovnian State Medical University in Chernivtsi and a volunteer of the Foundation also in Haiti. We took prompt action on two fronts: sending convoys with drugs, medical, surgical and operating theatre equipment via Siret-Romania and warmly welcoming Ukrainian mothers and children arriving in Italy making enormous sacrifices. We need everyone’s help in order to save as many lives as we can and this wonderful project is of great help to us. I therefore launch an appeal to all readers of Grazia, for their support for the work of the Francesca Rava Foundation in this emergency.”

The special issue
This special issue of Grazia, on newsstands from tomorrow, is dedicated to the 10 values for which the brand is a spokesperson: PEACE, in the defence of a free world; ACTIVISM for freedom of opinion; INCLUSION, for the enhancement of diversity; BEAUTY, to embrace all types of bodies, sizes, and skin colour; FEMINISM, enhanced with new shades and power, for a sexy woman full of energy and free to love whoever she wants; VOICE, for reliable information, shared with a community of readers; INTERNATIONAL, because news travels very fast and comes from every source and part of the world; VISION of the challenges to be faced, the causes to fight for but also the discoveries, the achievements, including SAFEGUARDING THE PLANET; FASHION, for a style that intercepts and interprets the most contemporary trends.

Buongiorno Grazia is the first special issue of 2022 and has met with a lot of interest in the advertising market which continues to recognise the commitment and values that have always characterised Grazia. In fact, many clients have included the magazine’s initiative in their planning, leading to a total of over 100 advertising pages.