From Clay to Tortellini: The Art of Bringing People Together

More Than Volunteering: A Lesson in Inclusion and Humanity.

By Communication Team

12 Feb 2025

Reading time: 8 min.

At the heart of our commitment to social sustainability, we at Lamberti Ceramics - Fiorano Modenese had the opportunity to take part in an extraordinary volunteering experience with Il Tortellante, an association co-founded by Chef Massimo Bottura.

This unique organization supports autistic individuals through manual work, food culture, and a valuable intergenerational bridge between disability and the elderly. Alongside the young participants, in addition to the scientific staff, many volunteers, including the invaluable grandmothers, dedicate their time and experience with love, passing on knowledge and values through authentic and meaningful gestures.

The Art of Making: When Ceramics and Tortellini Tell a Story

This experience represented a unique encounter between two excellences of the Modena region: gastronomy, with the legendary tortellino, and ceramics, a symbol of Fiorano Modenese's manufacturing tradition. Two seemingly distant worlds, yet united by the same philosophy: valuing craftsmanship, manual skills, and traditions passed down through generations.

Between January and February 2025, in three separate sessions, our employees had the privilege of working side by side with the young people of Il Tortellante, immersing themselves in a context of simple yet extraordinary gestures. Kneading, rolling out the dough, and carefully folding each tortellino—actions that, beyond technique, embody profound human and social values.

The handmade tortellini crafted by Il Tortellante participants are not just a symbol of inclusion but also a true gastronomic excellence, served at the Bistrot del Tortellante and in the prestigious restaurants of Massimo Bottura.

A Concrete Commitment to the Community

Being part of a group that believes in the value of people and the positive impact we can have on our territory makes us proud. This experience was not just volunteering, but an opportunity for human and professional growth, an encounter of stories, hands, and hearts intertwined to create something extraordinary.

Because, in the end, change starts with the relationships we build every day: in the company, in the community, and wherever there is space to make a difference.

An Experience That Leaves a Mark

At the end of this journey, we took part in a feedback and sharing session, guided by Il Tortellante’s scientific staff. Through shared stories and emotions, six key words emerged, capturing the essence of this experience and resonating deeply with our daily work:

Integration – Working together, combining different experiences and skills to create something meaningful, just as we do every day at Lamberti Ceramics.

Family – A value that goes beyond personal life and extends to our workplace, where a sense of community and mutual support is essential for collective growth.
Empowerment – The ability to overcome challenges and turn them into opportunities for growth, a guiding principle in our daily commitment.
Future – Building something lasting, innovating, and looking ahead with the awareness that every small step makes a difference.
Awareness – Every action has an impact: this experience has made us even more conscious of the importance of our contribution to the community.
Inclusivity – Valuing diversity as a precious resource, fostering an environment where everyone feels welcomed and valued.