Bologna, Italy: The Food Capital Gets Its Own Monopoly Edition!
By Massimo Terracina
There was a time when board games reigned supreme. We'd spend passionate evenings engrossed in High Finance, Risiko, Cluedo, but above all, Monopoly.
It is precisely from the popular board game created by Elizabeth Magie at the beginning of the 20th century, published in Italy in 1936 under the name "Monopoli," that we draw inspiration. This edition, with a charitable mission, was conceived by Nicola Gaiani, a young entrepreneur from Bologna deeply committed to social work, aid, and charity.
The original game derives its name from the economic concept of monopoly, signifying the market's domination by a single seller.
Now, we have the fully "Bolognese" version of Monopoly, which will be available in 100 retail locations by the end of October. The game board is entirely dedicated to Bologna's streets, places of interest, landmarks, and monuments (an English version will also be available for promoting the city abroad).
This serves as a delightful way to celebrate Bologna's streets and iconic locations while supporting a charitable cause. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the ANT Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in Bologna in 1978 by the late Prof. Franco Pannuti, an oncologist. The ANT Foundation provides free specialist medical assistance at the homes of cancer patients, at no cost to their families.
For nearly 90 years, the word "Monopoly" has uniquely represented "the" board game, not just one among many, but the timeless classic that has seen over 1 billion players across 144 countries since 1936.
"Monopoly Edizione Bologna" is the city's own edition, introduced this year. It's the perfect gift and is available for purchase starting today. Nicola Gaiani, CEO of Bcs s.r.l. (https://www.bcsgiochi.com/), says it's a strong contender to become the game of Christmas 2023. In this "Made in Bo" version of Monopoly, you'll stroll through Piazza Santo Stefano, Via Indipendenza, and pass by the Statue of Ugo Bassi, all while being mindful of Probabilities and Unforeseen Events, making sure you don't end up "in jail" without passing through Via.
You'll also need to avoid getting a speeding ticket, with the absurd speed limit strictly set at 30 km/h, much to the immense (!!!) joy of the people of Bologna.
"Monopoly Edizione Bologna" pays tribute to the capital of Emilia Romagna, which has not only established itself as a prominent student city but also as a sought-after destination for international tourists due to its renowned status as the global food capital. This board game serves as an ideal form of entertainment and social engagement, not just for the people of Bologna but also for university students, those away from home, and tourists looking to take home a playful memento of the city.
On December 1st, the Ant Foundation will auction a limited edition of the game (200 boxes), with the proceeds going toward charity for cancer patients. Raffaella Pannuti, president of the Ant Foundation, emphasizes that, "Through solidarity in a city like Bologna, we want to send a message that our cancer patients are not left to fend for themselves. Boh! is responsible for the distribution of the 'Monopoly Bologna edition.'"
The game set is priced at 40 Euros, and a portion of the sales proceeds will be donated to the ANT Italia Foundation.
The Bologna Monopoly was created thanks to Biemme, a brand of BCS Srl, and produced by Winning Moves under Hasbro's license. It will be available in over 100 retail locations, including newsstands, game shops, and bookstores in the city, courtesy of Boh! Edizioni. You can also find Monopoly online at www.bohedizioni.it.
This Christmas, residents of Bologna and beyond will have their own board game, not only for entertaining tabletop play but also for contributing to a noble cause through charity.
