Parma, 15 May 2024 - The historic promotion to Serie A told through a painting and a photograph that the City of Parma, handed over by Mayor Michele Guerra, wanted to donate to Parma Calcio. A photograph depicting Sunday evening, the day when fans and citizens flooded the streets of Parma and Piazza Garibaldi to welcome the Serie B champions.

This morning, in the council chamber of the Comune di Parma, the Men's First Team gathered with Mayor Michele Guerra and the Sports Assessor, Marco Bosi, accompanied by Managing Director Sport Roel Vaeyens and Sporting Director Mauro Pederzoli, to recognize this season's great achievement.

'It's the official celebration occasion where with gratitude we acknowledge the team for this great sporting achievement', Mayor Guerra began, welcoming not only the championship team but also councillors, municipal employees, and journalists. At the end of the speeches, a painting with a photograph depicting Piazza Garibaldi submerged by the celebrating Gialloblu was donated.

MAYOR MICHELE GUERRA

'Parma Calcio is a sporting and social asset, carrying the name of the city worldwide, a brand among the strongest in Europe and the world to identify our city. It's as strong as Parmigiano cheese, as strong as Verdi and Parma ham to identify a specific excellence of our territory. Thanks to you, we've experienced a season I hesitate not to define as unforgettable, with an awareness that was born with Angelo's crossbar hit and from there led us to an extraordinary result. The city's sentiment was truly close to the team and it was something unique. The enthusiasm in the square after Bari, and seeing the influx in Piazza Garibaldi during the real celebration, when it was certain that the championship was won, was unique. As a child, I experienced Parma's first promotion, then I was fortunate to live through the other promotions and European successes, but even older people than me have told me that such a square we've never seen. In recognition, we wanted to immortalize forever this square that encapsulates so many meanings and different values. Thank you for what you have given and for what you will continue to give in the upcoming seasons at the top level'.

THE SPORTS ASSESSOR MARCO BOSI

'The square the other night is very meaningful. There is a need for things that excite, inspire, and unite. Footballers inspire, they have this fortune. Athletes are a symbol, they are a guide and a source of inspiration. When we see children emulating celebration gestures, I think of the communicative power you possess. This places you in a fundamental social role. I am convinced that you have conveyed beautiful messages this season and that you will continue to do so in Parma in the future'.

SPORTING MANAGING DIRECTOR ROEL VAEYENS

'Thank you for this recognition, on behalf of President Kyle J. Krause and Luca Martines who cannot be here today. It gives me great pride and satisfaction to be here with all of you. It's beautiful to feel the collective embrace of our fans and the city of Parma. The two celebrations in the square were beautiful, and we saw so many happy people. We want to bring emotions. We have worked hard for this promotion and it has been a great and unique season. For the first time, we were Serie B champions, thanks to Fabio (Pecchia), his coaching staff and the players. Everyone has contributed, and I thank them, as well as all the employees who are never seen but are there and are important. We want to continue to give many emotions to our fans, amplifying the fame and image of Parma worldwide. I thank the Mayor and the municipal administration for their continuous support. We hope to see even more fans at the Tardini next season'.

SPORTING DIRECTOR MAURO PEDERZOLI

'If we are here, it's because the work has been done well, and this fills us with pride. It's a success that comes from the journey started some time ago, the result of much work and effort. The numbers show that this has been and still is an extraordinary team. I, like everyone else, was struck by the enthusiasm of the fans, both after Bari under the rain, with people waiting for us until one in the morning, and after Cremonese when we were welcomed amidst a sea of supporters. Seeing the city like this is a great satisfaction for each of us, intimate and profound. I want to emphasise how this team, in addition to playing good football, has upheld a way of being like Parma, respecting its fans, its city, and its opponents. These players have shown themselves to be a team, not just a group, united by a single objective'.

COACH FABIO PECCHIA

'My thanks to the Mayor and the administration. Being here is a great satisfaction. It's the end of a 24-month-long journey. As I've always said before every game, we play to win, but we do it together. We are an example of the image of a historic city, of excellence. If we do things with great emotion, we can transmit them as well. The most beautiful thing is having transmitted emotions. The celebration with the city is proof of this. We did it all together, with the Club and with an invisible team that isn't here today. It's a solid, living union. We want to continue winning, but we have to continue to do it all together'.

CAPTAIN ENRICO DELPRATO

'I speak on behalf of the team, it's a pleasure to be here. We thank you because it's been a complicated time, starting two years ago. We all know how the first season ended. With all my teammates, with the coaching and medical staff, we managed to restart with charisma. Throughout the year, the coach reminded us several times how much the Cagliari final hurt, but today we managed redemption by winning the championship. It's not just our merit. I want to underline that there has been a unity of purpose among those who work in Collecchio and help us to perform at our best, but above all, the people of Parma who have been fundamental to us and have always been with us. In the last match in Cagliari, they were there, and today we thank them for making us feel their presence. The greatest satisfaction was celebrating in front of our people'.