Giuseppe Lovascio - Mayor of Conversano
Where do you come from? Where do you live?
I was born in Conversano, where I currently live.
What do you do and which is the most interesting aspect of your job?
I’m the Mayor of Conversano as well as a barrister. The most interesting aspect of both jobs is my daily contact with people and that of being able to help them with their problems – something that is getting more and more difficult. I would say that motivation and enthusiasm are definitely a good starting point to get good results.
Which is the most important achievement of your professional career?
As to my career of politician, the most important achievement has been to win the election of 28th April 2008 with 62.4% of the votes which is almost unthinkeable for a centre-right politician, given also the politics history of Conversano.
As a barrister, I believe that sometimres small results can make a 'big' difference. To help litigating parties reach an agreement is in itself a great achievement. A couple that is able to iron out their problems instead of separating, restores a family's unity thus not only benefeting all parties concerned, but society too.
I think that to be successful in life you must be prepared to make sacrifices - you need to think through what you're ready to sacrifice. I'm not sure I've been that successful but I believe I have reached some old objectives I set for myself which make me feel good about myself. Moreover, in order to reach good results you need to have 'clear' ideas as to what you intend to achieve; you also need to be patient, motivated and persistent as sometimes results don't come easy.
How do you spend your free time? Which is your favourite bar/restaurant/club?
Free time? When I had free time I loved playing most sports, especially tennis. I still like going to the cinema and the theatre.
Which is your favourite book? And film?
One of my favourite books is The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
My favourite film is Gladiator by Ridley Scott. The story of the General is very interesting: the general who turned into a slave. The slave who turned into a gladiator. The gladiator who defeated an empire.
What are your plans for the future?
I do not have any plans for the near future. What interests me most is the present.
As soon as the administrative problems of Conversano are sorted out, I’ll be able to think of the future!
