A MagicianS touch: Carlo Clerici awarded Golden Ambrogino for Healing Through Illusion
Milan honored the memory of Dr.โข Carlo Clerici, a pediatricianโ and โaccomplished magician, with the prestigious Golden Ambrogino award,โข recognizing his unique andโ impactful approach to caringโ for young patients battling cancer. โClerici,who passed away recently,dedicated his life to not only treating illness but also nurturing the spirit and self-esteem of children undergoing treatmentโข at the Pediatric Oncology department of the Institute in โฃvia Venezian.
Clerici’s connection to Milan ran deep,โค finding solace andโ inspiration in Sempione Park, which he considered his favorite place for walking and reading.โ This personal connection mirrored a lineage steeped in performance; he was a descendant of โLeโ Follet (born Bartolomeo Viganego), a celebrated antipodist, juggler, and illusionist of the Belle รpoque. โ
However, it was his own mastery of magic and illusion that became central to his medical practice. clerici believed โฃin โthe inherent magic within each child, famously begining his sessions with the phrase: “I canโ prove to you thatโข you are magical.” โขHe understood that children facing โa pediatric tumor – often rare and aggressiveโค – required more than just medical attention; they needed to maintain their sense of self and hope.
Toโฃ further this approach, Clerici, alongside his wife and colleagues, inspired the โฃcreation of a specialized university course open to people โof all faiths and none, focused on understanding and applying these principles. His office at โthe National Cancer Institute was deliberately designed as a “wunderkrammer” – a chamber of wonders – filled with games, toys, and magical props. Walls were adorned with children’s artwork, creating a โwelcoming and uplifting environmentโข that felt worlds away from a hospital ward.
Clerici didn’t simply perform โฃ magic for the children; he empowered them to experience it themselves, fostering a sense of agency and accomplishment.Heโฃ was a passionate advocate for knowledge sharing, actively utilizingโ social media to disseminate data and insights. Described by his wife as a “curious โman, eclectic scholar,” Clerici was also known for his non-judgmental nature and dedication to open dialogue.
The Golden Ambrogino serves as a fitting tribute to a doctor who understood that healing extends beyond medicine, and that a little bit of magic can go a long way in restoring hope and self-worth to those who need โit most. A โขwebsite dedicated to his life and work continues to share his โขvideos and writings, ensuring his legacy of compassionโข and innovation lives on.